Thailand is not so famous for surfing (even though there are a few great places where you can learn how to surf, rent equipment and practice your favourite activity, eg. Kata Beach in Phuket) but it is one of the best places for diving, taking the second place after Indonesia. And the best place for learning how to dive in the whole world.

There are a few reasons why you should choose Thailand to get your first diving certificate:

The highest number of diving professionals who came to Thailand to fulfill their dreams and become diving instructors.

Dive instructors here are passionate about the ocean, the underwater life, the ecological situation in the coral reefs, the bottom and the shores. Weekly hundreds of schools around Thailand are gathering to pick up trash and clean the ocean from the people’s intervention.

Most of the diving places like Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, Phi Phi islands, Phuket, Koh Lipe, some places in Krabi have already prohibited to sell unnecessary plastic (like plastic bags, straws, plastic cups) to stop wasting and prevent all those plastic straws end up in the ocean. Thailand has a long way to go, but the first steps were definitely made.

The price of the diving course is considered one of the lowest in the world. The lowest can be found only in Malaysia.

As an example, we will show you the price range in different countries provided by the official PADI organization in 2019. We will take the most common places people go to get their dive certificate:

Thailand (345 USD for the diving course in Koh Tao)
Malaysia (236 USD)
Indonesia (495 USD)
Australia (699 USD)
Fiji (505 USD)

Thailand has amazing diving spots and unique underwater life that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

The ocean life of Thailand includes 83 unique species which can be found only in Thailand or mostly in Thailand. There are 7 species of sharks, stingrays and rays in Thailand: Coral catshark, blacktip reef shark, blue spotted stingray, famous whale shark - the biggest shark in the world which you can only spot in Thailand (the best time is March, April), unique and absolutely gorgeous zebra shark, whitetip reef shark and leopard shark.

Thailand is considered the safest place in the world to dive.

Especially Ko Tao which was untouched by the 2004 tsunami. The water in Thailand is calm, there are no harsh underwater streams that can turn your learning into a lot of hustle. There are no dangerous animals underwater that can hurt you or which you can’t avoid by the surveillance of the experienced dive instructor.

Okay, now we have found out why Thailand. But Thailand is huge and there are hundreds of dive schools. Which one to choose?

There are beautiful places to go diving all around Thailand. You can choose any location you would go to spend a vacation as there are no bad choices. Places, where the diving courses are available, are Ko Tao, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, the whole region of Similan Islands, Krabi, Khao Lak, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui.

Our absolute recommendation is, of course, Ko Tao. Ko Tao is a small, chill island with the biggest concentration of diving schools in Thailand. There are more than 60 schools and each of them is highly professional and has something unique and special. Recently, the new price regulations were implemented and now all the schools are obligated to have the same price level (which is 11000 THB or 345 USD) so the new diver can choose based on the professional qualifications and not on price.

This rule also allows schools to stop competing on price and put more effort to raise the quality and bring new interesting features.

We know that it’s so hard to choose from such a variety of schools and we went to ALL of them to make a list of THE BEST ones and tell you what is so special about each of them.

Below you can see the name of the school and the main features that make it special. Read till the end to learn also how to find the cheaper price for the course and have a private island all by yourself as a bonus:

1) Calypso Dive Ko Tao

Calypso Dive Ko Tao Center, Thailand

The best and less crowded location in Koh Tao with an absolutely gorgeous beach. The way to Tanote Bay is curvy and not easy, but the view and nature is breathtaking
Has been established over 20 years ago
German, Thai, English and French languages are available
Shore diving (not in the program of most schools)
Diving in Tanote reef (other schools don’t always have access to it)

Tanote Bay, Koh Tao, Thailand

2) Simple Life Divers

Simple Life Divers Center, Koh Tao, Thailand

PADI 5 stars dive school
Socially responsible: they are cleaning reefs and Koh Tao beaches on an everyday basis
Have their own pool and beach from where the boats leave to the diving destination
Have their own diving resort and restaurant with the freezer for beer (that is rare on the islands)

3) Koh Tao Divers (KTD)

Koh Tao Divers (KTD) Center, Koh Tao, Thailand

The oldest diving school in Koh Tao
The only Finnish school on the island
The crew members are professional tech and cave divers
The owners of the school took part in Thai cave rescue (Tham Luang caves case in 2018 when 12 boys and their assistant soccer coach were stuck in the flooded cave for three weeks)

4) Rainbow Fish Divers

Rainbow Fish Divers Center, Koh Tao, Thailand

German and Engish courses available
Concentrating on teaching and safety. The classes are taken seriously
They only form small groups
Introduced environmental friendly policies

5) Czone Diver

Czone Diver Center, Koh Tao Thailand

Run private course/family course/couple course
English, German, Dutch, Thai and Spanish languages
Thai instructors
An atmosphere of a Thai Family

6) Pura Vida Diving Koh Tao

Pura Vida Diving Center. Koh Tao, Thailand

Number 1 certifying dive school chain in the world!
Have their own hostel and restaurant to build the strong Pura Vida Diving community
They have their own diving boats
They are famous for great parties and fun atmosphere. Plus they make delicious Argentinian barbeque.

