Places to stay: Big Blue Diving, Koh Tao, Thailand

Heading to Thailand this summer? Avoid party islands Koh Samui and Koh Pha-Ngan and head instead to Koh Tao, their chilled out white-sand-and-jungle little brother. This tiny weeny (21 sq km) but bountiful island is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Gulf, a diving haven stuffed with bright coral and undulating manta rays. Try some gentle snorkelling or get serious and scuba dive with Big Blue Diving.

Big Blue Diving review - review of diving school Koh Tao Thailand

Big Blue Diving review

A backpacker favourite, the cheerful gang at Big Blue offer everything from taster dives to month-long internships on their well-equipped boats. I took a three day PADI course with them and spent three intense but incredible days learning to breathe in the deep, spotting the bizarre and the beautiful under the waves. Flo already has 100 dives under her belt, so she was whisked off to do more exciting (read: terrifying) things, pretending to be James Bond and heading down to 40ft to explore wrecks whilst I practised gliding through the water, avoiding sea slugs and backflips off the boat.

Big Blue Diving review - review of diving school Koh Tao Thailand

As well as a plethora of brightly coloured fish, lucky divers sometimes spot turtles and even elusive, stardusted white sharks in Koh Tao’s crystalline waters. In 2013 Big Blue launched freediving courses too – perfect if you’re a diving junkie keen for a new challenge.

Big Blue Diving review Koh Tao

Accommodation at Big Blue is basic and clean – a pampered stay is really not what you’re here for. Five or six steps will deposit you on their chunk of white sandy beach, where you can eat, drink and be merry in their chilled-out bar under the palm trees. Perfect for necking a well-earned post-dive beer and boasting about all the sharks you had to fight down in the depths.

Big Blue Diving review Koh Tao The Girl Outdoors

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2 Comments

  1. June 20, 2014 / 10:23 am

    this looks amazing!! i just came back from a short trip to thailand and sadly idn’t have time for Koh Tao.. so gutted!!

    but then that just means i HAVE to go back!
    kirsty x
    http://www.kirstyfriend.com

  2. sian
    Author
    June 20, 2014 / 1:06 pm

    Aww well it’ll still be there next time! And I felt like everywhere in Thailand was so beautiful! Where did you go? Love your blog btw, looks like you had tons of fun 🙂

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