Gap Year Scuba Diving | Koh Tao Learn to Dive / Essentials

Koh Tao Learn to Dive / Essentials
Koh Tao, Thailand

Last updated: 05 March 2013

Thailand is one of the most popular backpacking destinations for gap year travel and the scuba diving around Thailand must be experienced if you visit.

This programme on Koh Tao offers our customers the opportunity to acquire world-recognised PADI qualifications whilst exploring the reefs and eco systems and meeting some like-minded divers and travellers along the way. We also include a few days in Bangkok upon arrival which enables customers to meet other people, explore Bangkok, familiarise themselves with the country and generally relax before travelling to Koh Tao.

Whilst on Koh Tao you'll have a range of diving courses to choose from and plenty of time for fun dives and underwater exploration.

Essentials

Country:	Koh Tao, Thailand
Meals:	Eat out. Support local businesses and experience Koh Tao!
Trip duration	From 1 week
Suitability	Beginners, Open Water and Advanced Divers
Getting there:	London to Bangkok

What diving courses are availble to you?

Please click the course name for more information about that particular course.

Details and Itinerary

Programme content and guideline itinerary

Arrival in Bangkok

We offer a great service in Bangkok where you spend a couple of days upon arrival. This allows you to explore Bangkok, meet other travellers and generally familiarse yourself to the local area before being transferred to Koh Tao. This is a great service and provides allows you to understand a bit about the culture, lifestyle, do's and don'ts around Thailand.

Diver Training

The PADI training is conducted at a 5* Career Development Centre – the highest rating possible. Expect tuition and safety of the highest standards!

The diving courses you complete is very much up to you. We're flexible with start dates and durations but you should generally be looking at 2 weeks minimum. Within this time you will have plenty of time for diver training as well as recreational day and night dives.

For beginners you should consider the Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses. These will enable you to dive to around 30m anywhere in the world during onward travels.

For Open Water Divers we would recommend the PADI Advanced Open Water and Nitrox Courses. If you've got the time and money then the EFR and Rescue Courses could certainly be beneficial to you and you'd learn about first aid and rescue scenarios.

For Advanced divers you'd be looking at the EFR and Rescue courses and possibly some PADI speciality courses. There's plenty to do but we'd certainly recommend getting to Rescue Diver so that you can start a Divemaster courses immediately at a later date.

Recreational Diving

Around the training the focus shifts from ‘education’ to ‘exploration’. A large part of any trip is dedicated solely to having fun and exploring the marine life around Koh Tao. The dive sites vary in depth from just a few metres down to 40 metres. The water temperature is always warm and visibility varies from around 15 metres to 25 metres on a good day. The marine life is vibrant and you will encounter large schools of Barracuda, Bat Fish, Trevally, Groupers, Angel Fish, Butterfly Fish, Parrot Fish, Anemone and Clown Fish, Wrasse, Trigger Fish, Moray Eels, Hawksbill Turtles and Blue -Spotted Stingrays. If that’s not enough, you may wish to prepare yourself for dives with pelagics (the big open ocean stuff!). Whale Sharks can be seen in season and Grey Reef sharks are also regularly spotted (but don’ worry, none of these sharks like humans.

Itinerary

Arrival Bangkok: Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel in Bangkok (overnight).
Days 2 and 3: in Bangkok to recover from jet lag and for independent travel. Local trips can easily be arranged when you get there - see how you feel.
Day 3 (8pm): depart by private minibus to Chumphon and then onto Koh Tao.
Day 4: Arrive at 8:30am in Koh Tao. Orientation and welcome briefing. Start dive training,
Days 5 - ???: Recrational diving and the PADI courses you choose to complete.
End: At the end of the course you can either stay-on in Koh Tao, return to the UK or continue your travels around South East Asia. Transfers back to Bangkok are always provided.

Included and Not Included

A guide to what you see and what you get!

