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Scuba Diving in Koh Lanta | Technical & Cave Diving Center
SSI OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE IN KOH LANTA
Are you ready to start a lifelong adventure underwater?
Learn to scuba dive and become a certified diver with our Open Water Diver Course in Koh Lanta. Over three days, you'll learn the fundamentals of scuba diving with our instructors through online learning, classroom sessions, and pool training before completing four open water training dives and the final written exam.
From 14,500 THB · 3 days · No previous diving experience required · For 10 years and older
What Is The Open Water Diver Course
The SSI Open Water Diver Course is a complete introduction to scuba diving and the first step towards becoming a certified diver. You'll learn the knowledge and practical skills you need to dive with an equally or more qualified buddy in environments that match your training and experience.
The course combines online learning, instructor-led training in the classroom and practical sessions in the water. You will first learn the fundamentals of scuba diving and practice essential skills in confined water and repeat these skills during four open water training dives.
Once you successfully complete all the course requirements, online learning and the final written exam, you will earn your Open Water Diver certification and become a certified diver. You will be qualified to plan and conduct dives with a similarly certified or more experienced buddy, without a professional diver supervising you, to a maximum depth of 18 metres. For Junior Open Water Divers, the certification allows to explore depths of up to 12 meters (ages 10-11) or 18 meters (ages 12-14) under supervision.
Course Price & What's Included
Open Water Diver Course — 14,500 THB
For divers aged 15 and older
Junior Open Water Diver Course — 16,000 THB
For divers aged 10–14
Included in the course
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Full scuba diving equipment
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Course materials
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Certification (when earned)
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Breakfast and lunch on diving days
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Diving Insurance for the course
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Hotel transfers on diving days between Saladan and Klong Nin. Free pick-up area extends to Sri Lanta Resort as the last included pick-up point
Not Included
National Park fees (apply for each diving day):
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Thai nationals: 240 THB per diver
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Foreigners: 600 THB per diver
Small Training Groups
We keep our Open Water training groups small so our instructors can give each student the attention they need throughout the course.
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Maximum 4 adults (15+) per instructor
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Maximum 2 junior divers (10–14) per instructor
We keep smaller groups for children, allowing them to learn safely, comfortably, and at their own pace.
Your 3-Day Open Water Diver Course
Here's what a typical course schedule looks like.
Day 1 — Classroom & Pool Training
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8:00 AM: Theory session starts
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Classroom training followed by a lunch break
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Afternoon pool session to practise your diving skills
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Please allow the day to continue until around 5:00 PM, depending on how the pool session progresses
Please note:
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Breakfast is not included on Day 1
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Hotel pick-up is not included on Day 1. If you need a pick-up, let us know and we'll be happy to arrange one
Day 2 & 3 — Ocean Diving
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5:45–6:15 AM: Hotel pick-up, depending on your accommodation
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6:15 AM: Meeting time at the pier, equipment check
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6:30 AM: Breakfast served at the pier
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7:00 AM: Boat departure
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2 open water training dives
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Return to Saladan Pier after the second dive
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Around 12PM: Lunch served at the pier
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After lunch, we'll drive you back to your accommodation
The final written exam is normally completed at the end of Day 3. The timing can be flexible depending on your course schedule and progress, so talk with your instructor about what works best for your training.
Open Water Diver Course Requirements
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No previous diving experience required
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You need to be able to swim and float comfortably. The course includes a swimming test.
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For 10 years old or older
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MEDICAL FORM: It is important to know about any medical conditions you might have that might put you at risk underwater. Please carefully read the Diver Participant Medical Questionnaire to make sure you are fit to dive. If you answer any of the questions YES, we require a doctor’s certificate that states you are medically fit to scuba dive.
What Will You Learn
The Open Water Diver Course gives you the knowledge and practical skills you need to become a confident, safe and responsible scuba diver. During the course, you will learn:
Scuba Equipment
Learn how your scuba equipment works, how to set it up correctly and how to use it safely before, during and after a dive.
Dive Skills
Practise the essential skills you need to become a capable diver, first in confined water and then during your open water training dives.
Breathing & Buoyancy
Learn how to breathe underwater and control your buoyancy so you can move and maintain your position in the water.
Underwater Communication
Learn the hand signals used by divers and how to communicate underwater with your buddy and instructor.
Dive Planning
Learn the basics of planning a dive, including depth, time, air consumption and the factors you need to consider before entering the water.
Safety & Problem Management
Learn how to recognise and respond to common problems that can occur while diving, including basic emergency and self-rescue skills.
Buddy Skills
Learn how to dive as part of a buddy team, including pre-dive checks, communication and procedures.
Upon successfully completing all course requirements, you can receive your Open Water Diver certification and continue diving within the limits of your training and certification.
Where Will You Dive?
Your Open Water Diver training takes place at Koh Lanta’s local dive sites of Koh Haa, Koh Bida, Hin Bida, Koh Ma and Phi Phi Islands.
All of the dive sites are suitable for the training, with a mix of shallow and deeper areas. They offer an opportunity to practise your skills in calmer, shallower water before progressing to deeper sections.
While the course dives focus on learning and practising your diving skills, there will also be time to look around and enjoy the underwater world. You’ll have the chance to see coral reefs, tropical fish and other marine life between exercises, with the final dive of the course usually being a more relaxed fun dive.
What Happens After the Course?
Once you’ve completed your Open Water Diver course, your diving journey can continue in many different directions. You can use your internationally recognised certification to go diving around the world with a similarly certified or more experienced buddy, or continue your training further with courses such as Advanced Open Water Diver, Diver Stress & Rescue or specialty diving courses.
Not sure what to do next? Don’t hesitate to chat with our team. We’ll be happy to talk through your options and help you find the right next step for your diving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I fit to dive?
Before starting the course, it is important to make sure that you are medically fit for scuba diving. Please carefully read the Diver Participant Medical Questionnaire and consider any medical conditions that could affect your safety underwater. If you answer YES to any of the questions, you will need a medical certificate from a doctor confirming that you are medically fit to scuba dive before taking part in the course.
Do I need previous scuba diving experience?
No. The Open Water Diver course is designed for beginners, so you don't need any previous scuba certification or diving experience.
How old do I need to be to take the Open Water Diver Course?
The minimum age is 10 years old.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Yes. You need to be comfortable in the water and able to swim and float. The course includes a swimming and water skills assessment.
How long does the Open Water Diver course take?
The course normally takes 3 days and includes theory, confined-water training and open-water dives.
Where will we do the course dives?
Training dives take place at dive sites around Koh Lanta, Koh Haa, Koh Bida and the Phi Phi Islands.
How deep can I dive after certified?
Maximum depth of 18m.
Junior Open Water Divers under supervision: 10-11 years old maximum depth of 12m, 12-14 years old 18m.
What will I see during the course?
The main focus of the dives is learning and practising your diving skills, but there will be opportunities to enjoy the underwater environment. You may see coral reefs, tropical fish, schools of fish and other marine life. The final fourth dive of the course is usually a more relaxed fun dive.
How can I continue my diving education after Open Water?
You can continue with courses such as Advanced Open Water Diver or Diver Stress & Rescue. If you're not sure what to take next, don't hesitate to chat with our team.