Gap Year Diver - scuba trips for people taking time out, a career break and gap year

Destination Guide

About an hour by boat heading North from Koh Phangan, Koh Tao is a dramatic mix of dense jungle and hilly terrain in its interior and granite outcrops and beaches along its coast. However, it has become best known for the abundance of excellent dive sites within a short distance of the island. It is a simple, friendly and fun island with an atmosphere that means people usually stay a lot longer than intended!

Programmes and Trips

• Koh Tao Divemaster Internship (Koh Tao, Thailand)

  
  • This programme offers you a fast and cost-effective way to turn pro and become a Divemaster. Based in Koh Tao, your training focuses on the pre-requisite PADI courses up to…
  • Trip Duration: 4 to 6 weeks
  • Suitability: Beginners and qualified divers
  • 4 weeks from £1135pp
  FULL TRIP DETAILS REQUEST A QUOTE

• Koh Tao Learn to Dive / Essentials (Koh Tao, Thailand)

  
  • An ideal programme to start your gap year in South East Asia. Acquire recreational PADI courses, explore the reefs and eco systems in the Gulf of Thailand and meet some…
  • Trip Duration: From 1 week
  • Suitability: Beginners, Open Water and Advanced Divers
  • Tailormade - From £495pp
  FULL TRIP DETAILS REQUEST A QUOTE

Optional Tours / Excursions

The following tours are available to add-on to your gap year diving experience. Tours can generally be done either before or after a programme, but in some cases they can be done during the programme.

Sorry, but we do not appear to have any tours listed at present. Please check back again. Alternatively, please call us to learn more about tours / trip extensions and we can discuss possible options.

Climate / Weather

Diving Conditions
The dive sites vary in depth from just a few metres down to 40 metres. There is no tidal influence and there is little current at most of the sites. The water temperature is always warm, ranging from about 27°C to 31°C. Visibility varies, but on average is around 15 metres. On a good day it can be up to 25 metres.

Common marine life you will encounter includes: large schools of fish – Barracuda, Bat Fish, Trevally; Groupers; Angel Fish; Butterfly Fish; Parrot Fish; Anenome and Clown Fish; Wrasse; Trigger Fish; Moray Eels; Hawksbill Turtles; Blue Spotted Stingrays.

You may also be lucky enough to encounter pelagics (the big open ocean stuff!) like the Whale Shark, the world’s biggest fish, growing up to 8 metres in length. Grey Reef sharks are also regularly spotted (but don’t worry, none of these sharks like humans!).

April to October is the dive season in the Gulf of Thailand

Weather
The year can be split into three seasons: a dry season, a hot season and a rainy season. Temperatures do not really alter much and it's typically 30°C most days. The dry season is December – February, the hot season is March - August and the rainy season is September to November. The seas are very rough and visibility is pretty poor during the rainy season. Diving conditions are good throughout the year (except for Oct - Dec). Common marine life includes large schools of fish – Barracuda, Bat Fish, Trevally; Groupers; Angel Fish; Butterfly Fish; Parrot Fish; Anenome and Clown Fish; Wrasse; Trigger Fish; Moray Eels; Hawksbill Turtles; Blue Spotted Stingrays and sometimes large pelagics like Whale Sharks!

Photos for Thailand

Travel Advice

Facts

Official Name: Kingdom of Thailand
Location: South East Asia
Population: c.70 million
Languages: Thai
Religion: Buddhism
Capital: Bangkok
FCO Travel Advice Link: Thailand Information

Visas / Entry Requirements

British passport holders arriving by air may enter Thailand for up to 30 days without obtaining a visa in advance of arrival. However, those arriving at overland crossings will only be given visa free entry valid for 15 days. If you intend to stay in Thailand for longer than the time endorsed on arrival, or you intend to work in the country, you must obtain an extension of stay or a valid visa.

Vaccinations

Please visit www.netdoctor.co.uk for more information or consult with your local GP for professional advice.

Flight times / routes

London to Bangkok (c.13 hours), Bangkok to Chumphon (internal train) followed by a Ferry from Chumphon to Koh Tao.