Course overview

The SSI Scuba Diver course on Koh Tao gets you certified quickly. This streamlined certification lets you dive to 12 metres under the supervision of an SSI professional. It works well when time is tight, and it can be upgraded to full Open Water later, with Koh Tao offering some of the cheapest continuing training anywhere.

What you’ll learn

• Set up, check and use scuba equipment
• Perform core skills like mask clearing and regulator recovery
• Manage buoyancy and safe descents and ascents
• Dive to 12 metres with an SSI professional
• Plan dives and use the buddy system
• Apply essential dive theory and safety

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 10 (Junior Scuba Diver)
• Able to swim and be comfortable in water
• No prior certification required
• Diver medical questionnaire / fitness to dive

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 & confined water

   Complete the core SSI digital lessons and practise key skills in confined water.
2. Day2
   Confined-water skills

   Refine mask, regulator and buoyancy skills in the shallows.
3. Day2
   Open-water dives

   Make two open-water training dives to 12 metres at a calm reef such as Japanese Gardens or Twins to earn the certification.

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