News
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…
Since 1994, International Training has operated with one core commitment—safety, quality, and innovation in diving education. With the creation of Technical Diving International (TDI), we set a new standard for training technical divers. In the years since, we have proved that if you can train technical divers to safely operate in the most extreme and demanding environments, you can elevate safety for every other diving discipline. What we’ve learned through TDI has shaped the way we approach diving instruction across all levels. Now, we are taking the next step in our journey by unifying all our diving activities under a single umbrella brand, Scuba Diving International (SDI), through the One Dive Family campaign.
Since our founding, we have operated under the same core values of safety, quality, and innovation. These principles were first introduced with TDI, where we pioneered technical diving education and set the gold standard in the industry. TDI’s expertise and leadership in training technical divers laid the foundation for everything we do today. Whether you’re a recreational diver, a freediver, or a public safety professional, you have been benefiting from the same standards that have guided TDI from the very beginning.
By unifying all diving activities under SDI, we are aligning our brand to better reflect the values that have always been at our core. This evolution brings clarity to our brand while maintaining the credibility we have built over the last three decades. With One Dive Family, we recognize that the same values of safety and innovation apply to every diver, no matter their discipline or experience level.
A Family of Diving Specialties
Under the SDI umbrella, we bring together a unique family of diving specialties, each contributing to the broader diving experience while maintaining its distinct focus. Whether you’re a recreational diver seeking adventure, a technical diver exploring deep or hazardous environments with TDI, performing crucial underwater operations as a public safety diver with ERDI, or pushing the boundaries of breath control and performance with PFI, you are part of the same family. By aligning all these specialties under one unified brand, we strengthen the connections between disciplines while preserving their unique expertise.
This unity ensures that every diver benefits from the highest standards of safety, no matter what kind of diving they pursue. Our focus on specialized training has always been what sets us apart, and this unification strengthens that commitment.
A Family of Professionals
At the heart of One Dive Family is our network of instructors and dive centers across the globe. These professionals are the backbone of our organization, ensuring that every diver receives the best possible training and support. By unifying our diving activities under SDI, we are providing a clearer, stronger platform for our instructors to deliver consistent, high-quality education to their students.
This unification strengthens our professional community, creating more opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth. Whether you’re an instructor specializing in technical diving or a freediving expert, you are part of a global network of professionals committed to helping people explore the underwater world safely.
A Diverse Family of Divers
Diving is a sport for everyone, and at SDI, we celebrate the diversity of our global diving community. One Dive Family is not just a campaign; it’s a reflection of who we are as an organization. From the most experienced technical divers to those just starting out in recreational diving, our community includes people from all walks of life, united by their passion for underwater exploration.
By bringing all our diving activities together under SDI, we are making it easier for new divers to join our family and for experienced divers to explore new disciplines. One Dive Family is about inclusion, accessibility, and fostering a sense of belonging in every diver, no matter their background.
A Family-Run Business with a Global Reach
Since our inception, we have operated as a family-run business, and that personal connection has always been at the heart of what we do. One Dive Family emphasizes that SDI is not just a brand, but a community of people who care about one another and share a love for diving. This close-knit, family-oriented approach has enabled us to grow into one of the most respected and trusted diving certification organizations in the world.
As we move forward, we are excited to continue building on the values that have guided us since 1994, ensuring that every diver, instructor, and dive center feels like part of our One Dive Family.
St. Helena Island Whale Shark Special Weeks 2025
Two price options are available for these great-value tours, with prices listed in GBP (pounds).
Budget:
- 28th February to 10th March 2025
- Two sharing a double room: £1,290
- Single occupancy: £1,480
Deluxe:
- 7th March to 16th March 2025
- Two sharing a double room: £1,985
- Single occupancy: £2,340
Flights from Cape Town to St Helena (round trip) are available through the tour organizers for £780 ($990). Payments are accepted in GBP, USD, EUR, AUD, or ZAR.
For those unable to join these dates, customized trips to St. Helena can be arranged year-round.
Overview of the Tour
These special weeks have been curated by professional underwater photographer Christopher Bartlett, owner of Indigo Safaris. Christopher has visited St. Helena multiple times (2018, 2019, and 2020) and has been actively involved in whale shark conservation since 2009. He has led trips to destinations like the Galapagos and the Maldives, collaborating with Dr. Simon Pierce, founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation and a leading expert on whale shark conservation. Christopher’s dedication to whale shark research spans over a decade, making these tours an insightful experience. The Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) is one of the key conservation organizations sponsored by these trips.
