Try Scuba Diving 2 Dives Bang Bao

The best part of this Koh Chang outing is the generous time underwater: you get 30 minutes of instruction followed by two sessions lasting 45 to 60 minutes each. That gives a first-timer time to settle in rather than rushing through a short trial.

I like the maximum group size of four, and I like that the day includes a boat ride, lunch, fruit, snacks, and drinks. Instructors including Trent and Bank are praised for calm, careful support, while the equipment and boat also receive strong marks.

The main thing to weigh is the price, $169, for a 6-hour-30-minute day. Weather can also cancel the outing, so keep some flexibility in your Koh Chang plans.

Key points to know before booking

• Two long reef sessions: Each underwater session lasts about 45 to 60 minutes after your 30-minute lesson.
• Small groups: The activity accepts a maximum of four people, which can mean more personal attention.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: You stay with an instructor throughout the Try Scuba experience.
• A full boat day: Drinks, fruit, snacks, and a buffet lunch are provided.
• Possible marine life: Corals, fish, stingrays, turtles, and possibly a whale shark may appear, though wildlife is never guaranteed.
• Flexible cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before the 9 am start for a full refund.

Starting at Bang Bao Plaza at 9 am

Your day begins at 18 Bang Bao Plaza in Bang Bao, on Ko Chang Tai, at 9 am. Pickup is offered, but the listed meeting point is the place to confirm when you book. Since travel time counts toward the roughly 6-hour-30-minute schedule, you should expect a full morning and afternoon rather than a quick local activity.

Bang Bao is a sensible starting point for a boat-based outing. The important practical detail is to arrive ready for a water day, with swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need between sessions. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

The group limit of four is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. Small numbers matter underwater. You have less waiting around, and the instructor can focus on helping you with breathing, movement, and comfort. The limited capacity also gives the day a more personal feel than a large boat trip.

The first 30 minutes: learning before entering the water

The Try Scuba session starts with about 30 minutes of instruction. This is where you learn the basic steps needed to use the equipment and move safely with your instructor. For a first underwater experience, this short lesson is not a throwaway briefing. It is your chance to ask questions and get used to the idea of breathing through a regulator.

That first breath can feel strange. One person who returned to the sport after a long break described needing help feeling comfortable again, while a first-time participant said the initial discomfort eased as the session continued. The useful lesson for you is simple: tell the instructor if you feel nervous, rushed, or unsure. The staff are used to helping beginners find their rhythm.

Trent and Bank are the names most closely tied to the positive teaching comments. Bank is praised for putting a new participant at ease, while Trent is described as attentive and careful with individual divers. Other crew members named in the feedback include Mike, Rick, Paul, and Sue.

You should not expect a classroom course or a full certification in this format. This is an introductory Try Scuba outing, built around a short lesson and two guided sessions. It suits someone who wants to see how being underwater feels before committing to a longer course.

Two 45 to 60 minute sessions on Koh Chang reefs

After the lesson, you make two descents with an instructor. Each one lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, which is a generous window for a first experience. The exact time you spend underwater can depend on conditions, comfort, and air use, so treat the duration as an estimate rather than a promise.

The focus is on Koh Chang’s coral reefs. You can expect to look at corals and watch for reef fish, stingrays, and turtles. A whale shark is also listed as a possible sighting, but that should be treated as a lucky bonus, not a reason to book the trip.

This distinction matters. Marine life is wild, and no responsible operator can guarantee a turtle, ray, or whale shark. The reliable part of the day is the chance to spend time exploring reef habitat with an instructor. The animals are extra.

The two-session format is useful because the first descent lets you adjust. You may spend the opening minutes thinking about breathing, buoyancy, and hand signals. By the second session, you may feel more settled and able to pay attention to the reef. Even if you remain cautious, the second chance gives you more value than a single brief look beneath the water.

The centre’s broader trips also visit sites such as the HTMS Chang wreck, but that site is not specified for this Try Scuba outing. Book this particular experience for its guided reef sessions, not for a guaranteed wreck visit.

Boat time, lunch, and the parts between sessions

The boat is more than transport. It is your base between the two sessions, and the day includes drinks, fruit, snacks, and a buffet lunch. That is important because a half-day in the sun and water can leave you hungry and tired.

