Scuba Diving for gap year and career break divers

Overview

Join a local marine conservation project on Koh Tao, learning about coral reefs and taking part in reef check dives and other environmental projects.

This programme provides a fantastic combination of getting involved in a hands on way with a small conservation project having a big impact, while diving and living on a beautiful tropical island.

The dive sites vary in depth from just a few metres down to 40 metres. There is no tidal influence and there is little current at most of the sites. The water temperature is always warm, ranging from about 27°C to 31°C. Visibility varies, but on average is around 10 metres. On a good day it can be up to 30 metres.

Common marine life you will encounter includes: large schools of fish – Barracuda, Bat Fish, Trevally; Groupers; Angel Fish; Butterfly Fish; Parrot Fish; Anenome and Clown Fish; Wrasse; Trigger Fish; Moray Eels; Hawksbill Turtles; Blue Spotted Stingrays.

You may also be lucky enough to encounter pelagics (the big open ocean stuff!) like the Whale Shark, the world’s biggest fish, growing up to 8 metres in length. Grey Reef sharks are also regularly spotted (but don’t worry, none of these sharks like humans!).

Itinerary / Schedule

Depending on your current dive level (if any) you will start off by taking the PADI Open Water or Advanced course, before taking part in the conservation work itself.

For the conservation project, you will receive a mix of classroom lectures and practical training and will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities.

You will learn how to perform underwater reef surveys and then help with data collection. This will give you to opportunity to gain knowledge about coral reefs and their inhabitants and you will learn how to identify different fish species and types of coral. You will gain experience working with equipment underwater and also develop your buoyancy and navigation skills.

As well as the data collection, you will have the chance to participate in some of the other projects including transplanting corals onto an artificial reef structure (bio-rock) and local clean-up activities.

Conservation

By increasing awareness and involvement, this project hopes to decrease our impacts on coral reefs and provide solutions to protecting and restoring the reefs around Koh Tao.

The project is lead by a small and friendly dive school (run by a British diver) that is dedicated to the protection of the local environment. It is active on two fronts, surveying the reefs and collecting data, and implementing a range of local environmental initiatives.

For the data collection, a methodology called EMP (Ecological Monitoring Program) is being used as well as Reef Check. This will provide data for local use as well for the Reef Check worldwide data base.

There are also a number of different eco projects underway including: building and maintaining a coral nursery (bio-rock); beach clean ups; land development (tree planting, land cleaning etc); an educational programme with the local school; newsletter and website development. The projects vary by season and depending on the needs and resources at the time.

TOPPS Financial Protection

In the unlikely event of financial failure, subject to the terms and conditions of the Policy, UK customers’ prepayments for non flight inclusive packages will be reimbursed. topp is underwritten by Travel & General Insurance Company plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Protected by Total Payment Protection Policy (topp) under policy no GADL/topp/10/03.

Flights

Flights are not included and they need to be arranged by you. Most people fly from London to Bangkok before continuing with their internal transfers.

Transfers

You are met at Koh Tao but you are required to get there from Bangkok. The best way to get there is by one of two methods of transportation:

1. Internal flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui followed by ferry to Koh Tao
2. Overnight train from Bangkok to Chumpon followed by ferry to Koh Tao

Accommodation

You live on the South side of the island, in a beautiful bay called Chalok Ban Khao. You have your own room in a very attractive and friendly resort just a few minutes walk from the dive school. The rooms have a fan and also have electricity sockets if you want to charge phones etc. The rooms are simple but very comfortable.

Meals

It is self-catered accommodation. We do not provide meals but you will find that eating out and shopping for food is cheap in Koh Tao.

PADI Materials

All PADI materials have been included in this programme if you require diver training.

PADI Fees

PADI Fees are included in this programme if you require PADI diver training.

Standard Prices

Start Dates - 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month*

*You can book any 1st and 3rd Saturday apart from between 1 October - 15 December when the weather is bad.