Diving & Marine Conservation in Thailand School Trips
Projects Abroad
Set on the island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand, this unique programme offers a stunning tropical location with excellent diving conditions and a huge biodiversity.The programme encourages a long-term view of the conservation of its incredible ecosystem, collecting data, producing reports, advocating, educating and taking practical steps to reduce direct human impact.
Your students will be involved in all aspects of the conservation programme, learning and practising techniques while also developing a knowledge of how the marine ecosystem works and the threats to it.
The first step is teaching your group to dive to the Open Water SSI diving standard, a globally recognised qualification. This usually takes three days and includes theory and in-water training.
Once everyone has qualified and is ready to undertake underwater tasks, the project's activities will include:
- Survey dives -
Diving with the local conservation professionals, your students will identify species and examine the reef for indicators of its health. You will learn fish identification and underwater measurement techniques, clear manmade debris such as nets, test your diving skills and use them for a worthwhile purpose.
- Planting and maintaining artificial reefs -
To encourage more marine life to colonise the area and increase populations in areas conducive to reef growth, your group will create new reefs, build on existing ones, and monitor your success in attracting coral growth and other organisms.
- Beach clean-ups and plastic workshops -
Interacting with the community and physically clearing the debris washed up and left behind. This demonstration of commitment to cleaner beaches allows us to set an example and build on this with educational programmes for community groups and children. Much of the debris is plastic, and we work with organisations to repurpose it; your students can be involved in the process, learning about waste management and upcycling.
In addition to these activities, the conservation team will run presentations on aspects of marine life and Thai culture.
Projects Abroad will organise extracurricular activities as part of the programme, such as a trip back to the mainland to visit national parks. Explore the island, snorkel, or just relax under a palm tree.
This project allows for a flexible programme and can be extended to three or four weeks.
This challenging programme includes a highly practical, scientific and physical project in an incredible setting. The activities are varied, practical and meaningful.
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Example Itineraries
Days 1 and 2
You will land at Koh Samui Airport, where the local Projects Abroad team will greet your group. You will then be taken by bus to the port to catch a ferry to Koh Tao island and the conservation camp.
After settling into the accommodation, your group will be given a tour of the camp and attend a safety briefing. This will be followed by a Projects Abroad staff-led discussion about the initiative's aims and achievements.
Your group will then embark on a walk around the island to familiarise yourselves with the environment.
Days 2 – 3
Open Water SSI Diving Course - you will embark on theory classes and your first underwater experience in a pool.
The course comprises classroom learning on some of the science behind scuba diving, safety matters, and basic skills. Before getting in the pool, your students will familiarise themselves with the kit and how to set up their equipment. Once in the pool, they will practice breathing, dealing with problems, and buoyancy control.
Day 4
Today is your group's final exam! Reflecting on all you have learnt during your first few days here, your group will complete a classroom-based exam.
In the afternoon, your students will head out on the dive boat into the open water for the first time to observe life underwater and explore the coral reefs.
Day 5
Your students will continue to practise their newfound love for diving, explore coral reefs, and improve their buoyancy abilities and other key skills.
After lunch, you will complete the first of three certifications you will be awarded during this trip!
Day 6
Working towards their next certification, your students will return to the classroom for more theory lessons.
The afternoon will be spent taking part in two dives to test their buoyancy skills with an underwater obstacle course. This is a crucial skill, as conservation work requires accuracy and control of movement.
On completion, your students will receive their Peak Performance Buoyancy Certification.
Day 7
For the third and final certification, the Advanced Open Water Certification, your students will spend the morning completing the theory class before participating in two advanced open water dives. The Advanced Adventurer SSI certification requires four dives in the sea. If chosen as a specialisation, this can include a night dive, navigating using only torchlight to see nocturnal sea life!
Day 8
Your group will hit the open water in the morning for two more advanced dives. If chosen as a specialisation, you will learn to dive to depths of up to 30 metres, including a wreck dive. Explore one of the three shipwrecks around the island and see schools of fish swimming in and out of the ship.
In the afternoon, you will learn more about traditional Thai cuisine by joining a cooking class.
