Never dived beforeYour first time underwater
During Try Scuba your instructor takes you by the hand – literally. First breaths in shallow water, then the house reef. No strings attached.
Discover Try ScubaPersonal dive school · Tanote Bay, Koh Tao
Diving school on Koh Tao – learn to dive now
SSI courses in groups of max. 4 – right on the bay, far from the party crowds. Since 1999.
0+years on Koh Tao
0people max. per group
0+positive Google reviews
SSI & CMASboth valid worldwide
On Koh Tao since 1999Max. 4 people per groupEnglish, German, French, ThaiSSI certified dive school900+ positive Google reviewsHouse reef right at our doorstep
Why Calypso
Nomassproduction.Nopartyfactory.Justyou,
Tanote Bay
Our bay is your classroom.
Tanote Bay sits on Koh Tao's quiet east side – with a house reef that starts three minutes from the classroom. Your first breaths underwater happen without a boat ride, without waves, without stress.
House reef in 3 minutesTurtles & barracudasQuiet east side of the islandPerfect for first dives
Roll the film
Tanote Bay in motion – the bay, our boat & the house reef
No stock footage, no filters: this is what an ordinary day with us looks like – from the calm water of the bay to heading out on our boat.
Crystal-clear water – the house reef starts right at the beach
Our boat gets you to the best spots in 10–25 minutes
Quiet east coast – no crowds, no party boats
Max. 4 people per group – plenty of space on board
The underwater world
This is what's waiting beneath the surface
No aquarium, no pool – your classroom is a living reef. On your very first dive in Tanote Bay you'll see more species than on many entire holidays: anemone cities full of clownfish, bluespotted rays in the sand, curious turtles on the house reef – and in season, with a bit of luck, a whale shark passing by. Every photo here is real and was taken in our bay.
300+ fish species around Koh TaoTurtles right on the house reef28 °C warm water – all year roundVisibility up to 30 metres
Ready to see this with your own eyes?
Who Calypso is forNever dived before Ready for certification Already certified
Wherever you stand – this is where you go deeper.
Never dived beforeReady for certificationYour diving license in 3–4 days
Open Water Diver with SSI or the classic CMAS route – in groups of max. 4, taught with patience. Recognized worldwide, valid for life.
See all coursesAlready certifiedFun dives & the next level
The boat leaves daily at 9 am. Or keep going: Advanced, Rescue, Divemaster – your way down starts here.
Fun dives & moreCourses & prices
Find your right course in 3 clicks
Answer three quick questions – and we'll tell you honestly which package makes sense for you. No upselling, promise.
1
Do you already have a diving licence?
2
How much time do you have on Koh Tao?
3
Who are you travelling with?
Answer the three questions on the left – your recommendation will appear here.
All packages compared side by side
Taster dive
Try Scuba
2,500 THBapprox. €66
For you, if …
You want to find out first whether diving is for you – no commitment, no theory marathon.
You only have one day on Koh Tao.
What's included
Full equipment & insurance
1 guided dive in Tanote Bay
Full price credited towards your Open Water
No certificate – pure experience
Enquire nowMost popular courseThe diving licence
Open Water Diver
11,900 THBapprox. €315
For you, if …
You want to properly learn to dive and be allowed to dive anywhere in the world afterwards.
You have 3–4 days – theory is done in advance via app.
What's included
5 dives incl. 2 boat trips
Equipment, insurance, app learning material, certification
Max. 4 people per group – guaranteed
The classic – 90% start here
Enquire nowThe next level
Advanced Adventurer
11,000 THBapprox. €291
For you, if …
You already have an Open Water and want to dive the big sites like Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock.
You want to try 5 new specialties – from deep dives to navigation.
What's included
5 adventure dives at the top sites
Equipment, insurance, certification
Can be done right after your Open Water
Perfect combo with the OWD
Enquire nowFor certified divers
Fun Dives
from 800 THBapprox. €21
For you, if …
You already have a licence and just want to dive – no course, no exercises.
You want to explore the island's best sites in a small group.
What's included
Guided dives matched to your level
Full equipment & insurance
Cheaper from 6 dives
1,000 THB by boat · 800 THB from the beach
Enquire nowAlways included in every course – no asterisks
Full rental equipmentDive insuranceLearning material via appAll certification feesMax. 4 people per groupPay on site – no prepayment
Your way down
Every meter of depth is a course.
0 m
Try Scuba & Bubblemaker
First breaths in the shallow water of the bay. For everyone from age 8 – no experience needed.
from 2,500 THB18 m
Open Water Diver (SSI)
Your diving license in 3–4 days: 5 dives, theory via app, recognized worldwide.
