Scuba Diving for gap year and career break divers

Overview

Discover a different side to diving, working alongside professional videographers. Learn how to film dive students and marine life, and then edit the film into short 'dive movies'.

The videographer course is completed over 2-4 weeks and includes:

- shadowing a professional videographer
- coaching on dive skills such as buoyancy
- making underwater videos (alongside an experienced videographer)
- editing videos

This programme provides a fascinating combination of exploring the underwater environment while discovering a different side to diving and developing new skills that you can use for leisure or employment. It also gives you the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic island lifestyle 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

Our programmes take you from your current dive level (if any) up to Rescue Diver to ensure you have the skills and safety to start the Videographer course. You will then spend 2-4 weeks (28 dives) making underwater video, filming dive students and marine life in the mornings and editing in the afternoons.

Diving is very social and there is a big dive community on the island so you will usually find yourself rounding off the day with everyone heading to the dive school bar to watch the sunset and the day’s dive video, before eating at one of the many restaurants. There are also plenty of bars and venues for late night island fun!

Filming

The underwater videographer course is completed over 3 weeks and includes:

- shadowing the professional videographers
- coaching on dive skills such as buoyancy
- making underwater videos (alongside an experienced videographer)
- editing videos

The equipment used includes:
- Sony Mini DV cameras/3 mega pixel with Ikelite & Gates underwater Housings
- Adobe Premiere editing software.

Usually you will dive and film in the mornings and then edit in the afternoons. This course includes 28 dives.

To participate in the videography course you will need to be at least a PADI Rescue diver so all our programmes include dive training to take you to this level before starting the videography course.

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

Accommodation is provided for the duration of your stay in the Mae Haad area, a few minutes walk from the dive school. You will have your own room with en-suite bathroom. The rooms have air con, TV and a fridge and are very comfortable. They have electricity sockets if you want to charge phones etc. The accommodation is located about 3 minutes walk from the dive school and the nearest beach. There are many local shops, internet cafes and restaurants within easy reach..

Meals

It's self-catering here in Thailand. Don't let that put you off - the food is generally excellent and there's a wide range of western and local cuisine in the area.

Requirements

1. Physically fit and active
2. Under 18? You can do this programme but we request that a parent / guardian also agree to our booking terms.
3. To participate in the videography course you will need to be at least a PADI Rescue diver so all our programmes include dive training to take you to this level before starting the videography course.
4. Can swim 200m

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 - Custom dates

We are flexible with the start date. Have a look at flight prices and decide on a start date. You can then enter your start date when you book online.