If you're searching for an unforgettable gap year Thailand is the place to come!

Based on Koh Tao, we offer a range of the best options including scuba diving internships, volunteer marine conservation programs and paid undergraduate summer opportunities.

Our gap year Thailand internships are based on the tropical island of Koh Tao.

The UK Times newspaper has reported that Koh Tao was ranked No.4 on the Lonely Planet's top 10 must-see worldwide destinations.

What’s so special about Koh Tao?
This question is more complicated than you might expect. Although it is widely known that Koh Tao’s diving is among the best in Asia for the health of the reefs and the very high likelihood of spotting the biggest and most elusive fish in the sea- the majestic whaleshark, there are a number of other factors and many intangibles that have resulted in an extraordinary number of seasoned divers and travelers either settling on, or returning to, its welcoming shores time and time again.

For one, the climate is impeccable. While its tropical location ensures frequent welcoming rains to replenish the island’s reservoirs, water table and jungle, the true monsoon season here lasts from just 4-6 weeks allowing for up to 11 months of truly spectacular weather.

Because of the unique geography of the Gulf of Thailand, tidal movements are very mild and the gulf is one of the few places in the world which produces a single movement throughout the day. This results in less complex dive planning and longer windows to hit the dive sites at their peak hours- this is especially useful for technical divers in the area. Also, due to its strategic location along ancient sea routes, the waters are filled with significant historical shipwrecks with more being uncovered all the time. In fact, a number of important finds dating to WWII have been reported in just the last few years alone. The average depth in the Gulf of Thailand is a mere 50 meters which means that the wrecks that are there are well inside technical dive limits and are easily accessible for extensive exploration, and when permitted, salvage operations.

But even the most avid diver spends the vast majority of his time out of the water. It is the topside attractions that have long mesmerized the Koh Tao traveler. With long, stunning white-sand beaches, fantastic sunsets and a very relaxed island vibe, Koh Tao is easily one of the best places on the planet to truly charge the batteries and revitalize the spirit! Lazy beach bars with hammocks and bean bags strewn across them and gentle island rhythms in the background are a great place to pass the time in between dives or to chill out after a demanding training session in the gym.

Treks along the islands jungle paths with stops along the way for a refreshing homemade Thai meal with herbal tea can be a great way to spend a day off. Or you can hit one of the many spas or massage shops for a stress-relieving Thai massage, facial or body wrap to rejuvenate the senses. When the evening rolls around there are a number of great Thai and Western restaurants where you can find anything you like from the best Tom Yum soup, to a perfectly cooked New Zealand fillet to any type of seafood you may fancy. Finally, as the evening turns into the night, a few of those lazy beach bars transform themselves into funky clubs with any number of traveling DJ’s coming through from all over the world to rock the island with the latest in hip-hop, trance and house tunes.

All of this, combined with the renowned hospitality of the island’s gentle, Buddhist inhabitants make Koh Tao a unique island treasure offering something for everyone!

Who takes an internship and why?

For many enrolling in an internship program is a way of satisfying a desire to explore a pursuit which has long captivated them. By enrolling in a structured program, this allows people to define and achieve their own personal limits in a certain discipline while expanding their knowledge base.

Apnea FreeDiving
Our freediving interns have often told us of how they were inspired to become involved in freediving after watching the legendary 1988 Luc Besson movie The Big Blue, or while on holiday in Greece watching the local fishermen freedive down for their meals. Taking a single breath of air and slowly finning your way down to 40 meters while exploring the silent world of the sea, surfacing calmly minutes later, is something that only a handful of people on the planet will ever experience. Having the ability to do so, in full knowledge that your training and fortitude has prepared you, is truly awe-inspiring.

Muay Thai Boxing
The motivations for enrolling in a Muay Thai internship are many and varied. Among other things, they come to engage in a storied and culturally eye-opening art form, reshape their bodies into their personal ideals by employing discipline and hard work, or even to face their fears by taking on a real opponent in the ring in a true-to-life blood sport.

Divemaster/ Instructor Diving Internships
For the dive interns, the driving force is undoubtedly a love of the aquatic world and a desire to have a positive effect on the environment. Countless hours have been spent on undersea documentary film-making and the likes of National Geographic, the BBC, the Discovery Channel and David Attenborough have stretched many people’s imaginations and sense of wonderment, setting into motion a chain of events which has resulted in untold numbers of people wanting to explore the hidden treasures of the sea. Fulfilling a professional-level diver training course and becoming a conduit for introducing others to a new and exciting world is without a doubt one of the most gratifying work experiences most will ever have.

Underwater Videography Training
Our underwater videography internship trainees tell us of discovering a fantastic way to combine, and make a career of, what to many people are two of their great passions in life- diving and filming. Many of the people who come to us for underwater video training are already quite experienced divers who are looking to try something new in diving or who want to be able to document their dives while satisfying an urge for creative expression. Others are experienced with cameras to some degree, and have found a way to express themselves and their work in a totally unfamiliar environment. They relish dealing with the subtleties of applying the information to filming in surroundings which introduce so many more variables than land-based operations. However, the vast majority of our videography trainees has little to no experience in diving or filming, but possesses an uncanny interest in both.

