Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Ban's Diving Resort is one of the world's leading dive centers with the highest certification rates – a campus on Sairee Beach that has transformed learning to dive into a complete resort experience. With training pools, classrooms, accommodation ranging from backpacker rooms to hotel-standard rooms, restaurants, and a legendary nightlife, it's all part of a dive school that has trained generations of novice divers with the utmost professionalism. The sheer size of the operation is crucial. Courses run continuously, instructors teach in a dozen languages, and course-plus-accommodation packages make the renowned Koh Tao offer – the world's best-value diving certification at a great price – even more appealing.

Large doesn't mean impersonal in the water. The groups adhere to the prescribed staff-to-student ratios, and the enormous turnover means the operation has seen and solved everything. The nightly activities—pool parties, graduation celebrations—are one reason why the friendships forged during Ban's trip have lasted beyond the journey itself.