Blue Diamond Diving

Koh Tao Diving with Blue Diamond Scuba Diving Vacation and Scuba Diving Lesson on Koh Tao

Jansom bay , Koh Tao , Suratethani , Thailand.
Tel : +66(77) 456 880 -+66(77) 456 818 , Fax : +66 (77) 456 881

Koh Tao Diving News
We are proud to announce that since spring 2006 the Blue Diamond Resort has become the Blue Diamond Dive Resort.

Following the request of many customers the brand new Scuba Diving Facilities are now ready for you and your family and friends.
"We will do our best to make your scuba diving vacation unforgettable"

Are you planning your Scuba Diving Vacation? And you are searching for a beautiful tropical island? You just found it. Koh Tao diving in paradise on earth. Koh Tao stands for inexpensive scuba diving lessons, big fish, long and enjoyable fun dives, swimming and snorkeling above beautiful coral reefs and white sandy beaches under coconut palm trees. We would like to introduce you to a laid back Koh Tao Resort and its newly opened scuba diving school.

Blue Diamond is an international PADI Dive Resort International is the staff as well as the customers of this resort. experienced diving instructors teach all PADI diving courses in many different languages. Small groups and customer orientated services will always have top priority. All Staff are open for any questions and will help you to understand all aspects of scuba diving.

Around the islands Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan you can find more than 30 dive sites. Some of the most famous dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand are Sailrock, Southwest Pinnacle and Chumpon Pinnacle . Whale Sharks, Gray Reef Sharks and Leopard Sharks are often spotted on this sites Dive Maps .

The Blue Diamond Dive Resort is located on the far end of Mae Haad. With a private beach right in front of the resort and the Blue Diamond restaurant right behind the resort has a unique atmosphere. All bungalows are equipped with ventilation, mosquito-net and bathroom. The resort offers accommodation for families as well as for budget travelers.

Besides diving, you can also go rock climbing, get a massage in a relaxed spa or directly on the beach, go water-skiing, tube-riding, snorkeling, swimming, sailing, windsurfing or just enjoy one of the many beach cafes.
The beaches are most of the day deserted because everybody seems to be under water.

Like on most places in Thailand, green coconut trees and wild jungle covers Koh Tao. Diving is already your passion? And you have your certification, by either PADI or any other international scuba diving association? You will find over 30 different dive sites to explore. If you have not decided yet if you want to become a diver, just drop in to our dive shop and talk to a member of our qualified staff. you can try it out with Discover Scuba Diving

For a memory of your scuba diving vacation we also offer a diving photo service, where you can do your own digital underwater photos, dive with a Whale Shark and make the nicest underwater pictures yourself. You can learn from an experienced Instructor how to do the best underwater pictures. You will have outstanding under water photos to burn to show all your friends at home what and your scuba diving lesson on Koh Tao was is like.

Koh Tao - The Past And The Present

Koh Tao is the smallest of the inhabited Islands in the Gulf of Siam 70 km east of Chumpon on the mainland, Koh Tao is a green tropical island. It was not always a tropical paradise for beaching & scuba diving vacation: For many years uninhabited, except for a few by passing fishermen, the island got occupied by the government and Ko Tao became a political prison from 1933 until 1947, where all prisoners received a royal pardon and where returned to the mainland. Some time afterwards,various families from the neighboring island Koh Phangan and from the main land settled and began cultivating the land harvesting coconut trees and growing vegetables in the nearly virgin soil. Three decades later this was all about to change.

In the end of the eighties Koh Tao was first discovered by backpackers. Soon the news got spread around and made Koh Tao a popular destination to all kinds of travelers. In adventures ways, on fishing boats and small transport vessels the first "falang" reached Turtle Island. Some of this River-Boats are still running at present time. The situation is best described at a travelers guide from Thomas Cook out of the year 1993, It says:

"Those in search of a greater isolation can also visit Koh Tao. The island where people spend weeks on end living in small bungalows, eating prawn and coconuts and playing at being a modern-day Robinson Crusoe"

Now a days, Koh Tao gives a different picture. In the past fifteen years the reputation of turtle islands natural beauty, its coral reefs and abundant marine life has spread worldwide making Ko Tao one of the main destinations for scuba diving vacation in Thailand and South East Asia.