Marine Conservation Volunteer
These interns have a highly developed sense of social responsibility and a passionate desire to be a positive influence in the protection and proper management of our marine resources. They generally have a scientific background (though not required) and are comfortable in the collection and tabulation of information for submission to a number of environmental agencies. Their appreciation for the marine realm is a tangible expression of themselves.

Technical Diver
For those enrolled on our technical dive internships (be aware, these people are not altogether ‘normal’), the main motivations are many, but high on everyone’s list are the opportunities to push their own physical limits and gain a sense of their ability to be self-reliant. Because tech diving has many inherent dangers, people’s problem-solving abilities and cool-headedness are at a premium. The adventure of entering a sunken Japanese warship submerged in 60+ meters of water in limited visibility does not appeal to everyone, but for the odd few (and we do mean ‘odd’), it can be the ultimate thrill.

Adventure… Education… Environment… Employment
To many, the allure of a Koh Tao internship is that it allows for a longer term immersion in a new culture while gaining valuable experience in an area of personal interest. Most of these programs will give valuable, hands-on experience which can be applied to a number of traditional career opportunities (Environmental, Fitness, Video, Teaching…) and many colleges and universities will allow students to complete our internships for credit towards a degree. For help with this, just contact Gary and Darius and they can be in touch with your college counselor, dean or department head.

In today’s tough economic times, loads of people are realizing that a prolonged job search while living in an expensive city like London may well lead to financial ruin. Alternatively, a few months internship which helps to develop job skills while living cheaply in paradise is increasingly seen as a wise investment. In addition, today’s employers see real value in a prospect’s adventurous spirit, and living overseas is a testament to the ability to embrace new challenges. The qualities that will ensure your success on our programs are by no coincidence the same that will ensure success in any job, and in life. Not to mention, you may also find that your true calling lies somewhere totally unexpected.

People have long been taking a gap year at some point in their lives to go on an overseas adventure, explore new cultures and open their eyes to the wider world around them. Our interns combine this travel with a few months of guided training which will further enrich their experience.

All of our internship programs are centered on an extensive schedule and require a sense of discipline and self-respect while also demanding a certain amount of creativity and flexibility. These programs offer, by far, the best value for money in terms of adventure, education and environmental awareness of any in Asia.

Scuba Diving Internships Thailand:

Beginner to PADI Divemaster Internship [2 months] = 148,000 Baht
Koh Tao Diving Internship includes:
• All PADI Diving courses
• Transfer from Bangkok to Koh Tao
• Your own set of pro scuba gear to keep
• Mobile phone with pre-programmed Sim
• All PADI Materials
• 2 months mountain bike rental
• All certification fees
• Post internship job placement service
• 2 months accommodation

Scuba Diving Internships Thailand Overview
Whether pursuing scuba diving as a career or just looking for an exciting gap year, working as a PADI Divemaster is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding jobs available in diving. Even better, becoming a PADI Divemaster gives you a ticket to travel, allowing you to live and work in the world’s most exotic locations.

During this PADI Divemaster internship you’ll train to become an expert level diver, exploring Koh Tao’s amazing aquatic realm of tropical coral reefs, diverse marine life, sunken ship wrecks and isolated deep sea pinnacles. You’ll gain lots of skills and experience, and can expect to meet people from all over the world making lots of new friends and having a great time along the way. By the time you graduate as a PADI Divemaster, you’ll be a valued member of our diving crew, taking on real responsibility and dealing with customers.

PADI Divemaster Internship structure
This Koh Tao PADI Divemaster internship sequentially follows PADI’s dive courses step by step from beginner through to PADI Divemaster.

Between each course you can make unlimited 'fun dives' increasing your diving experience and further perfecting the scuba skills you've learned, such as underwater navigation and buoyancy control.

The scuba diving internships Thailand package includes absolutely everything you need to become a competent dive professional, with no ‘hidden extras’.

Specifically what’s included?
• Transfer from Bangkok to Koh Tao, including welcome at Koh Tao pier by one of our managers
• All PADI courses from beginner to PADI Divemaster [already a certified diver? – click here]
• Your own set of professional scuba diving equipment to keep
• All course materials and certification fees
• 2 months accommodation on tropical Koh Tao
• Unlimited dives for the duration of your 9 week diving internship – expect to log more than 100 dives!
• Mobile phone with Thai SIM card, pre-programmed with numbers of Thailand Gap Internship staff
• 2 months motorbike or mountain bike rental

PADI Courses
The Koh Tao PADI Divmaster internship follows PADI’s diving education system – we work through the courses as follows: [If you’re already a certified diver we can give you credit for the courses you’ve already completed – click here for details]

Step 1: PADI Open Water course
Learn how to scuba dive safely, to a maximum depth of 18M [60 feet].

Step 2: PADI Advanced Open Water course
Build on your diving skills and knowledge, diving right down to 30M [100 ft] and accessing new areas of diving such as underwater navigation, night diving, fish ID and more.

