Ko Tao is one of Thailand’s premier diving locations. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the island is home to numerous diving schools. Among these is the esteemed New Heaven Dive School which has been operating since 1995. The school is renowned for its commitment to preserving Thailand’s marine ecosystem and launched the New Heaven Reef Conservation Program (NHRCP) in 2007 to further its conservation efforts.
Responsible Thailand Awards
In 2023, the New Heaven Reef Conservation Program won the award in the Nature, Marine & Heritage category at the Responsible Thailand Awards.
“New Heaven’s diving courses, focusing on the conservation of coral reefs, are making an invaluable contribution to protecting Thailand’s marine environment. We know education is the key to protecting vulnerable environments, which is why the work of New Heaven Reef Conservation is vital in Ko Tao”.
Responsible Thailand Awards Judging Panel
New Heaven Dive School
New Heaven Diving School in Thailand was founded by two best friends, Uncle Kong Kampanart Na Songkhla (known affectionately as ‘King Kong’) and Devrim Zahir, a Cypriot-Turkish diver raised in England. Uncle Kong, Ko Tao’s first Thai divemaster, sadly passed away in 1998, but his passion for the ocean lives on through New Heaven.
Devrim, who married Uncle Kong’s sister, Mama Kaen, continues to manage the dive school in a way that benefits the environment and the local community. New Heaven Diving School is not just a place for diving, it is an essential part of the Ko Tao community.
Marine conservation
The primary goal of the New Heaven Reef Conservation Program (NHRCP) is to safeguard the underwater ecosystem around Ko Tao. NHRCP is involved in various projects, such as conducting surveys and collecting data to gain a better understanding of the ecosystem and to identify potential threats to its well-being. Additionally, New Heaven actively raises awareness about the significance of marine conservation by educating both locals and tourists.
In association with Conservation Diver, various programs were established on Ko Tao. Conservation Divers is a global collective of marine scientists who help set standards for marine conservation education.
(Photo: Huw Penson Photography via NHRCP Facebook page)
Artificial reefs and coral nurseries
Large coral colonies are at risk of breaking due to natural threats like storms and strong waves. Human activities such as boat anchors, fishing nets, and irresponsible snorkelling and diving can also cause damage to corals in the sea. Fortunately, under the right conditions, broken coral fragments can regrow. The NHRCP plays a crucial role in this by nurturing damaged corals back to health and then carefully transplanting them onto the reef or artificial reef structures.
Mooring lines
The growth of corals is slow and delicate. Unfortunately, centuries’ worth of coral growth can be easily destroyed by anchors dropped from boats in reef areas. The New Heaven Reef Conservation Program recognises that this can happen due to ignorance or the lack of alternatives, and is working to address both issues.
NHRCP has collaborated with other dive schools on Ko Tao, as well as the Royal Thai Navy and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, to tackle this problem. The solution has been to install and maintain safe mooring lines around the island in areas frequently visited by boats. Additionally, some of the shallowest and most precious reef areas have been designated as ‘no boat zones.’
Regular clean-ups
Divers have a heightened awareness of the dangers that litter poses to marine life. Discarded ropes, nets and plastic can be deadly for sea turtles, birds, and other creatures that depend on the ocean for their survival. To address this issue, New Heaven regularly coordinates clean-up initiatives to remove debris from the beaches and waters around Ko Tao.
Learn more
If you’re planning a trip to Ko Tao, you can organise diving excursions through New Heaven Dive School. Additionally, those interested in conservation efforts can even seek internships at the New Heaven Reef Conservation Project. To learn more about the valuable work being done by New Heaven on Ko Tao, check out their websites and follow them on social media:
- New Heaven Dive School: Website | Facebook | Instagram
- New Heaven Reef Conservation Project: Website | Facebook | Instagram
