Get your Open Water Course on Koh Tao
Why should I get SCUBA certified?
Click here…
If you are an explorer and haven’t spent more time underwater than a short snorkel trip, then it’s time to get started!
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater? To watch fish swim around you and marvel at coral up close, without worrying about your next breath?
Whether you’re an adventurer, a nature and wildlife enthusiast, or simply looking for a new challenge, the Open Water Diver course is the perfect starting point for your underwater journey.
In this course, you’ll learn all the fundamentals of safe scuba diving, including dive theory and essential skills. Training begins in a shallow swimming pool and is followed by incredible dives in the warm, tropical waters of Koh Tao.
You’ll be guided at your own pace by one of our multilingual instructors, who will support you from start to finish. By the end, you’ll earn your certification and make new dive buddies along the way!
11,000 THB
This is how you become a diver:
In 3 days, you will become certified to dive with a buddy independently from a professional to 18m (60 feet)!
To accommodate for your holiday plans & time constraints we offer several schedule options, but in general, these are the parts of your training…
display:none
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Part 1: Theory
You can start your theory on the app or browser before you arrive! For the Open Water Course, the theory is substantial; however, it is divided into six manageable sections that allow you to learn at your own pace.
Topics include SCUBA equipment, safe diving practices, and knowledge of the environment. You will need to complete the first three sections before your initial pool dive and the remaining three before your final dives. The best option is to complete most of the theory before you arrive!
Once you arrive, you’ll start with an orientation and review all the necessary paperwork.
We include a face-to-face theory session with your instructor to cover key points and provide further explanations to ensure there are no gaps in your understanding.
A solid grasp of the theory is essential for safe and enjoyable diving experiences in the future!
Part 2: Pool-Training
Now that you’ve completed at least three chapters of the self-study portion of your theory, your instructor will demonstrate how this knowledge is applied in real-life diving scenarios and answer any questions you may have.
This is where the fun begins! Initial training in one of our resort swimming pools will teach you all the essential skills you’ll need as a diver, as well as a few safety procedures—just in case something unexpected happens.
You’ll start in very shallow water, where you’ll take your first breaths underwater, then gradually progress to the deeper end of the pool. Here, you’ll practice skills like swimming underwater while feeling weightless. You can take as much time as you need to build your confidence and ensure you’re ready to enjoy your dives safely.
At Crystal Dive, we don’t set strict time limits for practicing your skills. On average, it takes between half a day and a full day to reach your goal. If you need more time, you’ll get it—at no extra charge
Part 3: Open Water Dives
Having gained confidence and knowledge through online learning (which you should have completed by now) and pool training, it’s time to head to the ocean! Everything you’ve learned will come together in the final—and most exciting—part of your course: the Open Water Dives.
The Open Water Course includes four open water dives, spread over two half-days*. During the first two dives, you’ll reach a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet), giving you plenty of time to practice the skills and underwater swimming techniques you learned in the pool. The final two dives, to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet), are focused on enjoying the underwater world and demonstrating that you can dive independently of a professional.
Once you’ve completed this, you can officially call yourself an Open Water Diver! Celebrate your certification with a cold drink at our bar!
*Please note: All online theory must be completed before participating in your open water dives.
How it works …
To give you an idea of what your course will look like,
here’s an example schedule:
DAY ONE
Click here…
Day 1 - Full Day
8:00 Orientation & Theory
Pool - Session 1
– Lunch –
Pool - Session 2 & water fitness evaluations.
DAY TWO
Click here…
Day 2 - Full Day
Theory
- LUNCH -
Open Water Dive 1 & 2 (max. 12 metres)
DAY THREE
Click here…
Day 3 - Half Day
Open Water Dive 3 & 4 (max. 18 metres)
Certification & Celebration!
(+ your own video if you opted to get filmed!)
However. It’s not all set in stone, you can just contact us to request a different schedule that fits you!
The Open Water Course Prerequisites:
display:none;
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Fitness
To become a scuba diver, you don’t need to be an athlete or hardcore fit. You just need to have the passion and be open-minded to try something new.
Waterskills & Stamina
It’s helpful if you feel generally comfortable in the water and have basic swimming abilities. This is because the course includes a short swim test where you’ll need to float or tread water for 10 minutes and swim 200 meters unaided. If you’re unsure about this, feel free to ask us about other course options!
Minimum Age
To begin your certification course, you must be at least 10 years old. Divers aged 10–14 will earn a Junior Open Water Diver certification and must dive with an adult until they reach 15 years of age. Additionally, 10- and 11-year-old Junior Open Water Divers are restricted to a maximum depth of 12 metres to ensure their safety.
Medical Statement
You need to be medically fit for diving. You find the medical statement for scuba diving here to download. If in doubt, please check with your physician or ask us before booking your dive experience with us.
