The PADI Dive master course is an entry to the professional levels of diver training.  The course is designed to develop leadership skills, increase dive knowledge and improve dive skills to a professional level.

There are three phases to complete during the Dive master training:

• Dive knowledge and theory: Through classroom discussions and independent study you will learn about diving related physics, diving related physiology, equipment, diving skills and the environment, supervising certified divers, assisting student divers, recreational dive planning, emergency protocol and mapping dive sites.
  
• Water skills and stamina: Candidates will perform a variety of swim tests to test their endurance and physical fitness. You will also learn how to demonstrate dive skills at an instructor level.
  
• Practical application: Candidates will complete an internship during which you will assist on courses, lead dive tours and guide DM conducted programs.
  

As a certified and renewed Dive master some of the duties you will be able to perform are:

• Lead dive tours.
  
• Assist teaching status PADI instructors with courses.
  
• Independently teach and certify Dive master conducted programs.
  

To enroll in the Dive master course you must:

Be 18 years of age or older.
Be certified as a PADI Rescue diver or equivalent
Have 20 logged dives.
We offer package and discounted prices for materials The cost of the Dive master program does not include the materials, but does include an opportunity to log 60 dives which are necessary to certify as a Dive master. Those who are interested may also complete the DSD leadership program at no extra cost. The DSD leadership program allows qualified Dive masters to independently teach Discover Scuba Diving programs.
25,000 baht

Due to new PADI standards, effective 1 January 2006, all student divers must have in their possession a set of current materials for study and use during the course and for reference afterwards.  Dive Master Trainees must have the following:

The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) prepares candidates to work as Assistant Instructors and/or Open Water Scuba Instructors.  The PADI IDC combines previously learned dive theory and skills with additional training so that you may implement the PADI system while teaching in the classroom and confined or open water environments.  The PADI IDC begins with independent learning and encompasses both the Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) program.

Candidates wishing to enroll in the AI/OWSI programs must:

1. Be certified as a PADI Dive master or hold a leadership level certification with another recreational diver training organization in order to enroll in the AI course.  Be certified as a PADI Assistant Instructor or as a current instructor member in good standing with another recreational diver training organization for at least 6 months in order to enroll in the OWSI course.
2. Be at least 18 years old.
3. Be fit for diving and submit a medical statement for a diving medical examination signed by a licensed physician within the last 12 months.
4. Have been certified for at least 6 months and have 60 logged dives showing experience in deep, night and navigation diving.
5. Submit proof of CPR and First Aid training within the last 24 months.
6. Submit documentation of any qualifying certification issued by another recreation diver training organization.

Prior to starting AI/OWSI programs, candidates should prepare independently by reviewing dive theory, practicing dive skills and completing the necessary knowledge reviews in the Instructor Candidate Workbook.  Black Tip offers IDC candidates a chance to assist on courses, lead fun dives and practice dive skills prior to the start of the IDC.

Sample IDC Schedule DAY 1 Course Orientation DAY 2 - 5 AI/Prep DAY 6 - 12 IDC DAY 13 Mock IE and Final Counseling DAY 14 Free Day DAY 15 EFRI DAY 16 Free Day DAY 17 - 18 IE

OWSI and IDC program will be conducted by Aram “Ko Dam” Limsakul, PADI Course Director and the Thai owner of Black Tip  Throughout the training Ko Dam places a strong emphasis on diver safety and environmental protection.  He will teach you ways to incorporate these messages into your training when you will have students of your own.  Ko Dam also focuses on real life training; not just how to pass the IDC.  You will learn how to best teach in a variety or environments and situations.

All of our packages include free DM theory preparation of knowledge and dive skills, free marine ecology workshop, opportunity to dive and assist on course before IDC starts, IE pass guarantee, hands on experience with teaching kids and hands on experience to conduct your own reef or coral check. 

We also offer discounted "early bird prices".  In order to take advantage of the early bird price you must pay a 30% deposit at least 2 weeks in advance. 10% of the deposit will be non refundable.

Candidates must also have the following materials:

As the above items are instructor tools we assume most candidates will not have these materials already, this is why we offer them as a package.  The below items are also required by PADI standards, but we assume that most candidate will already have these items in their possession from prior training courses.

We understand that due to luggage allowance, many candidates do not want to bring their own manuals with them.  We will have the student diver manuals available for reference throughout the IDC.

Other additional fees you will have to pay are the Instructor Examination fee which is currently US$460 and the Instructor Application Fee which is US$160.  These fees are payable directly to PADI and they do not accept cash, so you will need either Visa, Master Card or American Express.

Candidates will also need a calculator (can't be a mobile phone), a timing device that can count seconds, a compass and an underwater writing slate. Candidates also need their own complete set of fully functioning equipment.

