Koh Tao: Open Water diving course with local guide

Summary

Learning to dive in Koh Tao — my first open water course

You’ll learn to dive in Koh Tao over four days with a patient local guide — starting in the pool before heading out for four real dives at different sites around the island. Expect small moments: laughter over lunch on deck, new friends from everywhere, and that strange calm when you first breathe underwater — memories that stick long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We walked up to the La Bombona Diving school on Koh Tao still a bit groggy from the ferry, and I remember the smell of sunscreen mixing with that salty island air. The place felt relaxed — not intimidating at all, which helped because honestly, I was nervous about breathing underwater. Our instructor, Tom (from Liverpool but somehow more Thai than me by now), handed us wetsuits and cracked a joke about “looking like sea cucumbers.” He took his time fitting our gear — even double-checked my mask when I fumbled with the strap. It’s weird how quickly you start trusting someone when they’re about to take you under the sea for the first time.

The first day was mostly videos and safety stuff, but Tom kept it real — told us what actually happens if you panic or get water up your nose (spoiler: it’s not glamorous). The pool session was next. The water was cool but not cold, and there’s this moment when you first breathe through the regulator — it sounds like Darth Vader in your own head. I didn’t expect to feel so calm after a few minutes; maybe it was Tom’s patience or just knowing he’d seen every rookie mistake before. We practiced until my hands got wrinkly.

The next morning we met at the dock early, sun barely up and boats already clinking against each other. The dive boat had three decks and smelled faintly of coffee and neoprene. There were people from everywhere — Li from Beijing tried to teach me how to say “parrotfish” in Mandarin (I failed spectacularly). Out at the dive site, everything slowed down: slipping into the water felt surreal, like crossing into another world where sound is muffled and colors shift. On our second dive I spotted a blue-spotted ray hiding under coral; Tom pointed it out with this little underwater dance move that made me laugh through my mouthpiece.

I still think about that feeling after surfacing — salty hair, sun on my face, everyone grinning like we’d just pulled off something big together. Lunch on deck tasted better than any meal should after swimming for hours (rice and fried chicken never hit so hard). By day four we were swapping stories with other groups, comparing mask marks on our faces like badges of honor. I didn’t expect to feel part of a little family by the end of it all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Open Water Diving Course

• Welcome and equipment fitting
• Educational videos and safety briefing
• Pool diving session
• Boat trip to dive sites
• Dive at various Koh Tao sites

Top questions

How long is the open water diving course in Koh Tao?

The course lasts four days and includes one pool session plus four open water dives.

Is all scuba equipment provided during the course?

Yes, all necessary scuba gear is included as part of your booking.

Are meals included during the dives?

Breakfast and lunch are included during trips to Sail Rock; otherwise refreshments are available on board.

Is there an instructor or guide during every dive?

Yes, each group has a knowledgeable local instructor guiding them throughout the course.

Are there public transportation options near La Bombona Diving?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby for easy access to the dive school.

What’s included

Your experience includes all scuba equipment fitted by staff at La Bombona Diving in Koh Tao, insurance coverage throughout your training, use of restrooms onboard their spacious three-story boat, plus a souvenir T-shirt after completing your open water course.