Davy Jones Locker

Located just 100 metres from the Mae Haad pier on Koh Tao, Davy Jones' Locker has been a fixture of the local diving community since 1996. The centre is positioned to take advantage of the island's diverse marine topography, ranging from shallow coral gardens to deeper offshore pinnacles.

Whether you are looking to start your journey with a Discover Scuba Diving course or you are a technical diver seeking Trimix or Closed-Circuit Rebreather certification, the facility is geared towards serious progression. The centre's long-standing presence in the Gulf of Thailand is built on a foundation of professional instruction and a commitment to marine conservation.

As a PADI 5 Star IDC centre, the team is highly qualified to take you through the full spectrum of PADI training. This includes professional tracks such as Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and PADI Instructor (OWSI) courses. The instructors bring decades of experience to the water, ensuring that training is both precise and safe.

To maintain high standards of instruction, the centre operates with small groups, limiting the ratio to a maximum of 4 divers per instructor or Divemaster. This ensures you receive personalised attention during skills practice and guided dives. The team is English-speaking and can facilitate theoretical learning through eLearning in over 20 languages.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering every level of the PADI system. Beginners can start with Bubblemaker or Discover Scuba Diving, progressing through Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. Specialty training is also available for those looking to refine specific skills, such as PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck Diver, Deep Diver, and Underwater Navigation.

For professional aspirants, the centre offers the full path from Divemaster through to Instructor training. Technical divers will find a robust programme here, including PADI Tech 40, 45, and 50, as well as advanced Trimix 65 and Tec Trimix 90 Diver/Advanced Trimix. The centre also provides specialised training in Sidemount and Closed-Circuit Rebreather (CCR) operations.

The centre is an AquaLung partner, providing high-quality rental kit for those not travelling with their own equipment. Full rental sets are available, covering everything from regulators to BCDs and fins.

For those looking to extend their bottom time or dive deeper, Nitrox is available on-site. The facility also supports technical divers with Trimix and rebreather capabilities, ensuring the necessary gas blending and support for advanced profiles.

The reefs around Koh Tao are home to a vast array of pelagics and reef residents. You can expect to see large schools of fish, including bigeye trevallies (Caranx), snappers (Lutjanus), and various species of jacks (Carangidae). During the months of April, May, October, and occasionally in other periods, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) may be encountered.

In the more structured areas of the reef, you will find reef sharks (Carcharhinus), turtles, and various rays such as the Southern stingray (Hypanus americanus) and blue-spotted stingrays. Large groupers (Epinephelus itajara) and moray eels (Muraenidae) are often found patrolling the ledges and crevices.

For those interested in macro life, the sites offer plenty of subjects for close-up observation. Look for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), various species of shrimp (Caridea), octopus (Octopus vulgaris), and different types of scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). You may also spot pipefish, ghost pipefishes, and various crustaceans among the coral heads.

The seabed and reef structures are draped in life, featuring hard corals (Scleractinia), soft corals (Alcyonacea), and gorgonians. Sea anemones (Actiniaria) provide homes for clownfish (Amphiprion), while sponges (Porifera) and sea fans add texture and colour to the underwater landscape.

Diving in the area is possible year-round, though the best visibility is typically found between February and the end of October. The sheltered position of the island means that you can often find calm conditions on one side of the island even when the wind picks up on the other.

During the monsoon season, which generally runs from late October through mid-December, boat trips may be subject to rescheduling due to weather. Swell is typically low in the Gulf of Thailand, providing relatively stable conditions for most dives.