Ocean Sound is a PADI dive school in Chalok Bay on the south side of Koh Tao, Thailand, that also runs a yoga studio with a schedule built around dive times. It's a good fit for travelers who want to learn to dive or log some fun dives, with yoga to balance the days.
What it's like
Ocean Sound isn't a retreat center in the classic sense. It's a dive school on the small Thai island of Koh Tao that happens to take yoga seriously, and that combination is exactly why it's worth a look. You spend your mornings or afternoons underwater, then roll out a mat in a proper studio a few steps from the dive office. The school has been running since 2011, and its official website still shows a course starting every day.
The shop sits in Chalok Bay on the south side of the island. The school describes the area as calm and relaxed, and it's only a short ride from everywhere else on Koh Tao. Chalok has a handful of small beaches, places to eat, beach bars, spas, shops and kayak rental, so there's enough going on without the busier feel of the main strip.
The programs
On the diving side, Ocean Sound teaches the full PADI ladder for recreational divers:
- PADI Try Diving for people who just want a taste
- PADI Open Water, which the school says you can finish in about 2.5 days
- PADI Advanced for certified divers who want deeper and more varied dives
- Scuba Review if you're rusty
- Fun diving for certified divers, with a published dive site schedule
Teaching happens in small groups, according to the school. It also books trips beyond Koh Tao, including diving in the Similan Islands on Thailand's west coast, multi-day safaris and a trip aboard a boat called The Junk.
Yoga runs out of a dedicated studio at Tropicana Resort, about 30 meters across the road from the main dive office. Classes range from dynamic vinyasa flow to gentler easy flow, plus sessions focused on stillness, silence and meditation. They're open to all levels, including complete beginners, and teachers offer options so mixed groups can practice together. You don't need to book ahead; just turn up 5 to 10 minutes early. The schedule is set up to fit around dive times, which is the whole point.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
This works well for:
- First-time divers who want a calm, small-group introduction
- Certified divers looking for fun dives with a yoga habit on the side
- Yoga lovers spending a week or two on Koh Tao who want a reliable drop-in studio
It's less suited to anyone wanting an all-inclusive retreat with meals, lodging and a fixed program in one package. Ocean Sound is a dive and yoga school first. It lists accommodation and nearby places to stay on its site, but you'll be putting your own trip together.
Getting there
Koh Tao is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, in Surat Thani province, reached by boat. Ocean Sound's office is at 22/22 Moo 3 in Chalok Bay, about 1.5 km from the island's main arrivals pier. Check the school's location page for directions once you've sorted your ferry.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a certified diver?
No. Ocean Sound runs PADI Try Diving and the full Open Water course for beginners, as well as Advanced, Scuba Review and fun dives for certified divers.
Do I need to book yoga classes in advance?
The school says no pre-booking is needed. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes before class.
Are the yoga classes suitable for beginners?
Yes. Classes are multi-level, and teachers give options for each student, from total beginners up.
Where is Ocean Sound on Koh Tao?
In Chalok Bay on the island's south side, about 1.5 km from the main arrivals pier. The yoga studio is at Tropicana Resort, across the road from the dive office.
Can I dive somewhere other than Koh Tao?
Yes. The school arranges diving in the Similan Islands off Thailand's west coast, plus multi-day safaris.
