Map of Thailand and getting to Phoenix Divers

Check out our webpage for more up to date travel information.

Sighting of a bull shark at Sail Rock-photo by Chris Kroll

Sail Rock-dive site in the Gulf of Thailand

Sail Rock is a dive site located in the Gulf of Thailand.  It is easily reached from the island of Koh Tao.  The dive site offers depths up to 40 metres+, and is a great spot for all recreational levels. The site is famous for its variety of marine life such as giant groupers, schooling batfish, barracuda, shrimps, the occasional whale shark, and nudibranchs.  A must see at the dive site is the beautiful chimney on the north side of the rock that stretches from 5 metres to 18 metres below the surface.

The Chimney is a beautiful part of the dive site-photo by John McLaughlin

During the recent months of August, September, and October (2012), the site has welcomed a new visitor-the bull shark.  The sharks have been seen almost everyday by divers lucky enough to catch a glimpse as they swim by.  “It is an amazing experience to be able to share the waters with such a magnificent creature!  I am happy that I can take my students to see the sharks in their natural habitat.  It is a real educational experience!”, says instructor Matee-Phoenix Divers.  Divers have been raving about their experience.  “They were the best 2 dives that we have ever done!”, said fun divers Naama and Dafna-from Isreal.

Phoenix Divers offers trips to Sail Rock every month.  Send an email to info@phoenixdiverskohtao.com for more details.

Phoenix Divers loves their new Pool!

Dive training with Phoenix Divers just keeps getting better with the new and improved training pool located at AC Resort.  Now new divers can relax as they begin their first breaths as a diver in the comforts of their own training pool with their instructors.  Guests of Phoenix Divers who are also staying at AC Resort can also enjoy lazy days on Koh Tao by the pool sipping cocktails and cooling off.  The upgraded pool has been an excellent addition for everyone!  click here to learn more about dive courses offered at Phoenix Divers.

Lazy days by the pool

Phoenix Divers can relax at AC Spa!

Phoenix Divers  is happy to announce the grand opening of AC Resort’s-AC Massage and Beauty.  Guests can now enjoy VIP treatment as they relax at the spa’s beach front location.  AC Massage is open daily and offers a variety of treatments such as Traditional Thai or oil massage, aroma body scrubs, manicure, and pedicures.  Divers of Phoenix will receive a 10% discount on all spa treatments.

Dive with Phoenix Divers and receive 10% off at AC Spa!

Start scuba diving today!

Phoenix Divers has experienced higher numbers of first time Discover Scuba Divers during the beginning month of July!  After the “Full Moon Party” on Koh Phangan, rock climbing in Krabi, and trekking in Chiang Mai, travelers flocked to the island of Koh Tao in search of their next adventure, SCUBA DIVING!  What better place then the number one Phoenix Divers!  Many of our instructors were impressed with the recent number of new “try” divers!  Dive trips were going out 5 days in a row with new try divers completing their first dives.  Instructor Jeremy of Phoenix Divers commented, “Its great to see so many people experience diving for the first time.  I can’t remember when we had this many Discover Scuba Divers!” The visible increase in new divers is a positive step for the diving industry.

Take a look at Channel V Thailand’s VJ Bank as he tries his first dive with Phoenix Divers! (broadcast for Channel V-Thailand in Thai and English)

Fish are cool!

Discover Scuba Diving is a great choice for those who have never tried scuba diving, don’t have a license, or who feel that they just don’t have the time or money to complete the Open Water Diver Course.  Visitors staying on Koh Tao for only 1 day can have a world class diving experience in just 1 afternoon.  This is also a great way for families to get their children involved in diving. The experience last only a few hours and divers get a chance to visit one of the many beautiful shallow reefs around the island such as Mango Bay, Japanese Gardens, and Aow Leuk!  The experience includes diving instruction for the session, a few fun skills to get the diver familiar with the equipment, and a dive!   For those that enjoy the dive and have the time, the Open Water Course is the next step in opening the doors to the underwater world!

So the next time you non-divers visit Koh Tao, be sure to stop by Phoenix Divers for your world class diving experience (in just 1 afternoon!).

