At DJL Diving, Koh Tao Thailand we’ve been joined by ex-naval engineer Leon Webber [UK]. Leon has many years experience, diving, teaching and modifying closed circuit rebreathers [CCR diving], and has now introduced CCR Rebreather Diving to DJL Diving Thailand.

We already have a Buddy Evolution unit here in Koh Tao, and a second Buddy Inspiration will be coming in early 2008. We’ll be expanding our CCR Rebreather capability throughout 2008. 

Both a 1 day ‘intro to CCR rebreather diving‘ and full IANTD rebreather certification courses are now available here on Koh Tao Thailand. Plus Leon will be helping to make DJL Diving more rebreather friendly, both here in Koh Tao and on our tec/wreck liveaboard expeditions.

We’ll be redeveloping the technical diving section of our website to incorporate info about the rebreather training which Leon is available to teach, and the rebreather diving support provided by DJL.

In the meantime please feel free to contact us if you have any CCR rebreather related enquiries.

Good News! It looks as though the majority of our monsoon rainfall is at last behind us, leaving Koh Tao, Thailand with bright sunny conditions.  We’re already experiencing an increase in the number of people visiting Koh Tao, to learn how to scuba dive.

The start of November saw Koh Tao, Thailand receive an incredible amount of rainfall. Portions of Sairee Beach became flooded, as drainage systems failed to cope with the excess rainfall!

One glass shop window even collapsed in, under the wash of water displaced by a passing taxi!

At last the sun has returned, so we can continue to enjoy the great scuba diving which Koh Tao has to offer.

Image: Whip corals at Laem Thian, Koh Tao, Thailand.

These great underwater images were recently taken around the Koh Tao dive sites by Marc & Beate (Germany).

Diving with DJL Divemaster Tom Alden, together with Ben & Tash (UK) & Steffan (Germany) the guys enjoyed a series dives off our RIB.

Images: Macro photographs of nudibranch & tiny blenny, Koh Tao.

We managed to get the guys out to all the best sites, ‘out of sink’ with other Koh Tao dive operators – more fish and less divers! We also enjoyed the shallow diving on the quiter Eastern coast of Koh Tao – diving highlights included Laem Thian & the Hin Wong Pinnacles, Shark Island, the rarely dived Samran Pinnacles plus Southwest.

As you can see, Marc & Beate managed to capture some great macro photos of the nudibranchs and flatworms around the Koh Tao dive sites.

Image: Cowrie shell, scuba diving Koh Tao Thailand

Thanks to Marc & Beate for the photos!

If anyone else has anyone has any great underwater images of the diving here on Koh Tao that they want to share, just e-mail to DJL Diving and we’ll happily put them up on this blog page.

Image: Anyone know what this is called?

Last night’s Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan is rumoured to have been the busiest ever! DJL Diving’s Mr. Ali, James (Go Pro scuba diving Intern), Mitch (PADI Rescue Diver student sooon to be DMT) & Cameron (PADI Advanced Open Water) visited the party and said things were hectic.

We’ve started to experience the unwashed zombies washing up on Koh Tao throughout the day.

Accommodation on Koh Tao is filling quickly – if last year is anything to go by within one or two days people we be resorting to emergency shelter – restaurants, laundry rooms . . . even sleeping on Sairee Beach.

If you’re travelling to Koh Tao over the next few days our advice to you is this: Get accommodation on Koh Tao organized in advance!

For anyone interested in diving or learning to scuba dive on Koh Tao please feel free to contact DJL Diving & we’ll help organize accommodation on Koh Tao, Thailand.

Today at DJL Diving Koh Tao we’ve certified four new PADI Rescue Divers.

Go Pro Diving Intern James (UK), Wendy (Holland), Penny (UK) & Louis (UK) all passed under the instruction of Alex (assisted by PADI Divemaster Trainee John [Canada]).

From Left [proceeding clockwise] James, Wendy, Alex (instructor), Penny, John (Divemaster Trainee) and Mr Ali.

This was a four day course, commencing with the emergency first responder (CPR & 1st Aid Course) then proceeding into dealing with suface and underwater problems, managing an emergency, running underwater search patterns then surfacing and egressing an unconscious diver. The course concluded with ‘final scenarios’ in which they guys had to respond to a series of simulated problems and control the situation. The group all performed well, and Alex was more than satisfied. If you’re interested in finding out more about the PADI Rescue Diver Course check out this link.

Alex & Louis sharing the love!!

James, Penny & Louis will now carry on to PADI Divemaster. We’ll make sure we capture photos of their snorkel test!

Sea conditions throughout the Gulf of Thailand couldn’t be better. No waves and great visibility – we dived Sail Rock and had at least 30 metres vis above the thermocline, plus a lot of pelagic fish around the site. Hopefully the diving remains constant throughout summer! Perfect weather for running the diving RIB out around Koh Tao!