Learn to Dive Thailand
Learn to dive or improve your diving skills on Koh Tao
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Group Size: Max 4 per instructor
Trip code: THSD
Duration: 8 or 10 days
Earn your PADI qualificationand / or Advanced Open Water
Tropical Marine life
Explore Koh Tao
If you’re a beginner, you’ll take your PADI Open Water over 6 amazing days, or if you’re a qualified diver already, the PADI Advanced Open Water is the one for you. You can even add on 2 days to your trip and pick up both qualifications in one go! Enjoy the beaches, bars, and beautiful landscape of this paradise island in your spare time. Awesome!
Trip highlights
- Experience Thailand’s amazing underwater world, diving with tropical fish, sharks, and turtles
- Earn your PADI Certification and be qualified to dive around the world or if you’re already qualified, hone your skills further with the Advanced Open Water
- Enjoy Koh Tao’s buzzing beach life and party scene in your spare time
- Stay in a welcoming hostel just a few minutes away from the beach, bars, restaurants, and the dive school
- Build up your confidence in small and relaxed classes, splitting your time between theory sessions and practical classes in the water
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What's included
- Accommodation on your course days (see accommodation section)
- PADI Open Water or Advanced Course
- PADI course manual book
- Use of all scuba equipment
- Free time to explore the island
- 24-hour emergency support
What's not included
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visas
- Meals
- Accommodation on free days
- Camera and images for underwater photography module of Advanced Open Water
- Airport transfers
- Return transfers from Bangkok to Koh Tao
- Optional activities
Further trip information
Learn to dive or improve your skills over 8 days on the stunning island of Koh Tao, with lots of free time built in to enjoy your stunning surroundings.
Option 1 (6 days): PADI Open Water. Work your way from total beginner, towards your internationally recognised scuba diving licence, allowing you to dive up 18m deep around the world. You’ll complete four open dives with your instructor, before becoming a qualified PADI Open Water Scuba Diver!
Option 2 (5 days): Advanced Open Water. Ideal if you already have your PADI Open Water qualificationand want to improve your diving skills. Completing the course will allow you to dive up to 30m, as well as learning underwater navigation. The Advanced Course also includes the option to learn 3 new skills including underwater photography, wreck diving, night diving and more!
Option 3 (8 days): PADI Open Water followed by Advanced Open Water. If you want to go from beginner to advanced in one trip, take your Open Water followed by the Advanced Open Water.
Example itinerary for Option 1 (PADI Open Water)
Day 1 - Arrive on Koh Tao:Arrive on Koh Tao, your island home for the duration of the course, check in at your accommodation and head to the dive shop to meet the crew. Have the rest of the day to relax in paradise!
Day 2- Introduction to Diving. Begin your scuba diving adventure today, as you start your PADI Open Water Course, with a classroom session on diving theory.
Day 3 - Practice Dives. Begin the day with more classroom theory, including learning how to plan dives, before completing the classroom element of the qualification with a simple multiplechoice exam.You’ll then have your first experience of diving this afternoon, as you try out the scuba equipment in the dive school pool!
Day 4 - Open Water Dives. Have a chilled out morning to either enjoy the beach, or practice any skills you've learnt on day 3, before heading out to the calm blue sea as you try out your first open water dives and explore Koh Tao’s stunning underwater landscapes! You’ll do 2 open water dives today with your instructor, both around 40 minutes long, becoming more comfortable with the scuba equipment, on some of the islands best dive sites!
Day 5 - Final Dives and Qualification. You’ll complete your final 2 open water dives today, including a dive to 18m, on Koh Tao’s colourful reef diving spots. After completing the dives, you’ll be a fully qualified PADI Open Water Diver! Celebrate with your group tonight with a few drinks.
Day 6 - Trip ends. The adventure ends today as you check out of your accommodation. Opt to stay on to complete your PADI Advanced Open Water, or your guide will help with arranging onward travel, including back to Bangkok.
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This programme doesn't run during November's monsoon season.
Online booking is unavailable for this trip
If you'd like to discuss availability or would like us to help you find a similar trip please contact us...Call us on: 01892 527392
Email us at: [email protected]
Cheapest flights between London and Bangkok for the next 6 months
Cheapest: £702 June, 2023
Most expensive: £1,489 April, 2023
Most expensive: £1,489 April, 2023
Arrival information
The trip begins in Koh Tao on your chosen start date. You’ll need to make your own way to Koh Tao, which most travellers will do by flying into Bangkok, then getting a train and ferry down. This usually takes 12 hours, so we recommend that you arrange your flights in to Thailand at least a day before starting the trip.
Upon arrival to Koh Tao, it is a short walk to the accommodation, which is just around the corner from the pier. After you have settled in you can make your way to the dive shop, to meet the crew, sign paperwork and get fitted for gear.
Accommodation & meals
You’ll stay in a comfy, centrally located hostel, just a stone’s throw from the beach and a selection of bars and restaurants. Rooms are mixed dorm-style.
The cost of accommodation is only included on the days you are doing your course, not free time days, and this will vary depending on whether you’re taking Option 1): PADI Open Water (5 nights included), Option 2): Advanced Open Water (4 nights), or Option 3): PADI Open Water followed by your Advanced Open Water (7 nights included).
As meals are not included during this trip you will need to bring a little extra money to cover your costs. You’ll be able to find a number of shops, bars, internet cafés and restaurants which serve up a range of tantalising Thai and Western cuisine, all within a short distance of the accommodation. Meals are generally available quite cheaply, so you and your dive buddies should soon find enough delicious food to fill up your wetsuits!
Minimum age & eligibility
The minimum age to join this Thai trip is 18.
Without a visa, British nationals arriving by air can remain in the country for a maximum of 30 days. If you wish to stay longer you will need to apply for a 60 day tourist visa before you travel. Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassy websites for up to date information.
Please Note: If you suffer from asthma, you will unfortunately not be eligible to scuba dive. If you are pregnant or have other heart and lung conditions you may be unable to dive, and should contact your doctor for advice.
Regarding your fitness level and water confidence, as long as you are able to swim 200 meters and can tread water/ float for at least 10 minutes you will be fine to join the course.
Covid safety
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.