Koh Tao Guide

Koh Tao Scuba Diving Certification Courses

Discover the world beneath the waves with a PADI or SSI certification course in Koh Tao, Thailand's premier diving destination.

25+ tours
From $$275
3-5 days

Koh Tao, often dubbed 'Turtle Island', is renowned worldwide as a hub for accessible and high-quality scuba diving training. Its crystal-clear waters, abundant marine life, and submerged coral gardens provide an ideal classroom for aspiring divers. From beginner Open Water Diver courses to more advanced specialties, Koh Tao offers an unparalleled environment to gain your certification. The island's dive schools are among the most affordable globally, making it a top choice for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers looking to earn their scuba license. Completing a scuba diving certification course in Koh Tao means more than just learning to breathe underwater; it's an immersion into a vibrant underwater ecosystem teeming with colorful coral formations, diverse fish species, and even the occasional sea turtle. The learning process is structured yet engaging, blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills development in confined and open water. Instructors are typically multilingual and highly experienced, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for students of all levels. Beyond the certification itself, the journey offers a chance to connect with a global community of divers and explore the breathtaking beauty of the Gulf of Thailand.

Featured Scuba Diving Certification Courses Tours

Discover our top picks for scuba diving certification courses in Koh Tao

PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Koh Tao - half day and two dives
From $121.19
Free Cancellation

Discover an amazing underwater world of the tropical sea in the Gulf of Thailand. Scuba diving for beginners without any experience. Half day dive trip around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan islands. You'll see coral reefs and underwater life on the best dive spots around Koh Tao.  Price includes two dives under the direct supervision of PADI Dive Instructor, rental equipment, tea, coffee, fruits on the boat.

4.6(74)
6h
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Discover Scuba diving with 2 dives on Koh Tao
From $246.55
Free Cancellation

Do you want to explore the amazing underwater world around Koh Samui? This one day tour is a PADI program that doesn’t result in a certification, but can be credited as your first open water dive towards your PADI open water certification. It is a perfect day out for those who would like to find out what diving is like and experience the underwater world! The diving tour ‘Discover scuba diving’ includes transfers to and from your hotel or villa, diving equipment, lunch and drinks. Your instructor will be able to teach you in English, German, French, Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Thai. And last but not least: we have a perfect safety record in 14 years of business! If you want, you can come to one of our pools to try out breathing underwater with one of our instructors. That way you can really get a feel for what diving is like before going out in the ocean. We work only with 5 star PADI Dive Centers.

5.0(7)
24h
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La Bombona Diving Koh Tao Try Dive
From $97.78
Free Cancellation

You may not have dived before. Our one day experience will take your breath away. Literally speaking you'll be breathing from a tank, so you'll be able to breathe underwater. Our experienced instructors will welcome you into our cozy dive school on the paradise island of Koh Tao. You'll get sized up with our brand new equipment to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. The you will receive an extensive safety briefing, the do's and dont's of diving, as well as a little bit about what to expect. You'll then be whisked off to our state of the art dive boat (showers, sun deck, lots of space, refreshments, all included in the price) where you'll make the short boat trip to a suitably calm bay, great for beginners. You'll start off in shallow water completing some simple skills, slowly building your confidence. Shortly after you'll slip below the surface and enjoy an experience of a lifetime, diving to a maximum depth of 12m where you will see the most amazing tropical fish and corals.

4.3(13)
24h
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Try Scuba Diving
From $125.36
👤Private Tour

Try Scuba Diving is an experience you can’t miss when visiting the beautiful island of Koh Tao. At DPM Diving, we work with small groups to ensure a personalized, relaxed, and 100% safe experience. Our professional and friendly instructors will guide you step by step, making your first dive easy, fun, and unforgettable. As a bonus, when you complete your Discover Scuba Diving with us, you’ll receive a Basic Diver certification, allowing you to dive again for the next 6 months without needing to repeat the program. Enjoy crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and maybe even sea turtles, while discovering the incredible feeling of breathing underwater for the first time. No previous experience required — just bring your sense of adventure and good vibes. Dive into paradise and create memories that will last a lifetime!

4.8(46)
8h
View Details
Become certified diver in 3 days - PADI Open Water Diver course on Koh Tao
From $375.67
Free Cancellation

PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular diving course in the world! Open for yourself amazing underwater world and learn how to interact with living coral reefs and aquatic life! PADI Open Water Diver certificate is your ticket to any underwater environment in the world. Get certified just in 3 days.

