PADI Open Water

PADI OPEN WATER COURSE WITH SCUBA SHACK

The PADI Open Water Diver is the most popular scuba diving certification in the world. It is accepted worldwide and takes just four days to complete!

No prior scuba diving experience is needed and you will be certified to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Contact Us now to book your Open Water Diver course.

Koh Tao Marine Life - Turtle | Scuba Shack
Learn how to scuba diving on Koh Tao | Scuba Shack
Sunrise on the Way to Chumphon Pinnacle | Scuba Shack Koh Tao
Scuba Diving at Chumphon Pinnacle | Scuba Shack Koh Tao
anemonefish - Koh Tao Marine Life | Scuba Shack

OPEN WATER DIVER PRE-REQUISITES

To start the PADI Open Water Diver Course you need to be at least 10 years old. You need to be able to swim 200 Meters and float/tread water for ten minutes.

You also need to be in good physical health.  Please take a look at the PADI Medical Participant Questionnaire to find out if you should be examined by your Doctor before participating in Recreational Scuba Diving.

PADI OPEN WATER COURSE
WHAT’S INVOLVED

You’ll learn the theory behind open water diving so you have the knowledge and skills to plan fun and safe dives. You’ll learn all about scuba equipment and how to use it effectively. The Open Water Course consists of three sections:

You can even start your Open Water Diver course now by signing up for PADI eLearning. Start learning now through an interactive computer-based program. Sign Up Now…

PADI OPEN WATER COURSE SCHEDULE

Open Water Course - day 1 | Scuba Shack Koh Tao

DAY 1

Starting: 4:00 pm

Meet the rest of your Open Water Diver team!

**Maximum of 4 students per instructor

You’ll start watching the PADI Open Water Diver video.

Open Water Course - confined water session | Scuba Shack Koh Tao

DAY 2

Starting: 8:00 am

Classroom session.
Your Instructor will review the knowledge reviews you completed and explain anything not fully understood. Quizzes on each chapter will ensure all students master key concepts.

11:00 – 12:00. Lunch break.

Then you’ll spend the afternoon out on the boat for the confined water session. In shallow water close to one of our pristine beaches you’ll learn and practice important scuba diving skills while gaining confidence under the water! Return about 5.00 pm.

Open Water Course dive 1 and 2 | Scuba Diving Koh Tao

DAY 3

Starting: 8:00 am

Classroom session.
Review knowledge reviews and take the final exam.

11:00 – 12:00 - Lunch break

Spend the afternoon out on the boat for Open Water Dives 1 and 2 to a maximum depth of 12 meters. During these dives you will be under the close supervision of your PADI Instructor as you further master the scuba diving skills learned the day before. Return about 5.00 pm.

Open Water Course - dive 3 | Scuba Shack Koh Tao

DAY 4

Starting: 5:45 am

Spend the morning out on the boat. Open Water Dives 3 and 4 will take you to a maximum depth of 18 meters and allow you to explore some of our deeper dive sites about 45 minutes away from Koh Tao.

You’ll finish up back at the shop around 11:00 am. Congratulations you’re certified!

HOW MUCH DOES PADI OPEN WATER COURSE COST ON KOH TAO?

The Open Water Course is 11.000 baht including all materials, equipment, the PADI certification and Online manual. If you have no accommodation yet we can help you to find a place which suits your needs.

Air Conditioned dorms are available for 300 baht/night, fan bungalows close to the beach are 400 baht and AC bungalows are 700 baht. Contact Us for more information on accommodation options.

Scuba Shack Team, Koh Tao - Thailand
Scuba Shack Accommodation on Koh Tao, Thailand
Scuba Shack Accommodation - Koh Tao, Thailand

FAQ

Not necessarily. You need basic swimming skills and the ability to comfortably maintain yourself in the water. Your PADI Instructor will ask you to complete 2 water skill exercises:

  • Swim 200 meters (or 300 meters wearing a mask, fins, and snorkel) without stopping. There is no time limit, and you may use any swimming strokes you want. 
  • Float and tread water for 10 minutes, using any method(s) you want.

The PADI Open Water course costs 11000 Baht including the open water e-manual, all equipment, insurance, and the certification fee. There are no additional costs.

The minimum age is 10 years old. Student divers who are younger than 15 earn the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification.

The Junior Open Water certification comes with some restrictions. 

  • Divers 10-11 years old must dive with a PADI Professional or a certified parent or guardian, and dives cannot exceed 12 meters/40 feet. 
  • Divers 12-14 years old must dive with a certified adult and dives cannot exceed 18 meters / 60 feet.
  • Children under the age of 13 require parent or guardian permission to register for PADI eLearning.
  • Jr. Open Water Divers may upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver certification at age 15 by requesting a new certification card (no additional training is required). 
  • Learn more here: https://blog.padi.com/2014/09/16/scuba-diving-lessons-for-kids/ 

Your PADI Open Water certification does not expire. If you haven’t been diving in a while, it is recommended that you refresh your knowledge and skills by completing a scuba review or the PADI ReActivate program.

You will be certified to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 metres/60 feet anywhere in the world.

PADI is the largest scuba diving training agency in the world and certifies more scuba divers than any other agency. The PADI Open Water course is the world’s most popular entry level scuba diver certification and you will find more PADI dive shops around the world than any other dive agency.

The quality of training and emphasis on safety are very important values within the PADI educational system and the courses are focused on performance-based learning and offer flexibility to suit the individual needs of students.

The duration of dives during the PADI Open Water course depends on several factors which you’ll learn about during the course. Basically the deeper you dive, the shorter your dive will be.

During the open water course, the first two dives have a maximum depth of 12 meters, then for the last 2 dives we can go to a maximum depth of 18 meters. At these depths, an average dive time is about 45 minutes.

The Open Water course consists of a confined water training session, either in a pool or a shallow bay around the island, followed by 4 open water dives.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT US