HIGHLIGHTS

• Diving in tropical waters of Thailand’s west coast
• Learn about the Andaman Sea coastal reefs
• Earn your PADI Divemaster certification.
• Make new friends when you work with a group of like-minded individuals from around the world.
• Immerse yourself in Thailand culture, learning the language and sampling authentic Thai cuisine. 
• Suitable as part of a gap-year program for those who want to do something positive before attending University

ACCOMMODATION

You will stay in shared accommodation, along with the other Divemaster Trainees. The accommodation has ensuite bathroom and balcony.

MEALS

Breakfast and Lunch are included Monday to Friday.  On the evenings and weekends you are free to explore the amazing local food options.  There are a large variety of restaurants within walking distance of the dive centre, from Thai to Italian, vegan to steak.  The cheapest meals are found in the local Thai restaurants.  Many are not much more than tin shacks, but they have authentic and delicious Thai meals from 60 THB (about £1.50)

COMMUNICATION

You will be busy on the program, so make sure friends and family know how often they can expect to hear from you. Mobile phone reception is great in Khao Lak. It is possible to buy a Thai SIM card or e-sim and phone credit at the airport which can be used with your unlocked cellphone. Mobile data packages are very cheap, but reception is very limited or unavailable out on the boats

CLIMATE

Khao Lak is on the west coast of Thailand, known for its tropical climate. The ocean is rather warm, which make it perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, snorkeling, surfing and diving. The temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year, roughly 28°C or 82°F.

The humidity is very high, and this can take a while to get used to.  We recommend wearing loose fitting clothing, and drinking lots of water, as this helps a lot.

OTHER THINGS WE COVER ON THE COURSE

FISH AND CORAL IDENTIFICATION

Learn how to identify fish and coral species that are important to our marine conservation program.

INCIDENTAL SIGHTINGS

Participants learn to identify megafauna common in the region such as stingrays, manta rays, moray eels, sharks, sea turtles, and large pelagic fish such as barracudas.

INTRODUCTION TO CORAL REEFS

Learn about the basic biology of corals and the underlying biology of the reef system. Through classroom discussion, you’ll learn how coral reefs function and the complex nature of life on a reef, why coral reefs are so important, why many coral reefs are in serious trouble, and what you can do to prevent further decline.

Gain insight into the threats faced by reefs globally, such as climate change and the resulting coral bleaching, plastic pollution, and unsustainable fishing methods, as well as how these manifest in local areas.

HAZARDS OF THE REEF

This includes a discussion of the marine organisms found in the surrounding waters like stingrays, fire coral, sea urchins, lionfish and scorpionfish, that might cause harm to swimmers and divers. Participants learn how these can be avoided and how to treat injuries if they occur.

PADI Dive Against Debris training

The training for Dive Against Debris specialty is included in our Divemaster program.  We teach you how to evaluate trash underwater, what criteria must be considered before removal, and safe ways to remove debris from the ocean.  You will then record the trash that you have removed and upload the data for use by Project Aware.  (PADI E-learning and certification extra)

What other activities and tours can I do in Khao Lak?

There are lots of activities and things to do on your weekends.  Here’s a small selection:

OPTIONAL EXTRA TRAINING AVAILABLE

PADI SPECIALTY COURSES

You can expand on the training that you do in the PADI Advanced Open Water Course, with some extra dives, to complete PADI specialty courses.  Courses that are offered are:

• Peak Performance Buoyancy
• Search and Recovery
• Deep Diver (40 m)
• Enriched Air Nitrox
• Underwater Naturalist
• Emergency Oxygen Provider
• Wreck Diver
• Night Diver

EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE

We include Emergency Oxygen administration in our Divemaster program, but the Emergency First Response Course is a 1-day First Aid/CPR training to give you the confidence to help in an emergency.  If you haven’t completed a first aid/CPR course in the last 2 years then you will need to complete the EFR course before you complete your Divemaster Course.

PADI RESCUE DIVER

This training is serious fun!  Most people regard it as the most challenging, but also the most rewarding course that they take as a diver.  Taking you out of your comfort zone, and teaching you how to prevent and handle problems in the water, it will raise your confidence in the water and give you a skillset that will never go out of style. This is a pre-requisite for the Divemaster Course that we can complete with you on arrival if you don’t already have the qualification.

Meet the team

Ann Christmas
Course Director

Ann teaches advanced level courses from Rescue Diver right up to Open Water Scuba Instructor.

Derek Hamel
DM and Videographer

Derek guides customers, takes amazing video, and looks after our social media

Gary Gammage
Owner

Gary is a very experienced instructor. He focuses on planning and logistics to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Aew
Admin Assistant

Aew is the amazing person who keeps our dive centre running: PADI paperwork, official forms, bookings, and emails.

Start Dates:

23rd September 2024 – 6 weeks

What is the closest Airport?

You will need to fly into Phuket International Airport (our nearest airport).  This may be possible on a direct flight, or you may need to transit along the way.  Good places to transit for the last leg are Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, all of which leave you with a final flight of around 1.15 hrs.

When you arrive at Phuket you have a couple of different options:

If you have arrived early, take a couple of days to look around Phuket – there’s loads to see and do.  You can get a local transfer bus from the airport to a Phuket hotel, and when you are ready to come up to Khao Lak, you can catch the bus, which takes about 1 hr 30 mins.

If you are coming straight to the dive centre, then we will organise your airport transfer with ‘cheaper than hotel‘.   They are very reliable, efficient and they have lovely air-conditioned cars with lots of leg room. We use them ourselves for our personal airport transfers.

Cultural Experience

Engaging with a new culture teaches not only global awareness but adaptability and critical thinking, skills highly valued in the modern workplace. Local and cultural immersion is encouraged and is also one of the most enjoyable aspects of your experience. Luckily, there are many activities you can get involved with in your free time, or before / after your program.  Use your evenings and weekends to explore diverse and eclectic topics like Buddhism or how plastic pollution and climate change affects Indian Ocean coral.