THAILAND DIVE & ADVENTURE RETREAT
Trip Overview
Join us and other like-minded travelers on this one-of-a-kind dive and adventure retreat in the beautiful islands of Thailand. Whether you are already a diving fanatic or want to dive for the first time, this trip is perfect for you. Get your Open Water or Advanced Open Water certifications inclusive in this retreat or you can come simply as a fun diver soaking up the sun and the warm, clear blue waters of the Thai Islands. As well as the diving, explore Thailand's ultimate travel highlights with us, such as staying in overwater bungalows in Khao Sok National Park, partying the night away at the world-famous Full-Moon Party on Koh Phangan, ethical elephant experiences and rock climbing the cliffs of Railay. For all diving and adventure lovers, it doesn’t get better than this.
Trip Highlights
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Experience Thailand’s buzzing capital Bangkok including The world-famous Khao San Road.
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Become a certified diver.
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Take part in an exhilarating Trapeze experience.
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Snorkel Thailand's clear blue waters.
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Enjoy a relaxing yoga session.
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Kayaking and cave hiking adventures.
ITINERARy 1
ITINERARY 2
DAY ONE
📍 Location: Bangkok
Arrival day + welcome dinner.
DAY TWO
📍 Location: Bangkok - Chumphon
Bang Kachao Cycle Tour + sleeper train.
DAY THREE
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Dive orientations + dress-up dinner.
DAY FOUR
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Dive day 1 + beach BBQ.
DAY FIVE
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Sunrise Yoga + dive day 2.
DAY SIX
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Dive day 3, beach BBQ + Koh Tao night life.
DAY SEVEN
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Free day + Trapeze show & participation.
DAY EIGHT
📍 Location: Koh Tao - Sail Rock - Koh Samui
World class fun dives at Sail Rock.
DAY NINE
📍Koh Samui
Elephant Sanctuary, waterfall hike + sunset dinner.
DAY TEN
📍 Location: Koh Samui
Full day at Ang Thong Marine Park.
DAY ELEVEN
📍 Location: Koh Samui - Railay
Ferry, transfer + long tail boat to Railay.
DAY TWELVE
📍 Location: Railay
Rock-climbing cliffs of Railay.
DAY THIRTEEN
📍 Location: Railay
Railay lagoon hike + reggae party.
DAY FOURTEEN
📍 Location: Railay - Krabi
Departure day.
DAY ONE
📍 Location: Bangkok
Arrival day + welcome dinner.
DAY TWO
📍 Location: Bangkok - Chumphon
Bang Kachao Cycle Tour + sleeper train.
DAY THREE
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Dive orientations + dress-up dinner.
DAY FOUR
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Dive day 1 + beach BBQ.
DAY FIVE
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Sunrise Yoga + dive day 2.
DAY SIX
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Dive day 3, beach BBQ + Koh Tao night life.
DAY SEVEN
📍 Location: Koh Tao
Free day + Trapeze show & participation.
DAY EIGHT
📍 Location: Koh Tao - Sail Rock - Koh Phangan
World class fun dives at Sail Rock + full moon party!
DAY NINE
📍Koh Phangan
Hangover, rest + relax day
DAY TEN
📍 Location: Koh Phangan
Paradise waterfall, Koh Ma Beach + Sunset dinner
DAY ELEVEN
📍 Location: Koh Phangan
Hike to Bottle Beach + Cooking class
DAY TWELVE
📍 Location: Koh Phangan - Khao Sok
Sunset cruise + check-in to floating bungalows.
DAY THIRTEEN
📍 Location: Khao Sok
Sunrise cruise, kayak + cave hike.
DAY FOURTEEN
📍 Location: Khao Sok - Surat Thani
Departure day.
The itinerary of this trip has been carefully constructed and is provided in good faith and whilst we hope that we will stick to it, diving is a weather-dependent activity. a drastic change in weather is unlikely and not expected but it is a possibility and important to consider. appropriate amendments will be made to ensure the safety and comfort of guests in these circumstances.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
accommodation
All accommodation included. We will be staying in a range of shared dorms, hotel rooms & bungalows.
