Diving Certificate Guide — PADI on Koh Tao
Koh Tao is the cheapest and most popular place in the world to get a diving certificate. Over 70 dive schools compete for students — this lowers prices and raises quality. Most schools offer courses in German.
PADI Open Water Diver (Beginner)
Duration: 3–4 days | Price: 9,800–11,000 ฿ (approx. 250–280€)
Content: Theory (self-study + classroom), pool exercises (Confined Water), 4 open water dives up to 18 m depth.
Included: Equipment, teaching materials, PADI certification, often 2 nights accommodation free.
Requirement: Ability to swim, 10 years old, medically fit.
PADI Advanced Open Water
Duration: 2 days | Price: 8,500–10,000 ฿ (approx. 215–255€)
Content: 5 adventure dives (deep diving, navigation + 3 elective modules like night diving, wreck diving, naturalist). Maximum depth: 30 m.
Requirement: PADI Open Water Diver.
Discover Scuba Diving (Introductory)
Duration: 1 day | Price: 3,000–3,500 ฿ (approx. 75–90€)
No certification, but a dive up to 12 m in open water after a short pool briefing. Perfect to find out if diving is for you.
Dive School Recommendations
Crystal Dive — Koh Tao's largest dive school (since 1994). Professional, well-organized, German-speaking instructors available. At Mae Haad and Sairee Beach. Open Water: 9,800 ฿ including 2 nights accommodation.
Ban's Diving Resort — The other large school, directly at Sairee Beach. Own pool, modern equipment. Open Water: 9,800 ฿ including accommodation. Good reputation among German divers.
Big Blue Diving — Known for the family atmosphere and social life after diving. Own bar and accommodations. Open Water: 10,500 ฿ including 3 nights in dorm.
Important Notes
- Medical Check: You must fill out a health questionnaire. For asthma, heart disease, or epilepsy, you need a medical certificate
- No flying after diving: At least 18–24 hours waiting time before flying or a boat trip over open sea
- Insurance: Check if your travel insurance covers diving. DAN (Divers Alert Network) offers additional insurance from about 35€/year
- Negotiate: Always ask for the inclusive package (accommodation, equipment, teaching materials). In the low season (May–September), discounts of 10–15% are common
💡 Tipp
Get the Open Water Diver on Koh Tao and immediately follow it with the Advanced — the combo package is significantly cheaper (around 16,000–18,000 ฿ instead of 19,000 ฿ separately) and you save a day of repetition. Most schools also offer SSI instead of PADI — both are recognized worldwide, SSI is often 500 ฿ cheaper.