About this trip
This trip runs from Bangkok's backstreets to the dive schools of Koh Tao, mixing city, jungle and islands over 13 days. It's built for a small group who want a proper introduction to Thailand without cutting corners.
You'll get a taste of local life on Bangkok's canals, a night sleeping on the water in Khao Sok National Park, and enough time on Koh Phangan and Koh Tao to properly switch into island mode. The pace is easy rather than rushed, but you cover a lot of ground.
The centrepiece is your PADI certification, five dives around Koh Tao's reefs, so by the end you're a qualified diver, not just someone who's been snorkelling.
What you'll do
- Cruise Bangkok's canals for a look at local life away from the main roads
- Sleep in a floating bungalow inside Khao Sok National Park
- Join the full moon party on Koh Phangan
- Complete five dives around Koh Tao and earn your PADI certification
- Rated easy, so no prior fitness or experience needed
- You'll need to be comfortable in water and open to learning to dive, since the PADI course is a core part of the trip
- Good for people who want both jungle and island time, not just beaches
Worth it if you want a well-guided Thailand intro with solid diving and don't mind basic accommodation. Think twice if you need three meals daily included or expect five-star comfort.
- Tour leaders (Pun, Paige, Laura, Ethan) consistently praised as informative, caring, and great at group vibe.
- Diving instruction at Simple Life in Koh Tao genuinely excellent; instructors thorough on safety, build real confidence.
- Accommodation in Koh Tao had recurring bug and AC issues; expect insects and uncomfortable beds, not resort standard.
- Only around eight meals included across thirteen days; budget extra for food and transport upgrades to decent hotels.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Departing in Oct is cheapest — from £1,250, about 8% below the priciest month (Jul).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Bangkok · 6 Oct – 7 Oct
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