Course overview

Never lose your way underwater again with the PADI Underwater Navigator specialty at Khao Lak. Through three dives on the local reefs you master compass and natural navigation, distance estimation and pattern swims, skills that pay off on the larger Similan Islands sites where currents and big terrain demand confident orientation.

What you’ll learn

• Navigate accurately with a compass underwater
• Use natural references to find your way
• Estimate distance by kick cycles and time
• Run reciprocal, square and other patterns
• Mark and relocate underwater points of interest
• Lead a navigation dive for a buddy team

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 10 (Junior) / 15 for the specialty
• PADI Open Water Diver or qualifying certification
• Comfortable buoyancy control
• Diver medical clearance signed by a physician

What's included · What's not

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Compass & natural navigation

   Learn navigation theory and practise compass and natural-reference navigation across guided dives on a local reef near Khao Lak, then certify.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Similan Islands.

Frequently asked questions