Course overview

Get certified with the SSI Open Water Diver course at Khao Lak and earn a worldwide licence to dive to 18 metres, opening the door to the Similan Islands. Using SSI's flexible digital learning and four open-water dives on the sheltered local reefs, you build the core skills to confidently join Andaman day trips and liveaboards.

What you’ll learn

• Set up and maintain scuba equipment
• Master mask clearing, regulator recovery and air management
• Control buoyancy and perform smooth ascents and descents
• Plan dives using a dive computer
• Carry out buddy and out-of-air procedures
• Dive with a buddy to 18 metres independently

Prerequisites

• No prior certification required
• Minimum age 10 (junior) / 15 for full certification
• Comfortable swimming and floating
• Reasonable health (diver medical questionnaire required)

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
   Digital theory & confined water

   Work through the SSI online modules and complete confined-water skills in calm shallows near Khao Lak.
2. Day2
   Open-water dives 1–2

   Apply core skills on the first two open-water dives at a sheltered local reef.
3. Day3
   Open-water dives 3–4 & certification

   Complete the final training dives and earn the SSI Open Water Diver rating.

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