Falling in Love at 18 Meters

How an Open Water Diver Course in Koh Tao, Thailand changed my life forever.

“Would you like if I stayed?” I asked after three days had turned to three weeks on Koh Tao. I had come to the island to complete my open water dive certification. But unknowingly, the course of my life was to be entirely rewritten for the better. Because on the first day of class, I met a man that would become so much more than my instructor; he would become the love of my life.

That’s Us! Photo Credit @kwan_photography_kohtao

Arriving on Koh Tao

Let’s rewind and start this story at the beginning. It was 2018, and I was 23 years old, stuck in a dead-end job wishing for something exciting to happen in my life. Finally, sick of this feeling, I booked a one-way ticket to Thailand. 

When I got to Bangkok, I was seriously overwhelmed. Growing up in the US, I had never been anywhere more exotic than Montreal. What was I thinking going to Thailand alone? So, in an anxious panic, I high-tailed it to the islands. At least there, I could escape the bustle of city life and go hide in a hammock. 

When I arrived on the island of Koh Tao, I immediately loved it. Koh Tao, or turtle island as it translates to in English, is so tiny that you can walk practically everywhere. The beaches are beautiful white sand, and the people are super friendly. Koh Tao is also the number one place in the world for wannabe scuba divers to get their open water certification. 

I had the same goal that most backpackers have on Koh Tao: to do my open water course. So, still having no idea what was happening around me, I signed up with the dive shop associated with my hostel, Taco Shack.

Dive Boats off Koh Tao

Open Water Diver Course: Day One

The afternoon before the OWD course, there was a short orientation. So, I headed to the classroom to watch some safety videos and learn what to expect for the next day. At this point, I met my instructor Leroy, a Dutch guy with long sun-streaked hair and a winning smile. 

The following day, I met Leroy back in the classroom for dive theory class and an overview of scuba gear. Then, after lunch, it was time to get wet! Since this dive shop didn’t have a swimming pool, we all piled into the back of a pickup truck and headed to the pier. 

My first confined dive took place in a nice sandy patch near the popular Koh Tao dive site Japanese Gardens. With all the nerves and excitement around the event, I struggled to take my first breath underwater. Luckily Leroy was patient and reassuring. Once I was able to calm down, we moved on to skills. 

After diving that day, both the students and instructors played pool at the hostel to decompress after an exciting day underwater. Despite having a ton of fun, I ducked out early to study my E-Learning materials for the next day’s exam. 

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Instructor Leroy and a Whale Shark

OWD Course: Day Two

Day two of diving went much smoother. After passing the required exam, we packed our bags and headed back to the pier. Now that many of the skills were out of the way, we did open water dives one and two. Students can only go as deep as 12 meters during these dives, but it was still incredible. 

During these first dives, I couldn’t help but notice how smoothly Leroy could move through the water. It was as if he was part merman! With a tiny kick, he propelled himself effortlessly through the water. Meanwhile, I was flopping around like a fish on deck.

Back on the boat, a cheeky wink and smile from my instructor indicated to me that maybe I wasn’t the only one feeling something more. While he was nothing short of professional, it made me feel special. 

Celebrating Certification on the Taco Shack Boat

OWD Course: Day Three

On the last day of any open water course on Koh Tao, divers will go out on the morning boat to the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand. In addition to not having much chill, I’m also not a morning person. So, when my phone alarm blared at 5 am, I didn’t hear it.

Remember how I was staying in the hostel connected to the dive shop? Well, it turns out that anyone who works there has access to the dorms. So much to my surprise and embarrassment, Leroy came in and woke me up! Indeed, not my finest moment, but he forgave me eventually.

Our final dive that day was at Chumphon Pinnacle. This dive site is still one of my favorites in the world. That day we saw barracudas, lionfish, anemone fish, a moray eel, and tons of healthy coral. If I wasn’t in love with diving already, this did it. 

After our dives, we went back to the shop to make things official. I returned my rental gear, signed my final paperwork, and was now a certified diver! That evening, we went out to celebrate at Fishbowl Beach Bar, a popular diver hangout on the island with beer pong tables and live music. Since I was no longer a student, the flirting may have kicked up a few notches…

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Sunsets in Koh Tao Are the Best

Where Are We Now?

I was set to leave the island the day after my course, but I couldn’t bring myself to. Of course, the island was beautiful and the scuba diving awesome, but we all know it was more than that. So, I extended my stay. And then extended again. And again. 

In the end, I wound up staying more than three months in Koh Tao diving and getting to know Leroy. These days we live in Cozumel, another island famous for its scuba diving. We’ve been married a year and have been diving all over the world. So, when they say love works in mysterious ways, maybe they’re talking about scuba divers. 

Our Wedding Day

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