Scuba Diving in Koh Samui

 The best places to go for scuba diving in Koh Samui are:

1. The Life Aquatic: This scuba diving centre is dedicated to providing everyday dive trips and also a wide array of magnificent underwater diving experience. For everyone ranging from snorkelers, to amateurs, this place offers the most professional scuba diving lessons. The adventure does not cease here! They have several courses to apply for, and they organize customized tours for you and your family. The best thing is that they provide all the necessary equipment as well as accommodations in the blissful serenity of the Wazzah Resort.

- Location: Fisherman’s Village, Bophut, Koh Samui, Thailand
- Timing: 3-9 pm (Monday- Thursday and Saturday), 5:30- 20:30 pm (Friday) & closed on Sunday.
- Price: Diving trips cost between 2700 THB to 5300 THB depending on the package that you pick.

2. The Dive Academy: You can learn scuba diving in Koh Samui at The Dive Academy in the most proficient manner. Several diving experts are available to train you in the sport, and the classes are organized in small groups so that you can learn better. This academy is reputed for the impeccable service, professional lessons, and safety that it offers to you.

The programs such as the Discover Scuba Diving Program for beginners and the PADI Scuba Diver Course are some of the services that are offered here. Their intention is to help you explore the magnificence and majesty that resides in the ocean. They also have an amazing space for people to participate in the conservation of coral reefs.

- Location: 158/6 Moo 1 Bophut Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
- Timing: 10 am to 6 pm (whole week)
- Price: The programs for beginners cost between 5750 THB and 13000 THB, for children the cost runs between 2000 to 5750 THB and for Education courses the price range is in between 2500 to 17500 THB depending on the package that you choose.

3. Lamai Scuba Diving:They offer a range of services, including all kinds of diving programs for qualified divers, divemasters, etc. The PADI registered instructors make sure of your safety while helping you hone your diving skills. They provide all the necessary equipment and dive tours from your hotel to anywhere on the island. The Discover Scuba Diving program is a one day experience that gives you a short peep into the diving world. It takes you on a tour of the splendid coral reefs located in the Gulf of Thailand.

- Location: 80/21, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand
- Timing: 11 am- 8 pm (whole week)
- Price: The price of various programs vary from 5000 THB to 19000 THB.

4. Silent Divers: This diving company is dedicated to offering safe, comfortable, and fun-filled diving experience to its customers for scuba diving in Koh Samui. They provide only the best equipment from leading brands. They offer the best diving experience throughout the Thai Gulf in amazing spots such as the Koh Tao, Southwest Pinnacle, etc. Whether you’re an amateur or a skilled diver, this academy will definitely help you hone your scuba diving skills in the best manner.

- Location: 39/8 Moo 3 Bophut Ko Samui Ko Samui District, 84320, Thailand
- Timing: 11 am- 9 pm (whole week)
- Price: Professional diving courses cost between 15000- 45000 THB.

5. Discovery Divers: This place is a luxurious PADI approved haven for people looking for an experience in diving. They provide services of supreme quality at fairly reasonable prices. Discovery Divers are counted among the largest operating shops for diving equipment throughout Koh Samui Island. The instructors are professionals, experienced, and would take you around the best diving spots across the islet.

- Location: 14 Chaweng Beach Rd, Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
- Timing: 10 am- 9 pm (whole week)
- Price: PADI open water course- 18800 THB, PADI scuba diving course- 12800 THB, Discover scuba diving- 5980 THB

6. Bophut Diving School: In function since 1994, this diving school takes care of all your diving requirements. From the equipment to its maintenance, repair, and purchase, you can avail countless benefits over here. They offer services ranging from Open Water courses to courses in advanced diving, all at great prices. Bophut Diving School also has a customized dive boat that has all the safety requirements, even an emergency radio device. The whole team is professional and has been in the profession for more than a decade.

- Location: 93/2 Bophut Beach, Fisherman’s Village, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
- Timings: 10 am- 10 pm (whole week)
- Price: the prices for various courses traverse between 5400 THB to 16900 THB depending upon the level and professional requirement in the package.

