Koh Tao

Koh Tao, a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, is one of the busiest places in the world to learn to dive. Dozens of dive schools run courses every day, prices are competitive, and most sites are shallow, sheltered and easy. If you want to get certified on a budget in a relaxed setting, this is a classic choice.

The reefs are best suited to training and recreational diving. Currents are usually mild, and the dive sites around the island cover a range of easy reefs and pinnacles. Whale sharks are seen at times, but sightings are seasonal and never guaranteed.

Seasons here are unlike much of Thailand. February to May usually brings the calmest sea and the best visibility. June to September is generally good, with occasional windy days that push boats to the sheltered side of the island. The northeast monsoon, roughly October to January, brings rough seas and rain, and visibility can drop below 5 metres. Diving continues in sheltered bays, but if you are travelling specifically to dive or to train, avoid those months.

Water temperature is usually 27 to 30°C, so a 3 mm suit or shorty is enough for most of the year. In the monsoon months a full wetsuit is more comfortable on long training days.