About Matteo — SSI Instructor & Founder | Carabao Diving Koh Tao
Matteo briefing divers on the beach at Chalok Bay, Koh Tao
Founder & SSI Instructor

Hi, I'm Matteo.

Italian, ocean-obsessed, Koh Tao resident for over 15 years. I founded Carabao Diving to bring a more personal, unhurried approach to scuba — small groups, real attention, and boats straight from the beach.

🎓 SSI Open Water Instructor 📍 15+ years on Koh Tao 🇮🇹 Italian-run dive centre
The Carabao crew on a longtail boat off Chalok Bay
The story

How I ended up on Koh Tao.

Like many people, I arrived in Koh Tao by accident — or so I thought. A trip through Southeast Asia, a stopover on the island, a first dive course. And then I never left.

The island had something I hadn't found anywhere else: exceptional diving, a real community, and a quality of life that was hard to walk away from. So instead of flying home to Italy, I decided to build something here.

Carabao Diving grew out of that decision — and from a simple belief that the best way to learn to dive is with someone who knows your name, teaches at your pace, and actually cares whether you enjoy it.

Credentials

The short version, in writing.

🎓

SSI Open Water Scuba Instructor

International certification to teach scuba diving up to Open Water level.

🤿

1,000+ dives on Koh Tao

Deep knowledge of local sites, conditions, and seasonal marine life.

🌊

15+ years of teaching

Hundreds of certified divers from across the world.

⛵

Boat operator

Direct access from Chalok Bay beach — no transfers, no middlemen.

🏠

Founder, Carabao Diving Resort

SSI-certified dive centre with on-site accommodation in Chalok Bay.

🇮🇹

Founder, Italiani a Koh Tao

Facebook community of thousands of Italian travellers visiting the island.

My teaching philosophy

No mass production. Ever.

I don't believe in mass-production diving courses. Maximum 4 students per course, maximum 2 per instructor for the Advanced. That's not a marketing line — it's how I've always worked.

Every student learns differently. Some pick things up quickly in the pool; others need more time in open water before the confidence clicks. My job is to adapt to you — not to push you through a fixed programme.

If you're nervous about open water, scared of going deep, or just not sure diving is for you — tell me before we get in the water. I've heard it all, and I've always found a way forward.

15+
years on Koh Tao
1,000+
local dives logged
4.9★
on Google (200+ reviews)
Max 4
students per course

Questions? Message me directly.

There's no call centre on the other end — I reply personally on WhatsApp. We'll talk about the course, the dates, and what you're hoping to get out of it.

💬WhatsApp Matteo
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