Step 3: PADI Emergency First Response and Rescue Diver
Up till now you’ve been focusing on your own scuba diving skills – now it’s time to think about everyone else. Learn how to prevent accidents before they happen, manage emergencies and execute effective rescues.

Step 4: PADI Divemaster
The first professional level in diving, the PADI Divemaster course is where your diving internship steps up a gear - tyou'll be assuming leadership responsibilities for diving activies.

Expect to be guiding certified divers on underwater tours, assisting with student divers in training, organizing dive boat logistics and giving guidance to less experienced divers

Scuba Diving Equipment with your PADI Divemaster Internship

As part of our scuba diving internships Thailand package you’ll receive your own full set of professional scuba diving equipment, to keep.

That will include mask/snorkel, diving fins/booties, balanced regulator set, buoyancy control device [BCD], dive computer, wetsuit/rash vest booties, dive knife, safety marker buoy, whistle, underwater slate, pocket mask, compass, dry bag and dive bag.

Course materials and certification fees
The PADI Divemaster internship includes your own copies of the PADI manuals for each of the courses you’ll be undertaking, plus all certification fees. There are no hidden extras.

Specifically, you’ll get the PADI Open Water manual, PADI Adventures in Diving manual, EFR manual, PADI Rescue Diver Manual, PADI Divemaster Manual, Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving, Diving Knowledge Workbook, Recreational Dive Planner [table version] and electronic Recreational Dive Planner – absolutely everything you need!

Scuba Diving Internships Thailand Accommodation
For the full duration of your 2 month scuba diving internship we’ll provide you with clean, comfortable accommodation close to the dive shop. This will be your own bungalow with 24 hour electricity, electric fan, double bed (or two twins if you want to save money and come with a friend) and western bathroom with shower.

All the other people staying at the accommodation are either dive professionals [Instructors or PADI Divemasters working on Koh Tao], or are scuba diving interns in the same position as yourself. The accommodation we use is both secure and social.

What’s involved in a typical day of the PADI Divemaster internship?
PADI Diving courses involve three areas of training – knowledge development, learning new skills, and mastering them in the ocean. We arrange the internship so that we’ll be continually working through each, keeping you on target to graduate as a PADI Divemaster and getting you out diving as much as possible.

Each day our dive boats offer two morning dives and two afternoon dives, with night dives being run several times a week. Although it’s possible to make 4 or 5 dives a day, we advise that you stick to two, otherwise you’ll end up becoming very tired and start having to shorten your dives in accordance with safe diving practices [which you’ll learn about during the PADI Open Water course].
When you’re not in the water, we’ll be running through the theory side of each course, teaching you about important diving principles and giving you the depth of knowledge you need to be an excellent dive professional.

Evening time, you can enjoy Thailand’s fantastic cuisine with a few cold beers in one of Koh Tao’s laid back beach bars and restaurants.
The internship structure is flexible – you can take a day off whenever you want. All we ask is that you give us some notice, rather than simply not turning up for scheduled activities.

What will the PADI Divemaster qualification allow me to do? What are my options?

A PADI Divemaster can guide certified divers on underwater tours, conduct scuba reviews for divers who have been out of action for an extended period, and assist in the training of new divers.

In Thailand, most Divemasters earn money by organizing dive boat logistics [equipment, briefing divers etc] and guiding certified divers.

Koh Tao is a very busy dive destination so there are many opportunities available – you just need to apply yourself. You won't become a millionaire by working as a PADI Divemaster on Koh Tao, but can cover your living expenses whilst enjoying a fantastic lifestyle.

In addition, because PADI is the biggest diver training agency worldwide, your qualification as a PADI Divemaster allows you to travel and work in some of the world’s most beautiful locations.

As very experienced PADI Professionals, the managers of Thailand Gap Internships have a network of contacts throughout Thailand and South-East Asia, so can help place you in your first paid position.

Otherwise you could make the step up to PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor - the most in-demand dive professionals, and significantly increase your earning potential. This involves taking a 17 day PADI Instructor Development Course which runs every month here on Koh Tao.

Another option would be to try a specialized diving activity such as professional underwater videography or technical diving.

Or you could get involved in a volunteer marine conservation program here on Koh Tao, and do your bit to conserve the fragile marine environment.

6 week Volunteer Marine Conservation Program

PADI Dive training + Marine Conservation program = 120,000 Baht

Our marine conservation internship includes:
• PADI dive courses from beginner to PADI Rescue Diver
• Bangkok to Koh Tao transfer
• Very detailed coral reef conservation and management training
• Mobile phone with Thai sim card
• Involvement in local marine conservation projects
• Mountain bike rental to get around
• All course materials and certifications
• Rental of all scuba diving equipment
• 6 weeks accommodation

Overview
Did you know that…

- the Earth’s tallest mountain is, in fact, Mauna Kea. With its base on the on the ocean floor it reaches its summit almost a full mile beyond Mount Everest’s?

