Course overview

The PADI Underwater Navigator specialty on Koh Tao sharpens your orientation underwater, using the island's varied reef and pinnacle layouts as practice grounds. Across three dives you master compass headings, natural navigation and distance estimation, so you can find your way back to the boat with confidence.

What you’ll learn

• Navigate accurately using a compass and reciprocal headings
• Use natural references such as reef contours, ripples and depth
• Estimate distance by kick cycles and elapsed time
• Follow patterns including squares, triangles and search patterns
• Create and follow an underwater site map
• Relocate a submerged object or feature

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 10
• PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or equivalent
• Diver medical clearance signed by a physician

What's included · What's not

Not included? Sort the rest of your trip

Flights and accommodation aren’t part of the course price, here’s how to book them around your dates.

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Theory & briefing

   Cover compass use, natural navigation and distance estimation in the classroom and dive briefing.
2. Day1
   Compass & natural dives

   Practise compass headings and natural references on the first dives at a varied reef such as Twins.
3. Day1
   Patterns & mapping

   Swim navigation patterns, estimate distances and create an underwater site map on the final dive.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Koh Tao.

Frequently asked questions