Koh Sac is a small almost kidney shaped island lying just to the North of Koh Larn. It is very popular with the large numbers of Asian tourists that come to Pattaya, and the waters can be very busy particularly in the mornings. From midday onwards the tourists tend to depart, leaving the divers and snorkelers to enjoy the beautiful bay and plentiful corals. This bay is well protected from the prevailing winds for most of the year and the water is calm and clear.

There are numerous dive sites around the island, most being in the 3 - 15 meters range although on the eastern side some deeper corals are to be found at around 26 meters. The North East corner starts off with clean white sand progressing to the usual range of hard corals as you approach the island. Here the corals are at depths from 1-6m and as you round the corner they progress deeper, extending to 18 meters. This corner is home to a few Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles as well as numerous Grey Nurse Sharks. The sharks are however hard to find as they tend to be very shy and divers need to search them out, usually under the coral heads.

As you round the corner and the depth increases the area abounds with whip corals, barrel sponges some soft corals and gorgonian fans. Once round this corner, the corals continue right round the Southern shore of the island.

An interesting dive site as you approach Koh Sac from Pattaya is to be found directly off the small cliff face about 100m out at a depth of 26 m. This site consists of predominantly soft corals and hydroids on a flat sandy bottom and is home to numerous colonies of sea horses, pipe fish and dragon fish. Unfortunately the diver must catch this dive at the right time of day when all the soft corals are open, to really enjoy the myriad of beautiful pastel and fluorescent colours present.

In the sandy bay of Koh Sac as you head out in a North West direction away from the island there are no corals to mention. The area is home to some very unusual species, including the above mentioned two, as well as Sea horses, Pipe fish, short spined Urchins, Sand dollar Urchins, Star fish Tube and Banded Tube Anemones. Flat fish, Spider crabs, juvenile Octopus and the Periclimes shrimp.

At the West part of the bay there are large areas of shallow corals (2 - 4 meters) with abundant marine life that are suitable for the snorkeler and diver alike, although the snorkelers must beware of the large amount of surface traffic, jet skis, banana boats and speed boats. The best time to be here is from midday onwards, when the hordes of tourist leave the island to return to Pattaya. It is a great pity that we do not have any regulations that are enforced to protect these corals and the visitors viewing them.

Moving on to the North West corner of Koh Sac, leading off from the corals in the bay, the corals extend deeper down to about 15 meters as the divers round the corner. The corals here are in excellent condition, and the area is categorised by huge Boulder Bommies, as well as Tiered Staghorn , Plate, Encrusting, Brain and Mushroom corals. The marine life is plentiful and includes various Damsels, Banana fish, Copper Banded Butterflies, Bantayan Butterflies, Wrasses of all types, Puffers, Squirrels Jacks and Fusiliers. There are also a few Turtles. Grey Nurse Sharks, small Morays and Blue Spotted Stingrays to be found.

This is an excellent site for divers (novice and experienced) and snorkelers alike.

So, how do you obtain the scuba diving certification? The only way to receive this certification is by signing up with a scuba diving school which basis its curriculum with a recognized scuba training agency. Such scuba certification agencies regulate and represent diving professionals and operators whilst also promoting the sport and the marine environment.

On successful completing the training, you will be certified as a scuba diver. You will then receive a scuba diving license which will allow you to scuba dive with diver operators and rent scuba equipment.

Because there are many different scuba diving certification agencies around, it is worth to find out which ones are closer to your home. It is important to understand that the approach to scuba diving will vary for each agency. However most popular agencies will offer very similar training for recreational scuba and will recognize each others qualifications.

Some Agencies are global organizations such as PADI and NAUI and thus recognized worldwide whilst other agencies are closely related to their country of origin.

Scuba lessons - Theory

In the theory part, you will be learning scuba diving safety techniques and basic scuba concepts. You will likely watch videos introducing you to scuba and will be briefed on scuba safety practices. Within the theory lessons you will also get to learn the different scuba hand signals for use underwater communication.

Most important of all, you will be introduced to the different diving equipment that you are soon going to use. During this time you will also be reading text books and gaining an understanding of the relationship between depth and pressure. Knowledge of how to use the dive tables to plan a dive and assembling and maintaining your scuba equipment will also be provided within this part of your scuba diving lessons.

