Try Scuba Diving 2 Dives Bang Bao

The sea lesson starts before you leave the pier. This Koh Chang outing pairs a 30-minute beginner briefing with two guided underwater sessions on coral reefs near Bang Bao. I like the small maximum group of four, and I like that the day includes a proper boat, fruit, snacks, drinks, and buffet lunch rather than treating food as an afterthought.

The strongest part is the care from instructors such as Trent and Bank, who are praised for helping nervous beginners feel secure. The main drawback is the price: at $169, this is not a cheap introduction to scuba. You are paying for personal attention, equipment, boat time, meals, and a full half-day at sea, so the value depends on how seriously you want to try it.

Key points to know before booking

• Two long underwater sessions: Each lasts about 45 to 60 minutes, with an instructor alongside you.
• Beginner training included: You receive around 30 minutes of instruction before entering the water.
• Very small group size: The maximum is four people, useful if you feel nervous or want close supervision.
• Full boat day: Drinks, fruit, snacks, and a buffet lunch are provided during the outing.
• Marine life is the draw: Expect healthy coral areas and the chance of seeing fish, stingrays, turtles, or, with luck, a whale shark.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Starting at Bang Bao Plaza at 9:00 am

Your day begins at 18 Bang Bao Plaza in Koh Chang Tai at 9:00 am. Pickup is offered, which can make the morning easier if you are staying elsewhere on the island, but you should confirm the pickup details when booking.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. The listed duration is about 6 hours and 30 minutes, and travel time is included. That matters because this is not a quick beach lesson followed by a return to shore. You should plan for most of your morning and afternoon to be taken up by transport, instruction, time on the boat, and the two sessions in the sea.

Bang Bao is a practical starting point for a boat outing. The meeting point is near public transportation, and mobile tickets are accepted. I would still arrive with time to spare. A late start can create pressure on a beginner, and your first few minutes are better spent getting comfortable with the equipment and the crew.

The 30-minute lesson for first-time scuba users

The first part of the experience is a 30-minute training session with your instructor. This is the most important part of the day if you have never used a mask, regulator, buoyancy device, and air tank before.

You will need to listen carefully and ask questions. Breathing through a regulator can feel strange at first, and being in open water adds a second layer of nerves. The training gives you time to understand basic procedures before the boat reaches the reef.

I especially like the small group limit here. With no more than four participants, the instructor has a realistic chance to notice who is calm, who needs more time, and who is struggling with a skill. The center has built a strong reputation for patient instruction, with Bank receiving particular praise for helping uncertain beginners relax. Trent is also frequently singled out for careful, one-to-one attention.

That does not mean the lesson turns you into a certified scuba user. This is a try-out experience, not an open-water certification course. You should treat it as a supervised introduction, follow the instructor’s directions, and be honest about how comfortable you feel.

Setting out on the boat from Bang Bao

After the lesson, you head out by boat toward the day’s underwater sites. The boat is part of the value here. You are not simply being dropped at a crowded shoreline and left to manage the rest yourself.

The center provides drinks, fruit, snacks, and a buffet lunch during the day. That is useful in practical terms. Two sessions of 45 to 60 minutes take energy, and the interval between them is more pleasant when you can eat, drink, and rest on board.

Several people have praised the boat as spacious and well kept. The equipment also receives repeated compliments, with particular mention of newer, good-quality gear. For a first attempt, that can make a real difference. Familiarity with the water is already a challenge, so equipment that feels clean and dependable helps keep your attention on breathing and movement.

The boat ride itself is part of the outing, but conditions can change. The operator states that the activity depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That is a useful safeguard, though it also means you should avoid scheduling this on the final few hours of your Koh Chang stay.

Two reef sessions of 45 to 60 minutes

The main event is two guided sessions on coral reefs, each lasting between 45 and 60 minutes. The exact site can vary with conditions and the day’s plan, so you should not book expecting one guaranteed reef or a particular animal.

The appeal is the variety of life. The center describes healthy reefs with coral formations and the possibility of seeing many kinds of fish, stingrays, turtles, and, if luck is on your side, a whale shark. The whale shark is clearly a possibility rather than a promise. You should choose this outing for the guided reef experience, not for a guaranteed large-animal encounter.

A full hour underwater can feel long when you are new to scuba, but it also gives you time to settle down. The first few minutes may be spent adjusting to the regulator and your equipment. Once you are calmer, you can pay attention to the coral and fish instead of simply checking your breathing.

