Big Bubble

Located on the island of Koh Tao, Big Bubble has been a fixture of the local diving community since 1994. As a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre (IDC), it serves as a hub for both recreational divers and those looking to pursue a professional career in diving.

The centre operates as an all-in-one resort, meaning you can transition from your bungalow to the dive boat without leaving the site. With its own fleet of boats and dedicated facilities, it is designed to manage every aspect of your time underwater, from initial training to advanced technical specialities.

The team consists of experienced, PADI-certified instructors who prioritise safety and individual attention. Instruction is conducted in small groups to ensure that every diver receives targeted guidance, whether you are completing your first Open Water Diver course or training for a Divemaster qualification.

Communication is straightforward for international divers, as the staff are proficient in English, French, German, and Thai. This multilingual approach helps ensure that technical details and safety briefings are clearly understood by everyone in the group.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with PADI Discover Scuba Diving or the PADI Open Water Diver course, with subsequent levels including Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver.

For those looking to specialise, Big Bubble offers a variety of PADI specialties such as Wreck Diver, Deep Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Underwater Navigation. They also host a robust freediving programme, ranging from Basic Freediver to Freediver Instructor training.

Professional divers can utilise the centre's IDC status to train for Divemaster or pursue instructor development. The curriculum also includes niche training like the PADI Sidemount Diver and Self-Reliant Diver courses.

The centre provides full equipment hire for those not travelling with their own kit. This includes regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, fins, and masks, ensuring you have everything required for both day dives and night dives.

On-site facilities include a dedicated area for divers to rinse their gear and prepare for trips. For those staying at the resort, the beachfront bungalows include air conditioning and hot showers, providing a comfortable base between dives.

The surrounding waters are home to a diverse array of reef fish, including Angelfish (Pomacanthidae), Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), Parrotfish (Calotomus), and various species of Snapper (Lutjanus). You will often see large schools of fish, such as Fusilier (Caesio) and various trevallies, moving across the reef.

Large pelagics and iconic species are a highlight of the region. Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and various species of turtle are frequently encountered, and if you dive between March and September, you may have the opportunity to see the Whale shark (Rhincodon typus).

For those with an eye for detail, the macro life is significant. The reefs host a variety of Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), and various species of shrimp and crabs. You may also encounter Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), various species of Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), and different types of anemone fish.

The seabed and reef structures are built from a variety of Hard coral (Scleractinia) and Soft coral (Alcyonacea), including large Sea fan (Gorgoniidae) and various sponges (Porifera), which provide the essential habitat for the local ecosystem.

Diving conditions in the area can vary, with moderate to strong currents possible at certain sites like Shark Island. The swell is generally calmer during the dry season, which runs from March to September.

While the local reefs are accessible year-round, the best conditions for wreck diving and visiting Shark Island are found during the March to September window.