- the Earth’s longest waterfall can be found in the Denmark Strait and consists of a slow cascade of water which travels downwards for more than 2 miles- almost 5 times the length of Venezuela’s famed Angel Falls?

- blue fin tuna and penguins are among the world’s fastest animals traveling at speeds of up to 90kmh?

- recent evidence suggests that there are giant squid prowling our oceans’ depths today which are as big as, or even bigger than, the largest known animal ever to roam the Earth, the blue whale?

- 24 men have traveled to the Moon and back, but only two have been to the deepest point in our ocean… almost 50 years ago?

- our oceans provide most of the oxygen we breathe and absorb half of the carbon pollutants we produce?

- coral has been used to replace bone grafts in the surgery room to help bones heal quickly and cleanly?

- each day, almost everyone in the world comes into contact with dozens of products which use substances cultivated from the sea?

- in 20 years some estimates say that half of the world’s coral reefs will be gone?

- some estimates put that date much sooner...?

- Despite all these facts, very little is being done globally to help protect the aquatic environment from the increased stress of over-development, over-fishing and pollution.

Want to be a part of the solution?
As scientific evidence mounts, the importance of the world’s oceans is coming into ever-clearer focus. In an attempt to bring to light how intricately our human activities are so enmeshed with the environment and ecology, we have developed a number of Asia’s most extensive eco dive internships.

In the course of the internships, our students will learn ways of identifying the health of and threats to the marine environment, get hands-on experience in techniques for monitoring and quantifying the condition of the reefs in accordance with Reef Check methodology and discuss ways that each individual can contribute on a personal level to the over-all health of our aquatic world.

Having been at the center of Asia’s dive industry for the better part of the last 2 decades, Koh Tao is in a unique position to shed some light on the environmental impacts of diving and tourism on the underwater environment.

Human-based land activity, such as development and waste disposal have long been known to adversely affect the undersea world, but to what extent? And what, if any, are the ecological benefits of tourism to the marine realm? Find the answers to these questions and many more by completing a guided eco dive internship at the island’s foremost training facility for the environmentally aware.

Our volunteer marine conservation program will allow you to explore the myriad relationships of the underwater world and how our increasing encroachment affects the aquatic environment. It will also focus on ways in which we can use our presence in that environment to institute long-term solutions and help us to manage our activities in accordance with the health and sustainability of our most precious resource…

Structure
Our marine conservation internship combines both comprehensive scuba diving training and in depth marine conservation studies and field work. No previous diving experience is necessary.

First we’ll give you the skills and knowledge necessary to function as a safe, competent and environmentally responsible diver. Then we’ll get stuck into the marine conservation program, looking at fish identification, marine resource management, reef mapping and Reef Check surveys, plus work on local marine conservation projects.

This volunteer marine conservation program brings together the world’s leading diver training agency – PADI, with internationally recognized conservation groups – the Reef Check Foundation, Project Aware, Bio-Rock [artificial reef program] plus other reef restoration methods.

By joining this program you’ll be sure to have an incredible 6 weeks! Let’s look at exactly what’s involved:

What’s Included
Training
Part 1: PADI Scuba Diving Courses
- PADI Open Water Diver – Learn to Dive
Includes scuba diving theory, confined water skills and 4 open water dives down to a maximum depth of 18 meters. You’ll become familiar using scuba gear, learn safe diving practices and get used to controlling your buoyancy underwater.

- PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty
Perfect buoyancy control is critical if you’re to avoid damaging delicate corals as you survey the reef. This 2 dive workshop helps you hone you buoyancy control to perfection.

- PADI Advanced Open Water
Extend your diving skills and experience into new and exciting areas with the Advanced Course. Get certified right down to 30 metres during the deep dive, try night diving and master underwater navigation and more…

- Emergency First Response and Rescue Diver
Become more self sufficient, and learn to anticipate and prevent problems before they happen with the PADI Rescue course. You’ll also learn techniques to deal with surface and underwater problems, and cover the important steps in managing an emergency. Essential preparation for performing marine conservation work.

Part 2: Marine Conservation Training and Projects
Now you’ll get stuck into a very detailed program, giving you an insight into marine resource management, coral reef monitoring and giving you the chance to work on specific coral reef restoration and management projects. Here are the components of the program:

- Project Aware - Fish Identification
We kick off with an introduction to the local marine life of Koh Tao, learning to identify aquatic species, and understanding more about the local environment.

- PADI Marine Resource Management Course
Next, we take a detailed look at marine resource management from the perspective of the diving industry, involving a mix of theoretical work and practical application.

We’ll focus on the ecology and biology of coral reefs, the worldwide state of tropical reefs and problems facing them and on promoting sustainable diving practices. This will involve interactive lectures, water analysis and coral reef monitoring.

- Reef Check Ecodiver Course
With tropical coral reefs under ever-increasing pressures, we need a consistent, reliable means of monitoring the condition of the reef, giving us the chance to take action when something is going wrong.

Setup in 1996, the L.A. based Reef Check Foundation has developed internationally recognized techniques to survey and report the condition of tropical coral reefs.

