Advanced Open Water

Advanced Open Water, more freedom, more adventure, more skills

5 specialties, 5 dives, and one full Similan and Khao Lak dive day to level up fast

The SSI Advanced Open Water is for certified divers who want to feel more confident, dive smarter, and unlock new experiences. Instead of just “more dives”, you build real skills through specialty training while exploring world-class sites. You will complete four key specialties and put them into practice immediately, with guided training dives in the Similan National Park plus an additional wreck trip for proper wreck experience.

This package is designed for divers who want maximum value from their holiday diving: better buoyancy and control, stronger navigation, safer deeper diving, and the ability to enjoy Nitrox. The result is simple: you will be a more capable diver, ready for more dive sites, and you will have an amazing set of dives to prove it.

AOWD Package Price

Course	Includes	Specialties	Price
AOW	1 day local sites + 1 day Similan (5 dives)	Deep + Nitrox + Navigation + Wreck + 1 more	15,000 ฿

2 days

Min. 10+ Age

Khao Lak + Similan

Course

Destination

Khao Lak + Similan
Departure

Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
Departure Time

Pick-up between 7:30 and 8:15 depending on your area
Return Time

Day 1: 14:30 | Day 2: 18:00
Dress Code

Swimwear, quick-dry shirt, a hat and sunglasses. Bring a towel and a long-sleeve for wind and sun.
Included

2-way Hotel Transfer

Liability Insurance

Life Jackets

Lunch & Fruits

Professional Guide

Travel Insurance

Water & Soft Drinks
Not Included

Crew Tips

Diving Insurance

Guide Tips

Mask, Snorkel & Fins

National Park Fees

Other Rental Equipment

2 dives Local Wrecks

Advanced Open Water Day 1 or Day 2: Local wreck dives (Boonsung + T-13)

This training day is usually on Thursday or Saturday (depending on the weekly schedule). It’s a perfect setup for AOW because the local sites are close, conditions are often calm, and you get lots of time in the water to practice skills and specialties.

09:00 Taxi pick-up in Khao Lak

We start the day around 09:00 with a taxi transfer from Khao Lak to Pakarang Beach, where our long-tail boat is waiting.

09:45 Long-tail boat departure

After loading gear and a short briefing, we head out by long-tail boat. The ride to the dive site takes about 40 minutes.

10:30 Dive 1: Boonsung Wreck

First dive is on the Boonsung Wreck, a classic local wreck dive with tons of fish life and that real “explore” vibe. Great for buoyancy control, navigation, and learning to move calmly around a structure.

11:30 Surface interval + lunch

After the first dive we take a proper surface interval and lunch break on the boat. During this time, we also relocate to the second site.

12:30 Dive 2: T-13 Underwater Museum

Second dive is at the T-13 area, a fun and varied site that feels completely different from the first dive. Ideal for improving awareness, trim, and relaxed underwater control.

13:30 Return to Tablamu

After the second dive, we head back toward Tablamu.

14:30 Arrival + transfer back

We arrive in Tablamu at around 14:30, then you’ll be transferred back to Khao Lak.

3 dives Koh Bon & Similan 9

Advanced Open Water Friday: Similan #9 + Koh Bon (3 dives day)

Friday is the highlight day of the AOW schedule: you get three dives in one day, usually at Similan Island #9 and Koh Bon. This is where the Andaman really shows off: clearer water, dramatic granite formations, and the chance to see bigger marine life.

07:30 Hotel pick-up (shared taxi)

Pick-up is done by shared taxi and depends on your hotel location. We’ll confirm your exact pick-up time after booking. Please be ready in the lobby 5–10 minutes early. Pick-up times by area: Nam Khem: 07:30 Bang Sak: 07:40 Pak Weep: 07:45 Pakarang: 07:50 Khuk Khak: 08:05 Bang Niang: 08:10 Nang Thong: 08:15 Lam Kaen: 08:20

09:00 Speedboat departure from Tap Lamu Pier

We meet at Tap Lamu Pier (south of Khao Lak) to wait for all guests to arrive and depart by speedboat at 09:00. After a short briefing, we get comfortable on board and start the ride out to the Similan Islands.

10:30 Arrival at the Similan area + full briefing

We reach the Similan area around 10:30 (timing depends on sea conditions). Your guide will run a full dive briefing: site plan, depth/time, buddy teams, entries/exits, and safety procedures.

11:00 Dive 1 (Similan #9 area)

Your first guided dive of the day, typically around Similan Island #9, with stunning visibility and beautiful underwater topography.

12:00 Surface interval + lunch

After Dive 1, we take a longer break on the boat to rest, rehydrate, and enjoy lunch while we reposition to the next dive site.

