Try Scuba Diving 2 Dives Bang Bao

Bang Bao’s Try Scuba experience gives first-timers a real taste of life below the surface, not just a quick swim in shallow water. You receive 30 minutes of instruction, then make two underwater sessions of 45 to 60 minutes each with an instructor. The small maximum of four people should make it easier to get personal attention.

I like the combination of patient instructors and modern equipment, especially for anyone who feels nervous about breathing through a regulator. I also like the day-at-sea setup: fruit, snacks, drinks, and a buffet lunch are provided while you travel to Koh Chang’s coral sites. The main consideration is time. At about six and a half hours, this is a full morning and afternoon outing, and poor weather can force a change of date or cancellation.

Key points to know before booking

• Two long reef sessions: Each underwater session lasts about 45 to 60 minutes, with an instructor beside you.
• A small group limit: The activity accepts a maximum of four people, useful for beginners who want close guidance.
• Thirty-minute introduction: You receive basic training before entering the water, so no prior certification is required for this try-out format.
• Comfortable boat day: Drinks, fruit, snacks, and a buffet lunch are provided onboard.
• Bang Bao starting point: Meet at 18 Bang Bao Plaza at 9:00 am, with the trip returning there.
• Strong attention to safety: The instructors most often praised by name are Trent and Bank, with the wider Thai Ocean Academy crew supporting the day.

A first underwater experience from Bang Bao

This is designed for people who have never used scuba gear, or who want to try it before committing to a full certification course. You begin at Thai Ocean Academy’s meeting point at 18 Bang Bao Plaza in Koh Chang Tai. The scheduled start is 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the same point.

The first step is a 30-minute session with your instructor. That short lesson matters. Breathing through a regulator can feel strange at first, and the instruction gives you time to get used to the equipment before heading below the surface. You should expect basic guidance on using the gear and on how to behave in the water, followed by an instructor-led session on the reef.

I would ask for a little extra time if you feel uneasy. The strongest feedback about this operation centers on instructors who take care with nervous beginners. Bank is repeatedly singled out for helping new or uncertain participants relax, while Trent is praised for clear briefings and close attention to individual comfort.

The program is not a classroom-heavy certification course. It is a practical introduction. That makes it a sensible choice if you want to see how your body and mind respond to scuba before signing up for several days of formal training.

Two coral reef sessions, not a rushed pool sampler

After the introduction, you make two underwater sessions on coral reefs near Koh Chang. Each is planned to last 45 to 60 minutes, which is a generous amount of time for a first try. The actual length can depend on conditions and your air use, so treat the stated duration as an approximate range rather than a promise.

The focus is on coral and marine life. You might see schools of fish, stingrays, and turtles. A whale shark is possible, but it is clearly a matter of luck, not something you should book this trip expecting to see.

That distinction is important. The reef setting is the attraction, but nature does not run on a schedule. Some people will find a calm coral scene full of small fish more rewarding than a single large animal. If you want a particular species, keep your expectations flexible and enjoy the wider view.

There are also references to excellent local sites and, for certified participants on other trips, the HTMS Chang wreck. Do not assume this try-out program visits the wreck. The experience described here is centered on coral reefs, and the exact site can vary with weather and sea conditions.

Between the two sessions, you return to the boat, rest, eat, and prepare for the next entry. A two-session format is better than making one long attempt. You have time to think about what felt comfortable, ask questions, and improve your breathing and movement on the second outing.

Why the maximum of four matters

The group limit is one of the most useful details in the package. No more than four people take part, which gives the instructor a better chance to watch each person closely.

For a certified diver, a larger boat group may be manageable. For a beginner, it can be a different story. You may need help adjusting your mask, clearing your ears, or settling your breathing. A small group makes it less likely that you will feel hurried because someone else is waiting.

The staff also has experience with people returning after a long break. That is useful if you once learned scuba but feel rusty. You still need to follow the instructor’s directions, but you are not expected to arrive feeling polished.

The operation’s crew includes Trent, Bank, Rick, Paul, Sue, and Mike, along with the shop dog Moo at the academy. The most relevant names for this introductory outing are Trent and Bank, both praised for calm instruction and personal care. Staff communication is described as easy, which helps if you need to explain that you are anxious or need a slower pace.

A boat day with lunch and simple comforts

The boat portion turns this into a half-day sea outing rather than a bare equipment lesson. Drinks, fruit, snacks, and a buffet lunch are provided onboard. That is a real advantage in a six-and-a-half-hour activity, since you are likely to be hungry after two active sessions in the water.

The food is described as suitable for a broad tourist audience, but no detailed menu is provided. If you have a strict allergy or special diet, ask the operator before booking instead of assuming the buffet will meet your needs.