Food is included in the $169 price, along with the boat outing, instruction, two guided sessions, and equipment. Feedback about the lunch and cold drinks is particularly positive, and the boat itself is repeatedly described as comfortable and spacious. Still, you should compare the price with your own plans. If you only want a short introduction, $169 may feel high. If you value a full boat day and two long sessions, the package makes more sense.

You may also find the pace easier than a rushed shore-based lesson. There is time to eat, drink, and reset before the second session. The tradeoff is that weather and sea conditions affect the entire day. This is not an indoor activity with a guaranteed departure.

Equipment and personal attention

The equipment receives some of the strongest praise in the available feedback. It is described as new, well maintained, and good quality. That can make a real difference when you are already concentrating on breathing and staying calm. Equipment that fits well and feels familiar helps remove one more source of worry.

The small group is just as important as the gear. With up to four people, you should have a better chance of asking questions and receiving direct help. This does not mean the day is private, since other people may be on the boat, but the Try Scuba group itself is limited.

Safety is a repeated theme in the feedback. The instructors are described as professional, considerate, and careful about how each person feels in the water. You should still speak up before entering if you have concerns. Clear communication is especially important for a first underwater activity.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, according to the activity information, but anyone with a medical concern should check suitability before booking. The supplied information does not list a specific health questionnaire or age rule, so ask Thai Ocean Academy directly if those details matter for you.

How the $169 price works out

At $169, this is not the cheapest way to see the sea around Koh Chang. But price alone does not tell the whole story. You are paying for a 6-hour-30-minute outing, boat transport, equipment, instruction, two sessions of up to an hour each, and food and drinks.

The group limit improves the value. A cheaper activity with a large group may give you less instructor time and more waiting. Here, a maximum of four makes the personal support more meaningful, particularly if you are nervous or have never used scuba equipment.

The equipment and boat also reduce the need to arrange extras yourself. Lunch, snacks, fruit, and drinks are already part of the day. If you would otherwise book transport, rent equipment, and buy food separately, the total comparison may look better.

I would call the price fair for someone who wants a full first experience, not merely a short test in shallow water. It is less compelling for someone who is unsure about spending most of a day on a boat or who only wants a quick photo opportunity.

Who this Koh Chang experience suits best

This outing is a strong match if you have never tried scuba before and want careful guidance. The 30-minute lesson, instructor-led sessions, and small group give you several layers of support.

It also suits newly certified participants who still feel uncertain. One person with a recent open-water certificate found the guidance reassuring, which suggests the staff can help people who know the basics but lack confidence.

You may also enjoy it if you have not been underwater for a long time. The staff’s calm approach is useful when the first few minutes feel unfamiliar again.

Families can consider it, since the experience has been used by a family group and most people can participate. But no age limit is supplied, so confirm that point before booking for children.

This is less suitable if you need a guaranteed whale shark, a specific wreck site, or a fixed schedule unaffected by weather. It is also not the right choice if you want a formal certification course in one day.

Booking, cancellation, and weather planning

Confirmation is sent at booking, and mobile tickets are supported. The standard start time is 9 am, and the activity returns to the meeting point.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, the payment is not refunded and changes are not accepted. The cutoff follows local time, so do not leave cancellation decisions until the last minute.

Weather is a real factor. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. I would place this outing early enough in your Koh Chang stay to leave room for a change of date, especially if the underwater portion is a major reason for your trip.

Should you book Try Scuba Diving 2 Dives Bang Bao?

I would book it if you want a well-supported first look at Koh Chang’s reefs, value a small group, and like the idea of a complete boat day with lunch included. The two long sessions are the main draw, and the calm approach associated with Trent, Bank, and the wider Thai Ocean Academy team is reassuring for beginners.

I would pause if $169 feels high for an introductory activity, or if your schedule cannot handle a weather-related change. Do not book it solely for a whale shark or a particular wreck, since those are not promised here.

For a first underwater outing with personal instruction, quality equipment, food, and plenty of time beneath the surface, this is a sensible choice. Book early in your stay, confirm pickup details, and arrive ready for a full day around the water.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

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

What time does the activity begin?

The stated start time is 9 am.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes, including travel time.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The Try Scuba experience includes two guided sessions. Each is expected to last between 45 and 60 minutes.

Is instruction included for beginners?

Yes. You receive about 30 minutes of training with an instructor before the two guided sessions.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of four participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.