7) Master Divers

Master Divers Center, Koh Tao, Thailand

They are proud of their own conservation department which takes care of the regular beach clean ups
Take an active part in the island life being responsible for its life and prosperity
A study by the book, no quick jumping and “skipping unnecessary”
Flexible timetable and small groups

8) Pimp My Dive Koh Tao

Pimp My Dive, Koh Tao, Thailand

French, Spanish and English Course
Rescue diving course
Stick to their words and keep their promises
An atmosphere of being part of a French family

9) Koh Tao Scuba Club

Koh Tao Scuba Club, Thailand

You walk in as a stranger, leave as a family
Lunch included in the price of the course and you will have a barbeque party
Russian, Chinese, German, English, Thai, and Spanish courses
Small groups of 4 people

10) Isla Tortuga Divers

Isla Tortuga Divers, Koh Tao, Thailand

Practice all 24 skills and don’t skip any
One of the few schools that never had accidents
They create a community, show you the best places to go and will take care of you while you are on the island
Have textbooks in almost all the languages
Very responsible instructors
The Spanish branch of the third largest dive centre in the world

11) Aqua Tao, Koh Tao

Aqua Tao, Koh Tao, Thailand

French Dive Schools
Everything is official and legal
Have their own boats
Offer long wet suits for more protection
Close to the pier

12) Pearl Diving Center

Pearl Diving Center, Koh Tao, Thailand

The first diving session is not in the pool like in all other schools but in the sea
Breakfast included in price plus snacks after diving sessions
They use their private beach for practising and even during the first dives you get a gorgeous view of corals and fish
Fixed schedule of where to dive
They offer try dives
They offer coral conservation courses

13) Koh Tao Diving Academy

Koh Tao Diving Academy, Thailand

Spanish, German and English are available
Flexible timetable. They will adapt to your pace and ability to learn and apply skills
Will go through all the materials and information with you as many times as you need until you know it
Great people and atmosphere

14) Ocean sound dive + Yoga

Ocean sound dive + Yoga, Koh Tao, Thailand

The only diving centre that also has yoga
Number 1 on TripAdvisor for 5 years
Focuses only on Entry-level, Discovery, Open Water, and Advanced courses
Not a diving certificate
Not a dive certificate factory but rather focuses on students experience and quality of education
Has long-term working instructors

15) Ban’s Diving Resort

Ban’s Diving Resort, Koh Tao, Thailand

The whole diving resort!
The biggest diving centre in the world!
Running since 1993
Have the large diving boats
Provide very personal service even though they grew up so large
Have one of the best instructors due to the high competition to get a job here
Involved in the island life
Do regular beach cleanups
Have a very active social life
Have their own recycle centre

16) Sairee Cottage Diving

Sairee Cottage Diving

Have a great variety of high professional gear
Have their own boat and control their own diving schedule
Create a social hug where everyone is comfortable
Provide a high level of education and have groups up to 6 people
Have a beautiful pool, bar and sea view
Have their own compressor and technicians so all the gears and equipment can be fixed right away

17) Siam Scuba Dive Centre

Siam Scuba Dive Centre, Koh Tao, Thailand

You come as the customer and leave as the family
Safe and trustworthy
Russian, French, German and English courses
Not about business, it’s about family, touch and knowledge
Having experience on the beach, and having as much time in the water as possible (to have the real diving experience)
A lot of self-studies are implemented

18) Carabao Diving

Carabao Diving, Koh Tao, Thailand

3 own boats
Perfect location right on the beach
Amazing facilities
A very social place. A lot of activities are going on and there is always something fun to do and hang out even after the course is over
German, Italian, English, French and Spanish

19) Nava Scuba Diving

Nava Scuba Diving, Koh Tao, Thailand

Free pick-up and drop-off service
Free lunch included
Family courses (Bubble-maker course from 8 years old)
Have their own dog
Nice place to hang out and see a sunset
Great spot and classroom with an amazing view over the sea
You get an amazing shirt, handy bag, and a bracelet.

20) Koh Nang Yuan Easy Divers

Koh Nang Yuan, Thailand

Koh Nang Yuan Easy Divers, Koh Tao, Thailand

The only school on the private island in Thailand, 15 minutes by taxi boat from Koh Tao
Have access to special diving spots which are not available for other schools
The price is 9700 THB (20% cheaper than on Koh Tao as it is not under the Koh Tao law)
If you take the course, you get a great discount for accommodation on the Nang Yuan Island. The great benefit of the island and staying here is that after 5 pm the National Park is closing its gates and you will be the only one on the island until 10 am! Whole personal island only for you!