The second session is often where a beginner gets more enjoyment. You have already learned how the gear feels, how to move, and how to communicate with the instructor. The initial nerves may ease, giving you a better chance to notice the small details of the reef.

The operator has also taken small groups to the HTMS Chang wreck on other outings, where fish have been reported covering the site. That does not appear to be a guaranteed stop on this try-scuba package, so I would regard it as an example of the wider local possibilities, not part of the promised itinerary.

Why the instructor-to-participant ratio matters

For a first underwater experience, personal attention is more valuable than a long list of attractions. A group of four is small enough for the instructor to keep track of each person without the outing feeling like a private charter.

The names that come up most often are Trent and Bank, with other crew members including Mike, Rick, Paul, and Sue. Staff friendliness and clear communication are recurring strengths. Several people describe feeling safe throughout their sessions, and one family praised the combination of careful procedures, good food, and an easy atmosphere.

That reassurance is not a minor detail. A nervous beginner can spoil the whole day by feeling rushed or ignored. Here, the available feedback points to instructors who slow down when needed and keep an eye on individual comfort.

Still, you should know your own limits. Even with good instruction, open water is not for everyone. If you dislike masks, feel uncomfortable breathing through a regulator, or are not ready to follow underwater instructions, you may prefer a snorkeling outing instead.

Food, drinks, and the long break between sessions

The included food helps explain some of the $169 cost. You receive drinks, fruit, snacks, and a buffet lunch on the boat. That means you do not need to organize a separate meal during a six-and-a-half-hour activity.

The description does not give a detailed menu, so do not book expecting a particular dish. It does, however, make clear that lunch is a proper buffet rather than just a packaged snack. Cold drinks and food have been praised as part of the overall boat service.

The break also gives you time to rest between sessions. I would use it to eat lightly, drink water, and listen to the next briefing. You may be excited after the first session, but the second one still requires attention and energy.

Is $169 fair value?

At $169, this is best viewed as a complete beginner package rather than two isolated underwater sessions. The price covers instruction, equipment, boat transport, two lengthy sessions, food, drinks, and a small group capped at four.

That is a reasonable package if you value comfort and personal supervision. A cheaper option might offer a larger group, less time with an instructor, or fewer inclusions, though the provided information does not give direct comparisons. The small group is especially important for anyone who is nervous or wants the instructor to notice small problems quickly.

The price may feel high if you are already certified and simply want casual reef time. This experience is aimed at people trying scuba for the first time, not at experienced participants seeking a low-cost boat trip.

I would also factor in the chance of seeing healthy coral and the possibility of turtles or stingrays. Those are meaningful extras, but wildlife is never guaranteed. The value comes from the quality of the whole day, not from checking off one particular animal.

Who will enjoy this Koh Chang experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time scuba users who want an instructor close by
• Couples or families who prefer a small group
• People who want a full boat day with lunch included
• Newer certified scuba users who still appreciate extra support
• Visitors staying near Bang Bao or those able to use the offered pickup

The outing may be less suitable for anyone looking for a fast, inexpensive activity. It is also not the right choice if you need a guaranteed whale shark, turtle, or wreck encounter. The reefs and marine life are the attraction, but nature sets the schedule.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information provided does not list medical restrictions or detailed age rules, so you should ask the operator directly if you have a health concern or a specific requirement.

Booking and cancellation details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Canceling within 24 hours means no refund, and changes made inside that window are not accepted.

The weather rule is more generous. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. Since the outing takes place at sea, I would leave a spare day in your Koh Chang plans if possible.

Should you book Try Scuba Diving 2 Dives Bang Bao?

I would book this if you want a careful first introduction to scuba and value a small group more than the lowest price. The combination of 30 minutes of training, two long guided reef sessions, quality equipment, a spacious boat, food, and attentive instructors gives the day real substance.

I would skip it if you only want a short swim, need a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or already have extensive scuba experience. For a nervous beginner, though, the close supervision from instructors such as Trent and Bank is the main reason to choose it. You get a proper chance to find out if scuba suits you, without being hurried through the experience.

FAQ

Where does the experience 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 scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes, including travel time.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is four participants.

Is this suitable for someone who has never used scuba equipment?

Yes. The experience includes about 30 minutes of training with an instructor before the two guided underwater sessions.

How long is each underwater session?

Each session lasts between 45 and 60 minutes.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can be offered another date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.