Level
Beginner
Course
Duration
0.5
Days
Max Depth
12
Meters
Cost
฿3,500
Thai Baht
This half-day SSI Basic Diver course offers a beginner-friendly intro to discover scuba diving in Koh Tao, blending stunning underwater scenery with expert guidance from our certified SSI instructors. You’ll try scuba diving by starting the day with an overview of dive safety and equipment before heading out for two open water dives at Koh Tao’s best dive sites.
The first dive will be spent in the shallow water practicing a few basic Scuba Diving skills to help you feel comfortable and confident. On the second dive you will spend time discovering why Koh Tao is renowned for its vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters, all while enjoying a safe and unforgettable scuba diving experience.
Finish the day by getting your SSI Basic Diver recognition which will allow you to experience scuba diving with an instructor up to 12m for the next 6 months!
10:00-12:00 Basic academics
12:00-12:30 Break
12:30-17:00 2 x ocean dives (max. 12m)
If you’ve completed your SSI Basic Diver program or decided to try scuba diving and loved it, the SSI Open Water Diver course is the perfect next step. This certification builds on your initial experience, giving you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to dive independently with a buddy to a depth of 18 meters.
With a balance of classroom learning, confined water sessions, and open water dives, you’ll move from trying scuba to becoming a certified diver ready to explore the ocean anywhere in the world.
A half-day introduction to try scuba diving, perfect for beginners seeking a quick, exciting experience exploring Koh Tao’s underwater beauty.
A huge thank you to Ana🩵, she's so sweet ☺️ The right person in the right place. I enjoyed my trial dives with her; she knew how to reassure me and show me how to enjoy diving without any worries or fears ✨ And she even has a super cute little fish toy attached to her wetsuit 🤩 Thank you, Ana 🩵 AL
If you want to get your diving license, come to Goodtime Adventures! The entire team Lisa, Gilly, Lukas, Mike, and especially Ana are incredibly professional and welcoming. They make you feel safe and confident during every dive, while also creating an unforgettable experience. A special thanks to Ana an amazing instructor who truly goes above and beyond! And if you want great photos from your dives, I highly recommend asking Mike. The pictures he took are absolutely fantastic. Cheers!
Fantastic experience as a first time diver! Ana made us feel so comfortable and we did such a brilliant dive near Nang Yuan. Would highly highly recommend!
What incredible experience! Anna was a fantastic scuba instructor. She had such a knowledgeable and calming presence, we felt so safe. I can’t recommend this company enough! (And mostly Anna)
Amazing company super kind staff would absolutely recommend. My dive master Mira went above and beyond, she was so kind, funny and knowledgeable. The company also runs beach cleanups which is amazing. Loved supporting a company that gives back to the environment they operate in.
Many thanks to the goodtime diving crew. My colleague and me had 4 fantastic dives the last two days. Our instructor Luke (from London) was really professional, followed the rules, had a conveniant pace during the dive and looked after us frequently. The equipment we got was in an excellent condition and easy to handle with. They have their own boat which is not overloaded with customers, so getting ready for the dive was also really relaxing and stress free. The boat master Gili (who is a dive instructor as well - and more) was also really kind and helped us in all ways. All in all a solid 5 star. Thanks guys 🙌🏼
Scuba Diving in Koh Tao has been very popular for years, we have some of Thailand’s best dive sites and great diving conditions all year round. Our most popular course is the SSI Open Water Diver course which takes 2.5 days to complete and allows to to dive all over the world once you are certified. This course is ideal for beginners who want to get Scuba certified on Koh Tao.
If you are short on time the SSI Basic Diver is for you! This is a half-day experience where you can dip your toes in and explore the underwater world.
You can earn an Open Water Diver certification with any major dive organization. An SSI diver can dive at PADI centers worldwide, and vice versa.
However, with SSI you do get benefits:
Online Learning
While most organisations offer online learning, not all of them offer it free of charge and can end up racking up quite the bill. SSI offers your learning materials for free as part of your course registration and is easy to navigate using the MySSI app. The app is regularly updated and also offers additional free courses like the ‘Try Diving’ and the ‘Blue Oceans‘ for you to enhance your scuba diving knowledge.
Recognition Ratings
SSI do things a little differently to other diving agencies, they continue to recognise your advancement in diving whether you are enrolled in a course or not. When you reach certain milestones you will be awarded recognition status. This is why we encourage specialities over the SSI Advanced Open Water or PADI Advanced Open Water courses. With SSI once you complete 4 speciality courses and 24 dives you will automatically be rewarded with Advanced Open Water recognition status. Taking this route allows you to explore your passions underwater without being restricted to one exploration dive per specialty! Don’t forget we offer discounts on bundles too!
Flexibility
SSI allows its professionals to teach using an 80/20 approach. Instructors can adapt 20% of the course to match each student’s learning pace.
The minimum age to learn to scuba dive and become certified is ten years old. If the diver is between 10-14 they will be awarded with a Junior SSI Open Water Certification that will automatically upgrade to Open Water Diver once they turn 15.
However, the SSI Explorers program provides options for children aged six and up to experience diving and snorkeling in very shallow water.
Diving in Koh Tao is popular for its year-round diving conditions, boasting clear waters, vibrant marine life, and stunning dive sites available 365 days a year. Whether you’re a beginner starting with an SSI Open Water Diver course or an experienced diver, diving in Koh Tao offers it all—excellent training sites, famous dive spots, shipwrecks, and pinnacles like Sail Rock. With some of the world’s most affordable and accessible diving packages, Koh Tao remains a must-visit destination for underwater enthusiasts across Southeast Asia.
At Goodtime, we make your Koh Tao experience even more affordable with our exclusive discounts. Get 25% off accommodation, with rates starting at just 1,150 Baht for private double or twin rooms and 500 Baht per night in our 4-bed dorms. Enjoy 20% off delicious meals at our beachfront restaurant, perfect for refueling after your adventures. Plus, save 10% when you book any scuba diving or rock climbing bundle—making it easier than ever to dive, climb, and relax on Koh Tao!
SSI do things a little differently to other diving agencies, they continue to recognise your advancement in diving whether you are enrolled in a course or not. When you reach certain milestones you will be awarded recognition status. This is why we encourage specialities over the SSI Advanced Open Water or PADI Advanced Open Water courses. With SSI once you complete 4 speciality courses and 24 dives you will automatically be rewarded with Advanced Open Water recognition status. Taking this route allows you to explore your passions underwater without being restricted to one exploration dive per specialty! Don’t forget we offer discounts on bundles too!
Yes, a basic level of in-water ability is required to scuba dive. For certain courses, you’ll need to complete a water fitness evaluation before heading into the open water. This includes either a 200-meter unaided swim or a 300-meter swim using a mask, snorkel, and fins. These requirements ensure your safety and confidence during your underwater adventures.
