Last updated: August 2026
These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) apply to all scuba diving courses, diving activities, excursions, equipment rental, accommodation packages, and other services provided by Koh Tao Experiences (“Koh Tao Experiences”, “we”, “us”, or “the School”) in Koh Tao, Thailand.
By making a booking, paying a deposit or payment, or participating in any activity provided by Koh Tao Experiences, the customer (“Customer”, “you”, or “your”) confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms.
All bookings are subject to availability and are only considered confirmed once the required deposit or payment has been received and acknowledged by Koh Tao Experiences.
A booking may be made through our website, online booking platforms, email, WhatsApp, social media, or directly at the School.
The Customer must pay the applicable course or activity price communicated at the time of booking.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing:
Prices are quoted in Thai Baht (THB) unless otherwise stated.
Prices are those applicable at the time the booking is made. Koh Tao Experiences reserves the right to change its prices for future bookings without affecting confirmed bookings.
Any promotional price, discount, or special offer is subject to its specific conditions and cannot necessarily be combined with other promotions.
Cancellation and refund eligibility depends on the type of service booked and the time at which the cancellation is made.
Koh Tao Experiences may apply different cancellation conditions to:
The cancellation conditions applicable to the booking will be communicated to the Customer at the time of booking where different from these general Terms.
If a Customer cancels with insufficient notice or does not attend a scheduled activity (“no-show”), Koh Tao Experiences may retain part or all of the amount paid.
A no-show includes, but is not limited to:
Where possible, Koh Tao Experiences may allow a Customer to reschedule their activity, subject to availability.
Rescheduling is not guaranteed and may be subject to applicable cancellation conditions.
Customers should not participate in scuba diving when they are unwell or otherwise medically unfit to dive.
If a Customer becomes ill before a scheduled activity, they should contact Koh Tao Experiences as soon as possible.
Illness-related cancellations may be subject to the applicable cancellation policy. Customers are strongly encouraged to have travel insurance that covers scuba diving, medical treatment, evacuation, and trip interruption.
Where a refund is approved, refunds will normally be made using the same payment method used for the original payment, where reasonably possible.
Bank charges, payment processing fees, currency conversion costs, or other non-refundable third-party charges may be deducted where applicable.
Koh Tao Experiences reserves the right to cancel, postpone, reschedule, modify, or terminate a course, dive, boat trip, or other activity when reasonably necessary for safety or operational reasons.
Reasons may include, but are not limited to:
The final decision regarding whether diving can safely take place rests with Koh Tao Experiences, its instructors, boat crew, or other responsible personnel.
Where an activity is cancelled by Koh Tao Experiences and cannot reasonably be rescheduled, the Customer may be entitled to a refund in accordance with the applicable booking conditions.
Koh Tao Experiences is not responsible for additional costs incurred by the Customer as a result of a cancellation or change, including transportation, accommodation, flights, ferry tickets, or other travel expenses, unless otherwise required by applicable law.
Scuba diving involves physical activity and inherent risks.
All Customers must complete the required medical and liability documentation before participating in diving activities.
Customers are responsible for honestly and accurately declaring any medical conditions, medications, previous injuries, illnesses, or other circumstances that could affect their ability to dive safely.
Where required by the applicable training agency or medical questionnaire, the Customer must obtain medical clearance from a qualified physician before participating.
Koh Tao Experiences may refuse or postpone participation if an instructor or responsible staff member reasonably believes that a Customer is medically or physically unfit to dive.
No refund is automatically guaranteed where a Customer is unable to dive because they have failed to obtain required medical clearance or have provided inaccurate or incomplete medical information.
Customers participating in certified-diver activities must provide appropriate proof of certification when requested.
For continuing education courses, Customers must meet the prerequisite certification and experience requirements of the relevant training organisation.
Customers must provide accurate information regarding:
Koh Tao Experiences reserves the right to modify a dive plan, require additional training, or refuse participation where a Customer's certification, experience, physical condition, or skills are considered insufficient for the planned activity.
Safety is the primary consideration during all diving activities.
Customers must follow all reasonable instructions given by instructors, divemasters, boat crew, and other authorised staff.
This includes instructions concerning:
An instructor or other authorised staff member may end or modify a dive at any time where they consider it necessary for safety.
A Customer who refuses to follow reasonable safety instructions may be removed from the activity without entitlement to a refund, subject to applicable law.
The Customer acknowledges that scuba diving is an adventure activity involving inherent risks.
These risks may include, without limitation:
The Customer voluntarily assumes the inherent risks associated with participating in scuba diving and agrees to follow all applicable safety instructions and training requirements.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude or limit any liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited under applicable law.
Koh Tao Experiences strongly recommends that all Customers obtain appropriate travel and diving insurance before participating in any diving activity.
Insurance should, where available and appropriate, cover:
Customers are responsible for checking that their insurance policy actually covers the diving activities in which they intend to participate.
Koh Tao Experiences does not guarantee that a Customer's personal insurance policy will provide coverage.
Where equipment is provided by Koh Tao Experiences, the Customer must use the equipment responsibly and in accordance with instructions.
The Customer must immediately inform staff of any equipment problem, damage, malfunction, or loss.
Customers may be held responsible for damage or loss resulting from intentional misuse, reckless behaviour, or failure to follow reasonable instructions, subject to applicable law.
