Had a wonderful time. We were a bit nervous at first, but Bo managed to make us comfortable under water and now we have a PADI open water to prove it! Learning to dive with Bo was mixed with humor and patience. And now we are ready to explore the worlds greatest dive sites!
Crystal Dive was recommended to me as a great place to do my IDC. I was a tiny bit dubious due to the reputation Koh Tao has for being a instructor factory. So let me put those fears to rest for anyone thinking about doing their IDC here or any PADI course for that matter.
I contacted Matt who runs the entire operation who not only told me prices but sorted out accommodation and helped with logistics. When I arrived Matt greeted me in the Crystal bar and we had a few drinks and discussed the IDC.
I then met Kewi who runs the rescue courses and equipment technician, he serviced my gear and was a all around star when it came to getting gear sorted.
Then I met Bob (Course Director), Bob was the main reason for the recommendation and he exceeded my wildest dreams when it came to instruction, teaching, PADI standards, support in fact there is nothing this guy does not know about diving or maths (You will understand the maths thing when you meet him).
The Staff instructors were my mentor Ady Van Der Ploeg and I always know what to expect from him and Dirk Kickerman who is so nice above water and so efficient and professional under the water. I also had the opportunity to meet Suki (The Chinese Course Director) and Darren (All round nice guy and total star).
The course in in its self was extremely hard and I thought about giving up 4 or 5 times in the first 4 days. Bob (Who has certified over 1000 Instructors, so knows his stuff) reassures you and you keep on plugging away. Come the end of week 1 your starting to get it but still nervous. Well end of week 2 and the IE starts. Because of all the hard work the Course Directors (Bob,Suki,Matt) put in and the Staff instructors (Ady,Dirk, Darren) and your IDC class mates you go in more prepared than a NASA astronaut. I can assure you that going into the IE you WILL have all the tools you need to succeed.
Now lastly the Crystal dive resort staff and bar, they are all first class, great people, extremely professional and a credit to the PADI name
I had a really great experience with crystal dive, came to get my open water license which I did with Steve and ended up doing my advanced open water as well, if I hadn t booked my flight home already I probably would have kept on going :D
Accommodation comes with the courses (4 nights open water and 2 nights advanced ow) which is really nice, the rooms are clean and very close by, which is nice.
A lot of good restaurants, 7/11, massage places etc. within walking distance.
I would definitely recommend the scuba diving school, there s probably other good ones on the island but you will definitely have a safe and fun time at crystal :)
Had 4 super days of Open Water course with Mira in Crystal Dive Koh Tao Awesome experience, superstar instructor Looking forward to my next dive!!
Diving with full service and tailor-made equipment for beginners and advanced. Michal Koh Tao
Just finished my PADI open water accompanied with 6 friends of mine at Crystal Dive. Words can not describe how awesome our time was with them and our instructors! If I would even go to get my advanced, I will definitely come back to Crystal. Our instructors were really great and laid-back folks, had a lot of knowledge (duh!) about the diving and were very keen on helping us to our every need.
It was a pleasure to meet this wonderfull guys in this very friendly and proffesional dive school.
I will defently come back for my advanced course.
Everyone had still a smile on his face and was very helpfull.
Everyone!!!
Very good instructors. My Instructor was knowledgeable, attentive, patient, and in general a good person (Jack Van Geel). The ocean access is fantastic. The waters by the sunken navy boat were somewhat muddy, but that was seasonal. Other than that, beautiful area to dive.
The restaurant is great and the two teenagers working there are very nice and attentive.
The one star deduction is for the dive equipment. They are very old and banged up. Please try to slowly replace them.
I had the one of the best times of my life at Crystal Dive, full of amazing people, incredible tuition and oh what a place to learn how to dive!
I rocked up late at night, weary from a Koh Samui hang over, had missed my ferry and had nothing booked or organised for my time in Koh Tao, but I knew I wanted to tick diving off the bucket list. I had been told by a friend that a fellow kiwi girl worked at Crystal and I should go there, I m so glad I did.
I was greeted by Bo, all smiles and laughter, instantly making my day by setting me up with a nice room and booking me in for an open water course. He made sure I was looked after, settled and happy. My instructor was Dav, what a guy, he was professional, fun and made me feel safe in an unfamiliar environment. A great teacher, knowledgeable and all round good lad, god bless ;)
The whole team at Crystal are like a family, everyone is friendly, helpful and just the coolest bunch of humans. Thanks to Big Rich for the laughs and the epic chats, the kiwi girl (Nat) looked after me so well and was a big reason I chose to stay longer and do my advanced (thank you it was amazing).
I loved the fact that Crystal are not only echo friendly but go over and above to protect the beautiful paradise they know they are lucky to call home.
The diving in Koh Tao is beautiful no matter what dive company you go with, but it is the people you meet who really impact your travels. I was only there for a week but it was incredibly hard to leave the people, the place and Billy (coolest dog on Koh Tao), thanks Crystal, I will be back.
I have been at crystal taking my IDC for the past couple of weeks. It has been an unforgettable experience and I know I will be walking away with friends for life.
The course directors and staff instructors, Andrea, Matt, pri, kerry, Colin and Steve went above and beyond to help all of us as candidates. They were patient, caring, understanding, inspiring and of course it goes without saying but highly knowledgeable and I felt as though I was being trained by some of the best in the industry. If you are thinking about doing your IDC or any continued education with PADI I highly recommend crystal. I am so glad I'm came here.
The will to win,the desire to succeed,
the urge to reach your full potential...
these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
-- Confucius
Crystal Dive is the place that has helped literally thousands of divers to reach levels of personal excellence and their personal and professional goals.
I recently completed my PADI IDC Staff Instructor with Matt Bolton (Course Director) at Crystal Dive.
Matt's knowledge as a Course Director and Dive Professional is encyclopedic and he so open to passing this on to others.
He knows exactly how to get things done.
Even better - Matt's contacts with PADI means that he always has the very latest information and work proactivley with PADI on a daily basis.
The IDC course at Crystal is world class but is constantly evolving based in feedback and changes in PADI course standards.
The focus is on the develpoment of skills to help the professional succeed.
I found my course (which was tightly integrated with the IDC) - extremely well structured.
Matt provided feedback and guidance right the way through the course, ensuring that I gained all the information that I needed to help me get to the level of knowledge needed as a IDC Staff Instructor.
I would whole heartedly endorse Crystal Dive and their Divemaster and IDC Teams to anyone who is serious about changing their lives by pursuing a career as a PADI diving professional.
Be the best - go with the best - Crystal Dive!
Arrived in Koh Tao to do my Divemaster but hadn't pre booked with any dive center.
I narrowed my choice to a few and visited them. The welcome I got from Crystal was first class so I decided this was the place to do my DM.
It was one of my better choices. Right on the beach just a short walk to the boats.Friendly professional staff and plenty of other DMT's so was easy to make friends . Also Crystal go beyond PADI requirements for DM's so you get the best training possible at no extra cost.
I highly recommend Crystal to anyone I meet who is looking at diving on Koh Tao.
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