11,900 THB30 m
Advanced Adventurer
Deep diving, navigation, wrecks and night dives – the next level in just 2 days.
11,000 THBPro
Rescue & Divemaster
From rescuer to professional: Rescue Diver with React Right, then a 1-month Divemaster internship with 100 dives.
from 10,000 THBThe difference
Calypso or diving factory? You decide.
Calypso Diving
- Maximum 4 people per group
- Training at your pace, in your language
- Quiet bay with a house reef
- A permanent team – the same faces for years
- Everything included, no hidden costs
- Time until you truly feel confident
Typical diving factory
- 8+ students per instructor
- One-size-fits-all rush jobs
- Crowded beach strip, loud parties
- Rotating seasonal staff
- Surcharges for equipment & materials
- Assembly-line pace by timetable
What divers say
900+ reviews. One common thread: trust.
4.9on Google · 900+ reviews
„I was genuinely scared of my first breath underwater. My instructor took so much time that in the end I did not want to get out.
„Small groups are not a marketing promise here. There were two of us with the instructor – training does not get better than that.
„Back in the water after a 15-year break. The refresher course was worth gold, the house reef even more. Turtle on day two!
„Our son (9) did the Bubblemaker and has talked about nothing else since. Absolutely child-friendly and safe.
„CMAS training at this level is hard to find anywhere else in Thailand. Thorough, patient, personal.
„Tanote Bay is the island's hidden gem. Dive in the morning, have the beach to yourself at noon. Exactly how it should be.
Your team
No seasonal staff. A team that stays.
Faces here do not change with the monsoon season. Whoever greets you on day one also dives with you on your last day – and still remembers your name when you come back next year. Many of our guests do exactly that.
On site since 1999English, German, French, ThaiSSI & CMAS instructorsRegulars for 20 years
How it works
Four steps to your first breath.
01
Message us
WhatsApp, e-mail or the contact form – tell us your level and when you will be on the island.
02
We plan together
You get a personal recommendation: which course, which days, what to bring. Spoiler: almost nothing.
03
Arrive & dive in
Theory relaxed via app beforehand or on site. Then into the shallow water of the bay – step by step.
04
Certificate & ocean
After 3–4 days you hold your worldwide-valid diving license. And will probably want to keep going.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know before diving in.
Yes, basic skills are enough: swim 200 meters and tread water for 10 minutes. Nobody needs Olympic level.
No. Try Scuba and Open Water start from zero. Your instructor is with you from the very first breath.
The Open Water Diver takes 3–4 days with 5 dives. You can do the theory in advance via app from home.
With good training, diving is very safe. That is exactly why we insist on small groups, modern equipment and time instead of assembly lines.
Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen – we provide the rest. Full equipment is included in all courses.
Bubblemaker from age 8 in shallow water, Try Scuba and Junior Open Water from age 10.
We train and certify with SSI – recognized worldwide at every dive center, from the Red Sea to the Caribbean. Theory runs through the free SSI app, so you can even start learning from home.
Fly to Koh Samui or Surat Thani, then take the ferry to Koh Tao. We are happy to pick you up from the pier – just let us know.
Yes, you pay for all courses on site in Thai baht – cash or card. No deposit, no risk.
Our courses start almost daily. In high season we recommend messaging us a few days ahead – then your preferred date is locked in. Already on the island? Ask anyway, there is often more room than you think.
Right at Tanote Bay you will find resorts and bungalows in different price ranges – from simple huts to places with a pool. Tell us when you are coming and we will give you honest recommendations.
For most people a health questionnaire on site is enough. Only certain pre-existing conditions (e.g. asthma or heart issues) require a dive medical – best sorted at home before your trip. Glasses? No problem, we have prescription masks.
You can dive with us almost all year round. Visibility is usually best between February and September. Tanote Bay sits sheltered on the east side – often divable when other sides of the island have waves.
Quite the opposite: a large share of our guests come solo. In small groups you get to know people quickly – many dive buddies first met right here at the bay.
Yes, with your own full set of equipment you get a discount on fun dives. Just mention it and we will make you a fair offer.
Try-Scuba credit
Try first, decide later.
Not sure diving is your thing? Do the Try Scuba for 2,500 THB. If you love it – and almost everyone does – we credit the full amount towards your Open Water course. So what you're risking is: nothing.
The ocean isn't waiting. Neither should you.
Tell us when you'll be on Koh Tao – we'll plan the rest. No form marathon, no prepayment.
100% non-bindingReply usually within a few hoursPay on site – no prepayment
DennisInstructor & base manager · on Koh Tao since 1999“Just message me with your travel dates – we'll plan the rest together. No sales pressure.”
Usually replies within a few hours