Thai Ocean Academy Koh Mak

Located on the peaceful island of Koh Mak, Thai Ocean Academy is a centre built on a deep connection to the local marine environment. As full-time residents, the team is intimately familiar with the rhythms of the island and the surrounding waters of the Koh Rang National Marine Park.

The centre operates with a philosophy of diving with a purpose, integrating marine conservation into their daily activities. This approach extends beyond the water, supporting local coral conservation groups, government organisations, and marine scientists to ensure the reefs remain healthy for the future.

The team is composed of qualified and experienced instructors who prioritise small group sizes to ensure quality instruction. For Open Water Diver courses, the ratio is strictly maintained at two students per instructor, while general groups are kept to a maximum of four students per guide.

Beyond standard scuba training, the academy offers specialised freediving programmes and retreats. The centre is fully licensed and insured, providing a professional environment for both recreational divers and those pursuing professional career paths.

The academy provides a comprehensive range of training through recognized certification bodies. For those starting their journey, they offer the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver courses.

Professional divers can progress through the Divemaster and Instructor Development Course (IDC) programmes. Additionally, the centre offers specialised freediving training and retreats for those looking to master breath-hold diving.

Dives are conducted from a large, comfortable sailboat that provides a family-like atmosphere on board. The vessel is well-suited for exploring the surrounding reefs and allows for a relaxed pace between sites.

On board, you will find water and snacks provided to keep you refreshed. The boat is also equipped to facilitate night dives, allowing you to experience the reef after sunset.

The centre provides a full range of rental kit for divers who do not wish to carry their own equipment. All kit is kept new and well-maintained to ensure reliability during your dives.

For those staying on retreats, the academy offers integrated logistics, including private minivan and speedboat transfers from Bangkok, as well as shuttle services from local hotels and resorts.

The reefs are home to a variety of larger marine life, including great barracuda, southern stingrays, and blue spotted stingrays. You will often see schools of fusiliers, parrotfish, and pufferfish moving across the reef flat.

In the deeper sections and around the pinnacles, groupers and boxfish are common residents. The biodiversity is supported by a rich environment of both hard and soft corals, including extensive staghorn coral gardens.

Smaller inhabitants such as yellowfish can be spotted amongst the structures at sites like Koh Phe. The area's healthy ecosystem provides a constant presence of tropical species throughout the year.

The area is characterised by minimal currents in most zones, making it accessible for a wide range of experience levels. The water remains warm year-round, with temperatures typically around 30°C.

Visibility is generally excellent, typically ranging between 15 and 30 metres, providing clear sightlines for both reef exploration and photography.