I asked a few of the old gang what they thought of their time at Davy Jones Locker,
here’s what they had to say…

Matt Housiaux – Divemaster
I was looking at the beginning of this year (2009) to go and do a Divemaster course, something I have wanted to do since I was 18, unfortunately had to wait until I finished my apprenticeship to afford it!
I originally looked at Egypt (very expensive I found), luckily a friend mentioned a tiny Island named Koh Tao, in Thailand. How I am eternally grateful to her for telling me about it. No joke I had an absolutely amazing 2 & 1/2 months there.

I mean everyone got on really well, we all went out and partied together when it was time to be serious for diving everyone would be especially when you are sometimes trusting your life with them.
I met some awesome people and just had a great time. If your contemplating it and are not sure yet, do it, simple as that. Its one of the best things I have ever done, (especially coming face to face for the first time with a whale shark on the evening I left the island)
Try and get here for Songkram (Thai New Year), u won’t regret it!
Plus there is not just diving, I was boxing at the local Muay Thai camp which is also a very friendly place to be. I loved the local food, fresh and great tasting. The Thai people as long as you respect them are also incredibly welcoming.
PARADISE!

Tamlyn Allison – Divemaster
I was privileged to be able to go on a gap experience to explore Thailand for 5 weeks in early 2009. I spent the first 4 weeks exploring Thailand, meeting new people from all over the world and embracing as much of the Thai culture as I could. The last week of the GAP experience was spent on Koh Tao doing my open water at DJL which flew by, and I was off for more travelling through SE Asia. This is when I realised that I wasn’t finished with my time on Koh Tao. I decided that because I loved that last week of diving I’d go back to the lovely little island to do my advanced, rescue and dive master courses at DJL. I fell in love with the people, diving and island so much I ended up staying for over 3 months – what a life changing experience! The diving on Koh Tao is absolutely amazing, I met really cool people from all over the world and even managed to see a whale shark on one of my last dives, a dream come true.

The DJL team are incredibly professional and fun – especially all the crazy and wonderful instructors (Hanna, Alex, Si, Emil, Fred etc) and good ole Tim (never too happy about SA beating England in anything). I must admit that the team made my diving such an experience and the ‘after’ diving (at DJL bar) even more so. The island is alive with parties every night and snorkel tests, which regularly ended up going crazy – so trying to fit the diving into the partying is probably why it took 3 months to complete – but there was no rush!

I have to mention my fellow DMT’s (now all divemasters) who made the whole experience incredible. I made some truly awesome friends, with the best memories – Chris (my fellow crazy Saffer), Gav, Steven, Alison, Rachel, Ollie (of course), Ash, Alex and all the others that were there when I was there… I miss everyone so much, and I hope I get to see you soon or we get to meet up sometime! Maybe even back on Koh Tao – for a laucau (or few) or even another dress up dive…

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in diving, partying, meeting people or wants to experience a chilled, laid back lifestyle on an island or is interested in going to explore Thailand.

Gavin Shaw – Divemaster
um, messed up sinus’s so not much diving done, lots of beer with scotland , ollie , christo . then old rachi, ali the tree climber, and tambo…rine. love the island miss it so much. hi to everyone else but cant be bothered to list all your names !! love you all.
love the snorkle tests, apart from mine !!
Big hello to Tim the cunning linguist and all the workers and of course jojo. Cant belive i never met a whale shark !!!!!!

Micheal Storey – Divemaster
Me and two friends had been talking about doing a dive intership since we were at school, we eventually decided to go for it and started looking at different resorts.
One of the lads found ther DJL website and we all agred that was where we wanted to go. We weren’t disapointed!!
The instructors were fantastic and the gaffer was a rite laugh. I met so many great people and did so many amazing things that i will never forget for the rest of my life.
The diving is out of this world, indescribable. You’ve just got to see it for yourself.

And as for the island, well. Paradice on earth. From swimming with the black tip reef sharks in sharks bay, to the cliff jumping and free diving at liem thien. Koh taohas so much to offer on such a little island, its garenteed to amaze.

