Open Water Diver

Become a certified diver in a fun, relaxed way

Your worldwide certification to dive

The SSI Open Water course is your complete beginner certification — the perfect way to learn scuba diving step by step. You’ll start with online theory and pool training to build confidence and core skills, then apply everything in real ocean dives. This course includes 2 ocean dives on a local Khao Lak reef, followed by 2 dives at the Similan Islands the next day, giving you an unforgettable start to your diving journey — safe, structured, and genuinely exciting.

You can also opt to do your entire Open Water Course close to the mainland by doing all of your open water dives at our local dive sites. Instead of going to the Similans, you’ll see two wrecks: Boonsung and T13.

Price List

Category	Option	What’s included	Price
Course	SSI OWD	eLearning, 1/2 day pool, 1 day local dive sites + 1 day Similan Island	16,500 ฿
Course	SSI OWD	eLearning, 1/2 day pool, 2 days local dive sites	15,000 ฿

+ All gear included

3 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: 15:30 | Day 3: 16:30
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

Mask, Snorkel & Fins

Other Rental Equipment

Professional Guide

Travel Insurance

Water & Soft Drinks
Not Included

Crew Tips

Diving Insurance

Guide Tips

National Park Fees

Day 1 Pool Training

10:00 Pickup from your hotel

We pick you up at your hotel and head to the training location. Please be ready a few minutes early with swimwear and a towel.

10:30 Arrival at the pool + course briefing

Meet your instructor, get a quick overview of the day, and set up your scuba equipment step by step.

11:00 Confined water training (pool skills)

You’ll learn and practice the essential Open Water skills in calm, controlled water: breathing, buoyancy basics, mask skills, regulator recovery, and more, all at your own pace.

13:00 Break

A short break to hydrate, relax, and recharge before continuing the session.

13:30 Confined water training continues

More skill practice and confidence-building drills, plus time for questions and extra repetition where needed.

16:00 Finish training + pack up

We wrap up the pool session, rinse and pack equipment, and confirm the plan for your next training day.

16:30 Return to your hotel

Drop-off at your hotel after a full day of progress, new skills, and underwater confidence.

Day 2 Local Open Water Dives

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: Khao Na Yak

First dive is at Khao Na Yak, a scenic local reef with great visibility on calm days and lots of fish life to explore along the reef line.

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: Reef dive (local coral gardens)

Second dive is on a nearby local reef with colorful coral gardens and plenty of small marine life. A relaxed, fun follow-up dive that’s perfect for building confidence and improving buoyancy.

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.

Day 3 Similan/Local Open Water Dive

Day 3 option Choose Local dive day (like Day 2) or Similan Islands

Before the trip, you can choose between two options: Option A: Local dive sites around Khao Lak, run just like Day 2 (easy logistics, long-tail boat, shorter travel). Option B: Similan Islands by speedboat (earlier start and longer ride, but the most famous islands and clearest water).

Option A: Local dive sites (same flow as Day 2)

Option B: Similan Islands (early start)

07:30 Hotel pick-up (shared taxi)

Pick-up 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.

09:00 Speedboat departure from Tap Lamu Pier

We meet at Tap Lamu Pier (south of Khao Lak), wait for all guests to arrive, then 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 Islands + full briefing

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

11:00 Dive 1

Your first guided fun dive of the day.

12:00 Surface interval + lunch

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

13:00 Dive 2

Second guided fun dive, usually around 13:00 (can be a bit later depending on the site choice and boat logistics).

14:30 Cruise back to Tap Lamu Pier

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

16:00 Return to pier + hotel drop-off

We’re typically back at Tap Lamu Pier around 16:00 (can vary by route and conditions). From there, shared taxis take you back to your hotel, usually arriving between 16:30 and 17:30 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