THAILAND DIVE & ADVENTURE RETREAT
2027
Trip Overview
By popular demand, the Thailand Dive & Adventure Retreat is back for 2027!
Join us and a group of like-minded travellers for 14 unforgettable days of diving, island hopping and adventure through Thailand. Whether you’ve never taken a breath underwater or you’re already a certified diver, this trip has been designed for you.
Learn to scuba dive and earn your Open Water certification, take your existing skills to the next level with your Advanced certification, or join us as a Fun Diver and spend your time exploring some of Thailand’s best dive sites.
But this trip is about SO much more than diving. We’ll cycle through Bangkok, travel overnight by sleeper train, dive the legendary Sail Rock, hike to hidden beaches, dance at the Full Moon Party, scale the limestone cliffs of Railay, swim with bioluminescent plankton and finish our adventure in the turquoise waters of Koh Lipe.
Think backpacking Thailand with a ready-made group of travel mates except we’ve taken care of the difficult bits for you.
Trip Highlights
🚲 Explore Bangkok by bike through the green oasis of Bang Kachao
🤿 Become a certified scuba diver or take your existing certification to the next level
🦈 Dive Sail Rock, one of Thailand’s most iconic dive sites
🌕 Dance the night away at the legendary Full Moon Party
🥾 Hike to secluded Bottle Beach on Koh Phangan
🧗 Scale the iconic limestone cliffs of Railay
✨ Snorkel with bioluminescent plankton after dark
🏝️ Finish the adventure in paradise on Koh Lipe
ITINERARy
DAY ONE - Monday 15th March 2027
📍 Location: Bangkok
Meet the gang and explore Bang Kachao by bike before our first Thai feast and overnight sleeper train south.
DAY TWO - Tuesday 16th March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Ferry over to paradise for our dive orientations, a relaxing yoga session and our first island dinner together.
DAY THREE - Wednesday 17th March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Let the diving begin! Training and diving gets underway for all levels before a sunset beach BBQ.
DAY FOUR - Thursday 18th March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Our second day of diving. Advanced students will receive their certifications!
DAY FIVE - Friday 19th March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Tao / Sail Rock
Third day of diving! We’ll head to the legendary Sail Rock, where our Open Water students will officially become certified and there is fun diving for all.
DAY SIX - Saturday 20th March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Tao - Koh Phangan
Enjoy a free morning in Koh Tao before we say goodbye to the island and catch the ferry across to Koh Phangan.
DAY SEVEN - Sunday 21st March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Phangan
Hike to secluded Bottle Beach, snorkel at Mae Haad and finish with sunset views from 360 Bar.
DAY NINE - Tuesday 23rd March 2027
📍Koh Phangan - Railay
Journey across Thailand to Railay for a sunset beach dinner and an after-dark swim with bioluminescent plankton.
DAY ELEVEN - Thursday 25th March 2027
📍 Location: Railay - Koh Lipe
Speedboat down to our final island paradise, Koh Lipe, for a chilled afternoon, sunset and local dinner.
DAY EIGHT - Monday 22nd March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Phangan
A free day to explore before covering ourselves in neon paint and dancing the night away at the Full Moon Party!
DAY TEN - Wednesday 24th March 2027
📍 Location: Railay
Scale Railay's iconic limestone cliffs before scrambling through the jungle to the spectacular Railay Lagoon.
DAY TWELVE - Friday 26th March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Lipe
Back underwater! Today we’ll head out for two included fun dives exploring some of the best dive sites around Koh Lipe.
DAY FOURTEEN - Sunday 28th March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Lipe - Onward Travel
One final breakfast together before the retreat ends and we say our goodbyes!
This itinerary has been carefully planned, but adventure travel sometimes requires a little flexibility! Diving and island activities are weather and sea-condition dependent, so occasional changes may be necessary. If plans do change, we’ll always prioritise the safety and comfort of the group while doing our best to deliver the incredible experience you signed up for.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
accommodation
13 nights of accommodation, including shared dorms, hotel rooms and our overnight sleeper train.
Activities
Your Koh Tao diving package & certification, plus yoga, Bangkok bike tour, hiking, rock climbing, bioluminescent plankton snorkelling & more!
Optional activities in Koh Lipe on day 13 are not included.
TRANSPORT
All transport required throughout the retreat from Bangkok to Koh Lipe, including trains, ferries, speedboats, buses, shuttles & taxis.
Onward transport after the retreat is not included.
FOOD
Breakfast & dinner throughout the retreat, plus some extra special meals and food experiences along the way.
See the itinerary/info pack for exact meal inclusions.
DAY THIRTEEN - Saturday 27th March 2027
📍 Location: Koh Lipe
Our final full day is yours to enjoy! Dive again, go snorkelling, explore the island or simply relax on one of Koh Lipe’s beautiful beaches.
Optional diving and activities are not included on this day.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
THESE BITS YOU'LL HAVE TO DO YOURSELF BUT WE'LL BE ON HAND TO HELP AND ADVISE!
