Chris Schramm – SSI Instructor

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 — only in rubber & neoprene. 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 leave feeling exceptionally well looked after. Fluent in perfect English and Dutch, Chris connects effortlessly with divers from all over the world. Only now instead of serving dishes, he’s serving unforgettable Michelin-star underwater experiences.

James Michael – PADI/  SSI Instructor

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.

Mauro Graca – SSI Instructor

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.

Sarah Ebertz – SSI & PADI Instructor

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.

Sara Contra – SSI Instructor

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.

Mikkel Sovik – SSI Instructor

Mikkel Søvik arrived from Denmark with an entirely sensible career path mapped out ahead of him. Sensible plans. Sensible future. Sensible life. Then he came to Koh Tao… signed up for his Divemaster Course at Big Blue… and that was the end of sensible. Fast forward to today and Mikkel is one of our baby-faced Instructors, living proof that sometimes the “real world” can wait. For now, Legoland, Greenland, and even Donald Trump will simply have to postpone whatever grand plans they had because Mikkel is too busy teaching diving right now. Super likeable. Exceptionally patient. Endlessly enthusiastic. Talks a lot, but that’s part of the charm. Mikkel can hold a conversation about anything, anytime, with anyone. His easy-going nature makes nervous students relax within minutes. His patience means no question ever feels like a silly one. And his genuine passion for the underwater world is impossible not to catch. Underwater, he’s calm and composed. On land, he’s animated, thoughtful, and probably mid-explanation about something fascinating. He doesn’t just teach skills — he explains the “why” behind everything, making divers smarter and more confident by the end of their course. Whatever career path Denmark originally had planned for him will have to wait. For now, Mikkel belongs to the big blue ocean — and we’re perfectly happy keeping him here!

Mike Coslop – SSI Instructor

Mike Coslop arrived on Koh Tao at a time when the world had briefly misplaced its marbles and everyone thought they were going to die from a cold. Rather than sit around waiting for the sniffles Mike did what any rational New Jerseyan would and flew 5,000 miles to seek a second vocation. Mike swapped city edges for coral ledges and began his journey toward becoming a dive professional. Solid. Reliable. No drama. Mike is the definition of composed. His students love his easy-going nature. He teaches without ego, guides without pressure, and has that unmistakable East Coast blend of straight talk and genuine warmth. No overcomplication. There’s no fluff. Just clear explanations, steady guidance, and a calm presence that makes America great again people feel safe. Mike brings grit, humor, and grounded professionalism to every course he runs. He’s the kind of Instructor who doesn’t make a big show of what he does — he just quietly gets on and does it very, very well.

Lady Angel – SSI Instructor

Lady Angel. Honestly… is there a cooler name? Originally from Colombia, Lady has been part of the Koh Tao dive scene for several years and has already left her mark on the island. In fact, she was partly responsible for the exceptional growth of another dive centre while co-managing it — proving she’s just as sharp in the office as she is in the ocean. But spreadsheets and schedules can only hold a true ocean lover for so long. The call of the sea proved stronger than the desk, and Lady swapped management meetings for neoprene and rubber, heading off to work on liveaboards in Myanmar for a season. Remote reefs, open horizons, serious diving — exactly where she thrives. Eventually, Koh Tao called her back. She applied to work at the island’s most reputable dive centre… They were busy. So we very wisely snatched her up instead. Lady brings a rare combination of leadership, warmth, and pure underwater presence. Her students don’t just complete their Open Water course — they stick with her. In fact, she won our staff award for the Instructor whose students most frequently continued straight on to their Advanced Course after training with her. That says everything. Her teaching style is calm, encouraging, and quietly inspiring. She builds confidence without pressure. She makes challenges feel achievable. And she creates that spark that turns brand-new divers into lifelong ocean addicts. There must be something in that Colombian water — because once again, it’s produced another Instructor with natural charisma, effortless professionalism, and a deep connection to the sea. With a name like Lady Angel and a track record to match, she doesn’t just teach diving.
She elevates it.