Survey findings are fed back to a centralized database which corroborates data from marine conservation volunteers in over 90 countries worldwide. This gives scientists the opportunity to see the bigger picture, leading to solutions to help coral reefs across the globe.

We’ll teach you how to perform reef checks and report your data by entry into the Reef Check Foundation database. We’ll undertake a mix of interactive presentations where you learn to identify fish, invertebrates and substrates, followed by practical application out on the coral reefs around Koh Tao. This will involve real field work, plus a short test to verify your understanding.

- Reef Mapping Project
Detailed reef mapping requires extensive planning, time and expertise. We’ll examine different approaches to mapping coral reefs, considering both large area methods, and creating detailed smaller area maps.

You’ll apply what you’ve learned to devise an approach to mapping an area of Koh Tao’s underwater reefs. Then we’ll get our dive gear on and head out to the water to execute your plan, producing a detailed and useful record of the reef.

Work on local marine conservation and reef restoration projects
As part of your scuba diving internship you’ll get involved in specific programs designed to improve Koh Tao’s coral reef biodiversity and health.

This will involve examining the use of Bio-Rock artificial reef technology plus other reef restoration projects, including coral propagation research and coral nurseries.

You'll also work on wider diving community projects, such as coordinating beach and underwater clean-up days, getting all the dive shops and local businesses involved.

Materials and Certifications
This volunteer marine conservation program includes absolutely everything you need – there are no hidden extras.

You’ll get all the required course materials:
• PADI Open Water manual
• PADI Adventures in Diving Manual
• Emergency First Responder Manual
• PADI Rescue Diver Manual
• Project Aware “Our World, Our Water” Specialty Manual
• Log Binder
• Reef Check Crew Pack and CD Rom

And certifications for each of the courses:
• PADI Open Water diver
• PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty
• PADI Advanced Open Water
• Emergency First Responder and PADI Rescue Diver
• PADI Marine Resource Management
• PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty
• Reef Check Ecodiver
• Certificate in Reef Mapping

Scuba Diving Equipment
Rental of all required scuba diving equipment is included in the cost of this scuba diving internship.

If you wish to purchase your own set of scuba gear, we can sort out a package at exceptionally attractive rates – contact us for more information.

Accommodation
To make sure you’re comfortable for the duration of the internship, we’ll provide you with clean, comfortable accommodation close to the dive shop. This will be your own room with double bed, 24 electricity, fan and en-suite bathroom with western toilet and shower.

The accommodation has a great location with everything you need within very close walking distance – shops, bars and restaurants, banks and ATM machines, the dive school and the beach.

Bike and Mobile Phone
Even though your accommodation is situated close to everything you need, it’s nice to have the freedom to explore the rest of this amazing island. We’ll provide you with a mountain bike, to help you get around.

And to make sure you stay connected, we’ll give you a mobile phone with Thai Sim card. This will be pre-programmed with the numbers of the managers of Thailand Gap Internships, and the course supervisors conducting your training. So if you ever need any help or advice, we’re just a call away.

Bangkok-Koh Tao Transfer
Finally, to make your life easy we’ll arrange your transfer from Bangkok to Koh Tao. This will be by comfortable air conditioned coach [with western movies] and high speed catamaran, direct to Koh Tao where one of our managers will meet you at the pier, giving you a warm welcome to Koh Tao!

Beginner to PADI Instructor [6+ months] = 295,000 Baht

Instructor Diving Internship includes:
• All PADI scuba diving courses (Open Water- OW Scuba Instructor)
• Full transfer from Bangkok to Koh Tao
• Your own full set of professional scuba equipment (brand name, brand new equipment)
• Mobile phone with Thai SIM card
• All PADI manuals and materials • Mountain bike rental
• All PADI certification and membership fees
• Work placement service
• 7 months accommodation

Scuba Diving Internship Overview
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors are the most in-demand dive professionals on the planet! What could be more rewarding than teaching people to dive on a tropical island and getting paid for it!

Whether pursuing scuba diving as a long-term career or simply as a great way to spend your gap year, training to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor will open up many exciting opportunities. And you’ll be certain to have excitement and adventure along the way!

This all-inclusive 7 month scuba diving internship includes absolutely everything you need to proceed from beginner through to PADI Instructor.

Structure
Over the course of 7 months, you’ll progress from beginner through PADI’s diver education system, completing dive training in sequence and building up scuba diving experience and skills.

As part of the internship you have access to unlimited diving so can expect to log hundreds of dives, becoming an expert-level diver and getting to check out the amazing coral reefs and marine life around Koh Tao Thailand.

By the end of the 7 month scuba diving internship, you’ll be a competent and confident scuba diving professional, qualified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) which allows you teach PADI courses right up to and including Divemaster level.

Let’s take a detailed look at exactly what’s included:

What’s included?
PADI Diving courses
The route through to Dive Instructor involves completing PADI courses in sequence. Between each course you can ‘fun dive’ as much as you want, enjoying non-training dives to practice and master the you’ve skills learned.

