“Can't wait to go back!”-
I did my open water certificate at Blue Big, and couldn't be happier!!!
My instructor Skui was amazing! She made sure we are well prepared, and
also made sure we had fun! Our last dive was with a whale shark!!!!!
Can't beat that!!! Everyone in the resort was nice and friendly,
location was beautiful!!! We upgraded our accommodation to a private
room with hot shower and AC for only 800 baht a night, which was worth
it! We wanted to be away from all the noise and get some well needed
rest after each day. Already planning our return trip to Big Blue!!!
I did my open water certificate at Blue Big, and couldn't be happier!!!
My instructor Skui was amazing! She made sure we are well prepared, and
also made sure we had fun! Our last dive was with a whale shark!!!!!
Can't beat that!!! Everyone in the resort was nice and friendly,
location was beautiful!!! We upgraded our accommodation to a private
room with hot shower and AC for only 800 baht a night, which was worth
it! We wanted to be away from all the noise and get some well needed
rest after each day. Already planning our return trip to Big Blue!!! Tuesday 6th November 2012-
As always we do what we can to lay on the best treats for our customers & this morning was no exception! We brought in a Whaleshark, 100th one of the year I've just been told- really? wow- & then polished off our morning shannanigans with a Water spout! "an intense columnar vortex (usually appearing as a funnel-
“Completely Hooked!”-
After the half moon party on the 22nd of September, I headed to Koh Tao
for some diving with a buddy. I had never been diving before but I had
been recommended Big Blue from a bunch of friends who had traveled to
Koh Tao before. On the ferry over from Phangan me and my friend
were approached by a friendly Big Blue rep who explained to me how the
diving courses, prices and accommodation worked. I had already decided
to come to Big Blue but the positive interaction with the rep just
reaffirmed my decision. Got picked up at the ferry terminal and
was dropped off at the dive centre and we were given the briefing and
details on how everything works. Accommodation is included when you do a
course or you are diving with them - We were hoping for dorms but I
guess if there's two of you they give you a bungalow or a room with two
beds. I ended up staying at the dorm at Big Blue 1 (they have two sites
about 200-300 m apart on Sairee beach), which was fine but I did hear
that Big Blue 2 dorms are much much nicer and brand new. So onto
the diving - after we signed up for the Open Water course and was shown
to our room, we had a quick break and we headed over to Big Blue 2 for
the start of the course. We opted for SSI over PADI although we had only
heard of PADI but in the end it doesn't matter other than that you pay
less for SSI since you don't have to buy the course manual. The
following day we were split up into two groups - Skui's and Neil's. Our
group ended up getting into the pool first before we did the theory
bits, which I think was better, at least for me - it was much easier to
just get going rather than first sitting down and talking about a
bunch of stuff I had no idea about. Neil was professional and
personable and I decided that I wanted to stay longer and do my advanced
course with him. He was very straight forward, clear with his
instructions and had a good sense of humour, which is key when you have
to see his ugly mug for a week straight! (kidding, Neil). As for
the actual diving, BB has boats heading out to the usual dive spots 2-3
times a day (was there a 4th? pretty sure not) - apart from the night
diving the morning and afternoon trips have 2 dives per trip. Now having
been diving a bunch since then in Indonesia I can easily see that the
dive sites in Koh Tao are a bit crowded and not the most exciting spots
in the world to say the least. But Chumphon pinnacles was a treat and
although I had not personally been to Sail Rock I hear it's a good
spot for whalesharks and bull sharks. Despite what I mentioned
previously I really enjoyed diving there and I can easily say that the
majority of the dive sites here are perfectly suited for learning. I
will probably return for another course next time I swing through
Thailand. The location is great, the restaurant serves reasonably priced
food (pizzas here are quite excellent) and they employ some great
staff. Highly recommended!
