Whether you choose to do a PADI Course or an SSI Course the Open Water license is your certification to dive. This is the first level of diving certification - your ticket to exciting adventures in the underwater world. This license enables you to dive to a depth not to exceed 18 meters with a buddy who is also a certified diver, at a 100% of all diving destinations in the world!

How much?
Only 9000 Thb  Click here to book your Open Water Course.

What's involved?

What do I need to start?
Be at least 10 years old and be able to swim.

Big Blue provides all equipment, boat trips, etc., for the duration of the course. We can lend you the  SSI Manual for all SSI Courses but the PADI Manuals must be bought for an additional 800 Baht if you choose to do a PADI Course.

Am I fit to dive?
Read this medical questionnaire, if you can answer yes to any of the questions, you may require medical clearance to enroll on a diving course. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you want more information

How long will it take?
Typically the course takes between three and four full days, but rest assured, we will not rush you through the programme. Because the course is performance based, you will have plenty of time to practise your new skills prior to certification.

Typical Diary of the Open Water Diver Course

Orientation Day- 4pm- 6pm: We start the OW Diver Course every day at 4pm when we get you to meet with your Instructor & the other guys on the course talk about what we'll do for the next couple of days. Then we're going to stick a video on & make you sit through it for just over an hour answering as many questions as you can in your Open Water manuals.

Day 1-    9am-11.30am: Theory Modules 1,2+3- Sitting over breakfast & coffee your Instructor will talk about what you learnt so far on the video, why you need to know it, & when you will do it. We have a few quizzes to do at the end of each module.

              1pm- 5.30pm: We'll go out on the boat & head to a sheltered bay around the island & do what is called shallow water confined. We'll start in a depth you can stand up in &  then work to a maximum depth of no more than 3 meters by the end of the afternoon.

Day 2-    9am-11.30am: Theory Module 4+5. Same as yesterday!

              1pm-5.30pm: We're off on the boat to do 2 dives at 2 different divesites to reach a maximum depth of no more than 12 meters. We'll do a number of skills that we did the day before in shallow water, in slightly deeper water & generally go out & explore the reef, look at fish & try & get to grips with your buoyancy control. 

Day 3-    7am-12pm: Out on the boat this time to one of KohTao's best dive sites to dive to as deep as 18 meters at a 30 meter divesite which means we'll have to stay focused on being in mid water. We'll see big schools of barracuda, trevally, groupers, batfish & if your lucky you might even get to see a few sharks!

              1pm-1.30pm: Open Water Final Exam.

Get 75% in this multiple choice exam & then you'll then be certified as an Open Water Diver which will entitle you to dive at all the wonderful places you could ever imagine down to a maximum depth of 18 meters!

Now what?
After successfully completing the Open Water Diver programme, you'll be issued with your Open Water Diver certification card. This internationally recognised credential is your ticket to the diving world. You may also want to continue your dive education with an Advanced or Speciality Diver course to allow you to explore more dive opportunities.