This is part two of my experience learning scuba. Read part one first.

Today is the big day. I get my first taste of diving beneath the waves. Am I nervous? You bet.

Adam picks me up early and drives us to the pier in Bang Rak. We’re taking the ferry that runs from Samui to Phangan and on to Koh Tao. The ferry is quite comfortable, especially if it rains on the way back, which it can do at this time of year. The ferry also doubles as a day-trip boat for snorkelers, so after it docks in Koh Tao, it moves on to Koh Nang Yuan and pulls up right next to our dive boat. While the day trippers go out the back to fishing boats, we transfer our gear to the dive boat, where a couple of other divers are already waiting. Adam gives everybody an introduction to the rules of the boat, then he and I go over the dive plan, which is pretty simple for my first dive.

We’re moored over a spot known as the Japanese Garden, for it’s many cabbage-shaped corals. We get the equipment ready, then suit up, and it’s over the side of the boat – backwards – another challenge. We swim over to the buoy that the boat is tied to, then follow it down into the water. I’m focused on trying to remember all the things I’m supposed to do to dive safely – breathe, equalize, breathe, maintain neutral buoyancy, breathe, clear the mask – remember the comparison to learning to drive a car? It really does become automatic after a while, and you do get a chance to view some of the scenery, although that too can be a distraction.

The first dive is finished after only 25 minutes. It’s not a complete success – I have problems with the all-important neutral buoyancy – but hey, it’s my first time. We stow the gear then climb up to the top deck, where lunch is served. After lunch, we cast off and move around to the other side of the island, to a site known as the Twin Peaks, or just the Twins. We get ready for the second dive. If anything, I’m more nervous about this one, knowing all the little things that I did wrong on the first dive.

Fortunately, this dive goes a lot better. I get my form in order and move through the water a lot easier, which is just as well, because the scenery here is fantastic. There are many more types of coral, as well as lots more fish, as well as sea slugs, urchins and many others. I’m actually disappointed when the dive ends, but my air gage is getting close to the ‘danger’ zone, so I don’t argue.

My instructor took more pictures of me and what we saw on the second dive. See his photo gallery for more.

Posted by michael under Just back from...

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