The SSI Open Water Diver course at Big Blue Diving takes approximately two and a half days. Training is spread across parts of three calendar days and includes theory, pool-based skill development and four open-water dives around Koh Tao.
You will begin on the morning of the first day, complete your first two ocean dives during the afternoon of the second day and finish the course at around midday on the third day.
This schedule gives you enough time to develop the required skills without using your entire stay on Koh Tao. However, you should also allow time to arrive before the course begins and leave a suitable interval between your final dive and flying.
How Long Is the Open Water Course at Big Blue Diving?
The current SSI Open Water Diver course in Koh Tao follows this general schedule:
- Day one: Theory, equipment introduction and swimming-pool training
- Day two: Final knowledge review and open-water dives one and two
- Day three: Open-water dives three and four, followed by certification
Although the training takes approximately two and a half days, it occupies parts of three calendar days. You should therefore avoid planning onward travel for the afternoon immediately after your final dives.
Your Open Water Course Schedule
The exact timings may occasionally change due to operational requirements, weather or sea conditions, but the standard course schedule is outlined below.
Day One: Theory and Pool Training
09:30–12:00: Theory and equipment introduction
Your course begins with an introduction to scuba equipment and the principles needed to dive safely. Topics include underwater communication, pressure, breathing, buoyancy, dive planning and the procedures you will use throughout the course.
You will also review the SSI digital learning materials with your instructor and have the opportunity to ask questions before beginning the practical training.
13:00–17:30: Confined-water training
During the afternoon, you will move into the swimming pool and begin using the scuba equipment.
Your instructor will demonstrate each skill before giving you time to practise it in a controlled environment. Training includes assembling your equipment, breathing underwater, clearing water from your mask, recovering your regulator and controlling your position in the water.
The purpose of the pool session is not to complete the skills as quickly as possible. It gives you time to become comfortable with the equipment and repeat each exercise before entering the sea.
Day Two: Knowledge Review and Your First Ocean Dives
09:30–11:30: Knowledge review and assessment
On the second morning, you will review the academic material with your instructor and complete the required knowledge assessment.
Completing your digital learning before arriving in Koh Tao makes this stage easier and allows the classroom session to focus on questions, clarification and applying the theory to your dives.
12:30–17:30: Open-water dives one and two
During the afternoon boat trip, you will complete your first two training dives at beginner-friendly sites around Koh Tao.
These dives are conducted to a maximum training depth of 12 metres. You will repeat selected skills from the swimming pool while beginning to develop buoyancy, awareness and confidence in a natural underwater environment.
The dives are not simply a series of exercises. Once the required skills have been completed, you will also have time to explore the dive site with your instructor and experience what recreational scuba diving is like.
Day Three: Final Dives and Certification
07:30–12:00: Open-water dives three and four
The final morning includes two more ocean dives. As your confidence and control improve, eligible adult students can gradually progress to a maximum training depth of 18 metres.
You will continue developing your buoyancy, underwater awareness, communication and basic navigation skills while demonstrating that you can apply what you have learned throughout the course.
After completing the academic requirements, confined-water training and four open-water dives, your instructor can process your internationally recognised SSI Open Water Diver certification.
Can You Complete the Theory Before Arriving?
SSI provides digital learning materials that can be accessed through your MySSI account. Beginning the theory before you arrive allows you to familiarise yourself with the course subjects in advance.
You will still review the important concepts with your instructor in Koh Tao, but completing the digital materials beforehand can make the classroom sessions more efficient and give you more time to ask useful questions.
You can learn more about the certification programme on the official SSI Open Water Diver page.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Koh Tao?
You should not plan a trip that allows only two and a half days on the island. The course itself takes that long, but you also need to consider your arrival time, ferry connections, accommodation and onward travel.
A sensible minimum itinerary would normally include:
- Arrive in Koh Tao by the evening before your course begins.
- Complete the course over the following two and a half days.
- Leave sufficient time after your final dive before flying or travelling to significant altitude.
- Allow additional time where possible in case ferries or other transport connections are delayed.
For a comfortable trip, consider staying for at least four nights. Five or more nights will give you additional flexibility and some free time to explore the island.
Our guides explaining how to get to Koh Tao and where to stay in Koh Tao can help you plan the rest of your visit.
Can You Fly Immediately After the Course?
No. You must leave sufficient time between your final dive and flying or travelling to altitude.
Big Blue recommends waiting at least 24 hours after your final course dive before flying. This means that if your final dives finish around midday on day three, you should not book a flight departing before approximately midday the following day.
Your ferry journey away from Koh Tao may be at sea level, but you must consider any later flight or journey to a high-altitude destination when arranging your itinerary.
Further information is available in the Divers Alert Network guidance for flying after diving.
Can the Open Water Course Be Completed Faster?
You should be cautious about choosing a course purely because it promises the shortest possible schedule. Students need enough time to understand the theory, become comfortable with their equipment and demonstrate the required water skills.
Big Blue’s two-and-a-half-day schedule is designed to provide efficient training while retaining pool practice, instructor-led education and all four required open-water dives.
If you cannot commit to the full Open Water schedule, a shorter beginner programme may be more appropriate.
Basic Scuba Diver
The Basic Scuba Diver experience takes one day and includes pool training followed by two supervised sea dives. It is designed for people who want to try scuba diving without immediately completing a full certification.
SSI Scuba Diver
The SSI Scuba Diver course takes approximately two days. It provides an entry-level certification that allows you to dive to a maximum depth of 12 metres under the supervision of a qualified diving professional.
You can compare all three options on our beginner scuba diving courses page.
Can You Continue Directly into an Advanced Course?
Yes. Many students choose to continue their training while the knowledge and skills developed during Open Water are still fresh.
An advanced diving course in Koh Tao introduces new types of diving and helps you develop greater confidence, depth experience and underwater awareness.
Before combining courses, make sure your itinerary includes enough time for all training dives and the required interval before flying.
What Happens if You Need More Time?
People learn practical skills at different speeds. Some students are immediately comfortable underwater, while others need additional time to master skills such as mask clearing, buoyancy or controlled descents.
Your instructor will monitor your progress throughout the course. Safety and competence are more important than completing every session according to an inflexible timetable.
Allowing some flexibility in your travel plans means that an additional practice session or schedule adjustment does not create problems with accommodation, ferries or flights.
Is Two and a Half Days Enough to Become a Safe Diver?
The Open Water course provides the foundation needed to begin diving independently with another suitably certified diver, within the limits of your training and experience.
Certification does not mean that you have finished learning. Good divers continue developing their buoyancy, awareness, navigation, air management and decision-making through regular diving and further education.
After certification, you can join guided fun dives in Koh Tao to gain experience under the supervision of a local professional.
Plan Your Open Water Course in Koh Tao
The Big Blue SSI Open Water Diver course takes approximately two and a half days, spread across parts of three calendar days:
- Day one covers theory and swimming-pool training.
- Day two includes the final knowledge review and your first two ocean dives.
- Day three includes the final two dives and certification.
Arrive in Koh Tao before the course begins, complete your digital learning in advance and leave at least 24 hours between your final dive and flying.
View the complete SSI Open Water Diver course in Koh Tao for the current price, inclusions, prerequisites and booking options.
