
Ecotao Lodge
★★★★
★ 9.4/10 (902 reviews)
1.7 km away as the crow flies
Dive centre · Koh Tao · Thailand
4.9253 Google reviewsSkip the crowded piers and depart directly from the private beach at Sai Daeng Bay for an intimate diving experience.

Operating for 12 years, CV Divers provides a more personal alternative to the high-volume dive schools found elsewhere on Koh Tao. By positioning itself in Sai Daeng Bay, the centre avoids the heavy traffic of the main tourist hubs, focusing instead on the quieter, more interesting sites on the eastern side of the island.
The centre is integrated into the Coral View Dive Resort, allowing you to transition from your bungalow straight to the dive boat. This setup is particularly well-suited for those looking to unwind in a tropical garden setting while maintaining a consistent, high-standard diving schedule.
The centre operates with a focus on small groups, maintaining a ratio of maximum four divers per guide. This ensures that whether you are working through a certification or exploring a new reef, you receive attentive, personalised supervision.
As a PADI affiliated centre, the team is experienced in handling a wide range of divers, from those taking their first breaths underwater to those working towards professional levels. The environment is specifically designed to be family-friendly, providing a low-stress setting for both adults and children.
CV Divers offers a full range of PADI training programmes. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Dive or the Bubblemaker programme for younger divers, eventually progressing to the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.
For those looking to expand their skills or move into professional diving, the centre provides the Rescue Diver course and EFR (Emergency First Response). Please note that for the Rescue Diver course, you must hold a valid first aid and CPR certificate issued within the last 24 months, or complete the EFR course alongside your training.
The dive boat departs directly from the resort's private beach, meaning you avoid the typical trek to the island's main jetty. This direct access makes the transition from breakfast to the water much smoother for you and your buddy pair.
Full equipment hire is available on-site, covering everything you need for your dives. This includes regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, fins, and masks, making it easy for those travelling light to access reliable kit.
The centre is conveniently located within the resort, providing easy access to changing facilities and amenities after your sessions.
Tanote House reef is a local reef site perfect for observing the vibrant life of the bay. It offers a reliable environment for observing various reef fish and coral formations.
The Wreck site provides an opportunity to explore an artificial structure, adding a different dimension to your dives beyond the natural reef topography.
Shark Island is a notable location for those hoping to encounter larger pelagics, including blacktip reef sharks, in their natural habitat.
And some of the dive sites the centre runs.
The reefs around Sai Daeng Bay are home to a diverse array of marine life. You will regularly encounter turtles, including green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle, alongside blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus). Large schools of fish, such as barracudas and various snapper species, often move through the area.
The hard and soft coral structures provide a complex habitat for many species. You can observe various corals, including staghorn corals, gorgonians, and sea fans (Gorgoniidae), which support a wide range of reef fish like butterflyfish, angelfish (Pomacanthidae), and parrotfish (Calotomus).
For those interested in macro life, the area offers plenty to discover. Look out for nudibranchs, various crustaceans, and octopus (Octopus vulgaris). You may also find smaller creatures such as seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), pipefish, and various species of shrimp and crabs among the reef crevices.
The centre is closed annually from 31 October to 5 November. Outside of this period, the diving is accessible via boat from the resort's beach, with departures scheduled for 8.30 am.
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