Here’s a brief description of the PADI courses we’ll be moving through during the diving internship:

PADI Open Water diver
Get comfortable using a set of scuba gear, enjoying dives down to a max depth of 18 metres, and learning about safe diving practices. Starts with diving theory, followed by shallow water skills before moving to the ocean for progressively deeper dives, where you’ll get to check out the amazing Koh Tao dive sites.

PADI Advanced Open Water
The PADI Advanced Open Water course builds on the basics learned during the Open Water course, introducing new areas of diving. You’ll dive deeper [right down to 30 meters], start to practice underwater navigation using a compass and timing device, experience night diving and more. Lots of fun!

Emergency First Response and PADI Rescue Diver
Until this point your dive training has focused on making you a better diver. Now it’s time to start thinking about everything else. After a dry CPR/First Aid session, the Rescue Diver course deals with tackling common diver problems – anticipating and preventing problems before they occur, and dealing with them whenever necessary.

We cover rescue scenarios such as problems at the surface [tired/panicked diver], underwater problems [buoyancy, overexertion, how to execute search patterns] and overall emergency management. The course concludes with Final Scenarios, where out on the dive boat, the staff simulates lots of problems which you’ll have to respond to.

PADI Divemaster
The first professional level in the PADI diver education system, PADI Divemaster is where we step up a gear. Divemaster is where you make the transition from being just another diver, to someone that people look up to, in a leadership position. The course has many requirements including developing expert level theory, organizing boat logistics and delivering briefings, watermanship and stamina exercises, underwater problem solving, plus assisting instructors when they’re teaching students.

You learn to demonstrate basic diving skills to perfection, and become a role-model for other divers. Plus by the end of the course you’ll be confident guiding certified divers on underwater tours, including taking out real day-to-day customers.
Read more on the PADI Divemaster course

PADI Instructor Development Course and PADI Instructor Examination
The PADI Instructor Development Course [IDC] is awesome! This is a 17 day intensive programme which raises your level to perfection, and prepares you to teach diving. The course includes theory, learning to give academic presentations, delivering confined [shallow] water sessions and finally controlling open water diver training.

The course gets you performing to exacting standards, ready for the PADI Instructor Examination. External examiners travel to Koh Tao from PADI HQ in Australia to make sure everyone meets the required standard. It’s a three-day schedule, following which, once you graduate as a PADI Instructor there’ll be a lot of celebrating!

Equipment
Your internship package includes your own full set of professional scuba diving gear – everything you need to work as a dive professional, and all new, brand name equipment. Specifically you’ll get:

Fins, wetsuit booties, mask, snorkel, shorty wetsuit or rash vest, Suunto Gekko Dive Computer, BCD, balanced 1st/2nd and Octopus regulator set, underwater slate, dive knife, underwater compass, Safety Market Buoy, pocket mask, whistle, dry bag (15 or 20-litre) and gear bag to keep it all in.

Materials and certification fees
You also get your own copy of absolutely all the PADI materials you need for your diving courses. Here’s the list:

PADI Open Water Manual, PADI Adventures in Diving Manual, Emergency First Response Manual, PADI Rescue Diver Manual, Divemaster Manual, Recreational Dive Planner – table version, e-RDP Multi-Level Electronic Dive Planner, Diving Knowledge Workbook, Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving, Divemaster Slates, PADI Instructor Manual [paper version or CD], PADI IDC Candidate workbook, Instructor Slates and Lesson Presentation Cue Cards, PADI exam booklets.

Accommodation
For the duration of the diving internship we’ll sort you out with comfortable accommodation.

This will be your own room with double bed if you're on your own or twin beds if you're traveling with a friend, en-suite, western bathroom – 24 hour power, electric fan and shower. There will be other interns staying in the resort so it is nice socially, and only a very short walk from the dive shop. Everything you need [shops, ATM, beach, bars and restaurants] is in very short walking distance – just 1-2 minutes away.

What’s a Typical Day like
All PADI diving courses involve a mix of scuba diving theory, learning new skills, and mastering them in the open water environment.

We organize our scuba diving internships so that we rotate through a mix of each, so the program is enjoyable and exciting, and you progress at a steady pace.

Each day we schedule two dives in the morning [from about 07:30 till midday] then two dives in the afternoon [from 12:30 till around 5pm], with night dives also running several times per week.

Usually, we’ll stick to making two or three dives per day [else you’ll end up getting very tired and may have to shorten your bottom times due to cumulative nitrogen build up – we’ll teach you about that]. When you’re in the water we’ll be working on the other components of your courses.

In between your diving courses, you’re welcome to take a bit of a break and just enjoy some fun dives, exploring the coral reefs and pinnacles and practicing your underwater navigation skills. As part of the diving internship you have access to unlimited dives, so you’d be crazy not to take advantage!!

You can take a day off pretty much whenever you want. All that we ask is that you let us know in advance so we can organise the schedule accordingly.

What can I do after?
Once you qualify as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor you have a massive range of options open to you.

