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March (23)

March 1, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

2013-03-01

 Congratulations to our new breed of SSI Instructors Thelma, Christine, Alex & Sofia who have passed their Instructor Exam with flying colors and also to SSI Instructor Trainers Simon Garrity & Paul 'Tosh' Tanner who continue their 100% pass rate. So now its into the big wide world they go looking for new & exciting destinations & opportunities to show their stuff! & with so many opportunities out there right now for SSI Instructors the world is their lobster! We got job offers in Hurghada in Egypt, Malapasca in the Philipines, the Oman, Lombok & Gili T in Indonesia, the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia & heaps more. So if you fancy a change in lifestyle, career & location then don't you think its about time you signed up for your Scuba Diving Instructor license! email us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. & you too could look pretty in pink!

“Funsies in the Sunsies”-5 of 5 stars Reviewed on Trip Advisor February 24, 2013 - I think I'm having severe physical withdrawal after leaving Big Blue and Koh Tao. Don't be alarmed, I will (probably) be alright, but I did find myself scouring the Big Blue website like a lost puppy earlier. I also apologize for the title of my review. I thought I could pull off the word "funsies."I came to Big Blue at the end of January to do my open water course and found myself in a carefully selected group with our instructor, mini Ant. Although he had a gimp pinky finger, we were able to look past it on account of his superior dive-language. (That's like sign language for divers, but I just Bradgelina'd it) His knowledge of diving is apparent and I appreciated his uncanny ability to put up with 5 blondes who couldn't figure out how to zip up a wetsuit. Thanks to mini Ant, I am now not only a pro diver, but know that when it comes to defogging a mask, "the greener the cleaner." Knowledge is truly power. I went on to do my advanced course with Marty where I learned to navigate and become a modern day Lewis and Clark. I was also able to do fun dives with the self proclaimed "best dive master in all of Koh Tao...no wait, the world," Darren. Darren may be one of the most profound dive masters there are, so pay him a visit. He also gets overwhelmingly excited about finding razor fish, crocodile fish, and other minuscule things that I can't recall but know are undoubtably important to him. So you should all probably come to Big Blue. The water is waiting for you. And the bar, lets not forget about the bar. That's pretty important too... 
 
Bit of a shift in Dive staff here with the unfortunate news that DM Mentor & Big Blue Dive Medic Steve is having to hand in his notice as he's gone and done his back in & might need to have a couple of discs unherniated! Excruciatingly painful poor old Steve has resigned himself to the fact he won't be able to continue this Diving malarky as a career any longer. He will still however be staying on Koh Tao & working at the Chalok Physicians Clinic where we'll still be able to bother him with some of our more mundane humdrum type of Dive medical questions such as if it rains will that increase the pressure on my air spaces? So looking to fill the gap in our Divemaster training program now with another member of our existing staff. Any ideas?

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March 3, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

2013-03-03

Thanks to everyone at Big Blue who helped with the clean up on Saturday, we had 35 people and collected 14 kgs of rubbish from north Sairee beach, and 28 people and 25 kgs of rubbish and a big metal pole when we cleaned South Mae Haad. Cheers everyone! Such a great spirit of camaraderie among everyone who helped out. Amazing how much fun can be had picking up rubbish. Imagine if the rest of the world could feel the same experience!

“Big love for big blue!”5 of 5 stars Reviewed on Trip Advisor February 24, 2013 - So your thinking of diving with big blue ey? As an experienced traveler and self appointed expert level explorer, this place is at the top of my favorite things of all times list. Which is quite a high honor. Our diving instructor Mini Ant was extremely knowledgeable in all things diving, but also threw in some humor when he sensed our fading attention spans. In fact he was such a diving extraordinaire we were (pretty easily) compelled to continue on in our diving studies and partake in the advanced course as well. I highly suggest staying to complete both your open water and advanced courses, as they both go hand in hand and you will receive an even more spectacular diving experience. I mean who would say no to diving an old ship wreck? Or at night! Just don't drop your flashlight on that one.. But if you do, you are sure to have a always prepared dive master such as Alex Henk to find it for you before you even realize you have lost it. We also did some fun dives with dive master Darren, whose high energy level and witty comments helped stimulate my growingly groggy "island brain" and made for a hilarious day of diving. My biggest piece of advice is to allow plenty of time there. The courses themselves may only take a few days to complete, but seeing as you aren't supposed to drink during these seemingly long periods of time, you should allow for alcohol consumption buffer days between courses. That's what any responsible drinker/diver such as myself would do. 
 