Day 9
Taking a break from diving, your students will get hands-on experience as they take part in land-based work, preparing coral structures and conducting surveys.
Later, they will take in the incredible local scenery during a coastal walk as you join conservation staff to explore the island and visit different viewpoints and bays around it.
Day 10
Your group will spend the morning watching a marine ecology presentation before participating in two dives.
While in the water, you will be surveying fish and invertebrates, taking notes and recording crucial data for conservationists to review later.
Day 11
You will learn more about corals and how to identify and record their health through a Coral Watch presentation and later put this knowledge to the test as you head out into the water and collect data.
To wind down, everyone will enjoy a beach BBQ at the dive school!
Day 12
It's time for a beach clean-up! Students head to the shoreline and help collect rubbish left by humans or washed up from the sea. By keeping the beach clean, the group are helping to create a safe environment for both people and wildlife!
Students will then participate in a dive to remove further debris, fishing nets and debris on the sea bed or trapped around coral. These suffocate the coral and threaten sea life.
You and your students will also learn about microplastics, water quality, coral health, and recycling.
Day 13
In the morning, you will head out on your final two trip dives! Explore the coral reefs and take in the water for one last time.
After this, your group will use yesterday's learning to participate in a microplastic survey and data collection.
The final night is a chance to celebrate the amazing work completed. Everyone will gather on the beach for one last barbecue, savouring the delicious flavours and thanking the staff for their support. Watching the sunset will be the perfect way to end the trip.
Day 14
Your group will pack up and take the boat back to the mainland again with Projects Abroad staff.
You will land at Koh Samui Airport, where the local Projects Abroad team will greet your group. You will then be taken by bus to the port to catch a ferry to Koh Tao island and the conservation camp.
After settling into the accommodation, your group will be given a tour of the camp and attend a safety briefing. This will be followed by a Projects Abroad staff-led discussion about the initiative's aims and achievements.
Your group will then embark on a walk around the island to familiarise yourselves with the environment.
Days 2 – 3
Open Water SSI Diving Course - you will embark on theory classes and your first underwater experience in a pool.
The course comprises classroom learning on some of the science behind scuba diving, safety matters, and basic skills. Before getting in the pool, your students will familiarise themselves with the kit and how to set up their equipment. Once in the pool, they will practice breathing, dealing with problems, and buoyancy control.
Day 4
Today is your group's final exam! Reflecting on all you have learnt during your first few days here, your group will complete a classroom-based exam.
In the afternoon, your students will head out on the dive boat into the open water for the first time to observe life underwater and explore the coral reefs.
Day 5
Your students will continue to practise their newfound love for diving, explore coral reefs, and improve their buoyancy abilities and other key skills.
After lunch, you will complete the first of three certifications you will be awarded during this trip!
Day 6
Working towards their next certification, your students will return to the classroom for more theory lessons.
The afternoon will be spent taking part in two dives to test their buoyancy skills with an underwater obstacle course. This is a crucial skill, as conservation work requires accuracy and control of movement.
On completion, your students will receive their Peak Performance Buoyancy Certification.
Day 7
For the third and final certification, the Advanced Open Water Certification, your students will spend the morning completing the theory class before participating in two advanced open water dives. The Advanced Adventurer SSI certification requires four dives in the sea. If chosen as a specialisation, this can include a night dive, navigating using only torchlight to see nocturnal sea life!
Day 8
Your group will hit the open water in the morning for two more advanced dives. If chosen as a specialisation, you will learn to dive to depths of up to 30 metres, including a wreck dive. Explore one of the three shipwrecks around the island and see schools of fish swimming in and out of the ship.
In the afternoon, you will learn more about traditional Thai cuisine by joining a cooking class.
Day 9
Taking a break from diving, your students will get hands-on experience as they take part in land-based work, preparing coral structures and conducting surveys.
Later, they will take in the incredible local scenery during a coastal walk as you join conservation staff to explore the island and visit different viewpoints and bays around it.
Day 10
Your group will spend the morning watching a marine ecology presentation before participating in two dives.
While in the water, you will be surveying fish and invertebrates, taking notes and recording crucial data for conservationists to review later.
Day 11
You will learn more about corals and how to identify and record their health through a Coral Watch presentation and later put this knowledge to the test as you head out into the water and collect data.
