Open Water Diving

Time Needed: 3-4 days

Cost: From 11,000THB

Maximum Depth: 18 metres

The Open Water Diving Course is Koh Tao’s most popular program. Thousands of divers earn their certification here every year. You will learn dive theory, gear, planning, and safe diving. Once you finish, you receive an international license to dive independently anywhere in the world.

This is the most popular scuba diving course globally and has already introduced millions of people to the underwater world. Those who take their open water course on Koh Tao will be spoiled by the choice of dive sites, and the tropical warm waters. Also calm conditions, and brightly coloured corals and marine life make it one of the safest and most fun places to learn. 

Your open water course on Koh Tao will vary in terms of schedule depending on which dive centre you choose and what scuba diving agency they are affiliated to. Typically, you will need to allot 2.5 – 4 consecutive days in your travel schedule to get certified. As with all scuba diving courses on Koh Tao, the open water program combines theory, some confined water shallow skills training, and some open water diving. Some dive centres use a swimming pool for shallow skills training, whereas others use one of Koh Tao’s beaches and bays. Specifics between agencies and dive centres aside, you should get a minimum of four full dives during your open water course on Koh Tao.

Looking to get your first scuba diving certification? Chalok Reef Divers offers SSI Open Water courses with small groups, an onsite training pool and personal instruction. The course includes four open-water dives and an internationally recognised certification.

Important things to know when you sign up for an Open Water Diver Course on Koh Tao

• The minimum age for participation is 10, but additional depth limits apply to junior participants. 
• Divers must wait 18–24 hours before catching a flight, so consider this restriction when planning your Koh Tao itinerary.
• Participation in any scuba diving activity requires you to fill in a medical checklist. Some medical conditions may prevent you from diving, while others require prior written approval from a physician. So be sure to discuss any medical conditions you have with your dive centre before you sign up for your Open Water Diver course on Koh Tao.
• You need to have basic swimming skills to enroll on this course, so as a prerequisite to beginning training, you may be asked to complete a float test and/or a short swim or snorkel.