Pimp My Dive

Located on Koh Tao, Pimp My Dive is situated only 100 metres from the main Mae Haad jetty. Established in 2013, the centre has become a recognised hub for both recreational divers and those pursuing professional instructor training.

The centre operates as a PADI 5 Star IDC facility, offering a structured environment for serious students. Whether you are looking for a first buoyancy check in a calm bay or aiming to complete your professional development, the setup is designed to handle various levels of experience with a focus on technical precision.

The centre is a professional training hub, notably hosting the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) under the direction of Charles Salducci, a PADI Gold Course Director. This makes it a primary destination for divers looking to transition from Divemaster to professional instructor status.

The team provides instruction in English, French, and Spanish, ensuring clear communication during technical briefings and training sessions. To maintain safety and ensure high-quality coaching, the centre operates with a ratio of two divers per guide.

The course catalogue covers the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, progressing through Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver.

For those looking to specialise, the centre offers PADI Deep Diver and Wreck Diver specialties. Professional training is a core component of the centre, with programmes available for Divemaster and the full Instructor Development Course (IDC).

The centre operates its own private boat for daily excursions to the surrounding dive sites. This allows for flexible scheduling and a more personal experience when heading out to the reefs or wrecks around the island.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for divers who do not wish to travel with their own kit. The centre maintains a range of high-end equipment to ensure reliability for both training and fun dives.

Nitrox is available for use, catering to divers looking to extend their bottom times or those undergoing advanced training. The shore-based facilities include a climate-controlled classroom for theory sessions and a dedicated chill-out area for relaxing between dives.

The local reefs are home to a vast array of colourful fish, including various species of Angelfish (Pomacanthidae), Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), and Parrotfish (Calotomus). You will frequently see schools of Fusilier (Caesio), Snapper (Lutjanus), and various Triggerfish (Balistidae) patrolling the coral gardens.

Larger residents include the Goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), and various species of sharks such as the Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus). Divers also regularly encounter blue-spotted stingrays, turtles, and large schools of trevallies and jacks.

For those interested in macro life, the sites offer plenty of Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) and various crustaceans. Look closely for gobies (Gobiidae), shrimp (Caridea), and unusual critters tucked into the reef structure.

The best time to dive in this region is from March to October. During this period, visibility typically ranges between 10 and 30 metres.

Some sites, such as Shark Island and Hin Wong Pinnacle, are known for having strong currents. Divers should be prepared for these conditions, particularly when exploring deeper pinnacles or navigating around rocky outcrops.