The boat itself receives strong praise for being spacious and comfortable, and the equipment is described as new or very good quality. Those details matter more than fancy decoration. When you are learning, a well-fitting mask and dependable regulator can make the difference between concentrating on the reef and worrying about your gear.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not say which hotels or areas are covered. Confirm that point before booking if you are staying far from Bang Bao. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity returns there at the end.

Is $169 fair value?

At $169, this is not the cheapest way to look underwater in Thailand. It does, however, include much more than a short introductory swim. You are paying for a 30-minute lesson, two lengthy reef sessions, an instructor, the boat day, food, drinks, and the use of scuba equipment.

The small group limit strengthens the value. A lower-priced activity with a crowded boat may offer less personal help, and that can be a poor bargain for a first-timer who needs confidence. The equipment quality also matters. Renting well-maintained gear reduces one common source of stress.

I would compare the price with the total package, not just the number of minutes underwater. Transport may be available, but pickup details should be checked. The price also does not turn the activity into a certification course. If you want an internationally recognized qualification, you will need a separate training program.

For someone who already knows they want to become certified, this can be a useful trial. For someone who only wants a quick holiday activity, the cost and full-day commitment may feel high. The value is strongest when you want a serious first look at scuba in a small, well-supported setting.

What can make the day difficult

The biggest variable is weather. The activity requires suitable conditions, and rough weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. This is sensible for a sea outing, but it means you should avoid placing the trip on the final possible day of your holiday.

The schedule also leaves little room for a late start. Meet at 9:00 am, and allow the whole day to run close to the stated six and a half hours. Travel time is included in that estimate. If you have an evening ferry, flight, or fixed dinner reservation, leave plenty of space.

Scuba itself can be tiring. Even though the sessions are guided, you will be in the water for up to two hours in total. Nervous beginners may use air faster than experienced participants, so your sessions might be shorter than the maximum range.

The marine life is another uncertainty. Coral, fish, stingrays, and turtles are part of the promise of the setting, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. A whale shark is a fortunate possibility, not a feature to count on.

Who will enjoy this most

This suits adults and older children who want a first taste of scuba and are comfortable spending much of the day on a boat. The information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. It does not provide a detailed medical policy, age rule, or swimming requirement, so ask the academy about any personal health concern before reserving.

I would recommend it to:

• First-timers who want more than a brief shallow-water try-out
• People who feel nervous and want a small group
• Recent certification holders who need a gentle return to the sport
• Couples, siblings, or families who want to share a first underwater experience
• Visitors who value a full boat day with lunch and refreshments

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, have only a few hours available, or want a guaranteed encounter with a turtle or whale shark. I would also choose a formal certification course instead if your main goal is to qualify for independent recreational scuba.

Booking and cancellation details

You receive confirmation when you book, and mobile tickets are available. Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

Bad weather is handled differently. If conditions force the operator to cancel, you can be offered another date or a full refund. Since sea conditions can change, book early enough in your holiday to leave room for a backup day.

If you need hotel pickup, confirm the location in advance. Pickup is offered, but the exact coverage is not specified. Also tell the academy about food restrictions before the boat leaves, since lunch is served buffet-style.

My call: a strong choice for a careful first try

I would book this if I wanted a proper first scuba experience around Koh Chang, especially if I valued patient instruction more than the lowest possible price. The combination of a four-person maximum, two substantial reef sessions, quality equipment, and food on the boat gives the day a useful balance of training and holiday pleasure.

The best reason to choose it is the human side. Trent, Bank, and the wider Thai Ocean Academy crew are repeatedly associated with calm briefings, close attention, and a reassuring approach. That can matter more than a flashy boat or a long list of possible animals.

Go in expecting coral, fish, and a well-run introduction, not a guaranteed whale shark encounter. Leave room in your schedule for weather, confirm pickup, and allow the full six and a half hours. If those conditions suit you, this is a thoughtful way to find out if scuba is for you before making a larger commitment.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

You meet at 18 Bang Bao Plaza, Tambon Koh Chang Tai, Amphoe Ko Chang, Trat 23170, Thailand.

What time does the activity begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Bang Bao.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is about six hours and 30 minutes, including travel time.

How much instruction is included?

You receive 30 minutes of training with an instructor before entering the water.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The experience includes two sessions on coral reefs, each lasting about 45 to 60 minutes.

Do I need prior scuba certification?

The experience is a try-out program with instruction before the two sessions, and most people can participate. The supplied information does not require prior certification.

Is food provided?

Yes. Drinks, fruit, snacks, and a buffet lunch are provided on the boat.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of four participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can be offered another date or a full refund.