Koh Tao Divers

Koh Tao Divers, often referred to as KTD, holds the distinction of being the oldest dive centre on Koh Tao. Since opening its doors in 1987, the centre has been at the forefront of the local diving scene, pioneering many of the area's most well-known dive sites.

Located directly on the sands of Sairee Beach, the centre provides a seamless transition from the shore to the water. Whether you are starting your journey with a Try Scuba Diving session or pushing the limits of your training in a cave or mine, the facility is designed to support every stage of a diver's progression.

The team is led by owner Mikko Paasi, a CCR Instructor Trainer and explorer who has headed the centre since 2002. The instructors bring real-world experience to their teaching, having been actively involved in scientific exploration, wreck salvage, and high-profile rescue operations, including the 2018 Thai cave rescue.

Instruction is delivered in English, Finnish, and Spanish, ensuring a comfortable environment for an international community. To maintain high safety standards and personalised attention, the centre operates with small group sizes, never exceeding four divers per guide.

As an SSI Award Winner, the centre is recognised for its high-quality training standards. They cater to a wide spectrum of divers, from those completing their first Open Water Diver course to technical divers pursuing XR Hypoxic Trimix or CCR Full Cave certifications.

Koh Tao Divers offers the widest range of SSI training in Thailand, with over 50 different courses available. Beginners can start with Try Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to progress can move through Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diving, and Nitrox specialties.

The centre is a significant hub for technical diving, offering the full suite of XR certifications. This includes XR Wreck, XR Cavern, XR Sidemount, and XR Extended Range, reaching the highest levels with XR Hypoxic Trimix and XR Full Cave or Full Mine training.

Rebreather training is also a core component of the curriculum, featuring CCR Extended Range and CCR Technical Extended Range. For those pursuing a professional career, the centre provides pathways through Divemaster, SSI Assistant Instructor, and SSI Open Water Instructor levels.

The centre operates its own dive boat, capable of carrying up to 25 divers. The vessel is designed for comfort and efficiency, featuring a spacious sundeck for relaxing between dives and an onboard compressor for cylinder management.

For those looking to extend their time underwater, the boat is equipped to support various dive profiles, including night diving. The vessel also provides the necessary support for technical divers, with Nitrox and Trimix capabilities available to meet the requirements of advanced profiles.

The shore-based facilities include an onboard compressor to ensure gas management is handled efficiently. For technical divers, the centre is fully CCR-friendly, providing essential consumables such as Sofnolime, as well as oxygen and helium boosters.

Advanced gas blending is supported by on-site equipment, including advanced gas analyzers. For those not travelling with their own kit, a full range of rental equipment is available, including specialised gear for sidemount diving and high-performance rebreathers.

The local waters are home to a variety of interesting marine life. On the reefs and around the wrecks, you can find crabs, lobsters, and octopuses, which are particularly active during nocturnal marine life excursions.

For those interested in macro life, the area offers plenty of opportunities to spot smaller creatures. The crevices of the wrecks and the reef structures provide ideal habitats for various crustaceans and cephalopods.

Night diving can reveal a completely different side of the ecosystem, as many species emerge after sunset. This is an excellent time to observe the movement of nocturnal marine life that remains hidden during the day.

The best time to plan your diving in this area is between March and September. During this period, the sea conditions are generally more favourable for diving.

It is advisable to avoid diving in October and November, as this coincides with the monsoon season, which can bring heavier rains and rougher seas to the region.