Whale Shark Interaction
St Helena is unique as the only location known to have a seasonal aggregation of adult male and female whale sharks, which takes place between January and March. In March 2019, the first courtship between two whale sharks was documented here, and some of the females observed appear to be pregnant. The whale sharks are often found around sea mounts or ledges. While current regulations prohibit deliberate SCUBA diving with whale sharks, snorkeling and chance encounters during dives are permitted. This tour includes two planned whale shark snorkels, and divers can continue their encounter if a whale shark appears while they are underwater.
Diving
Diving around St. Helena offers a diverse experience. The island’s limestone cliffs feature stunning caverns filled with fish, including many endemic species, creating excellent opportunities for underwater photography. The lava formations attract Chilean devil rays, while pinnacle sites host schools of rainbow runner and jacks. There are also several notable wrecks to explore.
Snorkeling
Divers will have two afternoon whale shark snorkeling trips included in their itinerary. Non-divers can participate in two afternoon snorkels and two additional sessions, which will be scheduled based on conditions and preferences. The warm waters are home to Chilean devil rays, colorful reef fish, and millions of endemic St. Helena butterflyfish, creating a unique underwater experience reminiscent of a vibrant snow globe.
Included in the Tours
For Divers
- Budget Trip: Includes 1 night in Cape Town, 8 nights on St. Helena, a final night in Cape Town, 12 dives over 5 days, 2 whale shark snorkel trips, a full-day 4×4 land tour, 7 days of shared vehicle hire, and transfers.
- Deluxe Trip: Includes 1 night in Cape Town, 7 nights on St. Helena, a final night in Cape Town, 12 dives over 5 days, 2 whale shark snorkel trips, a full-day 4×4 land tour, 7 days of shared vehicle hire, 7 breakfasts on St. Helena, and 4 dinners.
For Non-Divers
- Budget Trip: Includes 1 night in Cape Town, 7 nights on St. Helena, a final night in Cape Town, 4 whale shark snorkel trips, 2 full-day land tours, 8 days of shared vehicle hire, and transfers.
- Deluxe Trip: Includes 1 night in Cape Town, 7 nights on St. Helena, a final night in Cape Town, 4 whale shark snorkel trips, 2 full-day 4×4 land tours, 7 days of shared vehicle hire, 7 breakfasts on St. Helena, and 4 dinners.
Itinerary (Deluxe Version)
The budget version includes an extra day with two additional dives.
- Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town and transfer to accommodation 10 minutes from the airport.
- Day 2: Take a 09:00 flight to St. Helena, arriving at 13:30. Transfer to accommodation; dinner is included in the deluxe version. Enjoy after-dinner drinks at the local Standard Pub for a taste of local culture.
- Day 3: Two dives on sea mounts or ledges, followed by an afternoon visit to Jamestown.
- Day 4: Full-day 4×4 island tour, exploring key historical sites and viewpoints.
- Day 5: Morning reef or wreck dives, with a whale shark snorkel in the afternoon.
- Day 6: Two dives on sea mounts or ledges.
- Day 7: Two more dives on sea mounts or ledges.
- Day 8: Morning reef or wreck dives, followed by a whale shark snorkel in the afternoon.
- Day 9: Free morning, followed by a midday transfer to the airport for a 14:30 flight back to Cape Town. Overnight in Cape Town.
- Day 10: Transfer to the airport for departure.
Accommodation Options
Budget Accommodation: Guests will stay in two or three-bedroom cottages in Half-Tree Hollow, built in 2014, offering stunning views of the coast and ocean. Each cottage includes a small lounge, kitchen, and bathroom. Single occupancy guests share a three-bedroom cottage. A small supermarket is nearby, with fresh fish available in Jamestown, just a five-minute drive away.
Deluxe Accommodation: The 4-star Mantis Hotel is located in the heart of Jamestown. A blend of historic buildings dating back to 1774 and modern architecture, this boutique hotel is a short walk from the seafront, swimming pool, museum, shops, and bars. It offers a large restaurant, bar, guest lounge, and outdoor terraces, providing a luxurious stay on the island.
For more information or to book, contact Indigo Safaris:
Email: safariexperts@indigosafaris.com
UK: +44 771 334 27 29
USA: +1 718 312 8777
France: +33 668 74 97 05
Skype: christopherbartlett
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