The Best Dive School in Koh Phangan | Better Than Koh Tao?
Koh Phangan might not have the same reputation for diving as its neighbor Koh Tao, but that doesn’t mean the diving is any worse.
In fact, the best dive site in the region, Sail Rock, is actually closer to Koh Phangan than it is to Tao.
If you’re looking to explore the underwater world In the Gulf of Thailand… or get your PADI ticket for the first time.. Consider doing it away from the hoards and choose Koh Phangan instead.
Table of Contents
First, How Does Koh Phangan Compare to Koh Tao?
Now, this is the big question.
I’ve spend a couple of weeks on both Koh Tao and Koh Phangan now (across two separate trips to Thailand)
The simple answer is the best diving you’ll find is at Sail Rock (the rock – not the dive school). But companies on both islands will do trips almost daily to the rock. So it doesn’t matter.
Koh Tao has more dive companies/schools. Has cheaper pricing (due to higher demand) and has more local dive sites around the island.
Koh Phangan on the other hand doesn’t have as good diving around the island (or as many options) but is closer to the offshore dive sites like Sail Rock
What’s The Diving Like in Koh Phangan?
There are currently 5 dive sites listed around Koh Phangan, of which 3 are Reef dives, 2 are Beach dives and 2 are Cave dives.
Koh Phangan’s dive sites are fewer but more pristine than Koh Tao’s. Sail Rock is undoubtedly the crown jewel here. It’s famous for the chimney I mentioned earlier, and there’s a good chance of spotting whale sharks, barracuda, and massive schools of fish. There’s something raw and untamed about the diving in Koh Phangan. It’s less commercialized, and because of that, I felt like I had the underwater world to myself more often than not.
The island also offers underrated shore dives with a shallow reef teeming with life.
But Koh Phangan’s diving scene lacks variety compared to Koh Tao. If you’re staying long-term, you might find yourself diving in the same spots more than you’d like. But, if you’re here for a few days or a week, you’ll have plenty to explore without feeling bored.
Diving in Koh Tao
There are currently 26 dive sites listed around Koh Tao, of which 21 are Reef dives, 14 are Ocean dives and 6 are Pinnacle dives.
[View all the dive sites on the PADI website]
Koh Tao has a variety. There’s no question that it’s the more developed dive hub, with dozens of dive sites around the island. I’ve had some great dives at sites like Chumphon Pinnacle and Southwest Pinnacle.
But the thing with Koh Tao is the crowds. Sometimes it felt like I was diving in a line, with boat after boat dropping divers into the same spot. It’s hard to fully appreciate the beauty of a coral reef when you’re surrounded by a dozen other divers kicking up sand.
The marine life is still great – plenty of turtles, rays, and reef sharks – but I found it less intimate. Don’t get me wrong, I had some magical moments, especially night dives at White Rock, but Koh Tao’s sheer popularity has taken away some of the magic for me.
The Verdict: Which Island Has Better Diving?
I found Koh Phangan’s diving to be more up my alley.
This is probably more of a comment about the experience out of the water than in the water. But diving in Koh Phangan felt less rushed. A bit more chilled, and I didn’t feel like I was part of a diving conveyor belt, which is sometimes the case in Koh Tao.
For me, that makes all the difference.
If you want variety, more dive sites, and a bustling dive scene with plenty of social opportunities, Koh Tao is your spot. But if you’re after a more personal, intimate diving experience with fewer crowds and more pristine dive sites, Koh Phangan takes the crown.
1. Sail Rock Divers (My Recommendation)
Sail Rock Divers is widely regarded as the best dive school on Koh Phangan and it’s the go-to dive center for anyone serious about experiencing Sail Rock.
We did four dives at Sail Rock (with Sail Rock), and it truly lived up to the hype. The visibility was excellent, and within the first few minutes, we encountered a massive school of trevally swirling around the pinnacle. The chimney, a vertical swim-through starting at 18 meters and exiting at 6 meters or vice versa, was the highlight of the dive.
Compared to other dive sites around, Sail Rock is on another level in terms of diversity and abundance of marine life. I’ve also dived with other schools at Sail Rock, but none had the same level of attention to detail and professionalism that the school provided. Everything from the briefing to the boat ride to the post-dive snacks was well-organized and enjoyable.
Highlights
- Specialization in Sail Rock Dives: They are renowned for frequent dive trips to Sail Rock, one of Thailand’s top dive sites.
- Full dive resort: Sail Rock Divers is more than just a dive school—it’s a full resort with accommodations, a restaurant, and recreational facilities, making it convenient for divers who want an all-in-one experience.
- Comprehensive dive courses: They offer a full range of PADI courses, from beginner Open Water to Divemaster and Instructor levels
- Focus on small group sizes: They prioritize small group dives for a more personalized experience.
- Experienced instructors: The dive center boasts a team of professional instructors who provide high-quality training and comfort.
2. Haad Yao Divers
Haad Yao Divers has built a solid reputation over the years among both locals and tourists and offers a laid-back vibe that reflects the chilled-out nature of the island’s western beaches. The school offers a wide array of PADI courses that cater to complete beginners and more experienced divers looking to further their certification.
I joined the school for a fun dive at Koh Ma, a small island connected to Koh Phangan by a sandbar. It’s an easy shore dive but it also offers enough marine life to keep you entertained. However, compared to the jaw-dropping experience of diving at Sail Rock, the coral here wasn’t as vibrant or lively.