Learn more about Phoenix Divers!

Lion Fish-by Matee @ Phoenix Divers

Something we found interesting!

Fish can smell Danger!  Maybe we can too!

A study was done by  the Biomedical Sciences Institutes in Singapore.

Fish know when another one in their school has been harmed.  When a fish is injured in a school, others show signs of distress, fast “dart-like” movements, and may even breach the surface.  Fish seem to release a substance that is found by smell and then triggers an alarm.

Scientist have now found that this trigger may be from broken fish scales/skin.  When a piece of the fish is broken off, and dissolved in water, the fish seem to be able to smell the  injury.

Click here to read more!

Click here to learn more about the fish of Koh Tao!

Congratulations to our new Instructors! Say Cheese!

Amir is proud of his accomplishment

Ever wish of getting that job you have always dreamed of?  Well for 2 of our friends here at Phoenix Divers, this dream has come true. Nui Worawut and Amir Yekta are now SSI Diving Instructors. They completed an extensive training course over the previous weeks with SSI Instructor Trainer Neil Farmer. All their hard work paid off when they received there Instructor Ratings at their graduation party on Thursday (24/5/12) at AC Bar/Phoenix Divers. We asked the guys how they felt after completing the course-”I feel like it is a dream come true-I have worked very hard to get this far!  And now I can finally do what I want” said Nui. Amir answered, “I am tired. No just kidding, I feel like it has been a long time coming. I have dreamed about doing this for a long time-But I have finally finished. I feel great!” Well done guys!  Teach the world to dive!

Nui (right) poses with is mentor and good friend P'Matee

Want to change your life?  Your just a click away!

A message from Gary Hawkes-Director of Scuba Schools International, Thailand
Another great night at Phoenix divers and another great IE party.
SSI Thailand has a maximum of six candidates on there IE’s per examiner. We have never understood how you can asses new instructors at much higher ratios.
Also to ensure the quality there is : 90% pass marks on exams, 25-30 minute classroom presentations,full rescue assessment including 02 and CPR, Full Swim test, then on the spot open water and confined presentations over two full days,we believe all instructors should Know there course inside and out, so they get notified of skills 5 mins in advance……..
SSI Dive leaders head and shoulders above the rest.

For more information about diving courses offered at Phoenix Divers, click here!

SSI Instructor Trainer-Neil Farmer (right) congratulates Nui!

Phoenix Divers on Channel V Thailand-diving on Koh Tao

During this years Save Koh Tao Festival, April 28th – 29th, Channel V
Thailand visited Koh Tao to help promote diving to the people of
Thailand. The presenters wanted to show that diving is fun, easy and a
great experience for people of all ages to enjoy!

Phoenix Divers welcomes Channel V Thailand!

Channel V chose Phoenix Divers to take them out diving. The dive resort is located on Sairee Beach, Koh Tao, and offers diving in many languages
including Thai! The VJ (tv presenter) “Bank” was the model diver.  Bank had never tried diving before, so he chose the SSI Resort Diver experience, an opportunity for those without a scuba license to try
diving. The one day experience included all his instruction on the
equipment, how to use it underwater, how to communicate underwater using hand signals and some basic skills to help make his dive more enjoyable.

ACE cameraman "Andy" films Bank on his diving experience!

One of Phoenix’s Thai instructor’s Nui, was chosen to take Bank on his dive.  Bank was also accompanied by Dive shop manager/Instructor Heather, Pang and the ACE Marine Images underwater camera crew were there to document his underwater experience. Bank’s experience was also captured above the waves by Channel V Thailand’s own film crew.

VJ Bank at the Koh Tao Festival!

The programme, Zog Zag, a location based music & entertainment show aired at 10am and was repeated at 4pm local time all throughout the week of the 7th-11th of May. As well as VJ Bank’s Phoenix experience, the programme also showcased the events of the 2012 Save Koh Tao Festival including the annual turtle release & other conservation activities
surrounding the festival, live music performances, AC Resort & just some
of the things visitors can see and do on Koh Tao, including some great
places to eat great food.

VJ Bank loves Phoenix Divers!