5.0(104)
72h
View Details
Koh Tao 2-Dive Day Trip from Koh Samui for certified divers
From $187.42
Free Cancellation

Divers must have a certification for this trip. Divers without certification must book Discover Scuba Diving Koh Tao is an island just north of Koh Samui and is an excellent choice for the variety of dive sites there. From shallow, rocky sites to huge pinnacles, and a wide array of hard and soft corals, not to mention an abundance of marine life, there really is something for everyone. Your day will start with us picking you up at your hotel approximately 7:00 am. We will take you to the pier where you can enjoy some light breakfast and coffee/tea and meet Discovery Divers Team. The boat will leave the pier at 8:00 am. It takes approximately 80 minutes to reach Koh Tao by speedboat. Upon completion of the second dive the boat will return to Koh Samui, and you will be back at your resort around 3:30 pm.

5.0(86)
8h
View Details
3 Days PADI Open Water Scuba Diving in Koh Tao
From $440.03
Free Cancellation

Dreaming of exploring the underwater world? Our PADI Open Water course is perfect for beginners looking to take their first steps into scuba diving! Located in the breathtaking dive sites of Koh Tao, Thailand, this course offers the ideal mix of classroom learning, in-water training, and hands-on experience. You’ll be guided by our expert instructors who will ensure you feel confident and safe as you learn essential scuba diving skills. With small group sizes and personalized attention, you’ll quickly become comfortable in the water, exploring the vibrant marine life of Koh Tao. Complete your certification and unlock a lifetime of diving opportunities. Ready to dive in? Sign up today and start your exciting underwater adventure!

5.0(12)
72h
View Details
Basic Diver ( One Day Experience)
From $127.12
Free Cancellation

- Ratio: Maximum 4 per instructor 1. Starting Meet your instructor, fellow students and start 40 min basic dive theory. 2. Try scuba dive Begin your underwater experience with 1 dive in direct contact with an SSI professional, starting at 0 meters to a maximum of 5 meters while focusing on techniques, skills, and exercises! 3. Second Dive: You can decide to go for a second dive on the same day. No skills, no exercises, just diving! The second dive will be at a maximum depth of 12 meters. ( additional price)

4.9(204)
24h
View Details
La Bombona Diving Koh Tao Open Water Course
From $423.73
Free Cancellation

Our Open Water experience will take your breath away. Literally speaking you'll be breathing from a tank, so you'll be able to breath, just not the way you’re used to. One of our knowledgeable staff will welcome you into our cozy dive school on the paradise island of Koh Tao. You'll get your measurements taken and dressed up with our brand new equipment to ensure you are as comfortable as can possible. The Open Water is a 4-day course and it includes 1 pool session and 4 dives. Your instructor will show you educational videos, take you through an extensive safety briefing and tell you the do's and dont's of diving, as well as explain a little bit about what to expect. The day after you have completed your pool session, you will be whisked off to our state of the art dive boat (showers, sun deck, lots of space, refreshments, all included in the price) where you'll make the trip to one of the many dive sites Koh Tao has to offer.

5.0(172)
72h
View Details
Chumphon Pinnacle-Koh Tao 2 dive trip for certified divers
From $194.92
Free Cancellation

Participants must have a diving certification for this trip. For this trip we do our first dive at famous Chumphon Pinnacle. Our second dive for the day will be at Koh Tao. Your day will start with us picking you up at your hotel approximately 7:00 am. We will take you to the pier where you can enjoy some light breakfast and coffee/tea and meet Discovery Divers Team. The boat will leave the pier at 8:00 am. It takes approximately 85 minutes by speedboat to reach the best dive site of Koh Tao. Upon completion of the second dive the boat will return to Koh Samui, and you will be back at your resort around 3:30 pm.

4.9(41)
8h
View Details
Open Water Course - Become certified diver in 3 days
From $358.54
Free Cancellation

Your first certification is a license to learn more! Performance-based, after this course you will have the knowledge and skills to plan and execute a dive to a maximum of 18 meters with a certified buddy. Day 1 - Academics + Diving Meet your instructor, fellow students and start the first academic session. Short break for lunch before jumping into your confined skills session for the afternoon. Day 2 - Academics + Diving Skills Start academic session in the morning before heading for the afternoon boat for confined water training skills dives 1 and 2 with a maximum depth of 12m at 2 different dive sites around Koh Tao. Day 3 - Diving + Exam Enjoy 2 dives at a maximum depth of 18 meters, which is the maximum allowed for an open water diver! On some of the best dive sites around Koh Tao, last day is purely fun diving, no training, no exercises, just diving! After completing your last 2 dives we will be doing the final exam at the school!

5.0(1,132)
72h
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Open Water Course
From $376.09
👤Private Tour

The Open Water Course is an experience you can’t miss if you’re visiting Koh Tao! This small tropical island is known as one of the best places in the world to start diving and earn your Open Water certification. At DPM Diving, you’ll have the chance to learn in your own language with some of the best instructors on the island. We work with small groups to ensure a personalized, fun, and safe experience from start to finish. Imagine crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and your first underwater breaths in paradise. You’ll gain new skills, boost your confidence, make new friends, and create memories that will stay with you for life. No previous experience needed — just bring your sense of adventure and good vibes. Dive in, have fun, and become a certified diver in Koh Tao!

5.0(191)
60h
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Extend your diving limits in 2 days - PADI Advanced Diver Course
From $354.78
Free Cancellation

This course will help you feel more confident underwater, deepen your experience, improve dive planning, expand your depth limits to 30 meters and allow you to explore new underwater activities under the guidance of an experienced PADI instructor such as Ship Wrecks, Night dives, Dreft dives atc.

4.9(16)
48h
View Details
Basic Diver
From $146.68
Free Cancellation👤Private Tour

At Scubadoo we provided the best experiences and services to all the customers. Basic diver course designed for people who only have short time on Koh Tao and you still be able to have underwater experiences. Also we providing picture and videos.

5.0(13)
24h
View Details
SSI Open Water Diver
From $391.14
Free Cancellation

This globally-recognized certification program is the best way to begin your life-long adventure as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

5.0(27)
72h
View Details

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Why Choose Scuba Diving Certification Courses in Koh Tao?

World-Class Dive Sites

Koh Tao boasts numerous dive sites suitable for training, offering calm conditions and rich marine biodiversity perfect for learning.

Affordable Prices

It's consistently ranked as one of the most budget-friendly destinations globally for scuba diving certifications.

Experienced Instructors

Dive centers are staffed by highly qualified, often multilingual instructors with extensive experience.

Abundant Marine Life

Encounter a variety of tropical fish, corals, and potentially sea turtles, making your training dives exciting.

Established Dive Community

Join a vibrant community of divers from around the world, sharing experiences and making new friends.

Reputable Dive Agencies

Most schools offer certifications through globally recognized agencies like PADI and SSI.

Types of Scuba Diving Certification Courses in Koh Tao

Open Water Diver Course

This is the foundational certification for recreational scuba diving. You'll learn essential knowledge and skills to dive independently to a maximum depth of 18 meters.

3-4 days durationTheory sessionsConfined water divesOpen water divesCertification card

Advanced Open Water Diver Course

For certified Open Water Divers, this course introduces you to more advanced diving techniques and experiences, including deep dives and navigation. It typically involves five specialty dives.

2-3 days duration5 Adventure DivesIncludes Deep Dive & Underwater NavigationBuilds confidenceCertification card

Specialty Courses

Beyond the core certifications, Koh Tao offers specialty courses like Enriched Air (Nitrox), Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Photography, and more, allowing you to hone specific skills.

1-2 days durationFocus on specific skillsEnhances diving experienceVarious options availableCertification card

Discover Scuba Diving Experience

Not ready for a full certification? This introductory program allows you to experience scuba diving under the direct supervision of an instructor without requiring prior experience or a certification.

Half-day durationBasic skills introductionSupervised divesNo certification earnedGreat for beginners

What to Expect on Koh Tao Scuba Diving Certification Courses

Duration

Open Water Diver courses typically take 3 to 5 days to complete, depending on the dive school's schedule and your learning pace. Advanced courses are usually 2-3 days.

Weather

Koh Tao enjoys a tropical climate. Water temperatures are consistently warm (around 28-30°C), and visibility is generally good, though it can vary with seasons and currents.

Group Size

To ensure personalized attention and safety, most dive courses maintain small group sizes, typically no more than 4 students per instructor for Open Water courses.

What's Included

Courses usually include all learning materials, equipment rental, boat dives, certification fees, and instruction. Check specific listings for details.

Meeting Point

You'll typically meet at the dive center's office, often located in Sairee Beach, the main tourist area. They will then arrange transport to the boats or dive sites.

Additional Costs

While the course fee covers certification, you might incur extra costs for accommodation, food, and any personal dive gear you wish to purchase.

Expert Tips for the Best Experience

1

Book your course in advance, especially during peak season, to secure your spot with your preferred dive school.

2

Read reviews for dive schools and instructors. Look for those with consistently positive feedback on safety, teaching quality, and fun.

3

Consider getting your theory eLearning done online before you arrive in Koh Tao. This can save you valuable time on the island.

4

Don't be afraid to ask questions! Your instructors are there to ensure you understand everything before you proceed.

5

Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. Being environmentally conscious is crucial for protecting the reefs you'll be diving on.

6

After your certification, consider doing a few fun dives with your new skills to build confidence and further explore the local dive sites.

7

Pack a dry bag for your personal items; they can get wet on boat transfers.

8

Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. Learning to dive can be tiring, but the rewards are immense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What is the minimum age to get scuba certified in Koh Tao?

A: The minimum age for the PADI Open Water Diver course is 10 years old. For SSI, it's also 10 years old, with certain restrictions for younger divers. Always check with the dive center for specific age requirements.

Q:Do I need to know how to swim to take a diving course?

A: Yes, you do need to be comfortable in the water. All certification agencies require a basic swim test (e.g., swim 200 meters or float for 10 minutes) before you can begin the practical diving portion.

Q:How much does a scuba diving certification cost in Koh Tao?

A: Prices can vary, but a PADI or SSI Open Water Diver course in Koh Tao typically ranges from $275 to $350 USD. This often includes all necessary materials and certification fees.

Q:What's the difference between PADI and SSI?

A: Both PADI and SSI are highly respected, globally recognized diver training agencies. The core curriculum for entry-level certifications like Open Water Diver is very similar. The choice often comes down to personal preference or the dive school's affiliation.

Q:What if I have a medical condition? Do I need a doctor's note?

A: You will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire. If you answer 'yes' to any of the medical history questions, you will need to obtain a medical clearance from a doctor before participating in any in-water activities.

Q:How long does the certification last?

A: Your Open Water Diver certification is for life! However, it's recommended to do a refresher course if you haven't dived for a year or more, or if you feel your skills are a bit rusty.

Q:Is the weather suitable for diving year-round?

A: Koh Tao is generally a year-round diving destination. While there can be slightly rougher seas during monsoon season (typically November), most dive centers are very experienced in finding calm, protected dive sites.

Don't Miss the Perfect Koh Tao Experience

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Why Visit Koh Tao?

Discover world-class diving and snorkeling spots with vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life.

Experience the laid-back island vibe at stunning beaches like Sairee and Tanote Bay.

Enjoy affordable scuba diving certifications, making Koh Tao a diver's paradise.

Explore ancient viewpoints and unique rock formations, offering glimpses into the island's past.

Savor delicious Thai cuisine and fresh seafood at charming beachfront restaurants.

Embrace the relaxed pace of island life, perfect for unwinding and reconnecting.

Best Time to Visit

Weather

Koh Tao enjoys a tropical climate with high temperatures year-round. The island experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, influenced by monsoon patterns. Expect warm, humid conditions with occasional heavy rainfall, especially during the monsoon months.

Best Months

The best months to visit Koh Tao are generally from February to April and July to September. During these periods, the weather is typically drier with calmer seas, ideal for diving and beach activities.

Peak Season

Peak season typically falls between December and March, coinciding with cooler, drier weather. Expect larger crowds, higher accommodation prices, and a vibrant atmosphere, especially around Christmas and New Year.

Off Season

The off-season runs from May to June and October to November. While there's a higher chance of rain, you'll find fewer tourists, lower prices, and a more relaxed island feel.

Plan Your Koh Tao Trip

Transportation Tips

Getting around Koh Tao is relatively easy and part of the adventure. Longtail boats are the primary way to reach secluded beaches and snorkeling spots. For exploring the island's interior and main roads, renting a scooter is popular, but be cautious as roads can be steep and unpaved. Taxis are also available, usually shared songthaews (pick-up trucks with benches). Walking is feasible within the main villages like Sairee.

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Where to Stay

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