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Diving In Koh Tao
Koh Tao (meaning Turtle Island) is not only my favourite island in Thailand but it is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Most people in the dive world know or have at least heard about Koh Tao, because of its competitive dive scene (it has the highest number of annual dive certifications a year second to Cairns, Australia) and of course, its beautiful beaches and irresistible laid back vibe. I spent seven months here back in ’08-’09 and I hadn’t been back since, so I was excited to return six years later.
A Little Bit About My Trip
I was lucky enough to spend six weeks away in total – escaping the winter cold in the UK! I spent the first two weeks in Thailand travelling to Bangkok, Koh Phangan, Koh Yao Yai and Koh Tao, where I intended to start my Stress & Rescue Course. However, I sprained my ankle on New Years Eve and unfortunately couldn’t do any of the practical work in the water. Luckily as I had booked a one-way ticket to Thailand I could return 3 weeks later and complete the course.
Sunset on Koh Tao
Choosing A Dive School
Choosing a dive school on Koh Tao can be hard – there are, quite frankly, a lot. Especially on the main beach – Sairee beach – where competition is at its highest. I did some research into several of the larger schools in the area and decided I wanted to dive with Big Blue Diving.
Big Blue Diving’s prime location on the beach, in addition to their new hostel rooms and free accommodation for divers, makes it one of the most popular dive schools on the island.
They are also heavily involved in their marine conservation work – working to ensure that the island remains as undisturbed as possible by the growing tourism in Koh Tao – which was another factor which drew me to them.
At Big Blue… with my sprained ankle!
My Rescue Course
I have to admit, I was a little nervous about starting my Stress & Rescue Course. It’s one of those courses that I’d heard a lot about, yet at the same time I wasn’t entirely sure what the course involved! However, after meeting my Rescue Team I felt confident to get started. There were three other students taking the course, with a Dive Master Trainee per student as well as the instructor. This was another reason for me choosing to dive with Big Blue – they keep their groups small which is essential for learning.
The Stress & Rescue course was three days in total – I spent one day doing my first aid qualification, followed by two days in the classroom and in the water going through any potential scenarios that could take place on a dive. The course prepares divers on how to recognise, avoid and deal with any problems that occur on the surface or underwater, and in my opinion, is one of the most useful qualifications to have as a diver.
I loved doing my Stress & Rescue Course, and loved being back on Koh Tao. After all these years it still feels like a second home to me. Maybe… just maybe… I will return to the island soon to do my Dive Master Training…
Today we are diving one of the outer reefs from an inflatable. As we reach the bottom, a reef octopus eases its way into the cover of a small crack in the coral while displaying it’s incredible ability to change colour. They are arguably one of the most charismatic of reef dwellers and it is always exciting for me to simply hover and watch. I would have spent longer and waited for it to come and investigate me, but as dive time is limited we wanted to move on and find a turtle.
The waters around Somabay are well protected and hold a rich variety of marine life. The reef edges are thriving colonies of coral and shoaling fish, while nearer the sea bed plenty of wildlife is still to be found.
Then we located the turtles. They are very used to divers and so show little concern when slowly approached. In fact occasionally one will come over to see what you are doing. There is always huge excitement when diving with a turtle. The shear thrill of sharing a moment with another species.
What a fantastic way to finish a wonderful few days diving and I would like to thank SOMABAY, ORCA DIVING and THE BREAKERS for making my stay such a good one.
I had a great time, with diving everyday either on the house reef or on one of the offshore reefs by inflatable or larger day boat. Orca diving provided high quality equipment and facilities while the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. The Breakers was right on the coast with nice rooms, good food and once again friendly staff making the whole trip a real pleasure.
Soma Bay covers an entire peninsula and is home to several resorts as well as residential compounds.
As well as scuba diving, Somabay caters for many other sports and activities, and so is perfect for families as well as individuals and/or groups. And of course there is always time to lay peacefully on the beach under the Egyptian sun.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
Day three of my trip to Somabay and we were spending the day on the Lady Christina and diving on the wreck of the Salem Express.
Diving wrecks for me is always one of mixed emotions. The excitement of diving a wreck is more than often tempered by the thought of loss of life when she sank. The Salem Express was a passenger ship and a roll-on/roll-off ferry travelling from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Safaga, Egypt. Most passengers were of poor class travelling home from their holidays while around 150 people were returning home from their pilgrimage to Mecca.
The ship struck a reef and sank within 20 minutes. Passengers were trapped below deck and the ship was filled with fear and panic.
The wreck area is strewn with personal belongings from the crew and passengers such as a transistor radio and a flat iron for clothes. A diver at sometime has put them in a prominent place to be seen.
Tragically only one life boat was launched while the others went down with the ship. More than 600 men, women and children lost their lives here.
It’s a stark reminder that the sea can be unforgiving and so when we dive on such wrecks we should do so with humble regard.
Returning to the surface, shoals of fish are gathered under our boat and seem to be welcoming us back into the light.
Back at the Breakers I sat in the dining area with a beer and a very good meal while my thoughts still remained with the day’s dive on the Salem Express.
Check in for part 3 tomorrow for Jeff’s last day of diving with Somabay on the off-shore reefs looking for turtles.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
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