Basic Scuba Diver
3,800 ฿
Complete Beginners
1 Days 1 dive in the pool PLUS 2 dives in the sea # of Dives 12 Meters Max Depth
Beginner Scuba Courses Learn to Dive in Koh Tao
Learning to scuba dive is your opportunity to explore an entirely new world. At Big Blue Diving, our beginner scuba diving courses in Koh Tao are designed for complete beginners, so you do not need any previous diving experience to get started.
You can try scuba diving for a single day, earn an entry-level certification or complete the internationally recognised SSI Open Water Diver course. Every option includes professional instruction, practical training and the use of the scuba equipment required for your course.
Our experienced instructors will help you develop your skills gradually, beginning in a controlled training environment before progressing to the warm tropical waters surrounding Koh Tao.
Choose the Right Beginner Diving Course
There are three main ways to learn to dive in Koh Tao with Big Blue Diving. The best choice depends on how much time you have, whether you want a diving certification and how independently you would like to dive in the future.
| Course | Best for | Duration | Training dives | Maximum depth | Certification | Swimming requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Scuba Diver | Trying scuba diving before committing to a full course | 1 day | 1 pool session and 2 sea dives | 12 metres | Introductory experience rather than a full diving certification | No formal swim test |
| SSI Scuba Diver | Travellers who want a certification but have limited time | 2 days | Confined-water training and 2 open-water dives | 12 metres | SSI Scuba Diver certification; dives must be supervised by a diving professional | Basic swimming ability required |
| SSI Open Water Diver | Anyone who wants a complete, internationally recognised diving certification | Approximately 2.5 days | Pool training and 4 open-water dives | 18 metres for eligible adult students | SSI Open Water Diver certification, allowing you to dive with another certified diver | 200-metre swim and 10-minute float or tread water |
Please note: Students aged 10 to 14 receive the appropriate Junior certification, and age-related depth and supervision limits apply. All participants must meet the relevant health requirements and complete a medical questionnaire before beginning their course.
Basic Scuba Diver: Try Diving for One Day
The Basic Scuba Diver experience is the easiest way to discover whether scuba diving is right for you without immediately committing to a certification course.
You will begin with an introduction to the equipment and essential diving skills before practising in the swimming pool. Once you feel comfortable, you will join an afternoon boat trip for two shallow dives in the sea under the close supervision of an instructor.
- Designed for complete beginners
- Completed in a single day
- Includes pool training and two sea dives
- No formal swimming test
- Maximum depth of 12 metres
This is the best option if you feel nervous, are short on time or simply want to experience breathing underwater before choosing a certification course.
View the Basic Scuba Diver experience
SSI Scuba Diver: A Short Entry-Level Certification
The SSI Scuba Diver course is a shorter certification programme for beginners who do not have enough time to complete the full Open Water course.
Over two days, you will complete academic learning, confined-water skill development and two open-water training dives. Once certified, you can dive to a maximum depth of 12 metres under the direct supervision of a qualified diving professional.
- Completed over two days
- Includes an internationally recognised SSI certification
- Allows diving to a maximum depth of 12 metres
- Requires supervision by a diving professional
- Can be upgraded to Open Water Diver with further training
This course is suitable for travellers who want to earn a certification but cannot fit the full Open Water programme into their trip.
View the SSI Scuba Diver course
SSI Open Water Diver: Become a Certified Diver
The SSI Open Water Diver course in Koh Tao is the most complete and popular choice for beginners.
The course teaches you how to use scuba equipment, plan and conduct dives safely, control your buoyancy and respond to common underwater situations. Training includes digital learning, instructor-led theory, pool practice and four open-water dives around Koh Tao.
After completing the course, eligible adult students are certified to dive to a maximum depth of 18 metres with another appropriately certified diver, subject to local conditions and regulations.
- Approximately two and a half days of training
- Pool-based skill development
- Four open-water training dives
- Internationally recognised SSI certification
- Maximum training depth of 18 metres for eligible adults
- Provides access to fun diving and advanced training worldwide
Choose the Open Water course if you want the confidence, skills and certification needed to continue scuba diving after leaving Koh Tao.
View the SSI Open Water Diver course
Why Learn to Dive in Koh Tao?
Koh Tao offers warm tropical water, numerous beginner-friendly dive sites and a relaxed island environment in which to complete your training. Many local sites provide shallow, protected areas where new divers can build confidence before gradually progressing to deeper dives.
At our Koh Tao dive school, students have access to experienced instructors, dedicated training facilities, maintained scuba equipment and dive boats operating around the island.
- Warm tropical diving conditions
- Shallow sites suitable for beginner training
- Pool-based skill practice before ocean diving
- Internationally recognised SSI courses
- Clear progression from beginner to advanced training
What Is Included in Your Beginner Course?
The exact schedule varies between courses, but your training will generally include the equipment, instruction and practical sessions required to complete the selected programme.
- Professional instruction from a qualified diving instructor
- Use of the required scuba diving equipment
- Digital learning materials where applicable
- Pool or confined-water skill development
- Boat transportation for scheduled ocean dives
- Certification processing for qualifying courses
Check the individual course page for its current schedule, inclusions, prerequisites and price.
What Happens After Your Beginner Course?
Your next step will depend on the programme you complete.
After a Basic Scuba Diver experience, you can continue into the Scuba Diver or Open Water course. SSI Scuba Divers can upgrade their certification by completing the remaining Open Water requirements. Certified Open Water Divers can join guided fun dives in Koh Tao or continue into our advanced diving courses.
You may also want to read our guide explaining how to try scuba diving in Koh Tao or find out how long the Open Water course takes.
Start Learning to Dive in Koh Tao
If you only want to try scuba diving, begin with the one-day Basic Scuba Diver experience. Choose SSI Scuba Diver if you want a shorter entry-level certification, or complete the SSI Open Water course if you want the freedom to continue diving with a certified buddy around the world.
Whichever option you choose, our team will help you develop your skills at a comfortable pace and select the course that best suits your available time and diving goals.
