About this tour
When Em from our BugBitten team tried La Bombona's Try Dive on Koh Tao, we found it a solid introduction to diving for complete beginners. You'll kit up at their cosy dive school, get a thorough safety rundown, then head out on their well-appointed boat to a sheltered bay. The day involves shallow-water skill practice before descending to 12 metres to clock tropical fish and coral gardens. It's a single-day commitment on Thailand's famous dive island—perfect if you're curious but not yet committed to full certification.
Highlights
- Brand-new gear fitted properly for comfort and fit
- Shallow bay setup lets you build confidence before depth
- Boat includes showers, sun deck, snacks, and space
- Instructors walk you through breathing and safety step-by-step
- See actual tropical fish and coral at 12m depth
- No prior experience needed—truly a beginner entry point
- Inclusive pricing covers most of the day's essentials
What to expect
Em's day started early at the dive school for gear fitting and a detailed safety briefing. The instructors covered breathing techniques, hand signals, and what to do if something feels wrong—nothing rushed. The boat trip to the bay was calm, and the crew kept everyone relaxed with snacks and tea. The shallow-water practice session let Em get used to breathing from the tank before going deeper, which made the 12-metre dive feel manageable rather than scary. Fish and corals were genuinely vibrant, and the guides stayed close throughout. The whole experience took most of the day, with time on the boat between segments—bring a book or embrace the chill.
Koh Tao is packed with divers, so you'll share the bay with other groups, but La Bombona's setup keeps things orderly. The boat facilities are a real plus—not every operator offers showers on board. Em found the pacing respectful of beginner nerves, though expect a fair bit of waiting if other groups are ahead of you.
What travellers say
- New equipment and proper fitting takes beginner anxiety down
- Shallow-water practice builds real confidence before deeper dives
- Boat amenities—showers and deck space—are a genuine perk
- Thorough safety briefing covers the essentials without jargon
- Instructors stay attentive and keep the pace manageable
- Actual wildlife payoff: tropical fish and corals are there
- One dive only—limited if you fall hard for diving
- Koh Tao crowds mean shared bays and waiting periods
- Not inclusive of meals; factor in lunch costs
- Not suitable for pregnancy or cardiovascular/spinal conditions
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is the gentlest way to try diving without committing to a three-day PADI course. Instructors are experienced and patient, the equipment is new, and the shallow bay really does make a difference for nervous first-timers. Koh Tao is dive-tour central, so the infrastructure is solid. Snacks and hot drinks are included, which matters on the water.
It's not cheap, and you're limited to one shallow dive—if you catch the bug, you'll need to book another day or commit to certification. Koh Tao's busy during peak season, so expect company in the water. The boat ride is short but can feel choppy if the sea's up. Not suitable if you're pregnant, have spine or heart issues, or poor cardiovascular fitness. Alcohol isn't available until after diving, and meals aren't included—budget for lunch. Bring sun protection, a light rash guard, and a towel.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.