Learn to Dive in Thailand

With Instructors Who Love Teaching As Much As Diving

Diving isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are. And teaching people to dive?

That’s where the real magic happens.

Whether you’re taking your very first breath underwater or pushing into technical diving, our team of passionate instructors will guide you every step of the way. No rushing, no pressure, just patient, professional dive education in one of the world’s most beautiful underwater classrooms.

WHY LEARN WITH BIG BLUE

Instructors Who Actually Love Teaching

Our team doesn’t just teach diving—they live for it. With roots in Koh Tao (Thailand’s dive teaching capital) and over 20 years combined experience, they bring passion, patience, and professionalism to every course.

Perfect Learning Environment

Warm, clear waters. Incredible marine life. Less crowded than Phuket. From our dedicated training centre to world-class Similan liveaboard courses, we’ve created ideal spaces for learning.

Small Groups, Big Attention

You’re not a number in a factory. You’re a person learning something new, and you deserve individual attention, encouragement, and support throughout your journey.

SSI Certification

All courses certified through SSI (Scuba Schools International), recognized worldwide and featuring the best digital learning materials in the industry.

START YOUR DIVING JOURNEY

Open Water Diver

Your Gateway to the Underwater World

This is the start of something incredible.

Nervous about learning to dive? That's completely normal.

Most people are. Breathing underwater goes against every instinct. Your ears might hurt when you swim in deep pools. The equipment looks complicated. What if you panic?

Here’s the truth: thousands of people overcome these exact same concerns every year and discover an entire world they never knew existed. With the right instruction, patience, and support, you absolutely can too.

What You'll Learn

By the end of this course, you’ll be a confident, certified diver able to explore the underwater world to 18 metres. You’ll understand how your equipment works, how to stay safe, and how to move gracefully through the water like you were born to it.

Worried about ear pressure? We teach you how to equalize from day one.

Concerned about fitness? If you can swim, you can dive.

Think you’re too old? We’ve certified divers in their 70s.

This is the start of something incredible.

The Big Blue Difference

For certified divers ready for more

DIVE DEEPER, DIVE LONGER

You’ve discovered the underwater world. Now it’s time to explore further.

divers over reef

Advanced Open Water Diver

Push your skills and comfort zone across 5 specialty dives. Deep diving to 30 metres, underwater navigation, perfect buoyancy control, and specialties that match your interests.

Perfect on a liveaboard: Spread your training across 4 days of incredible Similan diving. Learn new skills whilst exploring world-class sites like Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, and Koh Tachai.

Diver swimming with school of fish

Enriched Air Nitrox

Dive longer, safer, and with shorter surface intervals. Nitrox diving is the professional standard for serious divers—extended bottom times, reduced nitrogen loading, and the ability to maximize multi-dive days.

Perfect for:

  • Liveaboard diving with multiple dives daily
  • Photography (more time to get the shot)
  • Reducing fatigue on dive-heavy trips
  • Anyone wanting to dive smarter, not just deeper

Similan Liveaboard Learning

The Ultimate Dive Education Experience

Why learn on a liveaboard?

Imagine this: you’re learning advanced skills or nitrox theory whilst cruising between world-class dive sites in the Similan Islands. Between training dives, you’re exploring Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon, and Koh Tachai. Your classroom is a comfortable boat under tropical stars. Your instructors are with you 24/7, not rushed between classes.

This is dive education without the pressure. Training that fits seamlessly into an incredible holiday. Skills practiced in some of Thailand’s best diving conditions.

Courses Available on Our 4-Day Similan Liveaboard:

Courses Available on Our 4-Day Similan Liveaboard:

  • Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Enriched Air Nitrox
  • Specialty combinations

Special Liveaboard Course Pricing:

Better value than land-based courses, with 14 incredible dives included.

Blue Dolphin Similan liveaboard drone view

Go Deeper. Go Further.

TECHNICAL DIVING

For experienced divers ready to push boundaries

You’ve mastered recreational diving. The Similans’ deeper pinnacles are calling.

You want to extend your bottom time beyond recreational limits. You’re ready for the next level.

Extended range divers in the Similan Islands

Extended Range Diving

Push past 40 metres. Learn decompression diving. Access wrecks and walls that recreational divers can only dream about. Our technical instructors bring serious experience and a safety-first approach to advanced diving.

Sidemount Diving

Streamlined, flexible, and increasingly popular. Learn to dive with cylinders mounted at your sides rather than on your back. Perfect for tight spaces, extended dives, and ultimate trim control.

This Isn't For Everyone

Technical diving demands more: more training, more practice, more discipline, more equipment. But for experienced divers seeking the ultimate challenge, it opens doors to extraordinary underwater experiences.