Koh Tao is attracting both newcomers and experienced divers alike. The colorful variousity of the islands face given through both, Thai and Foreigners influences amazes every new visitor on turtle Island. Many of them coming for a visit on their holiday and staying for years. All kind off Cafes and Restaurants, Bakery's and even a Bowling Track and a Mini-Golf Course are waiting for you to visit.

The Blue Diamond Dive Resort

"Holiday at the Blue Diamond Dive Resort makes Koh Tao even nicer"
Established… in 1998 Blue Diamond Resort started Snorkel Tours around Koh Tao along with standard bungalows and our delicious Thai and International restaurant. Thanks to the recommendations and frequent return of our past customers, As 2006 we are now Blue Diamond Dive Resort, offering the best in Koh Tao diving. Open year round and operating in the beautiful tropical water of the Gulf of Thailand. We believe that our customers come first and we take pride in giving personal attention to every detail.

With confidence and well founded knowledge about Scuba Diving and/or Koh Tao in general the people working in Blue Diamond Dive Resort will always be there for you if you have any question what so ever.

Blue Diamond employs only qualified PADI Instructors and Divemasters speaking a variety of languages: English, Swedish, Dutch, German, Danish, Norwegian ,French and Thai. Many of our staff have worked on Koh Tao for several years and have logged hundreds of dives around Koh Tao

Blue Diamond Dive Resort is proud of it’s in formal, friendly attitude, that makes you feel relaxed and at home as soon as you enter our resort on Koh Tao. Further more, our experienced Instructors and Dive masters, together with our extensive knowledge of Koh Tao, ensures that our customers can enjoy first class diving without having to pay a first class price... Accommodation »»

About Scuba Diving On Koh Tao

Koh Tao is attracting both new-comers and experienced divers alike. The beauty of the coral reefs and the warm tropical water are promising fun for everybody.

Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan offer more then 30 dive sites for you to explore. Some of whom belong to the best dive sites of Thailand. Such as Sailrock or Chumpon Pinnacle. No matter what time of the year it is, you will always find a spot for a beautiful dive somewhere near the island.

Some Facts about Scuba Diving on Koh Tao
First of all, there are many Diving Operators on Koh Tao and all of them teach scuba diving lessons. The prices for fun diving and scuba diving lessons of any kind are among the lowest in the world.and all Dive Resorts on the island have agreed to work with the same prices.

So what is the difference? And what is in for you?
You are looking for excellent service, friendliness and competence of the staff.

One of the most important points for you and for us is safety. All of our dive equipment is brand new and serviced regularly, and all dives are planned to be well within the recommended limits. We have full safety equipment at our resort and onboard our dive boat, including comprehensive medical hits and oxygen hits, providing 100% oxygen in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Our Customers enjoy a traveler insurance, as well as a special scuba diving insurance by SSS. The Brand New 16.5 x 5 Meter diving boat is comfortable and built for easy entry's and exits. Tanks and weights are waiting for you on the boat. All equipment is new and up to date. The compressor and the tanks are on board. Coffee, Tea, Water, Fresh Fruits and Soup are served for free at all times.

PADI Diving Course on Ko Tao

We follow the PADI system of diver education as they are the largest SCUBA diving certification organization in the world, and internationally recognized. The most important thing for us, however, is thorough training, which we attain with small groups (we won't usually refuse just one student) and personal, understanding teaching. Courses are available in English, German and many other languages, with educational materials available in most languages.

PADI Scuba Review
PADI recommends this "scuba-diving tune-up" after more than 6 months of no diving. It certainly is necessary after much longer periods or if you're feeling a little out of touch.We will go through your basic dive theory, check & refine your SCUBA DIVING skills and then do some fun diving with you too.

Discover SCUBA Diving on Koh Tao
For people without the time for a full course or who want to check it out first, we are happy to give you a real taste of diving. It's a strictly shallow dive, starting in water "deep enough to stand up", after a thorough briefing on safety rules, techniques and equipment. We usually specify a maximum of two divers per PADI Instructor.

PADI Open Water Diver
A full beginners diving course, taking about 4 days and involving theory sessions (DVD & personal teaching), shallow water training and 4 actual dives. On successful completion of the program you should understand all the basics of safe diving and will receive your log book plus PADI Scuba Diver Certification; valid for life.

Advanced Open Water Diver
The next level, featuring further training in underwater navigation and deep diving, plus 3 other specialized activities such as night diving, underwater naturalist, photography, multilevel diving or dive with an under water scooter. So you do 5 dives in total over 2 to 3 days. Any of the advanced dives can then be credited to the specialty course that might take your fancy.
You will finish the course a more confident and experienced diver, with a further Diving Certification to prove it!

PADI Emergency First Responder
A one-day, classroom based course on basic first aid, required before you start your Rescue Diver Program, although proof of training (inc. CPR) with any recognized First Aid Organization within the past 2 years is also acceptable.

PADI Rescue Diver
A more serious (but also much fun) level of diving education. Self rescue techniques, surface and underwater problems, emergency management, actual rescue scenarios and more are covered in theory lessons and a minimum of 5 in-water training sessions over at least 3 days. With this scuba diving certification you should be able to better care for a dive buddy with problems, in addition to becoming more self-sufficient & confident as a scuba-diver yourself.

PADI Divemaster
The first level in the PADI professional program will teach you how to care for Certified Scuba Divers and assist in teaching situations. This should take a minimum of 4 weeks (including as many dives as it takes) as there's lots to do! In-depth (so to speak) theory, lots of in-water work, but also learning how to help in the running of a scuba dive center, from filling tanks and maintaining equipment, to caring for divers & students, to handling potential customers and dealing with paperwork. We are always interested in teaching these courses, as we try to employ only dive masters taught by ourselves as staff here.

PADI Specialty Training
What's Special in Diving for you? We've dived here for 15 years & have compiled a full photo directory of our local marine life, so join us for the Specialty U/W Naturalist course or the U/W Photographer course; we are experts. Have you ever dived with the extra bottom time that enriched air (nitrox) allows you, or do you want to dive deeper, but with proper training first? Then we've got the Specialty Enriched Air or Deep Diver courses. Basically there's a program to meet most diver's special interests & we're usually happy to teach it; just let us know. Just, please don't ask at Blue Diamond Dive Resort for the "u/w hunter" course, as we're doing the best we can to preserve the underwater world on Ko Tao! Altitude Diving and Ice Diving are also quiet difficult to archive on Koh Tao.

About Getting Around On Koh Tao

Moving around on Koh Tao
With a size of only 21km? the island is the smallest of the three main islands in the Gulf of Siam. You can choose a ride on a pick-up truck or a motorbike taxi to get along most streets. As the streets have improved a lot over the past years, even in rainy-season you can get around on the island.You can also take a longtail taxi boat . They are available in Mae Haad or on most of the beaches.Wear a hat, it's hot out on the water during daytime. You will find snorkel equipment for rent on most of the sandy beaches on Ko Tao. Stay along the sides of the bay to get the best picture of the beautiful under water world.

The taxi boats also will take you for a trip around the island for only about 250 bath per person, you will have the chance to see Koh Tao from the sea side and go swimming or snorkeling or even diving from a longtail boat.

Another way to explore Koh Tao is on a Motorbike. Ask at the reception of the Blue Diamond Resort, they will help you out. As everywhere in Thailand, the helmet law also takes effect on Koh Tao, even that nobody really seems to care about it. So not many questions asked but be careful though, many "Falang' cant 't handle the traffic in thai-style.Be careful at all times and avoid driving with too much party in your blood vessels.

About the Fullmoon-Partys on Koh Phang Ghan you may also ask at the reception of the Blue Diamond Resort for tickets. there are several boats departing in the evening and returning in the early morning hours.

Mae Haad - The Main Town of Koh Tao

Koh Tao belongs to the southern province of Suratthani and Mae Haad is The main town of the island. It is a little charming harbour town like so many along the coast of southern Thailand. For someone who visit the island for the first time, it may seem a bit sleepy. But if you take a closer look, you will easely find out why so many "Falang" have desided to stay here and try to earn a living.

Over the past years businesses have expanded to catch up with the increase of visitors to the island. Although it still is a paradise island with all you can expect of it.

Koh Tao today is ready to serve all tastes and budgets.
Today on Koh Tao there is a variety of Bungalow Resorts, Restaurants, Beach Bars and Cafes, Internet Cafes with high speed internet connections and many Shops for clothing and souveniers. Most of them are located on the main beaches Sairee, Mae Haad and Chalok baan Kao. there are now many ATM's and three banks in Mae Had and some in Chalok baan Kao and Sairee Beach. Many street-food shops along the streets offer delisous snacks and take away food.

Koh Tao Under Water Pictures

Whale Sharks on Koh Tao

The most beautiful thing that can happen to you under water, scuba diving with a Whale Shark.The biggest fish in the world has been messured 18meter. Here on Koh Tao they are a bit smaller but still huge. Harmless though and just feeding on plancton this big shark loves to swimm along divers and seems to enjoy their bubbles.

Clown Trigger Fish on Red Rock

The Clown Trigger Fish is rare and a bit shy, if you just stay still and relax you may watch him a while searching for food. The very elegant movement of the fins looks really fascinating.

Crab Hiding Under A Rock

Crabs are often to be seen while diving at night. Night diving is very popular as part of and Advanced Open Water Course.

Lobster

Where there is one, there are usualy more. Sometimes a lobster can be hard to see.

Scorpion Fish

The Scorpion Fish is the master of hiding. He can not only change he's color but also he's shape and general looks. Don't touch though that hurts. But as always while scuba diving or skin diving, it's better to watch and enjoy rather than touching things. Even small shells can be inhabited by little hermit crabs and other tiny animals. A most comon fish on Koh Tao.

Sea Snakes On Koh Tao

The Sea Snakes are in general believed to be poisonous but they mind their own things. They are beautiful and the gentle movement is nice to watch. Definitely not dangerous to Scuba Divers and so there has never been any accident with a sea snake reported on Koh Tao.

Many Shells On Koh Tao

Shells you can see by snorkrling as well as scub diving around Koh Tao. But here are the same rules as everywhere. Just look don't touch.

Anemone Fish

Also a most common fish around Koh Tao and Koh Phan Ghan. Every Anemone has it's anemone fish family. They are the only fish not to be harmed from the anemone itself.

Hiding in Colors

Like many animals under water, the crab on this pictures best friend is the anemone. The environment takes care of it's own. There are many small things under water around Koh Tao worthwhile a minute or two just to enjoy watching them.

Anemone Crab

An Anemone Crab. To spot this tiny animal you will have to slow down and watch very carefully.

Angel Fish

Another beautiful picture of an Angel Fish on Koh Tao.

Feather Star

This picture is not from Koh Tao but from the Andaman Sea. On Koh Tao the Featherstars mostly appear at night or on shady places in swim throughs at Green Rock for example.

Banner Fish

Also a common fish around Ko Tao, the Banner Fish. If you move slowly you can get near by to take a picture.

Manta Ray at Koh Bon

This picture was taken by Khun Pepsi of Blue Diamond Dive Resort. It's not Koh Tao though. It's taken at Koh Bon at the Similan Islands. Sometimes there have been Manta Rays spotted on Koh Tao as well Mostly arround Sailrock, one of the most famous dive sites in Thailand

Moray Eel on Koh Tao

This nosy animal is seen on many under water pictures. The Moray Eel is not shy at all. It look more like as it would enjoy its picture to be taken ...Smile

Anemone Clown Fish

The cutest and now sure the most famous of the Anemone Fish. Nemo and his family.

School Shark

A School Shark studying he's biological environment.

Titan Trigger Fish

The titan Tigger Fish is blowing holes with he's mouth to build a nest. The surrounding Fish enjoy the extra meal from a varrity of smal animals that appear slowly at the surface.

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