The most obvious is to work as a dive instructor, teaching people to scuba dive. Koh Tao is a very busy diving destination, with lots of diver training going on, so there are many opportunities to work around the island – so long as you apply yourself and have the right personality you shouldn’t find it hard to get work. When our shops are busy and need help, we have a policy of employing our dive internship graduates ourselves.

Similarly, if you want to travel and work in diving elsewhere, we have contacts through South East Asia so will be able to point you in the right direction. Our Course Directors have been working inthe industry for ages and have trained people who are now working in diving all over the world as shop owners, resort managers and support staff.

Another option is to build up teaching experience under the guidance of our seasoned instructors, by taking your PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Internship. With this program, you team teach your first 25 certifications, learning teaching techniques and procedures from our highly experienced staff. During this time you’ll develop your own teaching style and get certified as a Specialty Instructor in 5 different specialties of your choice [such as Deep, Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx), equipment maintenance etc], making you a lot more employable.

If you don’t want to go straight into teaching there are a number of other alternatives. You could check out one of the specialized branches of diving such as professional underwater videography and photography or technical diving, or you could get involved in one of our volunteer marine conservation programs.

Or, if you want to see the rest of incredible South East Asia, Koh Tao is a great starting point – Malaysia and Singapore to the south, Laos, Cambodia and Burma to the north, or even jump on a short low-cost flight down to Indonesia.

Underwater Videograper Internship [2 months] = 170,000 Baht

Our Underwater Videography Internship includes:
• All PADI dive courses and videography training
• Bangkok to Koh Tao transfer
• Your own set of diving gear plus rental of all video equipment
• Thai mobile phone
• All required manuals and course materials
• Mountain bike rental
• All certification fees
• Post internship work placement service
• 2 months accommodation

Overview
There are many professions within the scuba diving industry, but none more exciting than underwater videography.
In Koh Tao [and elsewhere], professional underwater videographers earn a living by capturing amazing underwater experiences on film, highlighting the underwater world of coral reefs, deep sea pinnacles and stunning marine life.

Just imagine joining a group of novice divers for the last two dives of their PADI course – capturing their experiences on film and documenting their underwater exploration of Koh Tao’s tropical coral reefs. Being able to edit the footage to produce a professional movie and then screening your film to the appreciation of the divers.

This scuba diving internship makes this possible, combining dive courses, underwater videography training and selling and presentation skills, giving you all the tools you need to work as a professional underwater videographer.

Even if you don’t plan to pursue diving as a long term career, this diving internship is an exciting and rewarding opportunity, where you’ll learn a lot, and really enjoy the challenge.

Structure
No previous diving experience or qualifications are necessary – these scuba diving internships include absolutely everything you need to work as a professional underwater videographer.

The internship is built in three parts.

First you’ll complete regular PADI scuba diving courses, from beginner through to PADI Rescue diver, turning you into a safe, confident and competent scuba diver.

Next, it’s onto the underwater videography training phase, where you’ll be put through an intensive learning curve. You’ll develop the skills and techniques required to capture and edit professional underwater movies.

Finally, this scuba diving internship concludes with the best bit – a paid underwater videography internship, during which time you’ll go out and film real customers, and get paid each time you produce and sell an underwater movie.

Let’s take a detailed look at exactly what’s included and involved:

What’s included:

- Training and courses

Phase 1: Scuba Diving courses
To help you become a safe, competent diver, this diving internship starts by running through entry level PADI courses as follows.

PADI Open Water course
The open water course introduces scuba diving basics including scuba diving theory and safe diving practices. You'll learn scuba diving skills in shallow water, then further practice them and learning to control your buoyancy in open water, as your explore Koh Tao's coral reefs over the course of four open water training dives.

PADI Advanced Diving course
The PADI Advanced course involves five more training dives which introduce new and exciting areas of diving. This includes the deep dive right down to 30 metres, an underwater navigation dive where you’ll practice utilizing observation skills to help naturally navigate a divesite as well as how to use a compass underwater to find your way, plus other optional dives such as photography, underwater naturalist, night diving, dive propulsion vehicle and more...

PADI Emergency First Response and Rescue Diver
Here the emphasis shifts to considering other divers in addition to yourself.

The EFR course grounds you in identifying and responding with Basic Life Support techniques for topside emergencies, whereas the Rescue course allows you to apply those tools to in water rescues. The focus of the Rescue course is on anticipating and preventing potential problems before they occur, and responding effectively when required. Rescue training encompasses many areas such as self rescue techniques and self sufficiency [critical to working as a videographer], dealing with problems at the surface, tackling underwater problems and overall emergency management.

You’ll really learn a lot!

In addition to these dive courses, we’ll encourage you to make ‘fun dives’ between your courses, allowing you to further practice your diving skills such as buoyancy control and navigation – both critical to the next phase of the diving internship. We require that you log at least 50 dives before we proceed to the next stage of your training….

Phase 2: Underwater videography Training
Now the diving internship steps up a gear with your intensive underwater videography training. Over the course of two weeks, you’ll work mostly 1-on-1 with one of our experienced underwater videographers, perfecting the skills you need to function as a professional underwater videographer [and have lots of fun]!

