Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [513]
Most dive schools can hook you up with cheap (or even free) accommodation. Expect larger crowds between December and April, and a monthly glut of wannabe divers after the Full Moon party on Ko Pha-Ngan next door.
The following dive schools are among the best operators on the island, and all support the Save Koh Tao initiative ( Click here).
Ban’s Diving School ( Map; 0 7745 6466; www.amazingkohtao.com; Hat Sai Ri) A well-oiled diving machine and relentlessly expanding conglomerate, Ban’s certifies more divers per year than any other scuba school in the world. Classroom sessions tend to be conducted in large groups, but there’s a reasonable amount of individual attention in the water. A breadth of international instructors means that students can learn to dive in their native tongue. The affiliated resort ( Click here) is quite popular with party-seekers.
Big Blue Diving ( Map; 0 7745 6415; 0 7745 6772; www.bigbluediving.com; Hat Sai Ri) If Goldilocks were picking a dive school, she’d probably pick Big Blue – this midsize operation (not too big, not too small) gets props for fostering a sociable vibe while maintaining a high standard of service. Divers of every ilk can score dirt-cheap accommodation at their resort ( Click here).
Buddha View (0 7745 6074; www.buddhaview-diving.com; Chalok Ban Kao) Another big dive operation on Ko Tao, Buddha View offers the standard fare of certification and special programs for technical diving (venturing beyond the usual parameters of recreational underwater exploration). Discounted accommodation is available at their friendly resort ( Click here).
Crystal Dive (0 7745 6107; www.crystaldive.com; Mae Hat) Crystal is the Meryl Streep of diving operators, winning all the awards for best performance. It’s one of the largest schools on the island (and around the world), although high-quality instructors and intimate classes keep the school feeling quite personal. Multilingual staff members, air-conditioned classes and an on-site swimming pool sweeten the deal. Crystal offers accommodation in both Mae Hat and Sairee ( Click here).
New Heaven (0 7745 6587; www.newheavendiveschool.com; Chalok Ban Kao) The owners of this small diving operation dedicate a lot of their time to preserving the natural beauty of Ko Tao’s underwater sites by conducting regular reef checks and contributing to reef restoration efforts. They are currently spearheading the Save Koh Tao Group environmental efforts. A special Coastal Preservation & Development Foundation (CPAD) research diver–certification program is available in addition to the regular order of programs and fun dives.
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DIVE SITES AT A GLANCE
Sail Rock (34m maximum depth), near Ko Pha-Ngan, features a massive rock chimney with a vertical swim-through, and large pelagics like barracuda, kingfish and the occasional whale shark.
Chumphon Pinnacle (36m maximum depth), 13km west of Ko Tao, has a colourful assortment of sea anemones along the four interconnected pinnacles. The site is home to schools of giant trevally, tuna and large grey reef sharks. Whale sharks are known to pop up once in a while.
Southwest Pinnacle (33m maximum depth) offers divers a small collection of pinnacles that are home to giant groupers and barracudas. Whale sharks and leopard sharks are sometimes spotted (pun partially intended).
Green Rock (25m maximum depth) is an underwater jungle gym featuring caverns, caves and small swim-throughs. Rays, groupers and triggerfish are known to hang around. It’s a great place for a night dive.
White Rock (29m maximum depth) is home to colourful corals, angelfish, clown fish