Currently have my OW, looking to go up to a DM
Not sure which of these 2 islands to do it on, planning to live there for 6 months
Anyone able to provide feedback on these ?
Thanks
Any Scuba Divers? - Ko Tao or Ko Samui?
letmethefuqin on 28/04/2016 - 22:08
Comments
Thanks for that, will Add those dive sites to my list.
Koh Tao is best for diving.. be sure to duck over to Koh Pagnan for a full moon party ;)
Those party's are what I would prefer to avoid :O
Koh Tao for sure; diving is it's main appeal, so you'll have lots of like minded people around you. I spent 2 months there whilst doing going from a non-diver to DM.
Take overnight trips to the other islands for Full-Moon parties and general travel, but if you're going to be there for 6 months you have enough time to check them all out properly.
2 dive sites to make sure you go to, Sail Rock and Chumphon Pinnacle; both an hour or 2 away from the islands, but must sees.
I had a look around at most island,s and everyone keeps pointing out Koh Tao, so it seems to be the place to be.. :)
Ko Kakohla?
Have to look this one up on google maps?
I think you'd find that in the fridge. It was a joke
Koh Samui has no decent dive sites in close proximity and most day trips head out to Koh Tao in any event.
Depending on what time of the year you are going have you considered the Similan Islands?
true. Apart from Similan & Surin Islands, there is also Hin Daeng & Hin Muang. The later two I reckon would be their best diving site in TH.
what are you after? corals? sealife? ship wrecks?
sites in koh tao can become so crowded with boats and divers.
but off course since the OP wont bother replying…
good luck.
Thanks for your input :)
If you are going from almost zero (OW) to hero, the location may not be as important as the company you choose to do your internship with (I assume you are doing some sort of internship by taking 6 months). If you don't know any of the companies / people involved I would be asking friends for recommendations.
Personally, I did my DM internship in a tiny tiny place in the middle of the Pacific Ocean - just me and the owners. Thing is I had dived with them before and understood their diving "values" so to say. Part of your DM course (for PADI at least) is understanding the "business" of diving, and one statistic always stood out to me: only 10% of Open Water Divers will continue to dive after their course. For most, their course is the only time they ever dive in their lives, and that could be down to any number of reasons.
I'm not going to go into my theories right now, but a lot of people are taught how to dive by people who don't have the passion and just rush them through, without imparting some of that wonder which kept those instructors diving in the first place. I tagged along with my wife on her Open Water course just off Cairns years back, and they truly did not care about their "product" - just got them in and out as quick as possible, made them swim hard to chew through their air (most dives were 25-35 minutes only) and barely pointed out any sea life. They had a horrible time, and I'm sure most of her course mates never would have dived again.
I was lucky to do my own OW and AOW with someone who had an amazing passion for it, took safety seriously but also realised the reason people dive is because it is fun! Her enthusiasm was contagious and I was hooked on diving from day dot with her. My internship was the same.
TL:DR. Why Ko Tao or Ko Samui? What about Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Chang, Ko Samet, etc… Find a place with instructors you share similar values with, then decide on the location - no matter where you choose you'll see those same dive sites 30-40 times each after all. I can't offer any personal recommendations as unfortunately all my old bosses and instructors have moved on, but if you'd like to hear more I'd be happy to tell you of my experiences.
But geez… talk about jealous. I'd do it all again tomorrow. Pls take me too!
Good write up!
For me it is about going with a good school, and living somewhere that suits my life style.. because 6 months can be a long time if you are not liking the location you live :)
I'm starting to think I might wind that down to 2/3 months for that reason :)Ok, so by saying you may wind down to 2-3 months, that says to me - you're the customer. Which makes it even stronger to me to say: do what YOU want. Have you been to these places before? Is there any reason for only considering Thailand vs Indo, Philippines etc.
I lived in a shack on the beach for months in the Pacific. No power outlet, no hot water in the communal bathroom. Best time of my life when I think about it though. Just be single!
Did OW course ages ago in Ko Tao. I thought the dive sites we went to were pretty average but it probably was due to the course.
We got burgled one night. A dude cut open screen on balcony, opened door, came in, i woke up with him there, he ran out and jumped away from balcony to balcony.
if u havent been to those places then go to both.
for diving i preferred koh tao. you will find diving tours from samui will actually take u to koh tao diving sites. Plenty of places in Koh Tao which are approx 45min boat from there. Plenty sites for OW & DM… 15-30m. Been a while since I went but great places Chumpon & Sail Rock, South West Pinnacle. I went with Master Divers.