Scuba lessons - Confined Water training

The next part of your scuba lessons is the confined water training. Finally within this part of the scuba course, you will actually get your first experience to breathing underwater. These sessions will train you on how to use your equipment and practice your buoyancy and surfacing skills. There are many skills to practice and learn, so you will probably have several sessions to practice them out.

At the end of the theory and confined sessions, you will be required to pass a final exam to progress to the open water portion of the program.

Scuba diving lessons - Open Water training

The final portion is the open water training. Here you will get to test the skills learned from the previous confined water training sessions. You will here practice the scuba diving skills with your instructor until you are completely confident and can perform them with ease in a real diving situation.

During these scuba dives, you will be given an orientation to some of the local conditions and environment you will be diving in once you have completed the course. The good thing about it is that you will also get to check out the underwater scenery. Be ready to become addicted to diving. These skill evaluation tests are spread over approximately four different dives. Once your instructor is satisfied with your progress and have passed all the necessary tests, you will be certified as an official scuba diver.

Copyright (c) 2010 Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com. All rights reserved.

This article is an excerpt from an informative guides appearing on Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com under the Scuba Diving section of the site at http://Scuba-Snorkeling-Adventures.com/scuba-diving-certification.html.

Nowadays, Professional Association of Diving Instructors or PADI has a diver teaching arrangement that's unique. Offering you information about the diving licenses and degrees that you'll be able to decide are these multiple internet sites which deliver a scuba diving wiki.

We have pointed the fundamentals here for your information.

Scuba is an acronym. It stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatus. In most instances today, scuba is used so often to account it that a lot of people regard it a word. Scuba diving is a real popular out-of-door and aquatic sport. It's a diving that is performed beneath water, utilizing a SCUBA equipment to assist you to breathe.

Scuba diving is practiced for refreshment in addition to as a profession. It is essential for the divers to accomplish bound requirements or demonstrate proficiency in certain fields in order to achieve each degree of training. These days, every scuba diving wiki online can provide you data about them, as well as how to attain them, but it is oftentimes diffused around in multiple various pages.

PADI divers preparation is not only just a single track. Several classes are to be considered. Each course has a study area, as well as a video or manual. Taking in in-the-water time likewise as study time are required in these courses. Before making up to the next level, you must make out the prior level of training.

There are many PADI courses that can be taken online today for those who are unable to attend regular and more traditional classroom training.

For our own mini scuba diving wiki-PADI Courses Diving consists of these classes:

**Beginning Diving - Nine weeks to fulfill approximately; children can be fitting for the starting classes with fundamentals of diving and safety being taught.

*Open Water Diving-Approximately 8 weeks of time goes in to an Open water Diving course. This qualifies you to dive in areas such as wide open spaces, essentially not in inland areas.

**Advanced Open Water Diving Course - Also 8 weeks time is allotted to accomplish.

**Rescue Diving - approximately added seven weeks follows for this course.

Scuba diving is a real moderately dependable recreational sport when the appropriate safety measures are applied. It has a more well safety record than almost any other sport. From the beginning of your class to your final stage, you are imparted safety trainings that will ascertain that you acknowledge how to ensure your safety and the other plungers with you.

Diving courses by the PADI are called progressive. That is to say that you can't continue the courses, move on to the next level until you are considered competent in the last level.

PADI Dive training isn't an inexpensive sport, but as the expression goes, you get what you pay for. Whenever you are fascinated in discovering the rules, getting a head start on safety and acknowledging the ropes from day one, then PADI dive education is the only means to go. Continue learning for a couple of more scuba diving wiki pages to aid you discover a little more about scuba diving and why those who perform it are so impassioned about the sport.

Similan Diving with Similan Diving Safaris

Author: Ryan Scheemaker

About Similan Diving Safaris

Similan Diving Safaris is a PADI 5 Star IDC Divecenter located in the heart of Khao lak, Thailand. We offer a full range of PADI dive courses and PADI specialities in the Similan Islands.

