Koh Tao Diving with The Dearly Dive-PADI 5 Star Dive Resort
Koh Tao diving is world-famous for warm water, 15–30m visibility and affordable PADI courses, making it one of the best places to learn scuba diving in Asia. At The Dearly Dive — a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort and award-winning hostel — you can enjoy Koh Tao scuba diving, complete your PADI Koh Tao certification and stay in a comfortable social hostel all in one place. Perfect for beginners, fun divers and anyone who wants safe, relaxed and memorable diving in Koh Tao.
Koh Tao Diving at a Glance
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Location: Koh Tao, Gulf of Thailand
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Best for: Beginners, PADI courses, fun dives
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Visibility: ~15–30m depending on season
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Water temperature: 27–30°C year-round
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Course price range: Among the most affordable in Thailand
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Dive sites: 20+ sites including Chumphon Pinnacle, Sail Rock
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Highlights: Whale sharks (seasonal), coral reefs, calm seas
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Certification available: All PADI Koh Tao levels from beginner to pro
Why Choose The Dearly Dive for
Koh Tao Scuba Diving
Experience scuba diving Koh Tao with a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort known for safety, heart-warming hospitality and small classes that allow genuine, personal coaching.
We offer:
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Modern equipment
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On-site training pool
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Professional PADI instructors
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A comfortable hostel stay with facilities like rooftop, café and beach shuttle
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Perfect dive-and-stay convenience in one place
Whether you’re learning your first skills or exploring deeper sites, The Dearly Dive ensures every diver feels confident and cared for.
PADI Koh Tao Diving Courses and Programs
The Dearly Dive offers a full selection of PADI-certified programs tailored to all experience levels. From introductory experiences to advanced certifications, our courses are conducted in small groups by experienced instructors, ensuring a safe and structured learning environment. New divers and those working toward professional certification will find our PADI diving courses in Koh Tao designed to guide and support their growth with expertise and care.
PADI Open Water — Learn to Dive in Koh Tao
Take your first step toward becoming a certified diver. The PADI Open Water course teaches you the fundamentals of scuba diving, including theory, pool training, and four open water dives. Once completed, you'll be certified to dive up to 18 meters anywhere in the world. View the full PADI Open Water course outline
PADI Advanced Open Water — Level Up Your Koh Tao Diving
Build on your existing certification with the PADI Advanced Open Water course. Choose from a variety of adventure dives, such as deep diving, navigation, wreck diving, or underwater photography and improve your skills while exploring new depths. Explore the Advanced Open Water experience details
Discover Scuba Diving Koh Tao — Try Diving in One Day
Not ready to commit to a full course? Discover Scuba Diving offers a safe and guided introduction to scuba diving without certification. It’s the perfect way to experience the thrill of diving and explore the ocean with close instructor supervision. Learn what’s included in the Discover Scuba Diving session
Fun Dives in Koh Tao — Explore the Best Dive Sites
Already certified? Join our guided fun dives in Koh Tao and explore over 20 diverse dive sites across the island. From coral gardens to reef pinnacles, our experienced dive guides will help you uncover the hidden gems of this underwater paradise. See our dive trip schedules & site highlights
Emergency First Response (EFR) – Essential Life-Saving Skills
Learn critical life-saving skills through the EFR course. You’ll gain hands-on knowledge in CPR, first aid, and emergency response techniques—essential for divers who want to be better prepared and more confident in emergency situations on Koh Tao and beyond. See the complete Emergency First Response training modules
PADI Rescue Diver – Build Confidence & Handle Emergencies
Elevate your diving skills with the PADI Rescue Diver course. This program focuses on identifying, preventing, and managing dive emergencies through realistic scenarios and practical exercises. It’s an empowering course that increases safety awareness, problem-solving ability and confidence underwater. Review the full Rescue Diver course scenarios & exercises
PADI Divemaster Program – Go Pro in Koh Tao
Turn your passion into a profession with the PADI Divemaster course in Koh Tao. This intensive program trains you to assist instructors, supervise certified divers, and take on leadership roles within the diving industry. You’ll develop advanced dive skills, gain real leadership experience, and open the door to global career opportunities in scuba diving. Explore the professional Divemaster training pathway
Diving in Koh Tao: Best Dive Sites with The Dearly Dive
Highlight sites:
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Chumphon Pinnacle: Famous for barracudas, trevally, whale sharks
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Southwest: Schools of fish, sea anemone fields
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Shark Island: Colorful corals and macro life
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White Rock: Ideal for training and night dives
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Aow Leuk & Twins: Perfect for beginners
We rotate sites daily depending on weather and diver level.
Marine Life and Coral Reefs
Scuba diving in Koh Tao offers up-close encounters with a rich variety of marine species. Depending on the site and season, you may see:
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Sea turtles calmly gliding through reef channels
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Blacktip reef sharks cruising in the shallows
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Colorful nudibranchs, clownfish, triggerfish, and groupers
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Occasional visits from giant trevallies and whale sharks
Our dive professionals follow responsible practices to ensure every interaction respects the reef and marine life.
Ideal Conditions for Scuba Diving Koh Tao
Koh Tao offers diving all year with stable temperatures, gentle currents and clear water. The best season is typically February–October, but safe diving remains available almost every week of the year.
How to Book Your PADI Diving
Koh Tao Experience
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Choose your PADI course or fun dive program.
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Contact us via email or form to check availability.
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Confirm dates and pay a small deposit.
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Check in at The Dearly Hostel (optional but recommended).
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Begin training with your PADI instructor.
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Enjoy your certification or fun dives.
Do’s and Don’ts For
Diving in Koh Tao
Do’s
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Listen carefully to your instructor. Safety briefings and dive plans are essential for a smooth and enjoyable dive.
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Use reef-safe sunscreen or wear a rash guard to protect both your skin and the coral reef.
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Stay hydrated and well-rested before your dive. Your body performs better underwater when it's well cared for.
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Respect marine life. Observe but never touch, chase, or feed sea creatures.
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Equalize frequently during descent to avoid discomfort or injury.
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Follow the buddy system. Always dive with a partner and communicate regularly.
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Log your dives. Keep track of your experience and progress, especially for certification purposes.
Don’ts
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Don’t touch coral or marine animals. Even the slightest contact can damage fragile reef systems or provoke defensive behavior.
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Don’t dive if you feel unwell, hungover, or overly tired. Diving requires full focus and physical readiness.
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Don’t use regular sunscreen. Many products contain chemicals that are harmful to coral reefs—opt for reef-safe alternatives.
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Don’t ascend too quickly. Always follow your instructor’s guidance for a safe and controlled ascent.
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Don’t remove anything from the ocean. Take only photos, leave only bubbles.
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Don’t ignore your air gauge. Monitoring your air and depth regularly is key to a safe dive.
What Our Koh Tao Diving
Guests Say
At The Dearly Dive, our greatest reward is the trust and joy shared by our guests. From first-time divers to seasoned adventurers, we’ve had the honor of welcoming ocean lovers from all over the world. Here’s what they have to say about their PADI Koh Tao experience with us:
Sanne Vdl
"Best experience! I’ve always been scared in deep water but Julian (the instructor) was super calm and explained everything well before, during & after the dives which helped a lot. He even brought his GoPro to take some amazing pics and video’s of us!!! Ended up also doing my Advanced Course, really recommend."
Marta Escudeiro
"I just finished my open water certification with the accommodation on the 6 bed... The place is really clean and well maintained. My instructor Aaron was great! Super detailed in what was important, very clear and took it light. Everything seemed easy! The classroom for the theory is super pleasant as well. I did everything in 2 days and a half with plenty of free time. Couldn’t recommend it enough!"
Olivia S.
"I loved this hostel! It’s in a great location... The hostel itself is very clean and well done... I also went scuba diving with The Dearly and had a great experience! Their equipment is high quality, very nice boat, and wonderful staff. Overall I highly"
Frequently Asked Questions about Koh Tao Scuba Diving
1. Is Koh Tao good for beginner scuba diving?
Yes. Koh Tao scuba diving is ideal for beginners thanks to calm water, warm temperatures and shallow reefs that make PADI courses easier and safer.
2. What makes diving in Koh Tao special?
Diving in Koh Tao offers 20+ dive sites, clear water, short boat rides and seasonal whale shark encounters — perfect for both learning and fun diving.
3. Which PADI Koh Tao courses can I take at The Dearly Dive?
We offer Discover Scuba Diving, PADI Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, EFR and Divemaster — all taught in small groups by experienced instructors.
4. How do I book PADI diving Koh Tao with The Dearly?
Choose your course, contact our team, confirm availability and secure your spot with a deposit. Optional: add hostel stay for a full dive-and-stay package.
5. Can I join scuba diving in Koh Tao if I stay somewhere else?
Absolutely. You’re welcome to join our scuba diving Koh Tao programs even if you don’t stay at The Dearly.
6. Can I dive if I have a medical condition?
A diver medical questionnaire needs to be completed before starting the course or diving.
https://www.thedearlykohtaohostel.com/_files/ugd/7d2674_7e2f14583b1e4415838aac80742e4edf.pdf
7. What should I bring for diving?
Bring swimwear, a towel, and a reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin and the marine environment. We provide all diving equipment and learning materials.
