Activities in Ko Tao
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Big Blue Diving
If Goldilocks were picking a dive school, she'd probably pick Big Blue – this midsize operation (not too big, not too small) gets props for fostering a sociable vibe while maintaining a high standard of service. Divers of every ilk can score dirt-cheap accommodation at their resort.
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New Way Diving
This tiny school has built its reputation on offering small diving groups in a professional atmosphere. Their early-morning scuba excursions depart before the larger schools, which means less traffic in the water. It’s not too uncommon to go out for a postdive dinner with the entire school. The manager (a native Ko Tao-ist) can organise discounted accommodation nearby, and the free internet access on the dive shop’s ancient computer is an extra bonus.
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Scuba Junction
A groovy new storefront and a team of outgoing instructors lure travellers looking for a more intimate dive experience. Scuba Junction guarantees a maximum of four people per diving group.
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Royal Thai Massage
In the heart of Mae Hat, Royal Thai Massage offers quality spa treatment at low prices.
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Ban's Diving School
A well-oiled diving machine and relentlessly expanding conglomerate, Ban's certifies more divers per year than any other scuba school in the world and refurbishments in 2009 have given it a five-star feel. Classroom sessions tend to be conducted in large groups, but there's a reasonable amount of individual attention in the water. A breadth of international instructors means that students can learn to dive in their native tongue. The affiliated resort is quite popular with party-seekers.
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ACE Marine Images
Make a stop at ACE Marine Images, one of Thailand’s leading underwater videography studios. Many scuba schools hire professional videographers to film Open Water certifications, and if this piques your interest, consider enrolling in their underwater video or photo course. The interactive eight-dive course (30,000B) includes an independent diver certification and one-on-one instruction in the editing room. Internships are also available for those who are truly serious about gaining field experience. The staff at ACE are starting a variety of other projects, such as whale shark tracking and tagging, and a unique photography-oriented gap-year program. Visit the website for …
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New Heaven
The owners of this small diving operation dedicate a lot of their time to preserving the natural beauty of Ko Tao's underwater sites by conducting regular reef checks and contributing to reef restoration efforts. A special CPAD research diver certification program is available in addition to the regular order of programs and fun dives.
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Crystal Dive
Crystal is the Meryl Streep of diving operators, winning all the awards for best performance year after year. It's one of the largest schools on the island (and around the world), although high-quality instructors and intimate classes keep the school feeling quite personal. Multilingual staff members, air-conditioned classes and two on-site swimming pools sweeten the deal. Highly recommended.
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Goodtime Adventures
Although most activities on Ko Tao revolve around the sea, the friendly crew at Goodtime Adventures offer a wide variety of land-based activities to get the adrenaline pumping. Hike through the island's jungly interior, swing from rock to rock during a climbing and abseiling session (from 2000B), or unleash your inner daredevil during an afternoon of cliff jumping. Goodtime also offers accredited boating certifications, and at the time of research they were setting up a groovy zipline course on neighbouring Ko Nang Yuan. The Goodtime office, along the Sairee sands, doubles as a friendly cafe serving an assortment of international nibbles (including dip coffee!)
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Ko Tao Bowling & Mini Golf
Located on the main road between Mae Hat and Chalok Ban Kao, Ko Tao Bowling & Mini Golf has several homemade bowling lanes where the employees reset the pins after every frame (300B per hour). The 18-hole minigolf course has a landmark theme – putt your ball through Stonehenge or across the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Buddha View
Another big dive operation on Ko Tao, Buddha View offers the standard fare of certification and special programs for technical diving (venturing beyond the usual parameters of recreational underwater exploration). Discounted accommodation is available at its friendly resort.
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Golden Travel
Day-long trips to some of the 20-odd snorkelling sites. Located across from the Songserm pier in Mae Hat. Rates include lunch, equipment and taxi service. Staff also organise fishing excursions, sunset cruises, and speedboat trips to stunning Ang Thong Marine Park.
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Chumphon Pinnacle Dive Site
Chumphon Pinnacle Dive Site 36m maximum depth. Has a colourful assortment of sea anemones along the four interconnected pinnacles. The site is home to schools of giant trevally, tuna, and large grey reef sharks. Whale sharks are known to pop up once in a while.
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Shambhala
Ko Tao's only full-time yoga centre is housed in beautiful wooden săh·lah located on the forested grounds of Blue Wind in Sairee Beach. The two-hour classes, led by Kester, the energetic yogi, cost 300B.
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Yoga Classes
Yoga Classes, Ko Tao's only full-time yoga studio is a beautiful wooden săh·lah (sala) located on the forested grounds of Blue Wind, a collection of budget bungalows along Sai Ri Beach.
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Green Rock Dive Site
Green Rock Dive Site 25m maximum depth. An underwater jungle gym featuring caverns, caves and small swim-throughs. Rays, grouper and triggerfish are known to hang around. It's a great place for a night dive.
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Sail Rock Dive Site
Sail Rock Dive Site 34m maximum depth. Features a massive rock chimney with a vertical swim-through, and large pelagics such as barracuda, kingfish and the occasional whale shark.
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Japanese Gardens Dive Site
Japanese Gardens Dive Site 12m maximum depth. A low-stress dive site perfect for beginners. There's plenty of colourful coral, and turtles, stingray and pufferfish often pass by.
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MV Sports
The friendly folks at MV Sports in Mae Hat can pull you behind a speedboat while you ride a variety of items including water skis, wakeboards or even an inflatable sumo suit.
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Black Tip Divers
Black Tip Divers in Mae Hat can pull you behind a speedboat while you ride a variety of items including water skis, wakeboards or even an inflatable sumo suit.
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White Rock Dive Site
White Rock Dive Site 29m maximum depth. Home to colourful corals, angelfish, clown fish and territorial triggerfish. Another popular spot for night divers.
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Adventure Centre
Fishing enthusiasts can swing their tackle out at sea by contacting the Adventure Centre, which arranges all-day fishing seafaris.
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Yakuzen
Japanese-style bathhouse in Mae Hat changes things up by offering this unique form of relaxation. A 60-minute soaks cost 700B.
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Charm Churee Villa
Rejuvenation suites drip with Balinese decoration and sit close to the water’s edge along a rugged escarpment of boulders.
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AC Tours
Snorkelling trips depart at 09:00 daily and stop at five different sites. Lunch included.
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