7. Samui Easy Divers Co. Ltd:  This is a 5-star luxurious yet affordable IDC Center which offers a variety of PADI Dive Courses. The programs are diverse and are run under the guidance of the professionals. They also offer daily dive trips to various diving sites on the Samui Island as well as in the mesmerizing reefs hidden in the South of the archipelago.

This school was established in 1987, and since then it has operated on Lamai Beach. It has air-conditioned classrooms, computerized systems, and courses ranging from Discover Scuba Diving to Instructor Development courses.

- Location: 169/3-6 Moo 4, Maret, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand
- Timing: 9 am- 7 pm (whole week)
- Price: The various dive packages available range between 9000 THB to 22000 THB.

The archipelago of Koh Samui has a tropical climate which remains dry between February to May. The weather is generally pleasant and is thus considered to be the best time to go for scuba diving in Koh Samui.

The average temperature on the isle ranges from 77-930 Fahrenheit. Though this time is considered most favourable, one could also go for scuba diving at any time of the year but conditions such as monsoon, clear water visibility, temperature variations, etc. have to be kept in mind.

- Do not ever dive without proper medical clearance.
- Do not go for scuba diving without getting certified.
- Don’t be careless about the organization that you choose. Only pick PADI approved companies.
- Don’t ever cross the limits that your body puts for you.
- Try not to go alone.

Scuba diving is a sport that demands good overall health. People suffering from conditions such as asthma, wheezing, frequent colds, bronchitis, pneumothorax, or any other lung diseases shouldn’t opt for it. Those suffering from epilepsy, blackouts, seizures, migraine headaches, behavioural and psychological problems, dysentery/ dehydration, sea sickness, diabetes, back or spinal cord injuries, previous head injuries should also never try this sport. It is important to get a thorough medical check-up done before getting yourself in the game.

Yes, a medical clearance from a professional is essential. Even an acute medical condition could become the cause of severe accidents, underwater panic attacks, injuries, or even death. It is therefore mandatory to get a clearance certificate which states that you aren’t in the risk due to any pre-existing injuries. Remember that scuba diving in Koh Samui demands that you get a medical certificate as they are very particular about your safety.

It is always a great idea to keep trying your hand at new things, and scuba diving is one sport that should be tried by each one of you. The dive into the recesses of the infinitely blue ocean is a pleasure in its own. You also get to know about the underwater world that is so unknown to our consciousness. This will surely be an exhilarating experience. Scuba diving requires careful and consistent training and medical clearance before you opt for it. But you can definitely try it out if your heart desires.

It is mandatory and of utmost importance to get licensed before you dive headfirst into the blue sea. Both certification and a license are essential requisites before going for any courses or programs in the sport. It is dangerous to go for scuba diving without a license. An open water course certification approved by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the first certification that allows you to traverse further in the sport.

The certified limit that is set for recreational scuba diving is 130 feet. This is the maximum depth to which organizations allow divers to go as per the guidelines. However, early lessons in diving where divers practice decompression involve relatively shallow diving. Divers dive up to 20 feet without feeling the need to decompress. As the tolerance level increases and they get more familiar with the water, divers go up till 130 feet.

1. Don’t hold your breath- this is the golden rule. Holding your breath can lead to severe injuries to your lungs.

2. Take it slow and easy- remember to keep leaving out your breath and ascend slowly. Failing to do so might result in a change in the nitrogen composition in the bloodstream, causing various health problems.

3. Are you geared up?- Your equipment is your ticket when you are under the surface. Remember to check all your gear before you go down in the water.

4. Dive in safety limits- Do not push yourself or over-exert your body. It is supposed to be a fun experience. Keep that in your head.

5. Physical fitness- Regular exercise and overall physical fitness are important because diving requires your effort and good stamina helps you in enjoying this sport to the core.

6. Dive in groups- Buddy diving is a good idea because it ensures that you do have an alternate source of breathing.