Koh Tao has many excellent dive schools, each with a different approach. Goodtime Adventures combines the structure of a professional dive school with the flexibility of small-group diving.
Courses and fun dives are capped at small group sizes, and schedules are planned to reduce crowding where possible. Goodtime operates both a traditional dive boat and a speedboat, allowing trips to be matched to the day’s conditions, dive sites, and group needs. This flexibility supports later starts when possible and a calmer overall experience without compromising safety or professionalism.
Goodtime is also well suited to mixed groups. While many dive schools focus only on divers, Goodtime makes it easy for non-divers to join rock climbing, snorkeling, private boat trips, or enjoy the beachfront base while others dive.
Your first time? Dive in to Scuba Diving in Koh Tao with our beginner courses. Our Open Water course in Koh Tao will allow you to get certified to dive anywhere in the world in just 2.5 days. Not enough time or unsure? Then why not try our Basic Diver course where you will get a taste Scuba Diving in our half day experience. Beginner scuba diving courses in Koh Tao are designed for those with little or no prior experience. Training starts in shallow water before progressing to open-water dives on local reefs, allowing new divers to build skills and confidence in real conditions.
For certified divers, Koh Tao offers some of the best conditions in Thailand to continue your scuba diving education, with advanced, specialty, and professional courses available year-round. Specialities allow you to discover new skills underwater to enhance your scuba diving experiences. With SSI once you complete 4 specialties along with 24 dives you automatically become an Advanced Specialty Diver! Explore our Advanced Scuba Diver courses in Koh Tao!
Already a certified diver? Join us for our daily fun dives and explore some of Koh Tao´s best dive sites. We offer morning and afternoon boats every day!
Start your scuba diving career with our Divemaster and Instructor courses on Koh Tao, designed for those looking to lead and teach in the dive industry. Gain the skills and certification needed to guide divers and teach scuba courses around the globe.
Ready to get Scuba Diving in Koh Tao? Enjoy exclusive discounts when you book with Goodtime! Save on accommodation and food at our beachfront restaurant when you choose one of our diving courses or climbing packages. Planning to dive and climb? Book multiple activities with us and unlock even greater savings, making your Koh Tao adventure both unforgettable and budget-friendly. From beginner scuba diving courses to advanced SSI programs, and rock climbing packages to sunset dining, we’ve got everything you need for the ultimate experience—all while keeping costs down.
Scuba diving in Koh Tao has been popular for decades thanks to calm conditions, shallow training sites, and a wide variety of reefs around the island. As a result, Koh Tao is one of the most popular places in the world to start or continue scuba training.
For beginners, the most common starting point is the SSI Open Water Diver course, which allows newly certified divers to explore dive sites worldwide after completing their training in Koh Tao.
If you’re short on time or simply curious about trying scuba diving, the SSI Basic Diver offers a half-day introduction to breathing underwater without committing to a full certification.
All major dive organizations issue internationally recognized certifications, meaning you can dive worldwide regardless of whether you train with SSI, PADI, or another agency.
That said, many divers choose SSI for its modern training approach, flexibility, and long-term recognition system.
The minimum age to learn to scuba dive and become certified is ten years old. If the diver is between 10-14 they will be awarded with a Junior Open Water Certification that will automatically upgrade to Open Water Diver once they turn 15.
However, the SSI Explorers program provides options for children aged six and up to experience diving and snorkeling in very shallow water.
Diving in Koh Tao is popular thanks to warm water, generally calm conditions, and a wide variety of dive sites suitable for both beginners and experienced divers. Many sites feature shallow coral reefs, while others include deeper pinnacles, swim-throughs, and nearby highlights like Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest Pinnacle, and Sail Rock.
Koh Tao is also known for its accessibility and value, offering high-quality scuba training and guided diving at prices that are often lower than many other global dive destinations. This combination has made the island a long-standing favorite for divers across Southeast Asia.
At Goodtime, we make your Koh Tao experience even more affordable with our exclusive discounts. Get 25% off accommodation, with rates starting at just 1,150 Baht for private double or twin rooms and 500 Baht per night in our 4-bed dorms.