Similan Diving Safaris have 11 years experience specializing in Liveaboard and Day trip diving safaris to the amazing Similan islands and beyond. Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and the world famous Richelieu Rock where you can experience some of the best scuba diving in the world.

We own, run & service our boats ourselves. The m/v Dolphin Queen for liveaboards & our speedboat m/v Dolphin Princess for day trips to the Similan Islands. All major European languages are spoken on our boats.

Day trip Diving

Diving Day Trips to the Similan Islands with our speed boat Dolphin Princess. This day trip diving is for guests who don't have the time to do a liveaboard safari or for those of you who wish to enjoy the comfort of your hotel in the evenings in Khao Lak. We have daily trips to the Similan Islands with our speedboat for diving and snorkeling. Accommodation is available on some of the Similan Islands for a spectacular 2 days & 1 night overstay diving package.

We arrive in the Similan Islands in 1hr-30 min and do 2 dives per day giving plenty of time for island & beach exploring. Lunch is served on one of the Similan Island beaches. For more info see our speed boat details.

Nitrox available on both Similan Diving Safaris Liveaboard and day trips !

Liveaboard Diving Safari

Our diving safari, aboard our luxury live-aboard M/V Dolphin Queen, gives you the chance to cruise the 13 scenic, uninhabited tropical islands & dive all the main dive sites in the Similan & Surin Marine National Park islands, Koh Bon & Koh Tachai islands & the world famous Richelieu Rock. There are 11 day dives and 3 night dives and in-between dives, snorkeling or discovering the islands is great fun with our 40hp dingy. The food we serve on our Similan dive safari (Thai & Western) is famous with our guests and will have you coming back for more as they do!

PADI Courses

We offer a full range of PADI courses In our 5 star IDC dive center: Discover Scuba, Open water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Emergency First Response, Rescue Diver and Divemaster and even Instructor now available in our IDC !

For more information, specials, groups, etc. Please contact Similan Diving Safaris by email:

info@similan-diving-safaris.com and visit our website: wwww.similan-diving-safaris.com

Hope to hear from you soon !

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/scuba-diving-articles/similan-diving-with-similan-diving-safaris-2981853.html

About the Author

Similan Diving Safaris.

Open Water Koh Tao - Padi Diving Course

Author: Luke Thomson

Koh Tao is a small tropical island, located in the Gulf of Thailand. It's sheltered position means Koh Tao offers great year round diving, with many deep pinnacles and coral reefs close to the island.

The vast array of marine life is staggering. Within a short twenty minute boat ride you can reach more than 25 dive sites, serving as a home to thousands of tropical marine species. On almost every dive you can see wrasses, butterfly and angel-fish, squid and cuttle fish, hawksbill turtles, sea snakes, sting-rays and more. If you're lucky you can even see the biggest fish in the sea - the whale shark.

Learn to Dive with the PADI Open Water Course

Over the duration of the four day diving course Koh Tao's Simple Life divers can show you all the best scuba diving sites - you'll be sure to have an awesome time.

The Koh Tao Padi open water course begins with an orientation and some scuba diving theory, then we get our dive gear on and head into shallow water. You'll practice more than 20 scuba skills in a controlled environment, getting you relaxed and comfortable in the underwater environment.

Then the best bit. Four open water dives on the coral reefs around Koh Tao. Expect to see moray eels, sting-rays, blue ringed angel-fish, turtles, puffer-fish and more. Experience the amazing weightless underwater world of scuba diving.

Also importantly, Koh Tao is a great destination for the apres-dive. Evening time, there's nothing better than to enjoy a cold beer in one of the laid back beach bars, and chat about the days diving stories!

Our PADI Open Water Koh Tao package puts together absolutely everything you need - the four day Koh Tao diving course, use of all scuba diving equipment, your own PADI manual and dive certification and four nights accommodation.

For more information on diving Koh Tao, visit our website at http://www.simplelifedivers.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/scuba-diving-articles/open-water-koh-tao-padi-diving-course-1064835.html

About the Author

Posted by Simple Life Divers
Sairee Beach, Koh Tao, Thailand, 84360
Tel/Fax +66 77 456 329
web: http://www.simplelifedivers.com