After the half moon party on the 22nd of September, I headed to Koh Tao
for some diving with a buddy. I had never been diving before but I had
been recommended Big Blue from a bunch of friends who had traveled to
Koh Tao before. On the ferry over from Phangan me and my friend
were approached by a friendly Big Blue rep who explained to me how the
diving courses, prices and accommodation worked. I had already decided
to come to Big Blue but the positive interaction with the rep just
reaffirmed my decision. Got picked up at the ferry terminal and
was dropped off at the dive centre and we were given the briefing and
details on how everything works. Accommodation is included when you do a
course or you are diving with them - We were hoping for dorms but I
guess if there's two of you they give you a bungalow or a room with two
beds. I ended up staying at the dorm at Big Blue 1 (they have two sites
about 200-300 m apart on Sairee beach), which was fine but I did hear
that Big Blue 2 dorms are much much nicer and brand new. So onto
the diving - after we signed up for the Open Water course and was shown
to our room, we had a quick break and we headed over to Big Blue 2 for
the start of the course. We opted for SSI over PADI although we had only
heard of PADI but in the end it doesn't matter other than that you pay
less for SSI since you don't have to buy the course manual. The
following day we were split up into two groups - Skui's and Neil's. Our
group ended up getting into the pool first before we did the theory
bits, which I think was better, at least for me - it was much easier to
just get going rather than first sitting down and talking about a
bunch of stuff I had no idea about. Neil was professional and
personable and I decided that I wanted to stay longer and do my advanced
course with him. He was very straight forward, clear with his
instructions and had a good sense of humour, which is key when you have
to see his ugly mug for a week straight! (kidding, Neil). As for
the actual diving, BB has boats heading out to the usual dive spots 2-3
times a day (was there a 4th? pretty sure not) - apart from the night
diving the morning and afternoon trips have 2 dives per trip. Now having
been diving a bunch since then in Indonesia I can easily see that the
dive sites in Koh Tao are a bit crowded and not the most exciting spots
in the world to say the least. But Chumphon pinnacles was a treat and
although I had not personally been to Sail Rock I hear it's a good
spot for whalesharks and bull sharks. Despite what I mentioned
previously I really enjoyed diving there and I can easily say that the
majority of the dive sites here are perfectly suited for learning. I
will probably return for another course next time I swing through
Thailand. The location is great, the restaurant serves reasonably priced
food (pizzas here are quite excellent) and they employ some great
staff. Highly recommended! Monday 5th November 2012-
Ever had one of those relationships you've been trying to get out of for ages but couldn't find a way to do it nicely when suddenly she turns round & dumps you first? Wham! Bam! Boof! Kapow! Feel like I have been slapped in the face by Batman! I mean the only reason we actually continued our relationship this year had absolutely nothing to do what so ever with quality, service or love. The only reason we continued our relationship in 2012 was because the newly appointed Regional Manager is a personal friend of ours & has been a big part of our PADI Instructor Development Course over the years. So being given the news that we are no longer to quote "in the best interests of PADI" & therefore have been ditched comes as a rather large slap in the face! I mean we are the largest SSI center in the world! & our PADI numbers in 2012 are higher than they have been in the last 6 years but because we aren't selling purely PADI courses but are selling SSI, BSAC, TDI, & SDI courses as well, thereby giving our customers the choice they want & not by enforcing only 1 organisation we've been chucked! Doesn't mean we can't still as individual Instructors teach PADI courses because we can. It just means PADI probably got wind that we weren't going to renew our relationship with them next year & so chucked us first before we could chuck them! No phone call. No text. No flowers. No photos of all the good times we had together. Not even a valid reason. Just an unheaded attachement in an email! "You're not in the best interests of PADI!" the equivalent of saying "its not you its me!" Damn. Why didn't I think of that!
“Great place to learn how to dive”
I just completed my open water and advanced at Big Blue. I had two
instructors - Felix and Jen. Both were amazing, professional
knowledgeable, patient and supportive. The video of the final 2 open
dives was hilarious and worth the price in my opinion. The
instructor/divemaster to diver ratio was 1 to 4 or 1 to 3. The staff
took safety very seriously. The dive spots can get crowded, but the lack
of current and warm waters make it a great place to learn how to dive. I
didn't stay at the resort, so I can't comment on the accommodation. The
pizza and coconut shake from the restaurant is highly recommended. All
in all, spent a fun 2 weeks here!