Here's a question we get asked a lot: Is PADI the best training organisation? Well I will not attempt to compare PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) to other agencies such as SSI, BSAC, CMAS or NAUI (the big 5) as each has its own standards equal to or above the minimum established. I believe that the individual instructor has a big influence on the training received. I have seen many great instructors from all agencies and several bad instructors in all agencies. Each agency puts out their own guidelines to teach by. It’s what the instructor puts into it that makes all the difference. Good job we at Big Blue Diving have some of the best, most experienced Instructors in the world!

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March 4, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

 2013-03-04

A dream job opportunity! Calling all aspiring marine conservationists! A very rare job opportunity has presented itself as we are looking to expand our marine conservation department. We are looking for a marine project scientist for a year minimum, in-country PAID position, to start ASAP.

Essential requirements are:

  • BSc in a relevant field (Masters preferred)
  • Tropical marine fieldwork experience (previous experience in volunteer supervision preferred)
  • Divemaster qualification or higher (any agency is fine, SSI preferred) with own equipment
  • Can show dedication to conservation and highly motivated

Duties will include:

  • Volunteer supervision and training through our expedition conservation skill development program
  • Organising events and conservation activities such as artificial reef construction and beach and underwater clean-ups
  • Assist other Big Blue conservation staff and act as a role model and advocate for conservation
  • Assisting with reporting project updates and research
  • Maintenance of science equipment inventories and requesting re-supplies
  • Regular meetings with local stakeholders at the Save Koh Tao meetings
  • General training site maintenance and promotion
Personal benefits include
  • Author and co-author Big Blue Conservation publications and reports
  • Enhance research experience
  • Live on our beautiful tropical island as part of the Big Blue family
  • Diving opportunities and enhance your dive training
  • Liaise with local communities

If you think you have all this then please send a CV with a short explanation of yourself and career goals to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Awesome service”5 of 5 stars Reviewed on Trip Advisor February 27, 2013- We completed our open water and advance dive courses with big blue in feb 2013. We were very impressed with the organisation of the company as well as the laid back, enthusiastic yet highly professional approach of the instructors. Our instructor, Rick was absolutely terrific and can't be commended enough for his superb teaching and infinite patience. He is a real asset to the company and I can't recommend him highly enough. The diving was really varied as well and Koh Tao proved an excellent introduction to the world of diving.
 


"DIVERS WANTED" Anyone looking for work on Koh Tao or Khao Lak can now use this app on any android. "divers wanted". If you are a dive center who wants to use this to find freelancers or full time employees please mesage or e mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can change your app to shop mode. If you don't have a Smart phone or you have an Iphone you can email us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. & we will add you! This is FREE and 25 dive schools on Koh Tao are now using it. Two schools have even bought a samsung phone just to use the app.

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March 5, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

2013-03-05Last night was a very special night on Koh Tao. One night a year, if the conditions are right, the corals spawn. Here are Eco Koh Tao's Nathan & his son Kailash collecting the eggs just as they are released from a Symphillia coral colony. These eggs are ready for fertilisation in water tanks waiting on board the dive boat and will hopefully attach to pre-made substrate ready to be returned to the waters around Koh Tao. Awesome work guys. Photo courtesy of Alex Tyrrell - Dive4Photos

“Great value and experience”5 of 5 stars Reviewed on trip Advisor March 2, 2013 - I did my open water diving at big blue, had a really nice instructor called luke and had fun learning to dive. perfect location on the beach and 4 nights free accommodation and half price after that. I was in a group of 3 and we were given a private room which was really nice but my friend had a bad experience in the dorm which she said was full of mould. The instructors there are easy going and make your time there enjoyable. 

Thursday marks the start of our monthly wreck trips with our Techies from big Blue Tech. These trips were cancelled before Christmas as the conditions have not been favorable on the sites. I'm sure you can imagine we are all a little bit excited about heading out later this week! First on the schedule is our old favorite The Unicorn. This large freight ship was scuttled in an attempt to defraud an insurance company, sadly for the owners the fraud was discovered so they didn't get a sausage, but we got a dive site! Next on the schedule is the Torpedo. She is an old Japanese transport vessel sitting upright in 55m of water. No ones been to this site in three years which is why we are keen to get out there again. Anyone interested in joining us please drop us a message This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at the tech shack.

