Diving on Koh Tao comes in three shapes: half a day on the island's own reefs, a full day out to Sail Rock, or a first dive with no licence. The cheapest is two guided dives at ฿2,200 (≈ $61), the most expensive a Sail Rock day at ฿4,000 (≈ $111), and the gap is mostly the boat ride. Prices below were read on the operators' own pages on 1 October 2026.
- Two fun dives on the local reefs, and what the price includes
- A first dive without a licence
- Sail Rock: two schools, two prices
- Freediving instead of scuba
- A side-by-side table and the questions people ask
Important
Sail Rock trips from Koh Tao are for certified divers only. Big Blue also asks that you have dived in the last 12 months; Simple Life does not take snorkellers or try divers to the rock.
How much are two fun dives on the local reefs?
Crystal Dive's two fun dives cost ฿2,200 (≈ $61) per diver: one boat trip, two dives, full standard gear and a dive computer, refreshments between dives and dive insurance for 30 days. The boats run twice a day, 07:00 to 11:30 and 12:00 to 17:00, with at most four divers per guide; you need any certification from Junior Scuba Diver up and must be at least 10.
The price falls with volume, up to ฿9,000 (≈ $249) for 10 dives. If you have not dived for a while, a scuba review costs ฿1,800 (≈ $50). Nitrox-certified divers can ask for Nitrox tanks in advance.
Can I dive on Koh Tao without a licence?
Yes. Simple Life Divers' Discover Scuba Diving costs ฿2,500 (≈ $69) all in and runs from 11:00 to about 17:00. After paperwork and a short talk at the shop, you practise a few skills in shallow water and make a guided reef dive to 6 m; after a rest on the boat you can make a second dive to 12 m, snorkel or stay on deck.
PADI digital materials, full gear, the boat, the instructor, water, tea and coffee and basic dive accident insurance for the day are included, with no fuel surcharge. Do not fly for 12 hours after the dive.
Sail Rock: which school, which price?
Sail Rock rises from more than 40 m to about 15 m above the sea between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. Both schools give the crossing as 1.5 to 2 hours, so it is always a full day.
Simple Life Divers: two dives for ฿2,900 (≈ $80)
Simple Life's Sail Rock trip costs ฿2,900 (≈ $80) per diver with a Thai lunch. You meet at the shop at about 06:45, the boat leaves at 07:00, dive one is at 09:00, lunch at 11:00 and dive two at 12:30; you are back by mid-afternoon. Open Water is enough, Advanced takes you to 30 m, and the swim to the Secret Pinnacle needs Deep. The page does not list rental gear among the inclusions.
Big Blue Diving: three dives for ฿4,000 (≈ $111)
Big Blue's Sail Rock day costs ฿4,000 (≈ $111) per diver with breakfast and lunch on board and rental gear, which the school gives free on fun dives. You meet at 07:20, make two dives on Sail Rock and a third at Shark Island, and are back at 16:00 by the schedule or 17:00 by the day plan on the same page. The boat goes every third day: in October 2026 on the 2nd, 5th, 8th and so on.
Big Blue describes whale sharks as occasional at Sail Rock, mostly in plankton-bloom periods; the regular sights are barracuda, bigeye trevally and batfish. Cancel before 18:00 the day before to move the date free or get a refund minus 50%.
What about freediving?
Apnea Total's Freediver course costs ฿7,000 (≈ $194) per person for two days. Each day starts in the classroom at 8:30 and moves to the sea in the afternoon, with at most three students per instructor; on day one the line dives go to 12 m, and the certificate needs a rescue from 6 m. You must swim 200 m unaided and be at least 11; a ฿1,000 (≈ $28) deposit at booking is non-refundable.
The four dive days side by side
| Operator | What | Dives | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Dive | fun dives, local reefs | 2 | ฿2,200 (≈ $61) |
| Simple Life Divers | try dive, no licence | 1–2 | ฿2,500 (≈ $69) |
| Simple Life Divers | Sail Rock with lunch | 2 | ฿2,900 (≈ $80) |
| Big Blue Diving | Sail Rock and Shark Island | 3 | ฿4,000 (≈ $111) |
Questions people ask
Is Sail Rock worth a full day?
If you are certified and want the classic Gulf pinnacle, yes: both schools build the day around it. If you want to be back by lunch, the local reefs on Crystal Dive's morning boat end at 11:30.
Can a non-diving partner come?
Not to Sail Rock with Simple Life. On Koh Tao non-divers usually snorkel the bays on a separate boat trip.
Do I need my own computer?
Crystal Dive includes one. Big Blue rents a computer, torch or compass for ฿200 each per trip.