The show has received rave reviews and has succeeded in promoting the activity of scuba diving, not just here on Koh Tao but all over Thailand! Viewers of the show have since come to Phoenix Divers to book their diving courses after watching VJ Bank’s fantastic experience air on Channel V Thailand!

To learn more about how you can get into scuba diving, or information about diving on Koh Tao, click here!

We love Phoenix Divers!

Review on Trip Advisor from one of our Frequent Divers!
“Professional and fun!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 29, 2012

I did my Open Water at Phoenix in spring 2011, and I loved it so much that I decided to stay and get my Advanced. I highly recommend!! The people who work at Phoenix are a ton of fun, but they’re also very, very professional. I had been a little bit nervous about learning to dive, but I always felt 100% safe with them. Some of the best weeks of my life — I miss it every day!
Tip: See if you can get Claus as your instructor! He was one of the first Westerners to move to Koh Tao, so he’s been on the island forever. He really knows what he’s doing, and he’s a great teacher.

For more information on Phoenix Divers courses and diving programs, click here!
Frequent Divers Program
At Phoenix Divers, we believe diving is for life! And what better way to encourage that idea then by bringing our divers back for more. Once you dive with us, you are part of our Frequent Divers Program. Our valued divers are entitled to future discounts while diving with us! So whenever you choose your next diving destination-come back and visit us on Koh Tao!

Phoenix Divers Beach 'N' Beers Clean-up

Phoenix Divers offers many ways for you to get involved with helping the environment.  Some in particular are beach clean-ups and eco events.  Clean-ups are offered through out the month.  One of our recent clean-ups was the Beach ‘N’ Beers clean-up where divers and non-divers  had the opportunity to clean Sairee Beach. We meet before sunset at Phoenix Divers and then spend the early evening cleaning the beach! After, we all enjoy a nice sunset beer-or 2 together! What a great way to enjoy the beautiful sunset at Sairee Beach. We also offer free dives on our reef clean-ups. Recent clean-ups such as the island-wide clean-up on Earth Day 2012 and the Save Koh Tao island clean-up,  got divers from all over the island involved in cleaning our reefs! Monthly reef and Beach clean-ups are offered to everyone.

Contact us for the latest up to date information on Phoenix Divers Eco activities-click here

Earth Day 2012-global event

Earth Day Volleyball Tournament, Sairee Beach, Koh Tao

To help celebrate Earth Day 2012, Phoenix Divers participated in the “Earth Day Volleyball Tournament” on Sairee Beach. Dive shops from all over the island participated in the event and all the proceeds went to the global Earth Day fund! It was a great day spent with friends, sport, and of course cold sunset beers! Just goes to show that there are many was to help the environment!

Save Koh Tao Festifal 2012, turtle release with VJ Bank from Channel V Thailand!

Save Koh Tao Festival 2012

Koh Tao just celebrated its annual Save Koh Tao Festival! (April 28-29) Travellers from all over came to Koh Tao to participate in the event. The event hosted live music and dive shop performances, local food vendors, activities for families, as well as a variety of eco activities! One of the events most famous activities was the turtle release! This year the event released 30 turtles! Other activities included an island clean-up and educational programs for those attending.
If you would like more information on how you can make a difference, check-out these easy and fun tips to use while traveling!

* When buying souvenirs, exclude items that are made from marine materials such as shells, coral, and other products.
* Apply sunscreen at least 1 hour before swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Some creams contain materials that are harmful for marine life.
* Avoid using plastic bags. These can make their way into the sea and disguise themselves as food for marine life such as turtles and whalesharks. Many turtles die every year from the consumption of plastic bags.
* Avoid eating at restaurants that serve endangered animals such as sharks. Continuing to support these establishments aids in the support the shark fin trade as well as the exploitation of other endangered animals.
* Take an eco-course while you are traveling. There are great courses offered for divers dealing with eco-education such as:
Buoyancy course-learn to protect the reefs by practicing good buoyancy techniques.
Shark Diver course-learn that sharks are the key to the survival of healthy reefs and the planet!

For more information on scuba diving courses at Phoenix Divers, Koh Tao, click here!

BE AN EDUCATED TRAVELER!