I just completed my open water and advanced at Big Blue. I had two
instructors - Felix and Jen. Both were amazing, professional
knowledgeable, patient and supportive. The video of the final 2 open
dives was hilarious and worth the price in my opinion. The
instructor/divemaster to diver ratio was 1 to 4 or 1 to 3. The staff
took safety very seriously. The dive spots can get crowded, but the lack
of current and warm waters make it a great place to learn how to dive. I
didn't stay at the resort, so I can't comment on the accommodation. The
pizza and coconut shake from the restaurant is highly recommended. All
in all, spent a fun 2 weeks here!
Please forward to whom it may concern, I am writing to to thank you for making my recent visit to Koh Tao an amazing experience.. I had a wonderful time and did a total of 19 dives with Big Blue (including your last trip to Sail Rock of the season) saw bull sharks and topped it off with a whale shark at the end. I was impressed with the professionalism of your dive operation and the helpfulness of your staff and as a fun diver dived with a number of you divemasters. I was particlarly impressed by Chris Cherry who was most helpful, very knowledgeable and added a lot to my diving experience by finding and pointing ot a number of very interesting marine spieces. Whilst it was amazing seeing bull and whale sharks, they are not hard to find (if they are around) Chris found more smaller intesting stuff on our dives than any other dive master I dived with, including a croc fish, dancing shrimps, scorpion fish, pipefish, indian walkman, blue spotted and jenkins rays to name but a few. I will certainly recommend Big Blue to my friends and intend to return in the future. Again thanks for everything, Please also pass on my thanks to Chris, Arnold (Will) Williams.
Saturday 3rd November 2012-
And the job offers just keep flying through the door here! Again they're for SSI Instructors only I'm afraid but the good news is that if you are only a lowly PADI Instructor we can step you up a notch to become the high quality SSI Instructor by doing a 3 day Crossover. Once you are an SSI instructor then we can let you know more details of the jobs we have on offer for Instructors in Indonesia on Gili Air & Kalimantan. In Thailand here in Koh Tao as well as in Khao Lak. In the Caribbean there's a job offer on one of the Cayman Islands. There are instructors needed in Greece & we got awesome opportunities for Instrucotrs or Managers in Fiji! In a time of global recession isn't it refreshing to see so many opportunities for SSI Dive Professionals. Just another reason to choose SSI rather than PADI or any other Diving organisation.
“Location, Staff, Facilities, Diving”
Big Blue Diving was a fabulous place to come for my open water
certificate. You get free accommodation in their dorms with any dives or
diving courses that you do. They are located in Sairee Beach, which you
have to take a taxi to get there from the pier. Big Blue has two free
taxi services every day, to and from the pier. Unfortunately, I missed
the one when I arrived, so you have to make sure to keep an eye out for
the Big Blue pick-up truck to avoid having to pay for a taxi. The staff
is very professional, and I felt totally comfortable doing my open water
dive here. Most of the dive schools have the open water course priced
between 8 and 9 thousand baht (Big Blue was 9,000), but I had a coupon
for 10% off with the purchase of a Pub Crawl ticket. Another tip for
coming here is to make sure you do NOT stay at Big Blue 1. Ask for a
room at Big Blue 2.
Big Blue 2 was built three months ago and are really nice and clean,
have better wifi access, air-conditioned and the swimming pool. Both are
located right on the beach. Dives depart from Big Blue 1, but it is an
easy 5 minute walk along the beach from Big Blue 2. They will book
ferries and buses for you, and they also provide lockers (but you need
your own lock) for valuables. The restaurant/bar at Big Blue 1 is more
lively and often has a fire thrower entertaining on the beach. Both have
decent food, but are a bit more expensive than the more local
restaurants. I am looking forward to hopefully coming back here for my
advanced certificate. For more reviews, tips and stories: http://thesearemysheehanigans.com
Big Blue Diving was a fabulous place to come for my open water
certificate. You get free accommodation in their dorms with any dives or
diving courses that you do. They are located in Sairee Beach, which you
have to take a taxi to get there from the pier. Big Blue has two free
taxi services every day, to and from the pier. Unfortunately, I missed
the one when I arrived, so you have to make sure to keep an eye out for
the Big Blue pick-up truck to avoid having to pay for a taxi. The staff
is very professional, and I felt totally comfortable doing my open water
dive here. Most of the dive schools have the open water course priced
between 8 and 9 thousand baht (Big Blue was 9,000), but I had a coupon
for 10% off with the purchase of a Pub Crawl ticket. Another tip for
coming here is to make sure you do NOT stay at Big Blue 1. Ask for a
room at Big Blue 2.
