New Heaven Dive School

About Us

The New Heaven Dive School was established in June 1995 by P'Kong , the oldest brother of the New Heaven familly. With just a few sets of gear and an old longtail boat the dive school was born.

Kong's enthusiam and love of the sea was the driving force behind our diving philosophy; commitment to marine conservation, small relaxed island style dive groups and lots of fun.

We now have over ten years of experience on Koh Tao and with that comes diving expertise. Thoughout our time here we have always respected the local environment and contributed as much of our own energy as possible to preserve the natural beauty of Koh Tao. We have been involved with turtle conservation, reef restoration, The "We love Koh Tao" festival, The Koh Toa Under Water festival and any other activities which help to create the eco-friendly environment we would like to see on Koh Tao.

We are proud to have this reputation and intend to continue in our commitment to marine conservation. We have recently aligned ourselves with Save Koh Tao Community Group and together are running conservation and research projects dedicated to achieve proper marine management.. Do your part and join us , have fun with us but never forget the responsibility we all have to save the fantastic coral reef.

Courses & Dives

As a PADI certified dive center we offer all courses up to and including the Divemaster certification, and welcome all people to our school who share our love for the sea.

FUN DIVES

If you are already quailifed as a scuba diver and would like to spend a day out diving in a small, relaxed atmosphere join us on one of our boats.

Our late starts (09.30 am) allow us to dive Koh Tao's premium sites without the hustle and bustle of the big dive schools. We make only one trip a day and limit ourselves to 2 dives so there is no rush to get back to the shop which means more time to relax and enjoy the sea. Bring some lunch if you want and we'll provide the tea, coffee, bisciuts and fruit.

Prices for fun dives are as follows

1 dive = 1000 baht
2-5 dives = 900 baht
6-9 dives = 800 baht
10 - over = 700 baht

Students who complete any courses with us pay 700 baht per dive

PADI SCUBA DIVING COURSES

PADI dive courses are available daily. minimum no. of students 1, maximum 4. Please contact us if you would like to have; private tutition with instructor, learn as a couple or as a group 3 to 4 people.

Conservation

At New Heaven Dive School we believe that the impact you leave on the coral reef is just as important as the impact it leaves on you. Divers everywhere affect the corals, but here on Koh Tao the greatly increasing numbers of people visiting each year is causing marked changes on reef health. In order to protect our island’s natural resources and promote positive environmental action we have started the New Heaven Reef Conservation Program (RCP). By conducting marine projects from the school, with The Save Koh Tao group, and with other dive shops on the island we hope to contribute towards coral reef research and restoration projects that will help sustain the abundance and biodiversity of our local reefs into the future.

The Reef Conservation Program

The dive school has always participated in a wide range of conservation projects over the last 14 years, and the New Heaven RCP has been running for two years based on work previously conducted on the island by the Coastal Preservation and Development Foundation (CPAD). The course is designed to give participants a hands-on approach to learning about the coral reef environment and a wide range of research and restoration techniques used by professionals around the world. After finishing the course, participants will have a greater understanding of coral ecosystems and the threats to them, and learn new diving and underwater skills. The course is broken down to accommodate those wishing to stay for a month or only a day. Those who take the longer courses will participate in a wide range of marine and land conservation projects and collect data that will go into the Ecological Monitoring Program database.

Course Information
3-day course

The 3 day course is designed for anybody wishing to learn about marine research and restoration but does not have the time to participate in the long-term projects. Any of the 3 days can be taken independently, but we suggest that all participants attend the lecture on the first day. There is no certification for this course, but interested participants can take two more days ( 3more dives)to become certified by SSI as an Ecological Monitoring Program Diver. All of the course prices include SCUBA equipment, diving, and course materials. The cost is 1,000 baht per day and broken down as follows:

2 Week Course

The 2 week course is designed for those wishing to get more time learning and helping around the island. These divers will be certified by SSI for the Ecological Monitoring Program, and will also receive a certification from New Heaven Dive School. These participants will get more hands-on experience by helping on the current projects with both New Heaven and the Save Koh Tao group. Prices and activities are based on diver skill level, but start at 19,000 baht and include:

Sunday
Introductory meeting, accommodation

Monday
“Intro to Coral Reef Ecology” & “EMP Research Techniques” Lectures, Fish/Invert Survey,

Tuesday
“Intro to Biorock? Technology and research” Lecture, Biorock dive, underwater clean-up

Wednesday
“Intro to Coral Nurseries” Lecture, Assist on mid-water nursery

Thursday
Green Fins Survey, water testing,

Friday
“Assessing Water Quality” lecture, Assist Current Project, Water Testing, Clean-up

Saturday
Off

Sunday
Off

Monday
“EMP Substrate Research” Lecture, Substrate Survey Dive

Tuesday
Biorock dive, underwater clean-up

Wednesday
Mid-Water Coral Nursery

Thursday
Green Fins Survey, water testing, Newsletter

Friday
Assist Current Project, Water Testing, Certification

3 and 4 week Courses

The three week course adds further involvement in current activities and a more in depth understanding of the projects. Generally those staying for the 3 and 4 week courses will work in an internship position on long-term projects that can benefit the island. Those staying 4 weeks will develop an individual project in an area of their chosen interest and be expected to write up short article outlining their work here. Prices start at 28,000 baht for the 3-week and 32,700 baht for the

Course Requirements

Anybody (divers and non-divers) may attend the lectures for the 3-day course, which are taught in English. Participants wishing to make the dives must be an Advanced Diver (or else an Open Water diver with more than 20 dives and good buoyancy skills.) Participants of the longer courses who are not divers are welcomed but will spend the first few days learning to dive before beginning the course (prices and schedule will vary, contact for more information.) Also note that participants must be able to carry a gear bag on and off the boat, ascend stairs, and work outside and should be of physical condition to do so.

Other Activities

Diving is not the only pastime which can be organised through us. If you fancy something different during your stay on the island

YOGA CLASSES
Regular yoga classes are held on
our seaside terrace overlooking the
enchanting Chalok bay. Whether you
are a beginner or an advanced
practioner, join us for peace of mind.
Yoga classes include Asana, Pranayama,
proper relaxation, meditation and yoga
philosophy.
Classes are held in the evening 05:30 P.M - 07:00 P.M

SNORKELING
Not sure if you want to dive, or just want to to take a break from the bubbles? Feel free then to hop on one of our dive boats for some snorkeling or even rent a longtail boat for a snorkeling adventure.

BOAT TRIPS
Boat trips around the island can also be arranged through us. The price is 1,500 baht for the day and can cater for a group of up to 8 people. This fee also includes the use of mask, snorkel and fins. Please let us know one day in advance so that all arrangements came be made to make it a day to remember.

About Koh Tao

Koh Tao, little more than 21 square kms, is located about 70 km east of the coastline between Suratthani and Chumphon, in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao translates as Turtle Island, because in the past the waters teemed with sea turtles.

A BRIEF HISTORY

In the beginning, only the occasional fisherman from neighbouring islands would come to lay over and rest or to seek shelter from storms. From 1933 the island was used as a political prison because of it's distance from the mainland. In 1947, Khun A -Paiwong, Prime Minister at that time, pleaded and received a royal pardon for all prisoners on the island and everybody was removed.

In the same year Khun Ueam and his twin brother Khun Oh reached Koh Tao from the neighbouring island Koh Phangan. At that time, crossing over with a traditional sailboat was long and dangerous. The first generation of today's community had settled! They lived a very simple and tough life harvesting coconuts, fishing and growing vegetables, which were traded with Koh Phangan. Despite the many difficulties in reaching the island, the population grew steadily.

About 15 years ago, the first backpackers arrived from Koh Phangan. Rumours spread quickly about the islands unspoiled beauty, especially it's marine life and coral reefs . At the present time, Koh Tao has evolved into a haven for divers, adventurers, travelers and holidaymakers from around the world. The island's unique blend of coral reefs, natural & unspoiled beauty, and relaxed life-style makes it a 'must-have-seen-it' place!

CLIMATE

Koh Tao is situated in a sub-tropical climate like the rest of Thailand. The island is effected both b NE- and SW- Monsoons. The NE- Monsoon dominates fom the middle of October to the beginning of December, where you can expect heavy rainfall. The SW- Monsoon is mild since Koh Tao is sheltered both by the mainland and the surrounding islets.

Koh Tao is unique since it offers a 10 month high season for travelers to visit and enjoy the beauty of the Island. Peak seasons are from February to April, and again from July to September.

GETTING THERE

Thailand is well known for it's ease of travel. Generally you can leave yourselves in the hands of tour guides who will organise every aspect of your travel needs.

By Air

Bangkok to Koh Samui: Bangkok Airways provides over 10 flights/day. Thai Airways International (02 628-2000) offers daily flight to Suratthani and Koh Samui. See boat transfers for getting to the island.

By Train

Bangkok to Chumphon:For travellers not in a hurry, the train is one of the more pleasant way to travel to Chumphon. Express #85 leaves Bangkok 19:15 daily and arrives in Chumphon between 3:30 and 5:00. 2nd class air conditioned and fan-cooled sleeping carriages and air-conditioned and fan-cooled ordinary carriages available. Ask the conductor to wake you up for Chumporn Station.

By Coach

Bangkok to Chumphon: From Southern Bus Terminal. Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches leave the Southern Bus Terminal for Chumphon from about 09:30 to 22:00 daily. The journey normally takes about seven hours.
Bangkok to Chumphon from Khao San Road: Daily bus & mini bus departures from 20:00-21.00 and arrives in Chumphon at approximately 04:00. Possibly the easiest and most hassle free option.

Boat Transfers

From Koh Samui: Songserm Travel provide a daily boat service which leaves from Na Thorn Pier at 10:30. You can catch a minibus from Koh Samui Airport to Na Thorn Pier. (If you catch the first Bangkok-Koh Samui flight, you should be able to catch this boat)
Lompraya high speed Catamaran provide a daily boat service which leaves from Wat Pra Lan pier at 08:00 and 12.30

From Surat Thani: Songserm Travel which departs from Tha Thong Pier 8:00 - 14:30, 455 baht/trip. Koh Tao-Surat Thani, 10:30 - 16:30
The Night boat which departs from Ban Don Pier.

From Chumphon: Songserm Travel provides a daily boat which leaves Ta Yang Pier at 7:00. They also provide regular buses from Chumphon Train Station to their office (about 1 km) and at 06:30, a bus from their office to the pier in time to catch the 07:00 boat. The journey takes 3 hours.
Lompraya high speed Catamaran provides daily service from Tung Ma Kam Noi Pier at 7:00 and 13:00. They also provide a bus service from Khao San Road to Chumporn leaving daily at 21:00. The journey takes 3 hours.

Accommodation

New Heaven Resort at Thian Og Bay...Click here

New Heaven Huts at Saidaeng Beach...Click here

New Heaven Dive Center - Koh Tao
48 moo 3 Koh tao , KOh Phangan Suratthani 84280. Thailand. TELEPHONE : +66 77 457 045