Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Pha-Ngan all have numerous professional PADI-qualified dive companies offering their services.

Most have ex-pat dive-masters with staff and crew who are well trained in English and knowledgeable in all aspects of dive-safety procedures. Generally speaking, there’s very little difference in price between most operators.

Indeed, it’s not uncommon for two or three different dive companies to share the same boat on occasions.

Expect to pay around Bt.4500 for a day dive trip to one of the popular sites. A PADI open-water dive course usually cots something in the region of Bt.17.000, depending on how many dives are included.

The more advance courses, including PADI instructor’s training, are also available. Taking into account the wide range of accomodation available here, Thailand must be one of the most affordable and pleasurable places in the world to learn to dive. Not least, becaused of the invitingly warm and stunningly beautiful conditions. All the islands here on the east coast have easily accessible local dive sites. And range from simple, shallow, beginners’ dives, to the highly advanced and adventurous- enough to satisfy even the most thrill-seeking divers.

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