To wind down, everyone will enjoy a beach BBQ at the dive school!
Day 12
It's time for a beach clean-up! Students head to the shoreline and help collect rubbish left by humans or washed up from the sea. By keeping the beach clean, the group are helping to create a safe environment for both people and wildlife!
Students will then participate in a dive to remove further debris, fishing nets and debris on the sea bed or trapped around coral. These suffocate the coral and threaten sea life.
You and your students will also learn about microplastics, water quality, coral health, and recycling.
Day 13
In the morning, you will head out on your final two trip dives! Explore the coral reefs and take in the water for one last time.
After this, your group will use yesterday's learning to participate in a microplastic survey and data collection.
The final night is a chance to celebrate the amazing work completed. Everyone will gather on the beach for one last barbecue, savouring the delicious flavours and thanking the staff for their support. Watching the sunset will be the perfect way to end the trip.
Day 14
Your group will pack up and take the boat back to the mainland again with Projects Abroad staff.
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
Cultural
During this programme, students can immerse themselves fully in Thai culture. In addition to discovering the island's ecosystem and the initiatives in place to preserve it, students will take part in cooking classes to develop their Thai cuisine knowledge, go on coastal walks to explore the island, exchange with the locals to learn more about their lives and experiences and take part in different cultural activities organised by our local team.
Science
Students will experience the impressive world under the water, learning about marine life and their challenges. They will participate in our effort to preserve the coral reefs, conduct surveys, and collect data. These activities will help the students learn about the ecosystem while assisting us with our conservation initiative.
Geography
This programme is the perfect way to experience a natural environment completely different from those in the UK. Students will not only discover incredible local species of plants and animals on land and in the water, but they will also live in a different climate, close to nature and surrounded by views only found in this part of the world.
Conservation Wildlife Animal Care Click to expand
During the first week, students will work towards getting their open water certification. Once they pass their exam, they will embark on their first dive boat to observe the marine life and explore the coral reef.
At the end of the first week, students will receive their Peak Performance Buoyancy Certification and their third certificate: Advanced Open Water Certification.
Students will take part in a dive to remove further debris, fishing nets, and debris on the seabed or trapped around coral. They will also learn about microplastics, water quality, coral health, and recycling and conduct relevant surveys and data collection.
Environmental Science
Your students will discover the island's ecosystems and what threatens its biodiversity. They will see firsthand the damages caused by pollution, contribute to our clean-up efforts, and raise awareness in the local communities. They will also be shown how to upcycle and re-process used plastic to manage waste sustainably.
What size groups do we cater for?
All group sizes of 5 or more. Free staff place with every 9 students.
Access for visitors with disabilities?
Disabled facilities can be offered on request.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Visitors with special educational needs can be catered for on request.
Anything else?
Projects Abroad provides an individualised service and schedule planning, which is backed up by excellent pre-departure preparation and by a dedicated and highly experienced local team in each destination.
We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for every student, promoting self-belief, resilience, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and a new perspective on the world.
Get in touch today! Our partnerships team is happy to answer any queries and guide you through the process of booking the school trip of a lifetime!
We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for every student, promoting self-belief, resilience, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and a new perspective on the world.
Get in touch today! Our partnerships team is happy to answer any queries and guide you through the process of booking the school trip of a lifetime!
Who are Projects Abroad?
Projects Abroad arranges challenging, meaningful, educational, and safe overseas service and internship programmes.
We have been taking students overseas since 1992 and work in over 20 developing and emerging countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Key to our work is the dedicated in-country staff whose diverse skill sets, local knowledge, and love of their community allow us to develop relevant, immersive, and worthwhile schedules for school trips that give the students responsibility and teach them to see the world through a different lens.
We offer programmes in community development, conservation, construction, education, sports, empowerment, human rights, and healthcare, among many others. These projects are designed to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, broadening the student experience to see the contribution of a few to a movement for global change.
All school trips are individualised. We realise that each school has its own goals and interests, and students have their own passions. We work with the school to develop a tailored itinerary that reflects their values and allows the students to make a connection with the community in which they serve.
Teacher Checklist
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