Chose to do my Advanced Open Water with 56 dive and I can’t recommend them enough! Lovely staff, a special mention needs to go to Martin who was a great instructor and helped me with a refresher course as I was feeling a bit nervous after not diving for 3.5 years. Had the best 2 days and really enjoyed the course.

My girlfriend and I had looked up a number of dive schools prior to coming to Koh Tao and had an idea of who we wanted to dive with. After we arrived we stumbled into Fifty Six and were really impressed with Martin and the overall vibe of the store. Needless to say we booked our dive with them and we’re extremely glad we did. Neither my girlfriend or I had ever dived before so we really wanted to trust the person instructing us, especially since we signed up for the one day dive package. When we got to training we found out that another dive instructor was coming with us so we would have a 1:1 ratio of beginners to instructors which gave us plenty of opportunities to have any questions or concerns answered. From the training to the end of the second dive Martin and the team were extremely patient, helpful and good at spotting the harder to find wildlife. Don’t let the lower number of reviews fool you as they’re a new shop, this place is exceptional. Can’t recommend enough.

I had the privilege to work at FIFTY56SIX last year, and can I just say that this is the BEST dive shop I've ever experienced. If you are travelling around Thailand, looking for at small dive shop that will not only make you become an amazing diver, but also make you feel a part of a small family, then this is the place to go. Safety is the number one priority here, and unlike many other bigger dive shops, FIFTYSIX only takes out small groups at a time, so you always feel safe diving with them. And although the shop is pretty new on Koh Tao, Rich (owner) has been in the business for many years, and knows just how to run a dive shop, down to every detail. Thank you for some of the best experiences of my life ❤️❤️

Had the BEST experience at 56Dive, doing my Open Water Course with Martin!! I felt very safe at all times and loved how calm and patient all instructions were to become a responsible diver. 10/10 would recommend! Me and one other student had the privilege to learn from a experienced teacher all by ourselfs in a small team and on a private boat. Best decision! Martin explains everything patiently and I never felt rushed. The dives were just perfect and I will definitely come back for doing my AOW. Did two Fun Dives today and enjoyed the White Rock area a lot too! Everyone who is looking for a diving school on Koh Tao - this should be your first choice! 🙌🏼 THANK YOU Martin, Viola and Rich!!🧡

I’m giving this place 5/5 (even do I didn’t see Rich in a bikini top) Had the best time here with the most professional and funny instructors. Thank you for putting up with my mocking of your accents and my singing. Definitely coming back. Best dive center in Koh Tao❤️

Would highly recommend this dive centre, originally booked on to the open water course and ended up staying to do the advanced open water course. As someone who is far from a natural in the water, I was made to feel very comfortable and at ease in the water by my instructor (Flor). The experience and knowledge of my instructor and the rest of the team of diving, marine life and many other things really came across and it is one of the major factors of what made the experience so amazing. It is clear the team at 56 are all genuine and top quality people and it was really easy to get along with them, which added to the experience.

Fifty Six is a dive shop located in the middle of Sairee on the actual beach. Stunning view from the shop, which is owned and operated by Rich. I did 7 certifications through my Divemaster internship with Fifty Six and received my training in Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, EFR (First Aid), Deep Speciality, Nitrox Speciality and my Divemaster. Fifty Six is a shop that does not take the maximum of 8 student divers. Instead they focus on smaller groups often at a max of 4. Even though the groups are smaller they offer same or similar prices to all the other shops. Martin (instructor) and Rich are very professional and they really are about you being trained to be the best diver possible. What makes Fifty Six stand out of all the dive shops on Koh Tao is the high quality. This is anything from the training to the equipment to the store. Everything is being maintained daily by the staff. You will often find Rich sweeping the back area making it look nice for a new day at 8 am and the guys will often be there all day until. It is clear how much they love diving and how much they care about passing on the lifestyle to new divers. Rich and Martin receives my highest recommendation. If in doubt swing by their shop to get a chat with them.

Went to several dive shops, but Richard's pitch was definitely the best! Very charismatic dive instructor who took the time to give a very thorough briefing before entering the water. I constantly felt safe and in extremely capable hands. I really liked the fact that we were in very small groups (2) and the dive length was defined by air consumption rather than on a time basis - this meant we spent the maximum time underwater! Very cool!

Where to start! What a fantastic experience, from the general vibe of the shop and Film (and her fish) making me feel so welcome. Martin was a fantastic instructor. Patient, experienced and with a great teaching style. Rich the shop owner is a sound bloke. The gear and dive computer I used were spot on. Thai boat captain couldn’t be faulted either. The team at 56 are unrivalled. Completed my padi open water and had a series of amazing dives. Martin went above and beyond pointing out various aquatic species, luckily managed to spot a turtle and moray eel. Proper family vibe in and around the shop, big shout out to the shop owner next door, possibly the happiest person in the world asking about your dive as you buy a well deserved post dive beer! 100% recommend going with 56 over some of the bigger more commercial companies operating on the beach front. I’ll be back next year to do my advanced open water. Remember - good diving isn’t cheap diving (or safe diving). Spend the (little) extra dough and get quality instruction, safety, teaching and have a better experience as a whole. 56 you guys are the best! 🤙

Words cannot describe how fabulous this dive school is. Everything about them and the way they go about their instructing is spot on - from the small groups to the genuine care they provide. I've never dived before and I was very nervous. Flor was the kindest, most genuine and patient instructor I could have wished for. It was as though I was meant to find her to help me through my first experience. She is the BEST!! Thank you again Flor, thank you Fifty Six!