The 5 Best Dive Schools in Koh Samui, Thailand

A well-established and professionally run outfit, Silent Divers regularly hits up the best sites in the Gulf of Thailand and fashions its schedules to try and avoid the masses of other dive boats during busy hours. The staff is accommodating and flexible, helping to facilitate trips on short notice and with as much customisation as possible. That’s all on top of providing breakfast, a much-raved-about lunch, drinks, hotel transfers, extremely low or even 1-1 ratios between number of students to instructors, free Nitrox tanks for certified divers, and efficiently run days off their speedboat to ensure you maximize your time spent on Samui – a combination rare among even the best shops in the region.

This skilled crew operates out of a beautiful resort, conveniently located near some of Bophut’s best restaurants and right where the dive boats depart, helping maximize the shop’s already well-executed efficiency. Outgoing and friendly, Samui Dive Tribe has a deeply entrenched social vibe that embraces all of its customers right into the family, and management is extremely flexible and adept in accommodating groups of varying levels. It also scores points for in-house conservation activities aimed at protecting the local marine life.

This fast-growing outfit prides itself on helping you build your dream marine adventure, offering daily two-dive trips, VIP snorkeling sessions, private charters, and a full range of SSI scuba and snorkeling courses. Staff members are knowledgeable and friendly, with a rarely seen priority on customer satisfaction over factory-like profit turnover. Its small and well-organized operation also means the team is flexible, always trying to schedule and find the best locations to dive in any given conditions.

A widely represented international school, Scuba Birds has a more low-key vibe with an awesome social atmosphere. Easy booking, no-nonsense efficiency, and great customer service are all highlights when diving through Scuba Birds, and the relaxed operation ensures you can keep your holiday mentality with you throughout your dive trip.

A long-term staple to Koh Samui, Discovery Dive Centre is known for maintaining a highly experienced, multilingual staff and crew who are experts at running an efficient, professional operation. The centre’s speedboats make transfers to the best sites in the Gulf a breeze, making it a great option for certified divers and beginners-in-training alike.