13:00 Dive 2 (Koh Bon or Similan #9 area)

Second guided dive, usually around 13:00. Depending on conditions, this dive is often Koh Bon or another Similan #9 site.

14:00 Short break + reposition

After Dive 2, we take a break on the boat to rest, rehydrate, and enjoy the views while we reposition for the third dive.

15:00 Dive 3 (Koh Bon or Similan #9 area)

Third guided dive, usually around 15:00. This can be a bit later depending on the site choice and boat logistics on the day.

16:30 Cruise back to Tap Lamu Pier

After the third dive, we relax on board for the ride back, with drinks and fruits.

18:00 Return to pier + hotel drop-off

We’re typically back at Tap Lamu Pier around 18:00 (can vary by route and conditions). From there, shared taxis take you back to your hotel, usually arriving between 18:30 and 19:30 depending on your area and traffic.

Make Your Own Memories

Price List for Rental & Fees

Below you’ll find our standard rental rates and the most common National Park fees. Availability can be limited on busy days.

Rental equipment prices (per day)

Item	Price
BCD	200 ฿
Regulator	200 ฿
Shorty wetsuit (3 mm)	100 ฿
Dive computer	250 ฿
Dive torch	200 ฿
Compass	150 ฿

Tip: Rental availability is limited on busy days — reserve early if you need specific items.

National Park Fees

Fee	Adults	Children
National Park entry fee	500 ฿	250 ฿
National Park diving fee	200 ฿	200 ฿

National Park fees are set by authorities and can change. We’ll confirm the applicable fees in your booking message.

Optional Add-ons

Nitrox (12L): 200 ฿
Private guide: 2000 ฿
Underwater photos/video: We don't have a dedicated photographer on board, but your guide usually has a camera and can take pictures and videos of you for ~ 1000 – 1500 ฿ per diver

Tipping

Tipping is not required, but it’s always appreciated if you enjoyed your day. If you’d like a simple guideline:

Boat crew (day trips): ~100–300 ฿ per guest
Dive guide: ~500–1000 ฿ per diver

If service was exceptional: tip more — but always optional.

Similan National Park – Booking Requirements

For National Park ticket booking, we require: first name, family name, nationality, date of birth, and passport number.
For divers we also need: certification level, number of logged dives, date of last dive, and proof of certification.
All visitors must carry a copy or photo of their passport during the trip (for possible ranger checks).

Similan National Park Rules

Season: The Similan Islands are closed every year from 16 May to 14 October and open from 15 October to 15 May.
Keep your park receipt: After paying the National Park entrance fee, please keep the receipt with you for inspection.
No drones: Drone flights are strictly prohibited.
No single-use plastics: Many Thai National Parks prohibit single-use plastic items (and foam containers). Please avoid bringing disposable plastic/foam packaging into the park.
Reef-safe sunscreen only: Thai National Parks have announced bans on certain chemical sunscreens that are harmful to coral. Please use reef-safe sunscreen or protective clothing instead.
Respect wildlife: Do not touch, chase, or disturb marine life. Never stand on coral or the seabed, and never take shells or coral as souvenirs.
Follow park staff & boat crew instructions: Rules can change depending on conservation measures and conditions. Always follow the guide briefing and any ranger instructions.

Important note about courses

Beginner courses are not allowed in Similan National Park (Try Dives / Open Water courses). These are available at Surin Islands and local dive sites.

New Thailand Diving & Snorkeling Rules

Thailand introduced stricter nationwide standards for diving and snorkeling activities (effective 22 April 2025) to protect coral reefs and improve safety.

Supervision required: Every trip must be accompanied by a certified dive supervisor or assistant.
Life jackets for snorkeling near coral: Life vests must be provided and worn when snorkeling near coral reefs (unless the tourist holds a recognized freediving certificate).
Mandatory briefing: Guests must receive a briefing on laws, safety, and responsible marine practices before activities.
Group ratios: Limits apply to how many guests one supervisor can oversee (different limits for deep diving vs snorkeling/freediving, and for training sessions).
Camera rules: Underwater photography is restricted unless the diver is qualified (e.g., Advanced certification or 40 logged dives) and can show proof if requested.
Reef distance: Divers must stay at least 2 metres above coral heads, and fin control must be demonstrated before approaching coral areas.

To comply with these rules, reminder: we may limit snorkeling approach to reefs, and we may ask guests to leave cameras on board if requirements are not met. Divers are expected to control their buoyancy for their own safety and the safety of the guide, group and environment.

Booking Deadlines

Bookings: latest 20:00 the day before the trip.
Cancellations: latest 12:00 the day before the trip.

Please book early: Similan National Park has limited tickets per day. We strongly recommend booking well in advance — especially for diving packages.

Liability Notice Participation Requirements