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March 6, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

2013-03-06

All hail to our brand new boat the M.V.Porponawa. Our newest addition to the Big Blue fleet. Our fastest boat too. This litttle baby will get you to Chumphon Pinnacle in 20 minutes, Sail Rock in 45 minutes & we're hoping we'll be able to get to the Angthong Marine Park & the Chumphon Marine Park in less than 90 minutes. This baby is our latest attempt to attract the serious divers among you who want to experience the Dive Sites here in the Gulf of Thailand without the masses. The plan is to take her out for Full Day Trips 6 days per week! Fun Divers only! No courses! Its going to be Sail Rock three times a week, the wrecks once a week, Chumphon Marine Park once a week & the Angthong Marine Park once a week. Breakfast lunch & chocolate cake 6 days a week! Installing the compressors tomorrow & then its off we go! Koh Tao's best choice for certified Divers. Anyone fancy a trip to Sail Rock this Friday? We got cake!

“Choose Big Blue!”5 of 5 stars Reviewed on Trip Advisor March 2, 2013 - I will be forever grateful to big blue for allowing me to join a fun dive at the last minute. I arrived late in the evening to Koh Tao and only managed to walk into Big Blue at 7:30 pm, to inquire about the dive schedule the next day. There was a dive first thing in the morning to Chumpon, the site where whale sharks frequently visit. As a person whose dream it was to see a whale shark, i would have done anything to get on that boat. the thing was, I had gotten there too late and the dive briefing had closed, and for that reason I could obviously not come in at the last second. However, I begged them and they were kind enough to call their head instructor who was off shift, and ask him. He was good enough to allow me to join, even though he didnt have to. I appreciated that big time. And fate would have it that on that dive the next morning I did see a whale shark, which was an amazing moment, something i'll never forget. So yeah, big blue has all the generic things which you hear on dive reviews: professionalism, good equipment, great staff etc. but above all else they saw me as a person who really wanted to get on that dive, and not another client who represented only money for them. For that, dive with big blue. They deserve it 

In preparation for the meeting of leaders at the Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) on March 14th in Bangkok, The Koh Tao Shark Project is having a shark day! We will be unveiling our new shark nursery, where we intend to raise sharks and tag them before releasing them back into the Koh Tao waters, along with our new shark education centre at the Save Koh Tao office. We will also be conducting our next shark survey at Shark bay, but this month with a twist - we will have the usual snorkellers identifying and recording Blacktip and other reef shark populations at Shark Bay, but we will also have a team of divers looking for Bamboo Shark eggs to put into our new nursery! The nursery has now been constructed outside the Big Blue Conservation Ecolab, where they get constant protection and maintenance. Eggs and juveniles Bamboo sharks will be raised to a healthy size, tagged, and we will record the sex, size, health and any distinguishing features, then release these beauties back into our waters. This is all in a hope to protect and preserve our shark populations on Koh Tao, now that marine zoning laws mean they are more protected from fishing than before. Come down and visit our nursery, our join in our shark-tastic day later this month!! (Exact date TBC.)

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March 7, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

2013-03-07

 Just getting so many enquiries now for Sidemount courses. Its only been a few months since this has become popular among recreational divers but WOW. This is quite possibly Scuba Diving's Newest & Biggest buzz! Sidemount is a scuba diving equipment configuration which has diving cylinders mounted alongside the diver, below the shoulders and along the hips, instead of on the back of the diver. It began as a configuration popular with advanced cave divers, as smaller sections of cave can be penetrated and tanks can be changed with greater ease. The same benefits for operating in confined spaces were also recognized by divers who conducted technical wreck diving penetrations. Sidemount diving is now growing in popularity within the technical diving community for general decompression diving, and as I said is becoming an increasingly popular specialty training for recreational diving, with several diver certification agencies offering recreational and technical level sidemount training programs. Offerring it here at Big Blue Tech now! Sign up, sign in & lets sidemount!

“AWESOME!!! A big school with a family feeling”5 of 5 stars Reviewed on Trip Advisor March 4, 2013 - After having compared with other schools on Koh Tao, you just can't get more for your money than at Big Blue. I did my open water diving course advanced open water with Petra Bauer an amazing instructor and probably the best at Big Blue. She was very patient and answered every single one of my questions and she knows I had many! We had a lot of fun and laughed a great deal. Finally I ended doing my advanced open water as well because I just did not want to leave. Gorgeous setup right by the beach with a nice restaurant (pizza to die for) and small cozy bar. Almost all the people working there used to be backpackers that fell in love with the place and just stayed. This gives you a idea how lovely all the people at Big Blue are. I loved it so much that I am thinking about moving there an do my dive master course!!! 

Dear Khun Wimol Jantrarotai, (Thailand Representative at the CITES Convention). I am taking the time to write to you having read in the papers that Thailand will be opposing the listing of sharks and rays as endangered species. I am a Business partner in a Dive Center here in Thailand with Dive centers on both sides of the country & having been diving in Thailand for over 10 years now I have seen the enormous reduction in sharks & mantas here in the Gulf of Thailand aswell as on the West coast of Thailand. There were days when we would encounter while scuba diving upto 20 Bull sharks, black tip reef sharks & grey nurse sharks. I haven't seen any of these for the past 3 years. Before 2000 when I dived in Koh Tao I would see many Leopard sharks at several of their most popular divesites. Leopard sharks have not been seen on any divesite around Koh Tao for more than 10 years now. In the similans prior to the tsunami we would regularly see upto 10 manta rays at various Divesites around the Similans & Surin Islands. Last year we saw 3 Mantas all season. This year, we have not even had 1 reported Manta ray sighting from anyone who has dived either the Similans or Surin Islands all season! To watch a species that was so rife on Divesites around Thailand literally disappear before our very eyes is extremely disconcerting, not only for the state of these magnificent creatures but for the state of the Scuba Diving industry as a whole here in Thailand. The revenue generated from diving with a Whaleshark or a Manta Ray has been quoted as being in excess of over 1 million dollars per year per creature! Surely the economic value in keeping these creatures alive & a valid attraction for coming to Thailand for tourism is a far better thing to do than to bring these creatures to the brink of extinction for the sake of an expensive bowl of soup! Do hope you will reconsider your position for the sake of all the sharks & mantas you have in your waters & for the sake of the Scuba Diving Industry in Thailand.

Yours sincerely,

Big Blue Diving, Koh Tao, Thailand.

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March 10, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

2013-03-10

 Follow Leo's example: "Experiencing the unique beauty of the underwater world as a diver inspires me to do what I can to protect our ocean and its inhabitants, particularly magnificent species like sharks and rays. Sharks and rays are being pulled out of the ocean at unprecedented levels. Each year tens of millions of sharks are killed to meet growing demand from Asia for “shark fin soup” often used in weddings and other special occasions. The meat of sharks and rays is also prized in Europe and, increasingly, the gills of manta rays are sought for a traditional Chinese health tonic. Believe it or not, this lucrative international trade remains virtually unregulated. Please join me and Project AWARE in our efforts to secure limits on shark and ray trade. We have an opportunity to turn the tide as officials from countries around the world convene in Bangkok for a conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). There, they can decide to protect a record number of shark and ray species – including oceanic white-tips, hammerheads, and mantas – from the unsustainable international trade that threatens their survival. Sharks and rays are simply not cut out for intense fishing pressure. Most species grow slowly and produce just a few young. The resulting population declines are widespread and in many cases severe. Depletion of these critical species threatens ecosystems, livelihoods, and eco-tourism. Take Action: Tell governments to vote ‘yes’ on proposals to control trade for these vulnerable species. Through Project AWARE’s petition, I’m calling on country delegates to list sharks and rays under CITES and hold international trade to sustainable levels. Join this growing voice of concerned citizens acting to protect these species before it’s too late. Thanks for your support. Leonardo DiCaprio"The vote to get protections for sharks and rays is tomorrow Monday the 11th of March 2013 Bangkok time!!! Not too late to still get the word out to those delegates that YOU want sharks and rays to get protected.

“Whaleshark!” -4 of 5 stars Reviewed on Trip Advisor March 7, 2013 - It's all about this mystical big fish at Big Blue diving in Koh Tao. Luckily we saw one diving the pinnacles on dive 3. Not well aware of how lucky we were, we still enjoyed very much floating around under water just looking what this big fish is up to... We did our Open Water SSI certificate here and I can highly recommend anyone to do the same. There is not a lot of places on the world where you will get this quality of diving experience for that kind of money. Our diving instructor Ant2 was very good and patient with us. Speaking off the diving instructors, they are all living their dream on Koh Tao and everyone who's worried about their "qualification because it is Thailand", I can assure you that I've not had a second of doubts trusting any of them. Our dives 3 and 4 (so incluing the whaleshark experience) was filmed by Billy from ACE Marine and we bought the DVD of him. What a great peace of memory. I was thinking about doing my PADI in Cairns for roughly 900AUD, now I'm very happy I did it in Koh Tao for somewhat nearly a third of that price! Highly recommended. 
 

So the compressors have both been installed on Por Ponawa our new Full Day trip boat & we've also gone & installed a Nitrox panel as well! So its FREE nitrox to all our Fun divers on the Full Day Trip now. Obviously you must be a certified Nitrox diver which of course we offer as well. Tomorrow will be our maiden voyage. Breakfast Lunch & Chocolate Cake all the way to the Gulf of Thailands Number One Dive Site, Sail Rock, then wits Samran Pinnacle & Southwest Pinnacle after that! 3 Dives, 2 meals, 1 slice of chocolate cake & Free Nitrox all for just 3800 Bt. Absolute bargain! No wonder Big Blue Diving is referred to as Koh Tao's Best Dive Center.

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March 11, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

2013-03-11

Do you love Sharks? Do you want to show your support on the last. most important day of the Conference of CITES in Bangkok? Do you want to be involved with the Koh Tao Shark Project? Join us on MARCH 14th, when we will be launching the Koh Tao Shark Project! We will have a morning of information on how to monitor our sharks, about our shark nursery, about the education centre and tagging scheme for Koh Tao Reef Sharks, and also a chance to learn about the protocol for surveying our sharks on Koh Tao. The morning activities start at 9.30, come when ever you'd like, and if you want to join us on a shark survey expedition and shark egg hunt, then sign up with Big Blue before the day to secure your spot on the boat. The boat will leave around 1pm, and both snorkellers and divers are welcome. After this day, we will all have the same survey techniques available so you know how to survey the sharks at another time using identical protocols, and upload this data onto out Koh Tao Shark Survey public database!

“Incredible Experience”5 of 5 stars Reviewed on Trip Advisor- March 3, 2013- I did my open water course with Big Blue not too long ago and cannot stop thinking about diving! Not only did Big Blue teach you everything you need to know to be comfortable under water but they took the time to make it an unforgettable experience! The instructors are hilarious and actually take the time to show you amazing things and make you fall in love with diving. Ask for little Ant- by far the best instructor there :D 
 

A word from Norway- "Gulfens tre "paradisøyer" I den thailandske gulfen ligger de vakre og veletablerte turistøyene Koh Samui, Koh Phangan og Koh Tao, alle med hvert sitt distinkte preg og karakter. Men én ting har de felles: fantastiske strender og fine bademuligheter. Båter går regelmessig mellom øyene, slik at man rekker over alle tre. De beste aktivitetene: Spennende fisk. På Koh Samui finnes et fint akvarium med en imponerende samling av fisker og sjøliv. Et besøk hit er moro for hele familien. Fest på skikkelig vis. På Koh Phangans sørlige odde arrangeres de beryktede fullmånefestene – som er mer beskjedne enn du kanskje tror. Fest i vei og dans til techno hele natten og til tidlig morgen, sammen med mange tusen andre. En morsom opplevelse. Ta dykkersertifikat. Koselige Koh Tao – skilpaddeøya - er blitt et eldorado for dykkerskoler. Hit kommer turister fra hele verden for å ta dykkersertifikat i løpet av tre til fem morsomme, men intense dager. Undervisningen foregår på flere språk – også norsk. Det finnes mange dykkerskoler, for eksempel Big Blue Diving!"

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March 12, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

2013-03-12

 Today is an incredible day! Manta rays have gained approval for placement under Appendix II of CITES!!!  96 votes in favor vs. 23 against. Only 7 abstains. We're over the moon! Thank you to everyone that has shown their support for the cause! Today is a historical day for not only manta ray conservation, but the conservation of our oceans in general. However this is not the end. The decision could still be overturned at the plenary stage, so a final decision will have to wait until Thursday. In the mean time, please like, share, tweet, retweet to keep letting delegates know that you want sharks and mantas to be protected under CITES.

“Best dive school in Thailand”5 of 5 stars Reviewed on Trip Advisor March 10, 2013 - Out of the 52 dive schools in Koh Tao choose Big Blue. It is by far the best experience you'll get with fantastic staff, a 'part of the family' feel on site and it's a company with excellent morals and values - for the environment, it's staff and customers. We completed our SSI Open Water and our SSI Advanced courses there and stayed on site for almost a week. We stayed in a twin room, which was clean and quiet. Rooms are basic - but there's so much to do you'll hardly be in them! Our instructor for the Open Water course was the wonderful Chloe, a funny, kind and very patient French lady. I was nervous to begin with but Chloe was excellent in helping to get over my fear and build my confidence, so much so that we went on to do the Advanced course and never looked back. You can request different instructors and I'd recommend Chloe to everyone! Staff at Big Blue are extremely welcoming, creating a relaxed, fun environment. There's a bar and restaurant overlooking the sea, with great views at sunset. The courses are extremely affordable, the equipment you need is included in the price and good quality and the teaching is top-rate. Lonely Planet describe it as the 'Goldilocks' of diving schools - not too big, not too small - and they're spot on. 
 
JOB OPPORTUNITY- Big Blue Diving Koh Tao is looking for a qualified Divemaster to join their Marine Conservation team. We are offering a full-time, Divemaster position, with a primary role in coordinating the scientific training of the Marine Conservation Interns and daily conservation activities on Big Blue Conservation projects. Basic salary with commission. Minimum contract 6 months.
Candidates must have:
• Divemaster qualification
• Own full scuba equipment
• Plans to stay on Koh Tao for at least a year
• Passion for marine biology and conservation
Preferred candidates will have:
• Background experience in marine biology or conservation
• Relevant degree in biology, marine biology or something similar
• Experience working as a Divemaster
For more information on duties, responsibilities, or to apply please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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March 14, 2013

Written by 02 May 2013 Published in March

 

2013-03-14Coming into low season in a couple of months so to celebrate we're offering a huge discount on our Villa & Studios for the months of May & June! Grab yourself either a 500 Bt discount PER NIGHT off our Double Bed Studios & Villas with swimming pool! Or take the lot 3 bedrooms with ensuite & 1 kitchen & swimming pool sleeps 7 for not 7000Bt per night but only 5500Bt throughout the months of May & June! Book now for you awesome accommodation discount!

“Best staff in the world”  Reviewed on Trip Advisor March 12, 2013 - Came to koh Tao to do an open water dive course as I had a mild interest, was met on the boat by Tor who was friendly an informative, he was the most professional of all the dive school touts looking for your business he knew lot about the school an sports as well as empathising with my terrific hangover an not pushing the hard sale.They gave us a free lift to the school where they gave us a in depth view to what they offer they also looked after our bags and gave us time to walk around and look at the competition, we ended up coming back quite quickly after realising the value and resources big blue had to offer far out stripped competition. After being settled in to our free private room and given the tour we were taken in to fill out paperwork and meet our instructors. Again all of the were friendly and professional and made sure everyone was at ease and knew what they were getting into. Accommodation was of a good quality and perfect location for bars restaurants the beach and most importantly diving! The one site bar an restaurant were great opening early and closing late to suit the timetable diving requires. We had two instructors both of which were amazing. Petra an Thelma were a great team made the experience fun ensured you felt safe at all times. They both had a knack for knowing when you needed encouragement and extra help and were more than happy to go out of there way to help, Thelma went out of her way for over an hour after work to enduldge my love of science and explain how it applied to scuba her knowledge was outstanding. She was just finishing her internship as an instructor but seemed fit perfectly in the crowd of experienced instructors an I was surprised to find out we were her first course as fully qualified instructor. She was confident and skilled with all aspects of the courses. I would be a mistake for big blue not to keep her when her internship ends. Petra our head instructor was amazing she was funny to be around and removed any sense of nervousness anyone felt, her constant feed back was exactly what I needed as someone new to the sport and made the impression that she genuinely intrested in your progression and love of the sport again going out of her way after work to explain aspects that we had questions about. Could not have asked for more from her. We ended up staying a lot longer than planned and doing our advanced course as the first few days were amazing, we did almost cause trouble as we refuse to have any other instructors teach us. They unsighted a love of the sport and I'm sure to come back again soon.


So we've made an executive decision & will be offering FREE NITROX on board our new Ponpanawa Full Day Trip boat every day it goes to Sail Rock. What an awesome deal this trip is. Targeted specifically at the Koh Tao certified diver market this boat will be diving 6 Full Day Trips every week. Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays its Sail Rock. Tuesdays we're off to the Angthong Marine Park & Thursdays its the very much unchartered Chumphon Marine Park. Saturdays its Tech Day with some very cool Deep Wrecks & then Sunday we're all off to Church! 3 dives, free Nitrox, breakfast, lunch & chocolate cake all for just 3800 Bt. Big Blue Diving. Thailands premier Dive Center.

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