The instructors were patient, and knowledgeable, and had a relaxed teaching style that made the dive feel safe and enjoyable. They also tailored the dive to our skill levels and allowed plenty of time to practice and get comfortable underwater, which would make it a fantastic choice for anyone nervous or new to diving.
Highlights
- Family-run atmosphere: As one of the first dive schools in Koh Phangan, it maintains a warm, welcoming, family-run vibe with a personal touch.
- Wide range of dive courses: They offer various courses, from beginner-level Open Water Diver to advanced courses like Divemaster and Instructor development programs.
- Multiple dive locations: Provides access to many dive sites.
- Focus on small groups: They prioritize small dive groups for more personal attention and safer, more enjoyable dives.
- Experienced, friendly team: Highly experienced, passionate, and friendly staff.
3. Chaloklum Diving
Chaloklum Diving stands out with its unique location in the heart of Chaloklum Village. Like Sail Rock and Haad Yao Divers, the school works with smaller groups, making for an intimate experience.
After booking, I was immediately struck by how charming the whole setup was. Operating out of a small, local fishing village gave the experience a much more authentic and traditional vibe. The whole operation felt more like a community than a business.
What I appreciated most was how incredibly attentive the team was, which was a huge plus for the more nervous divers in the group.
Highlights
- Diverse dive courses: They offer a full range of PADI dive courses that cater to beginners and advanced divers
- Small group sizes: Focus on personalized experiences.
- Experienced instructors: Highly qualified instructors.
- Flexible schedules: The school offers flexible diving schedules, catering to all levels and preferences, whether it’s a short dive or a longer expedition.
- Family-friendly: Chaloklum Diving also offers family-friendly activities, such as snorkeling trips, making it accessible to non-divers and families.
Thailand Travel Cheatsheet
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for Thailand?
100% YES! — Thailand has some of the best healthcare in Asia (and the world) but it’s not free for tourists.. well – it is and it isn’t.
The thai government has extended it’s tourist healthcare policy for ‘up to $15,000 medical cover’ for tourist accidents, up until the end of 2024. That will cover you for small dings, but won’t be enough for anything major.
If you DO get insurance, also be aware many policies won’t cover adventure activities like diving, or motorcylce riding (as it’s a high risk activity)!
(that’s right, check the t&c’s on your complimentary credit card insurance)
I highly recommend World Nomads as you can get specific add-ons for diving, or motorcyle riding (Which is one of the main reasons I went to Thailand!)
🎫 Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Probably not — 93 countries are entitled to visa exemption for the purpose of tourism for up to 60 days.
However, some other countries do need a pre-approved eVisa or a Visa on Arrival (VoA) (check here!). These start at 2,000 THB for 15 days and prices go up from there!
💉Do I need any vaccinations for Thailand?
YES! Make sure you are up-to-date with all your vaccines. Common travel vaccines include Hep A/B + Typhoid, and Diphtheria + Tetanus.
Thailand is commited to rabies eradication, though there are still a few cases each year. Generally the risk in Thailand is seen as extremely low.
As always, talk to your GP or specialised travel doctor a few weeks BEFORE you leave.
💸How do you pay for things in Thailand?
Cash is king in Thailand, but electronic payments have come a long way in the 5 years since I last visitied. You’ll want to get some folding tender out from an ATM when you land.
Generally street food stalls, mum-and-dad shops and small businesses will only take cash, whereas larger bars, resturants, hotels and resorts will be perfectly happy taking card.
I personally use a Wise debit card for all my international money needs as they only convert the funds when you make payment, plus they offer a much better spread (margin on the true exhange rate) than the banks do. They work in all the Thai ATMs I tried although the ATMs to charge a fee of 220 baht to withdraw.
🚌 What’s the public transport like in Thailand?
In short. FANTASTIC
There is a good network inter-city busses in Thailand and travel this way is very cheap and very comfortable. Domestic flight are also very affordable.
The best part about Thailand is booking agencies all work together to offer combined tickets that will get you exactly where you want to go. For example, we got a hotel transfer to the ferry terminal -> Ferry to Surat Thani -> Bus to Krabi -> Mini Van tranfer to Ao Nang all on the same booking. So easy!!
📲 How do I get internet/data/wifi in Thailand?
This one needs a whole nother article, but the short version is prepaid SIM cards are cheap and availible to tourists and locals alike (You don’t need a pricey tourst SIM!)
Don’t get tricked into getting a tourist SIM at the airport. Go to any 7-Eleven store and buy a local pre-paid SIM card which is cheaper, faster and gives you more data.
NB: Make sure to bring your passport for ID verification!
Another option is the Saily eSIM. This is a little more expensive but works from the moment you land is is SOOOOO much easier than the in person verification process required for a local sim.
TIP: I used to use Airalo but now find Saily a much better product – you can get 5% off with code SPECIAL5
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to Thailand?
For finding cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. Once you find the flight you’re looking for, I’d then suggest booking directly with the carrier (even if it costs a few $$ more than with one of the agreggators/agencies).
💧Can you drink the water in Thailand?
Safest not to — tap water in Thailand may be OK (the locals drink it) but is generally untreated and not reccommended for tourists. Purchase bottled water for drinking and teeth brushing, or get water purification tablets.
I always use these Aquatabs and also recommend a Brita Water Bottle for as some of the tab water wasn’t exactly clear either!