I plan to return to the island to do my instructor course april 2010 at DJL. To any one thinking about doing an internship or any dive courses, i say this…
JUST GO FOR IT!! You will not regret it! Escape the rat race and do something and see something that only a few of us get to expirience in this world.
Peace x

Alex Quinn – Divemaster
DJL…AMAZING!!!
I loved every minute of my three months on Koh Tao and wish most days i was back there!!! Becoming a divemaster was something i’d always wanted to do, but i never imagined i would have so much fun doing it! I think my snorkle test was one of the funniest and best nights of my life, certainly something I will never forget!

The diving, the other DMTs (love to you all), the instructors, treehouse, Hong Thong, 7/11 toasties, DJL pool and bar, snorkle tests, whalesharks and not forgetting lotus bar!!!!

If your thinking about going to do your DMT, stop thinking, MAN UP and just do it!!!!

Colin Campbell – Divemaster
My time at djl……Simply put the BEST THING IVE EVER DONE! Was a bit sceptical at first about travelling on my own, i kept thinking “what if im the only one there”…”what if i cant do my own thing” etc etc. Well, it turned out i was completely wrong to have such doubts! From the very first day on the island i was made welcome, shown to my awesome accommodation and introduced to all the other dmt’s (some of which have turned out to be really great mates) Every day was different and there was never a dull moment. The diving was great, the staff were great, the piss ups were LEGENDARY. If i could go back tomorrow and relive it all i would, so for those of you who are considering your dmt with djl take my advice and do it!!

Dan Jones – Divemaster
I fancied a career break and wanted to travel but gain some qualifications at the same time. DJL is perfect for this!!! I travelled on my own and the staff provided perfect instructions to get to the island of Koh Tao. The accomodation is perfect and the food is second to none. All the instructors on the course have their own styles which will cater for everyone. It sounds cliche but I cannot stress enough how this experience will change you as a person. Some of the lads I met in Koh Tao were just out of school and taking a gap year. After finishing their Dive Master internship they developed so many skills which will credit them for life.

There are so many activities to keep you busy during the day (if your not diving!) Cliff diving, volleyball, tanning, you can even hire a jet ski and piss off the rival dive schools!!

DJL has fantastic facilities for diving, the boat is spacious and comfortable, the range of courses is endless. I seriously recommend the deep spec course with Simon. Hit a depth of 45m and was probably the highlight of my trip. Look out for the elusive growler fish, definately not to be missed.

My brother has just left school and is heading out to Koh Tao in March and I really encourage anyone else who is thinking of doing this to take the plunge!!!

Mungo Finlayson – Divemaster & Videographer
When I first started traveling at the start of 2008 I had signed up to do a 10-week diving marine conservation project in Fiji. During my time on the project I fell in love with diving and the sea. After Fiji I moved onto Australia and got myself a job on a day boat with divemaster training as part of the job. After 4 months I left as I felt I wasn’t getting anywhere with the divemaster training and they were just using us and not giving us the training. I left with a record of doing just about my swims and a few exams over the 4-month period. After Australia I moved onto DJL Diving to complete my divemaster training, which I will never regret. From day one I felt the instructors were a lot more professional and got me going on the training straight away. The whole team at DJL were just a great laugh and all the other divemaster trainees. You will never get bored on koh toa as if your not diving or drinking your exploring the many other things the island has to offer. The only thing I have to say is if your in two minds about becoming a divemaster with DJL is sort your life out, MAN UP and get it done its something you will never forgot the amount of stories you come home with from things that happen on the island is amazing. I certainly have many I will not be forgetting in the near future. Just prepare yourself for the snorkel test!!-BINNED!

Blake Smith – Rescue Diver
Well would have to say an eye opener what a great place great people great staff done things on that island i never thought i would do. i took on the dive master internship great course never made it to dive master as i got lazy lol but hay best 3 months of my life thanks guys and girls!

Thanks for your comments guys, we miss you all!