![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hiyori-world.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/hasmik-ghazaryan-olson-yaD-gMS2E20-unsplash-1024x576.jpg\")
\n\n\n\n
Getting to Koh Tao from Bangkok<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I traveled from Bangkok on a joint bus and ferry ticket. Most long-distance tours from Bangkok depart from the Khao San Road area, making it a convenient starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Route 1: Overland (cheapest, classic)\n\u2514 Bus + Ferry\n\u2514 About 10-12 hours\n\u2514 Around 1,250-1,550 baht\n\u2514 Night departure from Khao San, arrive morning\n\nRoute 2: Budget flight + ferry\n\u2514 LCC to Chumphon + bus + ferry\n\u2514 About 6-8 hours\n\u2514 Around 2,500-3,500 baht\n\nRoute 3: Fastest and most comfortable\n\u2514 Flight to Koh Samui + ferry\n\u2514 About 4-6 hours\n\u2514 Around 5,000-7,000 baht<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIf time is limited, flying to Koh Samui and catching the ferry from there is by far the most comfortable option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nChoose a Dive School in Your Own Language<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are plenty of dive schools on Koh Tao. When I visited, I chose one with Japanese-speaking staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most dive schools have accommodation and restaurants on site, so you can enjoy a relaxed resort stay between sessions. That’s one of the great things about Koh Tao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
English and Japanese-friendly schools (2026)\n\u2514 Big Blue Diving (established Japanese-run shop)\n\u2514 Ban's Diving Resort (world-class mega resort)\n\u2514 Houbouya Koh Tao (20+ years of safe operation)\n\u2514 Coral Grand Divers<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nWhatever language you speak, always choose a school that can teach you in your mother tongue. This involves your life. It’s not a place to cut corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hiyori-world.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/desiree-m-Q9ZYQb820Mc-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg\")
photo by Desiree M<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMy Instructor Who Claimed to Know a Japanese TV Celebrity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The instructor assigned to me claimed to be connected to a famous Japanese TV personality. I won’t pretend that made any sense to non-Japanese readers, but it was the kind of strange, memorable detail you only get on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group was multinational but everyone clicked immediately. The days spent working toward the license were genuinely fun. Diving alongside people from around the world is one of those travel experiences that stays with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCost and Time to Get Open Water Certified<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Koh Tao is known as the cheapest place in the world to get a diving license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cost\n\u2514 Around 10,000 baht (approximately USD 280)\n\u2514 Includes materials, certification fees,\n equipment rental\n\u2514 Some schools include free accommodation\n\nTime needed\n\u2514 3-4 days\n\u2514 Complete online theory in advance\n and you can finish in as little as 3 days<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nUnderwater Is Another World<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I was never a strong swimmer, but diving is something else entirely compared to snorkeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The moment you descend into clear water and see enormous fish and schools of thousands moving around you, it feels like floating in outer space. That weightless, silent world is unlike anything else I have ever experienced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The marine life around Koh Tao is extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What you might see\n\u2514 Giant schools of trevally and barracuda\n\u2514 Yellowstripe scad (like a golden carpet)\n\u2514 Sea turtles and clownfish\n\u2514 Whale sharks<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hiyori-world.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/max-gotts-6-wZzd2hCOs-unsplash-1-1024x782.jpg\")
photo by Max Gotts<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nI Missed the Whale Shark<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Koh Tao is world famous for whale shark sightings. Another group on my trip encountered one. I did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best times for whale sharks\n\u2514 March - May (dry season)\n\u2514 October - November\n\u2514 Chumphon Pinnacle and other offshore spots<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThat remains unfinished business. One day I will swim with one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hiyori-world.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/sebastian-pena-lambarri-Abj_zUko6Mg-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg\")
photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Seasickness Was Brutal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I have to be honest. The worst part of the whole experience was seasickness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Koh Tao diving is mostly done from boats, and when the weather turns, those boats rock hard. I got so sick I genuinely wanted to quit and go home. I had earned exactly zero sympathy from my female instructor, who made it very clear that giving up was not an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surprisingly, once I got underwater, the motion was gone. The ocean below the surface was completely calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The moment I will never forget<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDuring our first classroom session, the instructor mentioned that if you need to vomit underwater, you can do it through the regulator. Just exhale hard and it clears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used this information sooner than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What happened next was that a cloud of vomit drifted into the water around me, and within seconds a swarm of fish descended on it, apparently mistaking it for food. It was disgusting and somehow also one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hiyori-world.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/hiroko-yoshii-9y7y26C-l4Y-unsplash-1-1024x768.jpg\")
photo by Hiroko Yoshii<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSeasickness Prevention Is Non-Negotiable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Learn from my experience. Bring motion sickness medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best option in Thailand\n\u2514 Available at 7-Eleven and pharmacies\n\u2514 \"Dimenhydrinate\" small yellow tablets\n\u2514 Around 10 baht per pack\n\u2514 Take 30 minutes before boarding\n\u2514 Warning: causes strong drowsiness<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nOn the boat, avoid looking down at your phone. Sit in the middle or rear section where there is airflow, and keep your eyes on the horizon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBest Spots on Koh Tao<\/h3>\n\n\n\nSairee Beach\n\u2514 Largest beach on the island\n\u2514 Cafes, bars, restaurants and shops\n\u2514 Beautiful sunsets and nightlife hub\n\nKoh Nang Yuan\n\u2514 Three small islands connected by white sand\n\u2514 World-class snorkeling\n\u2514 Viewpoint with stunning panoramic views\n\u2514 No plastic allowed on the island\n\nShark Bay\n\u2514 High chance of spotting blacktip reef sharks\n\u2514 Giant sea turtles often seen here<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBest Season and Important Warnings<\/h3>\n\n\n\nBest season\n\u2514 March - October\n\u2514 Calm seas, visibility 20-30 meters\n\u2514 March-May is peak whale shark season\n\nAvoid\n\u2514 November - December\n\u2514 Monsoon season, rough seas and poor visibility<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nAllow enough time before your flight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAfter diving, you must wait at least 18 hours before boarding a flight to avoid decompression sickness. Plan your final day carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travel insurance is essential<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe island only has basic medical facilities. Serious incidents require evacuation to Koh Samui or the mainland. Make sure your travel insurance covers diving accidents before you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFinal Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Even a non-swimmer who vomited through a regulator managed to get certified on Koh Tao. And that experience gave me the confidence to go on and earn my Advanced license in Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Koh Tao is the most beginner-friendly, most affordable, and most beautiful place to start your diving journey. Poor swimmer or seasickness sufferer, it doesn’t matter. The underwater world waiting for you is worth every moment of discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just bring the motion sickness tablets. That is the one thing I will never stop telling people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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