Full details of exact inclusions, exclusions and local payments will be sent to you when you request a quotation. As a general guideline you can expect the following:

Included

Meet and greet at Bangkok Airport and taken downtown, 2 nights in Sakul Hotel in Bangkok upon arrival, transfers (Bangkok - Koh Tao - Bangkok) - minibus from Bangkok to Chumphon and then catamaran to Koh Tao (return), aaccommodation in Koh Tao (fan room), PADI Open Water course*, PADI Advanced Open Water course*, PADI EFR course*, PADI Rescue Diver course*, recreational dives, PADI fees and PADI materials, full equipment hire (excluding dive computer), use of all facilities, tanks, weights, 24 hour UK support, local support in Koh Tao.

* As selected by you

Not Included

Flights, visa, vaccinations, travel insurance, meals, personal spending money and airport departure taxes.

Extra Information

A few things you should know and trip downloads

Guideline Pricing Information

All prices are per person and exclude flights unless otherwise stated. The guideline prices shown are designed to provide you with an indication of how much to budget for your trip. You need to be aware that there are a number of factors which can influence the price; these include the duration of trip, the time of year, exchange rates, board basis and the amount of diving you require. For an accurate price you must submit a quote request.

Accommodation

Private deluxe room with fan, hot water and satellite TV. Upgrade to air-conditioned room available.

Flights

Very easy! Direct flights operated by Thai Airways from London Heathrow to Bangkok daily.

Requirements

- Fit to dive (we will send you a PADI medical form before departure)
- Over 17 years of age

Dive Training

A selecttion of PADI courses are available to you. The more you choose the longer you stay and the more expensive the programme.

PADI Materials

All PADI materials are included with all courses.

PADI Fees

All PADI fees are included with all courses.

What next?

Happy with what you have seen and read? To get an exact price please click the 'tailor-made button' (located on the 'prices, dates and booking' tab) to request a quotation as this trip is tailor-made. Following the link will open our online quotation system. Simply follow the steps and make your selections. A formal quotation will be sent to you via e-mail once we have received your request.

Prices, Booking and Dates

Guideline prices, trip dates and how to book!

Guideline Price Table

Request a Quotation

Current Dive Level	As a guide...
Current Dive Level	Duration	Price
Beginner	1 - 3 weeks	£635Sample price is £635 for 1 week including PADI Open Water and 6 recreational dives.
Open Water	1 - 3 weeks	£590Sample price is £590 for 1 week including PADI Advanced Open Water and 6 recreational dives.
Advanced	1 - 3 weeks	£495Sample price is £495 for 1 week with no diver training and 12 recreational dives.

Booking a tailor-made trip

This trip is tailor-made. Please to start customising your own trip. Our quotation system is easy to use and it allows you to get an idea of price according to your dive level. If you wish to book then you must complete the quotation form, add your details and we will e-mail you a formal quotation with all the booking details. You can also call us on 0845 257 3292 to discuss this trip and to book a place.

Booking Instructions

Step 1: This trip is tailor-made! Request a quote so that we can check availability and provide an accurate price based on your travel dates and diving requirements.
Step 2: We will review your request. A quote will be sent to your e-mail address with a link to follow should you decide to book.
Step 3: If you wish to proceed with the booking; follow the link in the e-mail and pay the deposit for the trip. Please note that quotes have an expiry date.
Step 4: You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your booking request along with login details so that you can manage your booking.
Step 5: We will send you all your travel documents and be at-hand to answer any questions relating to your trip.

Trip Dates

Custom start dates. With regular daily flights and people arriving regularly, this trip can start any day of the week.

Financial Protection

TTA Your money is secure with us! We have TTA Financial protection under licence Q0621. The protection means that you can book your holiday secure in the knowledge that the Travel Trust Association will protect you in the unlikely event of a us becoming insolvent. Should we for any reason financially fail or cease trading, the Travel Trust Association will liaise with the suppliers to ensure that your holiday goes ahead unaffected. If for any reason this is not possible, the TTA will administer a claim for a refund of money that you have paid to us for your holiday. Read more about how your money is protected.

Deposit and Balance Payments

We request a £250 deposit to secure a place. All balance payments are due 60 days before the start of the trip. If you book within 60 days of departure then full payment must be made at the time of booking.