Enjoy 20% off delicious meals at our beachfront restaurant, perfect for refueling after your adventures.
Plus, save 10% when you book any scuba diving or rock climbing bundle—making it easier than ever to dive, climb, and relax on Koh Tao!
SSI do things a little differently to other diving agencies, they continue to recognise your advancement in diving whether you are enrolled in a course or not. When you reach certain milestones you will be awarded recognition status. This is why we encourage specialities over the SSI Advanced Adventurer or Advanced Open Water courses. With SSI once you complete 4 speciality courses and 24 dives you will automatically be rewarded with Advanced Open Water recognition status. Taking this route allows you to explore your passions underwater without being restricted to one exploration dive per specialty! Don’t forget we offer discounts on bundles too!
Yes, a basic level of in-water ability is required to scuba dive. For certain courses, you’ll need to complete a water fitness evaluation before heading into the open water. This includes either a 200-meter unaided swim or a 300-meter swim using a mask, snorkel, and fins. These requirements ensure your safety and confidence during your underwater adventures.
Yes. Koh Tao offers a mix of scuba diving, snorkeling, beaches, viewpoints, and nightlife, making it a great destination even for travelers who don’t plan to dive. Many groups combine diving days with relaxed island activities.
Most visitors stay between three and seven days. This allows time for scuba diving courses or fun dives, rest days, and enjoying the island beyond the water. Longer stays are common for those continuing advanced or professional training.
Koh Tao is well suited to both. Beginners benefit from sheltered bays and structured training sites, while experienced divers can explore deeper pinnacles, offshore sites, and seasonal marine life encounters.
Had the BEST time at good time. The instructors here are amazing and hold the highest standards. Special shoutout to Ana my open water instructor and Carmen my advanced open water instructor, I feel way more confident in my diving and skills. Thanks Charlie for being so accommodating, definitely recommend choosing this for a more one on one dive experience!!!
On June 29th, I did a refresh dive with Lydia as instructor. It had been quite a while since my last dive, and I thoroughly refreshed the basics, both theory and practice. Lydia is amazing! She is a skilled communicator, has a pleasant voice, knows what she is talking about, and takes her time with you. The two dives were relaxed, and she knows how to avoid the crowds underwater. I felt safe and am entering the water again with full confidence. Thank you! And Bente... thank you for your tips! Regards, Joris
Goodtime Diving was awesome! We came to Koh Tao to get our Open Water certifications and talked with a bunch of different dive shops, and Good Time was definitely the best one. We enjoyed the course so much that we decided to also get our Advanced Open Water and Nitrox specialty with Goodtime Diving. Shout out to our instructor Shai, who was so passionate, patient, and engaging throughout every course. He explained everything clearly, made sure everyone understood both the theory and practical skills, and was always happy to go over things again whenever we needed. His enthusiasm made every dive fun and helped us feel confident and comfortable in the water. We couldn't have asked for a better instructor and would highly recommend Good Time Diving to anyone looking to learn to dive on Koh Tao!
This place is not only a wonderful place to chill with a beer to watch the sunset and have some good food but also obviously for diving and adventure! Shoutout to Ana for excellent scuba instruction- she is patient, cheerful, thorough , and a wonderful soul 🇧🇷. Shoutout to Shai for being careful, attentive, and I learned a lot in my Advanced Open Water course. I like that it was a small group of 3. (Goodtimes can do it with 1 person!! ) . Shoutout to Logan for being a talented photographer and a relatable world traveler- chill vibes. Shoutout to Andrew for being an experienced climber with some cool routes to share. Shoutout to Charly for running a competent and excellent business here on Koh Tao. Shoutout to the bar & kitchen team for being so kind and hardworking.
Had such a fun time doing my open water here!! Shai was the best instructor, very thorough and explained everything well. The dives were beautiful, and I couldn’t have imagined getting certified anywhere else! Also shoutout to Charly for being so kind and helpful throughout the whole process :)
Had a great couple dives with Ben, super friendly staff, good equipment, and a beach club on site for a cheeky after-dive pint with the team. Precisely what Koh Tao is about! Cheers