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS & ONWARD TRAVEL
You are responsible for arranging your travel to Bangkok for the start of the retreat and your onward journey from Koh Lipe after the retreat finishes.
Every guest will be offered a free travel consultation call before the trip, where we can help you plan flights, onward transport and any travel either side of the retreat. You are responsible for arranging your travel to Bangkok for the start of the retreat and your onward journey from Koh Lipe after the retreat finishes. Every guest will be offered a free travel consultation call before the trip, where we can help you plan flights, onward transport and any travel either side of the retreat.
TRAVEL & DIVE INSURANCE
You will need your own comprehensive travel insurance for the full duration of your trip, including appropriate personal cover for scuba diving. This is mandatory and proof of insurance will be required before the retreat.
VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You are responsible for checking and meeting the entry and visa requirements applicable to your nationality. Requirements can change, so we recommend checking your government's official travel advice before departure.
SOME MEALS, DRINKS & PERSONAL SPENDING
Breakfast and dinner are included throughout the retreat as detailed in the itinerary, but you'll need to budget for most lunches, alcoholic drinks, coffees, snacks, souvenirs, additional activities and other personal spending. Thailand can be very affordable, and our Info Pack includes a full spending-money guide with typical prices and suggested budgets to help you plan.
IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU?
✓ You love backpacking-style travel and don’t need luxury
✓ You’ve always wanted to learn to scuba dive OR already love it!
✓ You’re up for hiking, climbing, swimming and a lil bit of partying
✓ You’re happy to go with the flow and embrace the unexpected
✓ You enjoy a night out as much as an early morning adventure
✓ You want to meet a group of like-minded travellers and make new travel mates
✓ You’re happy spending A LOT of time in and around the ocean
✓ Most importantly, you’re ready to throw yourself into the FULL Thailand experience!
AGE GUIDE: 20-40
Most of our guests are in their mid-20s to mid-30s, but this is a guide rather than an upper age limit. You must be 18+ to join the retreat.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Bryan Roseman
Bryan was a bit of a party guy when he was younger. In fact he was one of the pioneers of the silent disco concept and toured some of Europe's biggest festivals with his previous company Headphone Disco. Following his lifelong dream of owning his own dive school on a tropical island, he's now the proud owner of La Bombona Diving. Oh, and did we tell you he used to be an opera singer?
Christianne Risman
Travel creator and entrepreneur, Christianne has spent the past 13 years backpacking across the globe – summiting Kilimanjaro, working in Australia and New Zealand, and becoming a Rescue Diver and Freediver along the way. Through Backpacking Bananas, she has built a career sharing the highs, lows and realities of adventure travel and inspiring others to step outside their comfort zones. This retreat brings together everything she loves most: backpacking, diving, adventure and bringing like-minded travellers together.
FAQ
Do I need to be a qualified diver to attend this retreat?
Not at all! If you’ve never dived before, you’ll complete your Open Water certification during the retreat. Already Open Water certified? You can progress to your Advanced (RAID Explorer 30) certification. Or, if you’re already qualified and simply want to dive, join our Fun Diver package and enjoy some of Koh Tao’s best dive sites!
Is dive equipment included?
Yes! All equipment required for your included diving in Koh Tao and Koh Lipe is provided, including wetsuits and masks.
How do I get to and from the retreat?
The retreat begins in Bangkok and finishes in Koh Lipe. You are responsible for making your own way to our meeting point in Bangkok and arranging your onward travel from Koh Lipe. Don’t worry - we’ll provide full guidance on the best transport options, and every booked guest will be offered a free travel consultation call to help plan their travel before and after the retreat.
Who will I be sharing a room with?
Accommodation throughout the retreat is shared, with room sizes and styles varying between destinations. As best as possible, we’ll place guests in single-gender rooms with other members of our group, although this cannot always be guaranteed depending on the group ratio and accommodation available. If you’re travelling with someone you’d like to share with, just let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.
Is this suitable for solo travellers?
Absolutely! The majority of our guests join the retreat solo, so you definitely won’t be the only one arriving without knowing anyone. The retreat is designed around sharing experiences as a group, making it a brilliant way to meet like-minded travellers and leave with a whole new group of travel mates.
TRIP LOGISTICS
THAILAND DIVE & ADVENTURE RETREAT 2027
START: BANGKOK - Monday 15th March 2027
FINISH: KOH LIPE - Sunday 28th March 2027
DURATION: 14 days / 13 nights
GROUP SIZE: Maximum 20 guests + 2 trip leaders
PRICE
£1,790 per person
Secure your place with a £90 deposit.
The remaining balance is due 15th January 2027 (2 months before departure).
BOOKINGS OPEN TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2026
12pm LONDON / 9pm SYDNEY
Places are limited to just 20 guests. The booking link will go live on this page, so make sure you’re signed up to the email list below to be notified when bookings open.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to us at trips@backpackingbananas.com