Koh Tao Experiences reserves the right to inspect, replace, or remove equipment from use whenever necessary for safety reasons.
Customers are responsible for their personal belongings.
Koh Tao Experiences is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings brought onto its premises, vehicles, boats, accommodation, or diving sites, except where liability arises under applicable law.
Customers are advised not to bring valuable or unnecessary items on diving trips.
Customers must follow all safety instructions given by boat crew and staff.
Boat schedules and transportation arrangements may change due to weather, sea conditions, operational requirements, or other circumstances beyond the control of Koh Tao Experiences.
Customers are responsible for arriving at the designated meeting point at the required time.
Failure to arrive on time may result in the Customer missing the boat or activity and may be treated as a no-show.
Completion of a diving course does not automatically guarantee certification.
Certification is dependent on the Customer successfully completing the applicable theoretical, practical, skills, and diving requirements established by the relevant training organisation.
Instructors may determine that additional training, practice, dives, or other requirements are necessary before certification can be issued.
Additional training or dives may incur additional costs where the original course requirements have already been completed or where additional services are requested by the Customer.
Koh Tao Experiences does not guarantee certification where a Customer does not meet the requirements of the relevant training organisation.
Where a course includes training materials, digital learning materials, manuals, certification fees, or other educational resources, these may be subject to the rules and conditions of the relevant certification agency.
Once digital or physical course materials have been issued or activated, they may be non-refundable where the relevant training organisation does not permit refunds.
Participation by minors is subject to the minimum age requirements and other conditions established by the relevant certification organisation and applicable law.
A parent or legal guardian may be required to provide consent and complete the necessary documentation.
Koh Tao Experiences reserves the right to impose additional safety requirements for minors.
Customers must not participate in diving activities while under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or any substance that may impair judgment, coordination, awareness, or physical ability.
Koh Tao Experiences reserves the right to refuse participation to any person who appears impaired or otherwise unable to participate safely.
No refund will necessarily be provided where participation is refused for this reason.
Customers must also observe appropriate surface intervals and comply with all applicable diving safety requirements concerning alcohol and other substances.
Customers are expected to behave respectfully toward instructors, divemasters, boat crew, staff, other customers, local residents, and the marine environment.
Koh Tao Experiences does not tolerate:
Koh Tao Experiences may refuse or terminate participation where necessary to protect the safety or wellbeing of customers, staff, crew, or other persons.
Koh Tao Experiences is committed to responsible diving and the protection of the marine environment.
Customers must not intentionally:
Customers must follow all applicable environmental regulations and instructions provided by instructors and boat crew.
Koh Tao Experiences or its authorised photographers may take photographs or videos during diving activities.
Where photographs or videos are intended for promotional or marketing purposes, the School will seek the Customer's consent where required.
Customers who do not wish to appear in promotional photographs or videos should notify Koh Tao Experiences before the activity.
Any consent or refusal concerning promotional media will not affect the Customer's ability to participate in the diving activity.
Where accommodation is included as part of a booking, the accommodation is subject to the rules of the relevant accommodation provider.
Koh Tao Experiences is not responsible for circumstances outside its reasonable control affecting third-party accommodation.
Customers must comply with the accommodation provider's rules and may be responsible for damage caused by their own actions.
Koh Tao Experiences will make reasonable efforts to accommodate customer requests, including requests concerning:
However, special requests are not guaranteed and may be changed for operational or safety reasons.
The instructor or boat operator retains final authority over dive-site selection and dive plans based on safety and current conditions.
Koh Tao Experiences shall not be responsible for failure or delay in providing services where this results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
Such circumstances may include natural disasters, severe weather, storms, government restrictions, strikes, epidemics, accidents, technical failures, transport disruptions, civil unrest, or other unforeseeable events.
Where reasonably possible, Koh Tao Experiences will attempt to offer an alternative date, service, or other appropriate solution.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Koh Tao Experiences shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or unforeseeable losses arising from a Customer's participation in activities or use of services.
Nothing in these Terms shall exclude or limit liability for matters that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable law.
These Terms do not replace any separate liability release, assumption-of-risk agreement, medical declaration, or other document required by the relevant diving certification organisation.
If a Customer has a complaint regarding a service, they should notify Koh Tao Experiences as soon as reasonably possible so that the School has an opportunity to investigate and, where appropriate, resolve the matter.
Complaints should preferably be submitted in writing and include sufficient information to allow the School to investigate the circumstances.
Customers are encouraged to raise any issue during their stay or before leaving Koh Tao so that reasonable solutions can be considered promptly.
These Terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Thailand.
Any dispute arising in connection with these Terms or the services provided by Koh Tao Experiences shall be handled in accordance with applicable Thai law and by the courts or other competent authorities having jurisdiction.
Nothing in these Terms prevents a Customer from exercising any mandatory rights or protections available to them under applicable law.
Koh Tao Experiences reserves the right to update these Terms from time to time.
The version applicable to a booking will generally be the version in effect at the time the booking is made, unless a change is required by law or applicable regulations.
The latest version will be made available through the School's official communication channels.
By making a booking or participating in a course, dive, trip, or other activity provided by Koh Tao Experiences, the Customer confirms that they: