
Ecotao Lodge
★★★★
★ 9.4/10 (902 reviews)
2.3 km away as the crow flies
Dive centre · Koh Tao · Thailand
4.91,621 Google reviewsDive from a beachfront base in Sairee with a PADI 5 Star centre offering small groups of maximum four divers per guide.
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Located in the heart of Sairee village, Fifty Six Dive sits directly on the beach, offering immediate access to the water. The centre has been operating since 2019, providing a professional base for those looking to explore the reefs and pinnacles of Koh Tao.
As a PADI 5 Star centre, the focus is on high-quality instruction and safety. The location is ideal for those staying in the Sairee area, with free transfers available from the pier upon your arrival on the island.
The instructor team is highly experienced, with every member holding at least a Master Scuba Diver Trainer qualification. This ensures that whether you are completing your first certification or working through a professional internship, you are learning from divers with hundreds or even thousands of logged dives.
Teaching is conducted in small groups, with a strict limit of four divers per guide or instructor. This ratio allows for personalised attention and a more controlled environment during training or exploration dives.
For those pursuing a career in diving, the centre offers both Divemaster and MSDT Instructor Internships. They provide a structured environment for professional development, including additional workshops designed to support diving professionals.
The course catalogue is comprehensive, starting with Discover Scuba Diving and progressing through PADI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. For those looking to refine their skills, they offer Scuba Refresher courses and the PADI Rescue Diver course, including options to combine training with Emergency First Response.
Specialty training is widely available, including PADI Deep Diver, PADI Wreck Diver, and Nitrox certifications. Professional training is a core part of the centre's identity, offering the full Divemaster programme and MSDT Instructor Internships.
The centre operates its own boat, which provides the flexibility needed to select the best dive sites based on daily conditions. This allows for efficient trips to the various pinnacles and wrecks surrounding the island.
On board, you will find refreshments including water, tea, coffee, and fresh pineapple. The boat is equipped to handle both morning and afternoon sessions, as well as night dives.
The centre provides a full range of rental kit, featuring equipment from leading brands. All gear is regularly maintained by certified ScubaPro technicians to ensure reliability and safety.
Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their bottom time. The facility is designed to be a convenient base, offering free Wi-Fi and assistance with local accommodation recommendations to suit your budget.
HTMS Sattakut is a decommissioned WWII warship approximately 50 metres long. It has been intentionally sunk to serve as a dive site and offers opportunities for advanced divers to explore through various sections of the wreck.
Chumphon Pinnacle is one of the premier deep dive sites in the Koh Tao area. It is a significant underwater feature that attracts divers looking for more depth and interesting topography.
Southwest Pinnacles provides another excellent opportunity for deep diving. These underwater structures are among the most highly regarded sites for those wanting to explore the deeper reaches of the local waters.
And some of the dive sites the centre runs.
The marine life around Koh Tao is diverse, with regular sightings of tropical fish, rays, and various species of eels. You can expect to encounter Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) throughout the area, alongside schools of snapper, barracuda, and trevally.
On the reef, look for colourful displays of Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), Angelfish (Pomacanthidae), and Parrotfish (Calotomus). The hard and soft coral structures, including various sponges and sea fans, provide a complex habitat for reef fish such as Wrasse (Labridae), Damselfish, and Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae).
Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to observe, including various Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) and crustaceans. Keep an eye out for smaller creatures like Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), Pipefish, and various species of shrimp and crabs among the coral heads.
Diving in Koh Tao is possible year-round, with the area known for calm waters and minimal currents. This makes it a reliable destination for both beginners and those completing advanced training.
Water temperatures typically range between 26°C and 32°C, providing a warm environment for most divers.
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Ratings and reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor.