About UsWhy Big Blue Diving?

From Munich to Medicine to Mastering the Art of Dive Instruction, Sarah is our resident wonder woman, originally from the fairy-tale land of Munich, Germany—where the beer flows like rivers and people somehow manage to be both punctual and laid-back. Sarah joined Big Blue Diving after a stint in Phi Phi, bringing with her not just a wealth of diving knowledge, but also a qualification as a nurse, which immediately elevated her to the status of “Person You Absolutely Want Around If Anything Goes Sideways.”  If Poseidon himself came up with a weird rash, Sarah would not only diagnose it with eerie precision, she’d also do it while giving a flawless dive briefing and making everyone feel oddly reassured. As our number one go-to for anything remotely medical, Sarah is what happens when empathy meets German efficiency and then decides to throw on a wetsuit. She is incredibly thorough, astoundingly patient, and conspicuously efficient, all the qualities you need in an exceptional Instructor! Sarah is also officially our most reviewed instructor at Big Blue. We’ve stopped counting how many times her students describe her as “amazing,” “so patient,” “funny,” “super professional,” and “the reason I didn’t panic when I saw that enormous triggerfish.” She has a magical way of turning terrified first-timers into joyful ocean addicts, and her Advanced students often look like they’ve just emerged from a TED Talk on underwater Zen. When she’s not in the water, Sarah can be found gently outshining everyone with a quiet competence that makes the rest of us want to take up pottery or something less intimidating.  If you get the chance to dive with Sarah, consider yourself lucky. If you don’t get the chance—well, we suggest you extend your stay as she is the kind of instructor who makes diving safer, funnier, and just plain better.

A fixture at Big Blue Diving since 2001, Simon is responsible for having trained almost every single member of our staff. Originally from Liverpool in England, Simon has over 19 years of experience in the industry, mostly on Koh Tao with Big Blue Diving. When not diving, teaching diving or talking about diving, you’ll find Simon keeping fit at the local boxing gym. He also enjoys hanging out with his elderly dog, Pinta, playing Hearthstone, and reading and watching science fiction! Never at a loss for something to say, Simon is well known for his quick wit and sense of humour. He regularly hosts our SSI Divemaster Challenge nights and has even been known to dabble in stand-up comedy. He’s the first person to get enthusiastic about fancy dress costumes, and usually the last one to leave the dance floor. In addition to offering SSI Instructor Training on Koh Tao, Simon is well known on the international SSI training circuit and is respected industry-wide by colleagues across various other training agencies too. As well as being an SSI Instructor Certifier, Simon (or should that be SSImon?!) is also an SSI International Training Director, meaning that he can certify SSI Instructor Trainers, as well as new SSI Instructors. In layman’s terms, he’s the guy who teaches the teachers how to teach! He’s the highest-rated SSI Instructor in the world, and one of only 3 International Training Directors in South East Asia. So as much as we hate to admit it, he’s kind of a big deal (just don’t tell him we said that). Do you want to do your professional scuba training with the best SSI Instructor Trainer in the region?  Then head on over to our website and check out our Instructor Training course.  Instructor Trainer, Simon Garrity, will be by your side teaching you and guiding you through the process of becoming a certified Open Water Instructor.  He has a 100% successful pass rate with his past candidates so you KNOW you’re getting taught by the best.

Sara is the radiant force of nature who swapped the city streets of Barcelona for the turquoise waters of Koh Tao — and thankfully for us, she never looked back. Now in her fourth year at Big Blue Diving, she has firmly cemented herself as one of the most loved and respected members of our team. Her journey is the stuff of dive legend. Two years as one of our top Divemasters, mastering the art of calm leadership, sharp awareness, and effortless underwater grace. Followed by two more years as one of our most popular Instructors — shaping confident, capable divers with patience, precision, and just the right amount of Spanish sparkle. Super reliable. Super likeable. Super popular. Sara has that rare ability to make every student feel like they’re her only student. Equal parts reassuring professional and enthusiastic ocean ambassador, she blends warmth, humor, and razor-sharp standards into every course she teaches. Whether it’s a nervous first dive or an advanced certification, her calm energy and infectious positivity turn challenges into triumphs. And the reviews? Let’s just say 2025 made it official when she won our end of year staff award for most 5 Star Reviews. From Barcelona charisma to Koh Tao cool, Sara represents everything Big Blue stands for: professionalism without ego, safety without stiffness, and fun without compromise.

Four years in, she’s not just part of the team — she’s part of the fabric of Big Blue itself.

And much like the Mediterranean sun she grew up under, Sara brings warmth and brilliance to every single dive.

Straight from the rolling hills of Wales and clearly blessed by whatever Celtic gods oversee charm and competence, James Michael is one of Big Blue’s most beloved and seasoned instructors. With a few adventurous seasons under his weight belt in the Phi Phi Islands, James brought his talent, energy, and that ever-so-smooth Welsh lilt to Koh Tao—much to our delight and the collective swoon of dive students everywhere.

A certified PADI and SSI Instructor, James is one of those rare breeds who can teach just about anyone, anything, at any time—often while cracking a joke and adjusting a tank strap, all without breaking a sweat. He’s been a steady role model for our Divemasters and Instructor candidates alike, leading not with ego, but with calm professionalism, patience, and the kind of enthusiasm that makes you want to follow him into a current just to see where it goes.

One of the most approachable humans you’ll ever meet he is super social, effortlessly friendly, and armed with a laugh that can be heard echoing across the boat, he’s the kind of guy who makes you feel like part of the team the moment you meet him. Whether you’re nervously adjusting your mask before your first confined session or debriefing over a sunset beer, James is exactly the instructor you’d hope to get—and the mate you’d want beside you at the pub quiz after.

Hailing from Germany, Chris Schramm is what happens when hospitality expertise meets scuba precision — and the result is five-star service at 18 meters. Before trading table settings for tank settings, Chris built his career in hospitality and catering. Which explains a lot. The calm under pressure. The attention to detail. The ability to handle 1,000 questions at once without even the slightest flicker of impatience. In a busy restaurant, timing is everything. In diving? Timing is everything — just with slightly more bubbles. Chris brings that same polished professionalism to every course he teaches. Equipment is prepped like a perfectly laid table. Briefings are structured like a fine dining menu — clear, thoughtful, and satisfying. And his students? They leave feeling exceptionally well looked after. Fluent in perfect English and Dutch, Chris connects effortlessly with divers from all over the world. His calm, methodical German precision is balanced by an easygoing humour that keeps courses relaxed and fun. Underwater, he’s composed and attentive. On the boat, he’s approachable and endlessly patient. Whether it’s explaining buoyancy for the fifth time or answering detailed gear questions mid-surface interval, Chris handles it all with a steady smile. The only difference now is that instead of serving dishes, he’s serving unforgettable Michelin-star level underwater experiences.

Sebastian Escobar (no relation😉) brings a smooth South American rhythm to the Big Blue team all the way from Colombia. Trilingual in Spanish, English, and Italian, Sebastian connects effortlessly with divers from all corners of the globe. Conversations flow easily around him — whether it’s dive theory, travel stories, life philosophy, or where to find the best post-dive snack. With Sebastian, nothing feels rushed. Nothing feels complicated. Everything feels… easy. Before becoming an SSI Instructor with us, Sebastian worked full-time as one of our Divemasters — meaning he didn’t just learn how to teach diving, he mastered how to guide it. He knows the reefs like an old friend. He understands diver behaviour. And he has that instinctive ability to position himself exactly where he needs to be, both above and below the surface. Underwater, he’s smooth and composed. On land, he’s warm and engaging. He makes nervous beginners feel steady and experienced divers feel understood. And as for always knowing where to “find the good stuff” he can smell it- after all he’s Colombian!

Mauro arrived from Portugal just as the world reopened its borders and everyone remembered how to travel again. Fresh from life as a baker (yes, he can make bread and speak Portuguese — both very useful life skills), he signed up for his Divemaster Course at Big Blue with zero fuss and maximum commitment. What happened next is the kind of story dive centers love. In a rare case of the student very nearly outshining the teacher, Mauro was snapped up almost immediately as a full-time Dive Guide. Calm, observant, and naturally tuned into what divers need before they even realize they need it, he quickly became one of the most requested guides on the island. His customer service instinct is second to none. He spots the big stuff. He spots the tiny stuff. He spots the diver who’s about to run low on air before their computer does. And before long, he was being requested so frequently we joked we needed another boat just to keep up. For over three years, Mauro ran the show as Head Divemaster — setting standards, mentoring upcoming pros, and quietly becoming one of the most reliable figures at Big Blue. Above water he’s relaxed and grounded. Underwater he’s pure awareness and control. Despite the usual chorus of “once a DM, always a DM,” Mauro stepped up and completed his SSI Instructor Training Course with us at Big Blue Pro. And in classic Mauro fashion, he didn’t just pass — he surpassed every expectation. Turns out the same precision that makes a perfect loaf of bread also makes a bloody brilliant Instructor. From bakery ovens to boat briefings — Mauro has proven one thing beyond doubt: Some rises are perfectly timed.