Your worldwide certification in three days, with Dutch-speaking instructors. No experience needed.
The PADI Open Water is the course that teaches you to dive. It is designed for people who, on day one, have never dived before. You begin in shallow water and build up at your own pace.
Theory, safety briefings and the questions you would rather not ask in a second language: you can have all of it in Dutch, and in English if you prefer.
Would you rather try it first? Book the one-day introductory dive.
You do the theory at home beforehand with PADI eLearning. Booking last minute? Then you complete the eLearning during the course days.
From 08:30 to 10:30, a theory lesson at the dive school and an explanation of the skills, then a lunch break until 11:30. From 11:30 you get in the water: your first breath underwater, the skills in shallow water, then dive 1, to a maximum of 12 metres. You finish with your logbook and a debrief.
First an explanation of the new skills, then skills training and dive 2, again to a maximum of 12 metres. The day ends with your logbook and a debrief.
An early start for dives 3 and 4, to a maximum of 18 metres. Around midday you fill in your logbook and go over the dives. And then it is official: you are a PADI Open Water Diver.
Only on day 1 do you meet at the dive school in the morning. On days 2 and 3 we meet near the pier in Mae Haad.
With your PADI certification you can dive independently with a buddy to 18 metres, anywhere in the world.
On Koh Tao you can carry on with fun dives from the daily boat.
Book your Open WaterWith us ฿11,000 covers the whole course: equipment, boat trips and photos are already in it.
What you get with us: everything in the list and a small group with personal attention.
Not included: flights, accommodation and travel insurance that covers diving. That insurance is required.
No experience, but a few basics.
Your group never has more than four students per instructor, on every course. Five of you? Then a second instructor comes along. So your instructor notices when something is hard for you and adjusts the pace. And there is time for your questions, above and below the water.
We dive only with modern equipment that is cleaned and checked after every dive.
Keen to keep going? With the combi you take the PADI Open Water and the PADI Advanced one after the other, in 5 to 6 days. Together they cost ฿20,000.
The Advanced lets you dive deeper and covers, among other things, buoyancy, navigation and a deep dive.
More about the PADI AdvancedWhat students wrote after their Open Water.
I got my PADI here. It took 3 days, going into the water twice a day. I had a really nice instructor who explained everything well! On our last dive we also had a professional photographer with us, so we all got great photos of the diving too!
Translated from Dutch
Did the Open Water course at Below Zero in October 2026. By chance I ran into John at their place on Koh Tao. After a nice, relaxed chat I started the course one day later. Divemaster Anouk gave super professional and fun lessons. She and the team make you feel very safe underwater. Iris also takes great photos on the last dive day. A different dive site every day, so you get to experience different environments. This dive school has everything well organised, from the physical location to the equipment (all new). The team is very skilled and fun too! If you're looking for a PADI course or fun dive on Koh Tao in Dutch, choose Below Zero Diving.
Translated from Dutch
Yes. You begin in shallow water and build up at your own pace. Your instructor explains everything, and in a small group there is time for every question. Rather try it first? Do the introductory dive before you commit.
You do not need to be a competitive swimmer, but basic swimming ability is required: swimming comfortably and being able to float.
Not on days 1 and 2. Your partner can come on the boat and dive with their own guide. If group size and safety allow, day 3 is usually fine. It is always agreed with the instructor.
It depends on the situation. Before the course you fill in the PADI medical questionnaire. If you answer “yes” anywhere, a statement signed by a doctor is sometimes needed. You can get one on Koh Tao, but it is better to arrange it before you travel. Not sure? Send us a message.
Yes. With PADI eLearning you prepare at home, in your own language. At the dive school we also give theory lessons to go over everything again. Booking last minute? Then you do the eLearning during the course days.
Age 10, with the Junior Open Water.
Yes. Let us know in advance and we will schedule an extra instructor for the theory lessons. The eLearning is always available in your own language.
Yes. You can simply wear contact lenses, or use a prescription dive mask.
Tell us when you are on Koh Tao and how many of you there are, and we will work out together when you can start.
Book your Open Water+66 90 984 6090
Open daily from 8:30 to 11:00 and from 13:00 to 18:00
