New Heaven Dive School, New Heaven Diving School

Located on the island of Koh Tao in Suratthani, New Heaven Dive School has been a fixture of the local diving scene since 1995. What began as a modest operation with just a single longtail boat and a handful of cylinders has grown into a respected institution known for its focus on quality and environmental stewardship.

The school is deeply integrated into the local ecosystem, having pioneered the first reef conservation programme on the island. This commitment to the ocean is a core part of their identity, influencing how they teach and how they interact with the marine environment every day.

The school operates with a family-oriented atmosphere, where the team is driven by a sincere dedication to both diving and marine preservation. This approach ensures a relaxed, community-focused environment for students of all levels.

Beyond standard diving instruction, the team is heavily involved in the New Heaven Reef Conservation Program (NHRC) and the Thai Whale Shark Project. This expertise is passed on to divers through specialised training in coral restoration, reef monitoring, and marine debris management.

Training is delivered through SSI certifications, covering everything from initial Open Water Diver courses to professional Instructor Training. For those looking to go beyond recreational diving, they offer dedicated programmes in freediving and coral ecology.

New Heaven offers a complete progression of SSI courses, starting with the Open Water Diver qualification and moving through Advanced Adventure dives and Advanced Scuba Diving. For those looking to increase their safety margins and skills, the Rescue Diver course is a core part of their curriculum.

For professional divers, the school provides Instructor Training to take students into the career side of the industry. They also offer specialised ecological training, including courses in Coral Ecology, Reef Monitoring, and Marine Debris management. These programmes can range from single-day intensives to comprehensive six-month conservation projects, though an Advanced Scuba Diving certification is required for the longer programmes.

The centre provides various accommodation and dining options, including the Baan Talay Resort & Yoga and Koppee Restaurant, which serves as a social hub for students. The resort facilities offer a way to stay close to the diving environment while enjoying the natural surroundings of the Aow Luek region.

For those looking to focus on skill development, the school utilises specific training areas like 'Buoyancy World' near Twins Rock, which features various underwater structures designed to help divers master their trim and buoyancy control.

The reefs around Koh Tao are vibrant and diverse, characterised by extensive coral gardens and rocky outcrops. You will frequently encounter various species of reef fish, including parrotfish, batfish, fusiliers, and snapper, alongside moray eels and lionfish. The presence of anemones provides a home for various anemone fish and much of the smaller reef life.

For those interested in macro life, the area is a haven for nudibranchs, shrimps, and octopuses. You can also find various species of rays, such as bluespotted ribbontail rays, and a variety of crustaceans tucked into the reef structure.

Larger pelagics are a highlight of the region, with blacktip reef sharks and occasionally whale sharks visiting the waters. You may also spot sea turtles, eagle rays, and large schools of barracuda or jacks passing through the pinnacles.

Diving conditions in the area are generally characterised by soft currents that can vary depending on the season. The most stable and calm conditions are often found between late September and early December, which is also a period with fewer crowds.

Sites like Twins Rock are known for having gentle currents, making them suitable for training and reef exploration, while more exposed sites like the pinnacles may require more experience to manage the water movement.