When making a diving course in the Gulf of Thailand, one usually comes across the “Turtle Island” Koh Tao. It’s name in Thai actually is Turtle Island (Tao=Turtle) and has nothing to do with the association to a beautiful diving site.
Millions of newly certified divers have accomplished what the locals tried for long time – destroying the coral reef.
Another disappointing fact in the schooling on Koh Tao is the fact that you get hurried through your course in 2 or 3 days in the open water (not even on dive sites) or with exhausting beach dives.
I had the pleasure of finishing my course on the neighboring island of Koh Phangan, where i recieved far better schooling, service and welcoming than on the “dive destination” Koh Tao.
On Koh Phangan i was also able to compare the dive gear and found much higher levels of quality here than on Koh Tao. Plus the newest and fastest diving catamaran i ever rode.
The change to Koh Phangan was worth it in every way.
I learned a lot more with very patient instructors who gave me all the time the feeling of being welcome. Even when i needed ages to master certain skills. They took 5 days to complete my course and made sure i learned something instead of getting through the drill and handing out the card.