GO PROFESSIONAL

GO PRO

Turn Your Passion Into Your Profession

Love diving? Dream of making it your career?

Turn Your Passion Into Your Profession

The path from recreational diver to dive professional isn’t just possible—it’s something our team has guided dozens of people through. From first-time Divemaster candidates to experienced instructors, we understand the journey because we’ve all taken it ourselves.

The Pathway

Stress & Rescue Diver

The bridge between recreational diving and professional training. Learn to prevent and manage diving emergencies, support other divers, and think like a professional. Required for Divemaster, valuable for everyone.

Divemaster

Your first professional certification. Learn to lead divers, assist instructors, and work in the dive industry. This is where your career begins—and where you discover if teaching diving is your calling too.

Why Train Professional With Big Blue?

Our instructors don’t just teach people to dive—they teach people to teach diving. Several of our team have been instructor trainers, with decades of combined experience creating dive professionals.

You’ll learn from people who genuinely love this work. Who remember their own professional training. Who understand that becoming a dive professional isn’t just about skills—it’s about developing judgment, patience, and professionalism.

Passionate. Patient. Professional.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Ric Parker

Ric Parker

Blackpool, UK
Boat Master
Ric Parker, from Blackpool, England has been running Similan Liveaboards since 2005, joining Big Blue in 2009. Read more...
Dive Master Instructor
Farm

Permsook “Farm” Singsa

Bangkok, Thailand
Instructor
Farm brings warmth, curiosity, and a spirit of adventure to everything he does. Read more...
Open Water Instructor
Pitt

Pitt Pitchayanan

Bangkok, Thailand
Instructor
Pitt Pitchayanan, from Bangkok Thailand, diving and smiling always Read more...
Open Water Instructor
Nina Yamamoto

Nina Yamamoto

Yasothon, Thailand
Instructor
Nina discovered scuba diving in the GBR back in 2017 and taught in Koh Tao for 4 years. Read more...
Open Water Instructor

Steve ‘Boots’ Boot

Stoke on Trent, UK
General Manager
Steve Boot, from Stoke-on-Trent England has been with Big Blue since 2015, before coming trip leader in 2018. Read more...
Advanced Open Water Instructor
Sam Hunt

Sam Hunt

Cornwall, UK
Instructor
Sam Hunt, Originally from Cornwall in southwest England, joined Big Blue Khao Lak in 2024, Read more...
Divemaster Instructor
Takeshi Omura

Takeshi Omura

Kyoto, Japan
Owner
Open Water Instructor

Metus ‘Paan’ Sattachaiporn

Bangkok, Thailand
Instructor
In early 2019, everything changed when Paan tried scuba diving for the first time. Read more...

Our instructors aren’t just qualified—they’re passionate about dive education. With backgrounds in Koh Tao’s intensive teaching environment and combined experience since 2005, they bring expertise, enthusiasm, and genuine care to every course.

They remember their first time underwater. Their first time teaching. They know that good instruction isn’t about following a manual—it’s about reading people, building confidence, and creating divers who are safe, skilled, and excited to explore.

Our Diving Courses FAQs

Common Questions & Concerns

My ears hurt when I dive in the pool. Can I still learn to scuba dive?
Yes! This is one of the most common concerns and easily addressed. We teach you proper equalization techniques from day one. Most people master it within their first few dives.
You need basic swimming ability, but you don’t need to be an Olympic swimmer. If you’re comfortable in water and can swim 200 metres (any stroke, any pace), you can learn to dive.
We’ve certified divers well into their 70s. Age isn’t the limiting factor—health and fitness are. If you’re in reasonable health, diving is accessible.
Panic is a natural fear, but it’s also why we start in controlled, shallow environments. Your instructor is right there, every step. We build confidence gradually, never rushing you beyond your comfort zone.
It looks more complex than it is. By the end of your Open Water course, you’ll assemble and check your own gear confidently. We teach you to understand it, not just use it.
Open Water typically takes 3-4 days including online theory study done beforehand. Advanced and Nitrox can be completed over a 4-day liveaboard whilst enjoying incredible diving.

Still have questions?

Ready to Start?

Begin Your Diving Journey

Whether you’re taking your first breath underwater or pushing toward technical diving and professional certification, we’re here to guide you.

The Big Blue Dive Equipment Shop

Coming to dive with us? 
Need anything for your trip?

Why not order now and we will have it waiting for you when you arrive in Khao Lak

Our store has some of the worlds best brands available at great prices.

When booking a trip with us, you will qualify for some even better deals too.

2026 - 2027 SIMILAN DIVING SEASON - EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT

SAVE 10% + BOOK NOW, PAY LATER

10% off all cabin prices when you book 2026-2027 now. Just 20% deposit secures your spot—full balance not due until 1st October 2026.