Big Blue 2 was built three months ago and are really nice and clean,
have better wifi access, air-conditioned and the swimming pool. Both are
located right on the beach. Dives depart from Big Blue 1, but it is an
easy 5 minute walk along the beach from Big Blue 2. They will book
ferries and buses for you, and they also provide lockers (but you need
your own lock) for valuables. The restaurant/bar at Big Blue 1 is more
lively and often has a fire thrower entertaining on the beach. Both have
decent food, but are a bit more expensive than the more local
restaurants. I am looking forward to hopefully coming back here for my
advanced certificate. For more reviews, tips and stories: http://thesearemysheehanigans.com
Thursday 1st November 2012-
Another day another 100% pass on the Instructor Exams! Congratulations to all 6 of our brand new Scuba Diving Instructors. 6 more professional Beach bums! Can you imagine a better way to earn a living? Living on a tropical island Paradise, surrounded by friends, teaching something you love, enjoying close up encounters with creatures you never thought you'd ever really get to see on a daily basis. And all the while actually getting paid for it! Apart from being perhaps a Rock star, Movie star, Sports star or Porno star can there be a better job? Congratulations guys! Now if you'd all like to pass me your CV's I'd like to get you all work ASAP!The negatives to Scuba Diving- i) If you are vain you might as well forget it. Diving is like childbirth, you’re not going to look good doing this, it’s actually impossible. Between the rivers of snot you produce, the hair that tangles into an uncombable ball and the deeply unattractive pressure marks your mask will leave on your face this is not a sport for those who have to look good. ii) You will become poorer, quickly; this sport has more accessories than Ann Summers. Actually it’s a lot like Ann Summers, between stuff you wear and stuff that bleeps, restrains, informs and adorns, all of which come in a variety of day glo colours, scuba diving is fetish heaven with a higher price tag. iii) You will become very boring, because you are a convert and converts tend to bang on a lot about stuff with tedious zeal. New Scuba divers only talk about diving. iv) all travel of any type will revolve around diving opportunities, it will become impossible to pop down town for some milk without fitting in a quick reef dive. & v) levering yourself into a tight wetsuit on a public beach whilst tourists gaze on at the way you bend the laws of physics by forcing so much flesh into neoprene. It’s a bit like the TARDIS. We’re all bigger inside our wetsuits!
“Open Water and Advanced Courses at Big Blue”
- I showed up at Big Blue unsure as to whether I'd be able to overcome my
claustrophobia and dive at all but wanted to give it a shot. Upon
arrival, everyone was friendly and helpful so I immediately felt at
ease. I did my open water course with G who was a wonderful instructor
-- she was really supportive, fun, and knowledgeable. I learned a ton
from her in just a few days. I ended up loving diving so much that I
signed up for the advanced course, which was taught by Jo. Jo was also a
phenomenal instructor. She was super chill with a great sense of humor
so I had a blast while diving and also really improved my skills. After
the two courses, I feel totally comfortable in the water and confident
with my abilities. The only problem now is that I don't want to leave!
Thanks so much G, Jo, and Big Blue!
- I showed up at Big Blue unsure as to whether I'd be able to overcome my
claustrophobia and dive at all but wanted to give it a shot. Upon
arrival, everyone was friendly and helpful so I immediately felt at
ease. I did my open water course with G who was a wonderful instructor
-- she was really supportive, fun, and knowledgeable. I learned a ton
from her in just a few days. I ended up loving diving so much that I
signed up for the advanced course, which was taught by Jo. Jo was also a
phenomenal instructor. She was super chill with a great sense of humor
so I had a blast while diving and also really improved my skills. After
the two courses, I feel totally comfortable in the water and confident
with my abilities. The only problem now is that I don't want to leave!
Thanks so much G, Jo, and Big Blue!
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