I recently discovered an entirely new world beneath the waves—coral reefs. These underwater cities are alive with vibrant coral, sponges, sea anemones, and plants. Schools of fish dart through the water, while sea stars, moray eels, and sea slugs move gracefully through their home. It was mesmerizing to experience this alien world, but to enter it, I had to learn something new: scuba diving.
Satun Dive, located at Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe, taught me everything I needed to know. The process started with the PADI app, where I learned the theory the night before. The next morning, we went through a quick recap and learned how to use the diving equipment. We began in the shallows, practicing vital skills like breathing underwater, retrieving and clearing the regulator, removing and replacing gear in the water, and performing an emergency ascent with just one breath.
Once my instructor declared me ready, we moved to open water. Over the next two days, we completed four dives at different sites around Koh Lipe. Each dive ranged from 12 to 18 meters in depth and lasted about an hour. I practiced navigating with a compass, using a dive computer, and performing emergency ascents while swimming through underwater landscapes I had only seen in documentaries.
The reefs were teeming with life. I saw moray eels peeking out from crevices, schools of fish weaving through coral, and even delicate sea slugs on the ocean floor. The colors and movement around me were surreal. Swimming alongside such diverse marine life made every dive unforgettable.
By the end of the training, I had earned my dive course PADI Open Water certification, a milestone I’m incredibly proud of. It’s not just a piece of paper—it’s a ticket to continue exploring these incredible underwater ecosystems as I travel through South-East Asia.
I’m so thankful to Satun Dive for making this journey safe and enjoyable. Their patient guidance and passion for diving helped me feel confident every step of the way. Koh Lipe, often called the Maldives of Thailand, lived up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.
If you’re thinking about diving, I can’t recommend diving Koh Lipe and Satun Dive enough. The reefs, the marine life, and the experience itself were life-changing. I’ll carry the memories of this adventure with me forever.