Tour & Activity Scams in Koh Tao, Thailand
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Koh Tao — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Lombok, Palawan, and Mandalay.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Tour & Activities Scams
10
Total in Koh Tao
How it works
Budget dive shops collect full payment for PADI or SSI courses then deliver shortened sessions, skip required dives, use poorly maintained equipment, or disappear with the money entirely.
How it works
Unregistered or illegal diving shops operate near the main jetty areas, offering cheap certification courses with instructors lacking proper credentials. Some rush training, skip safety protocols, or issue fake PADI cards that are worthless outside Thailand and dangerous for actual diving.
How it works
Friendly locals near the ferry pier claim popular snorkeling spots or viewpoints are "temporarily closed" and offer to take tourists to alternative destinations where they earn commission.
See all scams in Koh Tao
10 total warnings across all categories