La Bombona Diving Koh Tao Try Dive

Koh Tao’s La Bombona Try Scuba experience gets you underwater on your first day, with a full safety lesson before you ever leave shore. You will practice in shallow water, then reach a maximum of 12 meters at a calm bay among tropical fish and coral.

I like the small group limit of four and the spacious three-level boat, which offers showers, a sun deck, water, coffee, tea, cookies, and fruit. I also like that patient instructors such as John, Juan, Ernest, and Noelia are named in the feedback, though your guide will depend on the day.

The main drawback is that the basic booking includes only one underwater session. A second costs an extra 1,000, and the long briefing may feel slow if you want a quick swim rather than a proper first lesson.

Key points to know before booking

• A full first-day lesson: Allow about an hour for basic scuba ideas, equipment use, safety rules, and questions.
• A maximum group of four: This gives your instructor more room to watch your comfort and technique.
• A calm bay for beginners: You start in shallow water before reaching up to 12 meters.
• A comfortable three-level boat: Showers, a sun deck, refreshments, and plenty of space are included.
• One session is standard: You can request a second underwater session for an added 1,000.
• A full day on Koh Tao: Meet at 9:30 am, begin the course at 10 am, and return around 4:30 pm.

Starting at La Bombona on Sairee Road

Your day begins at La Bombona Diving on Beach 17/18, Sairee Road, Koh Tao. The meeting time is 9:30 am, with the teaching portion scheduled to start at 10 am. That half-hour gives the school time to organize equipment and get everyone ready.

The small group size matters here. You are not being sent into the sea as part of a large crowd. The maximum is four people, which should make it easier to ask questions and get direct help with your mask, breathing gear, and buoyancy.

You will be sized for equipment, including the provided snorkeling and scuba gear. The emphasis is on comfort before you leave shore. That is important for a first attempt, since poorly fitting equipment can make a simple task feel much harder than it needs to be.

The school uses multilingual guides when needed. The available information does not promise a particular language or instructor, so tell the operator about any communication concerns when you book.

The first hour: learning before entering the water

La Bombona does not treat this as a quick photo stop. The first hour covers basic scuba concepts, how the equipment works, safety rules, and what you should expect underwater. You also have time to ask questions before boarding.

I see this as one of the strongest parts of the experience. Breathing through a tank is unusual at first, and a calm explanation on land helps you focus once you are in the sea. The instructors aim to avoid overwhelming beginners, while still asking you to learn enough to handle simple tasks yourself.

That last point deserves attention. One piece of feedback criticized an instructor for expecting a first-time participant to do things independently. The school’s response explained that the purpose of the long briefing and practice is to help beginners actually take part, rather than simply being guided around without learning anything.

So, you should expect coaching, not a passive ride. You will need to listen, practice, and follow instructions. If you want an entirely effortless experience, this may feel demanding. If you want to find out how scuba really works, it is a useful approach.

Boarding the three-level boat

After the briefing, you head to a large three-storied boat. It has a sun deck, showers, plenty of space, and basic refreshments. Water, coffee, tea, cookies, and fresh fruit are provided during the trip.

These touches make the day easier. You are spending several hours away from the beach, so a place to sit, rinse off, and take a break matters. The boat is part of the experience, not just transport to the water.

The trip to the selected site is described as short, though the exact bay depends on sea conditions and the day’s plan. Koh Tao has several sites around the island, and the crew chooses a spot suited to beginners.

Do not confuse the included refreshments with a full meal. Alcohol is not included and can only be bought after the underwater activity. The supplied information also lists food and drinks as not included, despite the boat offering snacks and hot drinks, so bring or arrange anything more substantial you will need for the day.

Shallow-water practice before the main session

At the bay, you begin in shallow water. The instructor takes you through simple skills and lets you build confidence gradually before moving farther down.

This step is especially useful if you are nervous. You can get used to the mask, breathing from the tank, and moving with the equipment while still close to the surface. Your instructor can watch how you respond and help you settle before the main underwater portion.

The experience is limited to a maximum depth of 12 meters. That is deep enough to give you a real sense of scuba, but the setting is selected with first-timers in mind. You are not signing up for an advanced expedition or a certification course.

The school’s style appears to favor independence with supervision. You will be asked to perform basic skills yourself, but the point is to help you gain control. Keep communicating with your instructor if you are uncomfortable. A first session should progress at a pace you can handle.

Seeing Koh Tao below the surface

Once you are ready, you move below the surface with your instructor. The focus is on tropical fish and coral around Koh Tao, with the maximum depth set at 12 meters.

The quality of this part depends on normal sea conditions, the chosen site, and your comfort in the water. The description promises marine life and coral, but it does not promise particular species or a specific bay. That honest uncertainty is worth keeping in mind when comparing this with a certified scuba trip built around a named site.