OPEN WATER COURSE
Price: 11,000 THB
Duration: 3 days
Minimum age: 10yrs
Prerequisites: No experience needed
Schedule
Day 1: Orientation & Pool
Day 2: Theory & 2 Dives
Day 3: 2 Dives (Midday Finish!)
Limited Time FREE Accommodation
3 FREE nights with the Open Water Course
5 FREE nights with the Open Water & Advanced Combo
Available until the 31st of March
What’s included?
Our Open Water Course package includes:
- Open Water Diver Course (max. 4 students per Instructor)
- Personal set of scuba equipment throughout your stay
- FREE use of Dive Computer
- Standard E-learning (Diamond Access upgrade available, read more)
- Certification
- Crystal Dive T-Shirt
- Multilingual personal instructor
- Boat trips & refreshments for your dives
- Dive insurance for your dives with us (30 days)
- Discounted accommodation option for the course duration, read more
- 10 % discount on additional diver level courses & dive equipment purchases with us
Book Now
Get Your Open Water Course at Crystal Dive Koh Tao
The Open Water diver course is the world’s most popular scuba diving training course, giving you a license to scuba dive anywhere in the world
฿11,000
The Open Water Course at Crystal can be completed in 3 days. You can do the theory online before you arrive!
If you have a group booking for 4+ people, please contact us for discounted rates.
Book your course online to take advantage of accommodation deals found here.
(*Standard private A/C Room/Bungalow, subject to availability. Please enquire/book 48 hours in advance)
Open Water Course
The Open Water Course at Crystal can be completed in 3 days. You can do the theory online before you arrive!
If you have a group booking for 4+ people, please contact us for discounted rates.
Book your course online to take advantage of accommodation deals found here.
(*Standard private A/C Room/Bungalow, subject to availability. Please enquire/book 48 hours in advance)
FILM YOUR DIVES, KEEP THE MEMORIES
Click here…
Our underwater videography team, Crystal Images, is available to provide you with personal and lasting memories of your experience and offer unique underwater video and photo services for your course. You can choose from a 10 minute land and underwater based video or 10-15 high resolution photographs.
These options are available for your Open Water course and can be booked by clicking the button below and choosing the ‘video & photo’ option, in addition to your course booking.
Please ask us about group bookings and additional options on other courses.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
display:none
Can I start my Open Water Diver Course every day?
In general, yes. We start our courses any given day. To secure your desired start date, we recommend booking your Open Water Course online HERE. This will guarantee your placement in a small group of maximum 4 students per Instructor.
Please be advised that you will need extra study time before arrival to complete the necessary sections to start with in-water training.
Is it possible to change the schedule for the Open Water Diver Course?
Our schedules are flexible and we will do everything to adjust it to your travel plans. Please contact us to arrange for a schedule that suits you within the limits of the Open Water Diver Course performance requirements.
Is there a shorter course option available for my Open Water Diver Course?
Yes! We can accommodate for your travel plans and as long as you feel comfortable in the water, the course can be done in as little as 2 days with the theory done online before arrival. Please contact us at any time for more information.
What are the minimum requirements to start my Open Water Course?
The minimum requirements for you to enroll in the Open Water Course are listed here. If you still have questions about specific requirements or an equivalent certification, please contact us directly.
How many students will be together with me in my Open Water Course?
We pride ourselves to teach our Open Water Course personal in groups of max. 4 students per Instructor. If you still prefer a smaller group or a private course please contact us directly. On the other hand, if you travel in a bigger group, please let us know and we will arrange for multiple Instructors to teach you together.
Will I see different dive sites during my Open Water Dives in the Open Water Course?
We have 3 custom built dive boats and choose the dive sites based on your course requirements, comfort level and weather conditions. Generally, we change dive sites on a daily basis, so you will dive at the best spots available for your Open Water Course. More about our boats here.
Can I take a Go Pro on my dives for the Open Water Course?
We highly discourage from taking a camera as you and your instructor should both focus only on you becoming a well-trained Open Water diver and handling a camera with the new equipment at the same time is not easy. Our In-House Video & Photo company Crystal Images provides perfect pictures or amazing underwater videos for you for a small surcharge. Check out this link: Video-Option.
What other courses can I take if I have some more time after my Open Water Course?
We have put together some recommendations for you under this link for dive activities that you may find interesting after your Open Water Course. If you are interested in other activities, have a look at our shop and check out our multi-course packages as well.
Do you offer any group discount on the Open Water Course?
If you book as a group of 4 or more, we can apply a discount based on your group size and course option. Please contact us in this case directly via Social Media/Email.
Other Questions?
Please check out our general FAQ-Page which will answer most of your questions about Koh Tao, diving, weather conditions and everything else. Anything that cannot be answered there, please just contact us and we get right back to you!
