The Divers Boat is an SSI dive school in Mae Haad, Koh Tao, the divers’ island. We teach every level, from a first Try Scuba to Instructor, in English and French. Groups are capped at 4 divers per instructor, on a white boat used only for training. A hot lunch, snacks and drinks are included every day.
Night Diving Koh Tao, SSI Night & Limited Visibility
Nitrox Course Koh Tao – SSI Enriched Air Nitrox
Search Recovery Koh Tao, SSI Search & Recovery
Video & Photography Koh Tao, SSI Underwater Specialty
Koh Tao Boat Specialty, SSI Boat Diver
Divemaster Course Koh Tao – SSI Divemaster Training
Our diving courses in Koh Tao, step by step
Try Scuba: your first breath underwater
No experience needed: an instructor stays by your side on every dive. Classroom from 9:00 to 10:30, boat departure at 11:00. The first dive goes to 5 m maximum, the 2nd and 3rd up to 12 m, all on the same day. Try Scuba Diving in Koh Tao: full details
Open Water course: certified in 2 days
The SSI Open Water Diver is your first certification, recognised worldwide and valid for life. It lets you dive to 18 m with a buddy, without an instructor. You complete the theory online before you arrive, so your 2 days are spent in the water.
Day 1: classroom from 9:00 to 10:30, boat at 11:00, first confined water session in a sheltered bay (Mango Bay or Japanese Garden), then open water dives 1 and 2.
Day 2: second confined water session, then open water dives 3 and 4, and the multiple-choice exam.
The natural next step after the Open Water: 5 adventure dives over 2 days (3 dives on day 1, 2 dives on day 2), down to 30 m. Adventure dives can include deep, navigation, perfect buoyancy, wreck and night diving. It opens Sail Rock at full depth and the military wrecks of Koh Tao. Advanced Open Water in Koh Tao: programme and price
Rescue Diver course: become the buddy everyone wants
The SSI Diver Stress & Rescue runs over 2 days with 4 to 6 training dives, until you are ready. You learn to prevent and handle problems, at the surface and underwater. Add React Right (first aid, CPR, oxygen) to complete the training. Rescue Diver course in Koh Tao: programme and price
SSI Specialties: 1 to 2 days each
Deep diving to 40 m, Nitrox, wreck, night, navigation, perfect buoyancy, underwater photography and boat diving. Each specialty counts toward your Divemaster record, with a maximum of 3 training dives per day. All SSI specialty courses in Koh Tao
Divemaster and Instructor: go pro in Koh Tao
The Divemaster runs over 1 to 3 months (2 months recommended), from 40 logged dives, with unlimited dives on our blue fun-dive boat: finishing with 100 to 150 dives is a realistic target. The SSI Instructor Training Course then takes 15 days. Divemaster course in Koh Tao · Instructor course in Koh Tao
What is included in every course
All scuba equipment, stored on the boat
SSI e-learning materials
A certified SSI instructor, maximum 4 divers per instructor
Open water dives at Koh Tao’s best training sites
International SSI certification on completion
Hot lunch, fruit, snacks, tea and coffee every day on the boat
Why learn to dive in Koh Tao with The Divers Boat
A boat only for training. Most dive centres on Koh Tao mix courses and fun divers on one boat. Our white boat is used only for courses, so the schedule follows your learning, not the fun-dive plan.
Small groups. Never more than 4 divers per instructor, in the water and in the classroom.
English and French. Our instructors teach in English and French, with welcome and support in Thai. Our departures are staggered, so we often reach the sites after the crowds have left.
What our students say
★★★★★ “[…] my instructor was Sophie Rivière – she was really nice and very professional at the same time – I definitely recommend them and see you guys soon for fun dives and or SSI next levels certifications”
— Charles R., Google review, September 2026
★★★★★ “Did some specialty courses over a week and was impressed by the high standard of instruction. […] Thanks to our instructors Flo and Isa and our gratitude to Medi for assisting during our rescue course.”
— Darren B., Google review, October 2025
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any diving experience to start?
No. Try Scuba, Basic Diver and Open Water start from zero. For the Open Water you need to be at least 10 years old and able to swim 200 m.
How can the Open Water course take only 2 days?
You complete the theory online before arriving. Your 2 days are then spent on the confined water sessions and the 4 open water dives: the same SSI requirements as a 3-day course, organised more efficiently.
Are the courses really taught in English?
Yes. Briefings, theory sessions and in-water instruction are all available in English, and in French.
Is an SSI certification recognised everywhere?
Yes. SSI (Scuba Schools International) is one of the largest diving organisations in the world, and its certifications are recognised by dive centres worldwide, for life.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A hot lunch, fruit, snacks, tea and coffee are included on every training day.
How long does the Divemaster take?
1 to 3 months, with 2 months recommended. Entry from 40 logged dives, certification from 60 dives.
Ready to start diving in Koh Tao?
Tell us your dates, your current level and the course you want: our team answers quickly. We are at Mae Haad pier, right off the ferry.