We also have these packages available. Prices are in US Dollars. DM + AI 960 DM + IDC 1,465 DM + EFRI 870 DM + AI + EFRI 1,190 DM + IDC + EFRI (option 1) 1,595 DM + IDC + EFRI (option 2) 1,670

There are several option for doing your Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT). Option 1 can be done in a shorter time period and is recommend if you already have a job lined up with a dive shop.  Otherwise, option 2 allows you to do a work internship at our dive resort. It gives you the opportunity to gain work experience under supervision and to obtain 25 certifications.

And, we also have the larger Family bungalow for 3 persons.

We have a Deluxe room suitable for 4 persons. The Deluxe bungalow has TV, fridge, 2 double beds, private balcony and private bathroom with hot water shower.

Anyone who completes a scuba diving course that results in certification (Scuba Diver level or higher) will receive a 50% discount off these prices. Certified fun divers receive a 25% discount off these prices (minimum of 3 dives per diver).

We offer a free one time transfer from the Koh Tao pier for hotel guests.

PEAK SEASON
JUNE 15 – SEPTEMBER 30

		FAN	A/C
ECONOMY	Normal	800	1,400
	Student	400	700
	Fun Diver	600	1,050
STANDARD	Normal	1,100	1,700
	Student	550	850
	Fun Diver	825	1,275
ECON STANDARD	Normal	800	N/A
	Student	400	N/A
	Fun Diver	600	N/A
ECON FAMILY	Normal	1,500	2,100
	Student	750	1,050
	Fun Diver	1,125	1,575
FAMILY	Normal	1,800	2,400
	Student	900	1,200
	Fun Diver	1,350	1,800
DELUXE	Normal	2,400	3,000
	Student	1,200	1,500
	Fun Diver	1,800	2,250

MID SEASON
DECEMBER 15 – JUNE 14

		FAN	A/C
ECONOMY	Normal	600	1,200
	Student	300	600
	Fun Diver	450	900
STANDARD	Normal	900	1,500
	Student	450	750
	Fun Diver	675	1,125
ECON STANDARD	Normal	600	N/A
	Student	300	N/A
	Fun Diver	450	N/A
ECON FAMILY	Normal	1,300	1,900
	Student	650	950
	Fun Diver	975	1,425
FAMILY	Normal	1,600	2,200
	Student	800	1,100
	Fun Diver	1,200	1,650
DELUXE	Normal	2,200	2,800
	Student	1,100	1,400
	Fun Diver	1,650	2,100

GREEN SEASON
OCTOBER 1 – DECEMBER 14

 Only fan rooms are available during the Green Season

		FAN
ECONOMY	Normal	400
	Student	free during course
	Fun Diver	300
STANDARD	Normal	550
	Student	275
	Fun Diver	415
ECON STANDARD	Normal	400
	Student	200
	Fun Diver	300
ECON FAMILY	Normal	750
	Student	375
	Fun Diver	560
FAMILY	Normal	1,000
	Student	500
	Fun Diver	750
DELUXE	Normal	1,600
	Student	800
	Fun Diver	1,200

Prices are in Thai Baht.
Prices are subject to change without prior notification.

Please note that if you do not stay for the entire duration of your reservation, you will be charged 20% for the remaining days. You may extend your booking at no extra cost, provided there are no prior reservations.

The Economy rooms are ideal for groups as it is two seperate bedrooms
connected by a bathroom in the middle.

Book Now...»

All around the island you’ll find mouth watering culinary delights. No matter what you’re craving – Indian, Swedish, Italian, Thai or middle eastern- you can find it all on Koh Tao.

Relax on the beach or soothe your body after all that traveling with a Thai massage or yoga sessions.

At a time when we are putting a large strain on our natural resources and the price of fuel is rising higher and higher, there is an alternative; bio diesel. Bio diesel is a clean burning alternative fuel that is made from renewable resources such as cooking oil, soaps and candles made with tallow and even insects. Bio diesel does not contain any petroleum, although, it can be combined with petroleum at any percentage or used independently.

Hydrocarbon emissions, which cause localized smog, are also lessened by approximately 67%. And sulfur emissions, which are a major component of acid rain, are nearly eliminated. The U.S. Department of Energy found that bio diesel produces 78.5% less carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.

Bio diesel is non toxic, non explosive and bio degradable. It can be produced and stored in your home without worry. You can make it in your own kitchen with ingredients you probably already have around your house.

Bio diesel is already being used in Europe, America and being tested for use in places such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. In some places it is being sold publicly. It can be used with your existing diesel engine with little or no modification.

Here at Black Tip we plan to use a bio diesel mix for use in our boats and generator. We can collect cooking oil, candles and soaps and produce our own bio diesel. This is an important method for Koh Tao, where everything must be shipped from the mainland. This is another way for us to recycle our wastes on the island.

For more information about bio diesel or to learn how to make your own, please contact the Coastal Preservation and Development (CPAD) Foundation at www.cpadfoundation.org