About The Dive Academy

Who we are

The Dive Academy are an English owned and managed PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre on the paradise island of Koh Samui. 

We have lived on the island since 2002 and opened The Dive Academy in 2005 so we could share our love of diving with others and so we could introduce new people to the Underwater World we love so much.

Sarah - PADI Assistant Instructor.

Became a PADI Professional after completing the Divemaster Course in 2004. Responsible for introducing hundreds of people to diving for the first time, including many who never dreamed they would be able to do it. Has converted interested beginners into avid divers by taking them for a try dive in the swimming pool, and have given them the opportunity to find out for themselves why she is so enthusiastic to let them experience the underwater world.

Paul - PADI Master Instructor

Became a PADI Instructor in December 2002 and has since taught all levels of PADI Courses, from introducing 8 year old children to the pleasures of diving with the Bubblemaker Course, to training divers on the first step as a Professional with the Divemaster Course. Has also assisted with the training and development of new Instructors on Instructor Development Courses. Received a Recognition of Excellence Certificate from PADI in April 2010 for his standards of teaching.

Before going into the diving industry we had many years experience in customer service, so we know what it takes to make sure our customers get the most from there time with us. Of the time you spend with us, only a small amount of that time is spent under water, so we make as much effort at giving you a good time above the water as we do below it.

And with 8 years experience of Instructing dive courses and diving the sites around Koh Samui we also know how to make the most of your precious time under water.

Where we are

The Dive Academy have two dive centres on Koh Samui. One is based on the north of the island at Bandara Resort & Spa in Bophut, and the other is based at Kandaburi Resort & Spa in north Chaweng on the east coast of Samui. We have classrooms at both of our centres and use the swimming pools at both of the resorts, which means your classroom and pool training will be in one location, saving valuable time that can be better spent on making sure you are ready to move to the next step of your course.

What we do

The Dive Academy are a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre and we offer a full range of PADI Dive Courses from beginner all the way to Professional. We also offer Dive tours to the top sites in the Gulf of Thailand.

We have experienced and friendly staff who can teach in a number of languages, including: English, German, Dutch and Japanese.

At The Dive Academy we cater for family groups, with children as young as ten joining in and doing (sometimes better!) the same PADI courses as the adults. Children between eight and ten can also learn with courses designed especially for them.

For non-divers we offer Snorkeling tours to the best spots on and around Koh Samui.

The Dive Academy are a Project AWARE Go Eco Dive Centre, which shows a committment to offering environmentally friendly dive courses and tours and to educating divers on ways to help prevent further damage to the underwater environment we enjoy so much.

We also offer a range of Project AWARE Courses to further your knowledge and skills and to help protect the marine life at the same time.

Customer Service

Unless requested by the customer, we do not take more than four customers per group on any diving course or dive tour. If any group is larger than six people we will provide, at no additional cost to the customers, a second professional diver to accompany the group.

We offer an exclusivity option which allows you to book an instructor so that they are exclusive to you or your group for the duration of your course. We also offer special packages for families and groups looking to learn to dive together.

Our facilities and Equipment

At both of our Dive Centres we have modern, air-conditioned classrooms which allow you to learn in a comfortable and relaxed environment.

We have access to the swimming pools we use for the Confined Water modules of our courses all day long. This means we can schedule the pool sessions at a time that suits your training and anything else you have planned on your holiday - making sure you make the most of the valuable time you have on Koh Samui.

We use up to date PADI training materials and have modern, comfortable air-conditioned classrooms, which allow customers to learn in a relaxed and friendly environment.  

We also have a range of PADI Manuals and DVD's for you to take a look at to find out what other fantastic adventures are waiting for you once you have completed your course.

Included in the price of our dive courses or dive tours is the rental of our top brand Mares diving equipment. Our equipment is properly maintained and serviced regularly and we continually replace it to ensure that we have up to date models for you to use.

You are more than welcome to come to our dive centre and inspect the equipment for yourselves before committing to diving with us.

We have a full retail outlet and will give honest advice on some of the top brand names of diving equipment, including Scubapro, Seac Sub, Suunto and Aqualung. We are also a Registered Mares Retailer.

If you don't see what you want in our shop we will take you directly to the equipment suppliers where you can choose for yourself from the full range of equipment available.

Safety and Insurance

The Dive Academy have a 100% safety record and have never had a customer injured due to a diving accident.

The Dive Academy are sponsors of the SSS Recompression Chamber on Koh Samui. This means that customers and students of The Dive Academy can have the peace of mind to know that in the very unlikey event that they should need it, they are covered for the majority of the cost of what can be very expensive recompression treatment.

We also offer a Daily Insurance policy in case your Travel Insurance doesn't cover you for Scuba Diving.