The biggest gain is access. Snorkeling lets you see the surface world, but breathing from a tank allows you to stay below and look around from a different angle. For someone considering a longer certification course, this one-day format gives you a sensible test before committing several days.

You may also find the first session passes quickly. New equipment, breathing technique, hand signals, and body position take up attention. That is why the optional second session can be worthwhile for someone who wants more time to relax and enjoy the fish and coral.

The optional second session costs extra

The basic booking includes one underwater session. If you want to repeat the experience, the operator can take you to another site for an extra 1,000.

The second session is not simply a longer version of the first. You can move to a different location, which gives you another chance to practice after you understand the equipment and basic skills. The feedback specifically recommends the optional second session as a way to become more relaxed and enjoy more of the underwater setting.

Still, budget for it carefully. The listed price is $96.80 per person, and the additional 1,000 is not included. The supplied details do not specify the currency of that extra charge, so confirm it before you commit.

At the base price, I think the value rests on the instruction, boat facilities, equipment, and access to one proper session. If you know in advance that you want two sessions, ask for the total price before booking so there are no surprises.

Instructors and the feel of the lesson

The strongest praise centers on the staff. Juan and John are singled out for guiding a participant through the land-based steps and then leading two underwater sessions. Noelia is described as caring, fun, professional, and attentive during the session. Ernest is praised for helping two complete beginners feel comfortable.

Those details point to a school where instructor quality can shape the day. You may get an especially warm and patient guide, but the experience is not identical every time. One unhappy participant found the instructor unfriendly and felt too much was left to the beginner.

There was also a complaint about smoking cannabis on the boat. The school’s response was direct: smoking cannabis was not permitted, and the staff stopped it for safety reasons. That is a useful practical warning. Follow boat and scuba safety rules, and do not assume relaxed island culture means every behavior is acceptable during a water activity.

Overall, the public score is 4.4 from 14 ratings. That suggests a generally strong experience, while the negative feedback reminds you that communication style and expectations matter.

What the $96.80 price covers

The $96.80 price includes taxes, fees, handling charges, a professional guide, equipment, snacks, and coffee or tea. The boat’s showers, sun deck, space, water, and other stated facilities are also part of the day.

For a first scuba experience, that is a reasonable package if you value structure and supervision. You are not just paying for time in the sea. You are paying for equipment preparation, a lesson, transport by boat, an instructor, and a beginner-friendly site.

The value is weaker if you want a short, inexpensive swim. This is a full-day commitment, beginning in the morning and ending back at the shop around 4:30 pm. Much of that time is spent preparing, traveling, and resting between activities.

The price also does not include a full meal, alcoholic drinks, or the second session. Plan your spending around those exclusions. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Koh Tao experience

I would choose this for a first-time scuba participant who wants a serious introduction without enrolling in a multi-day course. It suits people who appreciate a long safety briefing, a small group, and an instructor-led progression from shore practice to open water.

It also works for friends who want to try scuba together. The maximum group size of four should keep the day personal, though you should confirm how your party fits into the group when booking.

This is less suitable if you are looking for several underwater sessions at the base price, a fixed famous site, or a short activity that leaves most of the day free. It is also not a certification course. The information describes a try scuba experience, not a qualification.

Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but exact transport arrangements are not specified. The shop is the start and end point, so organize your own way to Sairee Road unless the operator tells you otherwise.

Is La Bombona worth booking?

I would book La Bombona if you want to test scuba properly in Koh Tao, rather than simply splash around with a tank. The four-person limit, careful shore briefing, calm beginner site, and comfortable boat make the $96.80 price easier to justify.

Before paying, decide if one underwater session is enough for you. If you suspect you will want a second, ask about the extra 1,000 and its currency. Also arrive ready to listen, practice, and follow safety rules.

Book it if your priority is a guided first experience with useful instruction. Skip it if you want a rapid activity, a guaranteed named site, or a package with two sessions and lunch already included.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?

It begins at La Bombona Diving, Beach 17/18 Sairee Road, Tambon Ko Tao, Koh Tao, Surat Thani 84360, Thailand.

What time should I arrive?

The listed start time is 9:30 am. The course itself begins at 10 am.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately one day. You return to the dive shop at around 4:30 pm to complete the paperwork.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of four participants.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The experience is designed for people who have not scuba dived before and includes basic instruction and equipment familiarization.

How deep will I go?

The maximum stated depth is 12 meters.

Is a second underwater session included?

No. The basic booking includes one session. A second session is available for an additional 1,000.

What refreshments are provided?

The boat provides water, coffee, tea, cookies, and fresh fruit. Alcoholic drinks are not included and are available to purchase only after the underwater activity.

Is the equipment included?

Yes. Equipment use is included, along with snorkeling equipment.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.