Activities
All activities listed in the Itinerary are included from yoga to the Trapeze show & lots of scuba diving, of course.
TRANSPORT
Taxis, shuttles, sleeper trains, ferries &
other transport options.
FOOD
2-3 meals per 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
You are responsible for arriving in Bangkok on the arrival date and traveling back to your home country (or onwards in Thailand) from Krabi or Surat Thani.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Whilst dive insurance is included on the tour, you will still need to obtain your own travel insurance for the duration of the trip in Thailand. This is mandatory and a copy of your policy will be required for submission along with a waiver form.
VISA
Thailand doesn't always require a visa for entry but it is advised that you check your local government website. It is your responsibility to obtain any visas that you may require for your trip.
most but Not all meals and drinks are included on the trip. You will also have some free time to explore and buy souvenirs. We RECOMMENDED THAT YOU BRING at least 300 USD OR EQUIVALENT as spending money for the duration of this retreat.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
✓ You love scuba diving or you're keen to try it for the first time.
✓ You want to learn new things and step outside of your comfort zone
✓ You enjoy partying and nightlife.
✓ You like meeting new and like-minded travelers.
✓ You're 20-35, adventurous individual, looking for an escape (it's no problem if you're outside of this age range but expect the majority to be within this age bracket).
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
Solo female traveler and entrepreneur, Christianne has backpacked across the globe, sumitting Kilimajaro, working in Oz and NZ, and becoming a Rescue Diver and Freediver, all while successfully building a career on YouTube over the past 7 years. Christianne loves every part of backpacking life and thrives off sharing new experiences and helping others to step outside their comfort zone.
FAQ
Do I need to be a qualified diver to attend this retreat?
No. If you've never dived before then you will be doing your Open Water dive qualification which is the entry-level to get you scuba diving. If you already have your Open Water, you can complete your Advanced Open Water. If you already have a dive qualification and you do not wish to progress, then you can enjoy the retreat as a fun diver. We've put together a fun dive package including all the best dive sites around Koh Tao.
Will all the equipment be provided?
Yes. All dive equipment will be provided including wetsuits and masks.
Will transfers from the airport be included?
Yes. If you are flying into Suvarnabhumi Airport on Day 1, before 4pm, an assisted airport transfer will be provided upon arrival in Bangkok. You will be greeted at the airport by one of the team who will be holding up a snazzy sign. You will then be escorted to the train station where you'll catch a direct train to the middle of the city where you'll be greeted by another member of the team and escorted to the hostel. If you are not flying into Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will need to make your own way to the hostel on the arrival day.
At the end of the retreat, shuttle transfers will be included to either Krabi (Itinerary One) or Surat Thani (Itinerary Two) so that you can continue on your travels in Southern Thailand as you please or make your own way back to Bangkok. Please note, that transport back to Bangkok is not included.
Who will I be sharing a room with?
All rooms will be shared in a dormitory-style. We will happily honour requests on whom you would like to be roomies with throughout the trip.
Is this suitable for solo travellers?
Of course! We encourage solo travellers on this trip and we expect a majority of travellers will be coming solo so don't let it put you off attending.
TRIP LOGISTICS
Itinerary One
ARRIVE BANGKOK: Friday 21st March 2025
DEPART KRABI: Thursday 3rd April 2025
PRICE?
£1,950 (£400 deposit required to secure your space).
The remaining amount will be due 2 months before departure (21st January 2025).
Itinerary Two
ARRIVE BANGKOK: Saturday 5th April 2025
DEPART SURAT THANI: Friday 18th April 2025
PRICE?
£1,850 (£400 deposit required to secure your space).
The remaining amount will be due 2 months before departure (5th February 2025).
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to us at trips@backpackingbananas.com