The Diver's Boat

The Diver's Boat is an established SSI International Diving Center located in Mae Haad, the main port area of Koh Tao. Since its founding in 2016, the centre has built a reputation for a more relaxed, human-scale approach to diving in the Gulf of Thailand, having already issued over 3,500 certifications.

What sets this centre apart is its logistical organisation. By using three distinct traditional Thai boats, they can separate training groups from experienced fun divers. They also utilise staggered departure times, which helps you avoid the crowds often found at the most popular local sites.

The centre operates with a professional team capable of instructing in English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian, and Thai. This multilingual support makes it a reliable choice for international divers looking for clear communication during their training.

Safety and attention to detail are central to their operation, maintained through a strict ratio of no more than four divers per guide. Whether you are completing your first Open Water course or training for a professional qualification, you will be part of a small, manageable group.

The centre provides a comprehensive range of SSI training, covering every level from entry-level to professional instructor programmes. Beginners can start with Try Scuba or the Basic Diver course, progressing through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver.

For experienced divers looking to specialise, the curriculum includes Deep Diving 40m, Navigation, Perfect Buoyancy, Wreck Diving, Night Diving, and Nitrox Diver. They also offer technical and professional paths such as Search & Recovery, Video & Photography, Divemaster, and the full Instructor training programme.

The centre operates three traditional Thai boats, each serving a specific purpose to ensure your dive experience is tailored to your level. The 'Blanc' is dedicated to training sessions around Koh Tao, while the 'Bleu' handles fun dives in the local area.

The 'Rouge' is a 25-capacity vessel used for daily excursions to Sail Rock, departing from Koh Phangan. All boats are well-equipped for comfort, providing hot meals, fresh fruit, snacks, water, tea, and coffee during the trip. Nitrox is available for use on board.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for those not travelling with their own kit. The centre ensures that all gear is well-maintained and kept ready on the boats for your convenience.

For those staying longer, the centre is closely linked with The Divers House in Sairee, which offers private rooms and dormitories, alongside a yoga and pilates studio.

The marine life around Koh Tao is diverse, with the granite pinnacles attracting larger pelagics. You can expect to see great barracudas (Sphyraena barracuda), various species of groupers (Epinephelus), and Southern stingray (Hypanus americanus). During the window from January to April, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are known to visit the area.

The reef architecture is built around vibrant hard and soft corals, including various sponges (Porifera) and sea fans (Gorgoniidae). You will find these providing habitat for colourful reef fish such as butterflyfish (Chaetodon), angelfish (Pomacanthidae), and various species of snapper (Lutjanus).

For those with an eye for detail, the macro life is abundant. Look out for nudibranchs, various crustaceans, and octopus (Octopus vulgaris) tucked into the reef. You may also encounter smaller creatures like seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), pipefish, and various species of shrimp (Caridea) amongst the anemones.

Diving in the Gulf of Thailand is possible year-round, with water temperatures typically ranging between 28 and 30°C. Conditions are particularly optimal for spotting whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) between January and April.