Wingy
Contributor
I think its a good idea given the amount of people rocking up in Tao and Phuket and going from DSD to OW as part of their holiday. Keep them off the reefs and in a area that whilst looking kitsch and plasticky (is that a word?..well, is now) negates the amount of damage that can be done. If its sandy and basically devoid of most things aquatic then its a lot better place to put some skills like buoyancy control to the test before venturing onto reef areas. Ive seen similar things done on a very small scale in Bora Bora (Tiki gardens snorkelling site) that hasnt done anything to improve the marine environment but is keeping those unfamiliar with how to behave in the water in one manageable spot. It wouldnt be somewhere I would go to dive, but I do think given the volume of tourists with different cultural values its a good idea. Good luck with it.