From wide-eyed backpackers wondering if fish bite (no), to nervous swimmers asking if you can scuba dive without knowing how to swim (you can, but we’d rather you didn’t), to travelers fresh off the ferry thinking the ocean is, quite frankly, a bit suspicious—learning to dive on Koh Tao tends to attract all kinds of curious characters.
And almost every day, we get that question:
“What’s the difference between the Basic Diver and the Open Water Course?”
It’s a brilliant question. Especially when you’re standing on a sun-drenched Thai island, trying to decide whether to spend your day breathing through a tube underwater or staying on the beach drinking from one.
So allow us, to take you on a breezy, but useful journey through your options for learning to dive on Koh Tao.
🌴 Learning to dive on Koh Tao: You’re in the Right Place
Koh Tao is one of the best places in the world to learn to scuba dive. And no, we’re not just saying that because we’re biased (although we totally are). It’s true because:
The water is warm (like, bathwater warm)
The marine life is incredible (think turtles, rays, and the odd cameo from a whale shark)
And the dive sites are gentle, shallow, and beginner-friendly
Oh, and did we mention it’s affordable? Learning to dive here won’t cost you your kidneys.
🤿 Option 1: The Basic Diver Course – A Taste of the Blue
Think of this as the appetizer of scuba diving. It’s like snorkeling’s cooler, deeper cousin, without the commitment of a full course. You get to gear up, breathe underwater, and explore a coral reef – all in a matter of hours.
What’s Included?
A quick safety briefing (don’t worry, it’s not rocket science)
Some basic underwater skills in shallow water
One fun dive to a maximum depth of 12 meters
Constant supervision by one of our legendary Big Blue instructors
Duration:
Roughly half a day. You’ll be done in time for sunset beers.
Certification?
Not quite. It’s a one-off experience, but it does count as credit toward the full Open Water Course if you want to continue.
Perfect For:
First-timers who just want to try diving
Nervous nellies testing the waters
People short on time (or attention span)
🌊 Option 2: The Open Water Diver Course – Full-on Ocean Freedom
This is the real deal. The scuba license. The golden ticket. Your passport to 70% of the planet.
Once certified, you can dive anywhere in the world, down to 18 meters, with a buddy. That includes coral reefs, shipwrecks, underwater statues, and, with luck, the occasional curious turtle.
What’s Included?
Dive theory (don’t worry, it’s more fun than it sounds – there are videos!)
Five confined water skill sessions
Four open water dives at epic Koh Tao dive sites like White Rock, Hin Ngam & Japanese Gardens
Guidance from some of the most experienced instructors on the island (yes, we’re bragging)
Duration:
3 to 4 days, depending on your pace and how much you enjoy the local pad thai.
Certification?
Yes! This is an internationally recognized Open Water certification with SSI or PADI.
Perfect For:
Anyone who knows they want to dive again (trust us, you will)
Travelers planning to dive on other trips
Bucket-listers
Adventure lovers
People who want to sound cool at dinner parties
🧭 So Which One Is Right for You?
Let’s keep it simple:
| You are… | Go for… |
|---|---|
| Unsure if you’ll like diving | Basic Diver Course |
| On a tight schedule | Basic Diver Course |
| Wanting a full certification | Open Water Course |
| Planning to dive again | Open Water Course |
| Looking to hang out with sea turtles | Either, but turtles are a bit snobby, so go for Open Water just in case |
Still torn? Here’s the best bit: start with the Basic Diver, and if you love it (and you probably will), we’ll roll that dive right into your Open Water Course. Easy peasy.
🐢 A Note on Nerves, Confidence, and Ocean Magic
We get it. The idea of breathing underwater feels… weird. Unnatural. Downright fishy.
But here’s what happens every day at Big Blue: someone arrives terrified. By day two, they’re floating weightless above a coral reef, grinning through their regulator, and saying “That was the best thing I’ve ever done.”
It’s not just about diving. It’s about confidence, wonder, and discovering a whole new world (cue Disney music).
📍 Why Choose Big Blue Diving Koh Tao?
We’ve been doing this a long time – since the days when dive computers were the size of microwaves.
Here’s what you get with us:
Friendly, experienced instructors who love what they do
Top-notch gear and boats (we named ours Enzo, after a free diving legend – how cool is that?)
Beachfront classrooms and stunning sunsets
Free accommodation options during your course
Dive groups that are small, fun, and safe
And yes, we’ll probably know your name and your favourite fruit shake flavour by the end of day one.
🌞 Ready to Dive In?
Whether you choose the Basic Diver Course or the full Open Water Diver Course, Koh Tao is the perfect place to start your scuba journey. And Big Blue Diving is ready to guide you every bubble of the way.
Pop into our dive shop on Sairee Beach, message us online, or just follow the trail of flip-flops and laughter.
We’ll be here—fins on, tanks full, ready when you are.