Training includes a mix of theory, filming on land and 12 training dives. Specifically we'll cover topics such as:

- Maintenance, care and handling of underwater video equipment
- Use of camera on land
- Safe diving practices whilst filming
- Focus and white balance
- Shot types, lengths and camera moves
- Developing a story line, story board and sequencing
- Editing and producing the movie [high performance PC with Adobe Premier]
- Sales techniques

As part of the course you'll get a copy of our training manual which gives detail on all these skills and techniques.

Throughout the videography training you’ll get lots of feedback and advice from our pros, before the final and most exciting phase of the course . . .

Phase 3: Underwater videography paid internship
Now it’s time to put your skills and training to the test during a paid underwater videography internship.
We hold contracts with five of the busiest dive schools on Koh Tao – as part of this diving internship you’ll be working on those contracts.
You won’t be on your own – you’ll still be under the guidance of our seasoned underwater videographers so will have a source of information and advice, but you will be given genuine responsibility.

It’s hard work and long hours, but exceptionally rewarding and satisfying – an opportunity to have a truly unique experience. Here’s what to expect:

Up early, you’ll need to prepare your camera and dive equipment, and pack your gear bag ready for the morning dives. Then it’s off to the dive shop to meet and greet today’s customers, together with their dive instructors. Everything gets loaded onto the dive boat and you’ll head out to the Koh Tao dive sites, making two dives – usually the final two dives of the open water course.

The objective is to capture the customers experience on film, both above an below the water. Underwater you’ll film them exploring the dive site, collecting shots of the amazing tropical marine life while focusing on them completing the training elements of the course. There’s really two important components – getting quality shots of the marine life and aquatic environment, and getting the customers face on the film, preferably smiling! On the boat you’ll video wider aspects of their experience – group shots, equipment assembly, dive briefings, tropical island scenery – everything to make your movie into a proper story.

Once both dives are completed you’ll return to Koh Tao, usually around midday. Then it’s a dash to the office to capture the film from the camera to a high performance PC. This usually takes the same duration as the footage you filmed, so you can make use of this break by grabbing a quick bite to eat!

Then it’s back to work, editing your raw footage into a finished product. You’ll work using Adobe Premier, adding an appropriate soundtrack, and cropping and adjusting clips to produce a professional movie.

Once that’s done it’s time to burn the movie to DVD, and if everything’s gone well, you’ll have a couple of hours to relax.

At a pre-arranged time that evening, you’ll meet up with the customers and instructor in one of Koh Tao’s bustling beach bars, where you’ll screen your movie for the eagerly awaiting audience! Obviously it’s in the interest of the bars to have people drinking and socializing in their establishment, so many have invested in expensive wide screen projectors and sound systems which you’ll use to show your movie. You’ll be sure to get a real buzz, as you playback your movie for the customers [usually enjoyed with a few cold beers, courtesy of the appreciative students!].

Then it’s selling time – you’ll give the customers the opportunity to purchase a copy of the video – hopefully they go for it. For each copy that you sell you’ll earn 500 baht*.

It’s a long day, involving a mix of technical and people skills, but the end result is very rewarding.

Now let’s get back to what else is included:

Equipment
As part of the scuba diving internship you’ll receive a full set of scuba diving equipment, yours to keep. This will be quality brand name equipment. Specifically, you’ll receive:

Buoyancy control device [BCD], balanced regulator set, dive computer, short wetsuit/rash vest [water is 30?C], mask/snorkel, professional open heel fins/booties, dive knife, safety marker buoy, whistle, underwater slate, underwater compass, dry bag and a gear bag to put it all in.

The quality of this gear is all professional, the same as a dive shop uses. If you want to spend a little extra and upgrade specific items we’re happy to help – we can run you through the options once you arrive on Koh Tao.

Professional underwater videography equipment is very expensive. Rather than including your own full rig, we’ll provide you with a set to use, which will be professionally maintained by ourselves. We use robust Gates and Aquatica underwater housings, and Sony HD cameras.

If you want to buy your own rig, we’re happy to give advice and line up a great deal.

Materials
This diving internship includes all the materials required during your training. Specifically:

PADI Open Water manual, PADI Recreational Dive Planner – table version, PADI Adventures in Diving manual, Emergency First Response manual, PADI Emergency Management Slate, PADI Rescue Diver manual and Oceans Below Underwater Videography handbook.

Accommodation
For the duration of the internship we’ll provide you with clean, comfortable accommodation, close to the training centre on Sairee Beach. This will be your own place with double bed, 24-hour electricity and fan, en-suite western bathroom with shower. This will be within close walking distance of everything you need – shops, ATMs, bars, restaurants, the beach etc.

What Next?
Koh Tao is a very busy dive destination, so if you want to apply your videography training to make a living, you shouldn’t find it too difficult to pick up paid work.

We have a policy of trying to employ our best diving internship graduates – opportunities depend on how busy we are and what existing staff are already employed, but openings do occur on a regular basis.

We also have good working relationships with other videography companies on the island, and with dive operators throughout Thailand, so will be able to point you in the right direction wherever you want to go.