All the Koh Tao and Koh Samui advice for a first-time visitor

June 6, 2023 8:25 AM

I will be visiting Koh Samui and Koh Tao in June (thank you to all the suggestions from this ask). I'm really excited to visit the islands and try out scuba diving for the first time and to do some snorkeling. Details below the fold!

I know that Koh Tao is famous for scuba diving certification but on this trip I'd love to just try out scuba as a beginner. It looks like there are tons and tons of options, including a dive shop near my resort with very good reviews. Are there any specific things I should look for when selecting a full or half day beginner or "discovery" scuba tour?

I'm also really interested in snorkeling (which I have done before) and would love to book a snorkeling tour of Koh Tao. I will be a solo traveling and am looking for tour operators that try to practice ethical and conservation oriented approaches. I'd also strongly prefer smaller groups oriented towards adults rather than families with children. I'm also very interested in just snorkeling from the beach or renting a kayak for snorkeling.

While I'm on Koh Samui I'd like to take a tour of the Ang Thong National Marine Park if anyone has any suggestions on a more quiet, nature-oriented tour operator. I would love to try kayaking or snorkeling here if that's something that is recommended.

Any other recommendations welcome! I am trying to have a more quiet, chill vacation so more interested in nature, massages, spas, sunsets, and relatively quiet activities than partying.

posted by forkisbetter to Travel & Transportation (2 answers total)

Protip: You can do the theory part of your scuba cert online before the trip, and avoid spending a day or two in a stuffy beachside meeting room watching a DVD!

I’ve been to Koh Tao. Stunning! I would avoid the larger scuba excursions and look for a school that focuses on small group instruction.
posted by sixswitch at 7:03 AM on June 9, 2023

Now that I'm home I just wanted to add in an update since it didn't seem like there was too much advice on MeFi for these locations.

Highly highly recommend taking a diving or snorkeling tour with 100 Degrees East on Koh Samui! I went on a snorkeling tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park and it was fantastic. The group was small (~10 people) and the staff was super knowledgeable and professional.

I had a great time snorkeling in Koh Tao, mostly from the beach right outside of my hotel on the quieter eastern side of the island. I was glad I didn't stay in the more populated towns, which had a bit more of a "let's get shots" party vibe than I was expecting. I took a snorkeling tour of 5 different spots around Koh Tao with Oxygen Tours which was a great way to see some of the different snorkeling locations around the island.

I will caution to expect that taxis will be pretty overpriced on both islands (800 Baht cab fare from the Mae Nam pier to the airport on Samui), and getting around Koh Tao was actually a bit of a challenge.
posted by forkisbetter at 12:39 PM on June 25, 2023