Learning to Scuba Dive in Thailand: From Koh Lipe to Koh Tao and Beyond
- Flo MBT
- Jun 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 26
Scuba diving in Thailand for beginners. Thinking of learning how to scuba dive in Thailand? In this post, we share our personal journey, from discovering diving in Koh Lipe to getting certified in Koh Tao and exploring one of Thailand’s best dive sites at the Similan Islands.
We had never dived before coming to Thailand, but we always knew we would try it here. Thailand is famous for being a top diving destination—warm water, incredible marine life, and more affordable prices than in many parts of the world. In this article, we’ll take you through what we learned along the way, and some tips for anyone considering taking the plunge.
Our Diving Journey Begins
When we started planning our Thailand adventure, we assumed we’d do our Open Water scuba diving certification in Koh Tao. It’s the name that pops up in every backpacker conversation—“Koh Tao is the place to dive.” But everything changed when we set foot on our first Thai island: Koh Lipe. Our full article on Koh Lipe here.
First Dive in Koh Lipe: A Spontaneous Start
Koh Lipe is a tiny, laid-back island in Thailand’s far southwest, not far from the Malaysian border. We fell in love instantly—turquoise waters, barefoot streets, and a calm vibe that invited you to slow down.
One evening, walking down the island’s main walking street, we noticed a sign: “Try Diving – Every Day at 4 PM – 5 Minutes.”On a whim, we said, “Let’s do it.”
We showed up and spent about 10–15 minutes with a local instructor learning to breathe underwater using a regulator. It was short—but enough to spark curiosity. Our instructor, a marine biologist, captivated us with stories about local marine life, including the farmer fish that had bitten me earlier that day (apparently defending its algae “garden”). Suddenly, diving wasn’t just about being underwater—it was about understanding a living system.
That moment hooked us. And it changed our plans.
Why We Chose to Dive in Koh Lipe
The instructor told us something surprising: Koh Lipe has some of Thailand’s healthiest coral reefs, with far fewer crowds than other diving hotspots like Koh Tao. Though the Open Water course was slightly more expensive here, the underwater environment and quality of instruction made it feel worth it.
That evening, we visited four or five dive shops, all echoing the same message:
“Koh Lipe is underrated—but truly special.”
We chose to do our Open Water course with Lipe Dive Station, and it turned out to be a great decision.
Advanced Adventurer in Koh Tao
A few weeks later, more confident and excited, we headed to Koh Tao to complete our Advanced Adventurer certification (the SSI equivalent of the Advanced Open Water). This certification allows you to dive to 30 meters, compared to the 18-meter limit with Open Water. We chose Koh Tao Divers, a professional outfit with a good reputation and a relaxed vibe.
Fun Dives at the Similan Islands
Finally, about two weeks after that, we took our first fun dives at the Similan Islands, specifically at Richelieu Rock—a site many consider one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.
And yes, it lived up to the hype: huge schools of fish, soft corals, and an overwhelming sense of awe. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to our diving journey in Thailand.
If you liked this post and want to support our journey, you can buy us a coffee here → buymeacoffee
☕️ Thanks a ton!
What to Know Before You Go Scuba Diving in Thailand
If you're thinking about learning to scuba dive in Thailand, here are a few things we wish we had known from the start.
✅ PADI vs SSI: Which Dive Agency to Choose?
The two main dive certification agencies are PADI and SSI. Both are internationally recognised and interchangeable at the recreational level.
We did both our courses with SSI, but you can mix (e.g., SSI Open Water + PADI Advanced).
Some divers say PADI involves more theory homework—but the difference in practice is minimal.
👥 Group Size Matters
When you're learning, smaller groups make a huge difference. Diving can feel overwhelming at first, so having a supportive instructor and fewer distractions helps you focus and feel safe.👉 Always ask dive shops about group size—aim for 2–4 students per instructor.
🌊 Confined Water Dives: Ocean or Pool?
Your first dive session is called a confined water dive—usually in a pool or shallow sea.
We did ours directly in the ocean in Koh Lipe, which was immersive and exciting.
If you're nervous, you may feel more comfortable starting in a pool.
🛥️ Why the Dive Boat Matters
We didn’t understand why dive shops kept talking about their boats—until we spent 6 hours on one.
You’ll likely spend a whole day onboard. Comfort matters!
Look for shade, toilets, snacks, and space to relax between dives.
Some shops share boats, which means more people—something to consider when booking.
🐠 Choosing the Right Dive Site
Thailand offers a huge variety of dive sites—some ideal for training, others for biodiversity. We chose Koh Lipe for its coral health and smaller crowds, and Koh Tao for its varied topography and dive conditions.
Do your research based on:
Marine life
Coral condition
Water visibility
Dive site depth and accessibility
What to Expect from the Courses
Open Water Course
Includes 1 confined water dive and 4 open water dives
Reading material + theory test
Max depth: 18 meters
Takes about 3 days
Tip: If you’re comfortable, doing the confined water dive in the ocean is great for getting used to the real environment.
Advanced Adventurer / Advanced Open Water
5 specialty dives (e.g., deep dive, navigation, night dive, wreck dive, etc.)
Max depth: 30 meters
Less theory than Open Water
We did a deep dive, night dive and navigation in Koh Tao and absolutely loved it.
Fun Dives
Once certified, you can just go diving, it's called fun dives!
These are relaxed, guided dives with no tests or skills practice.
We did our first two at Richelieu Rock (Similan Island)—an unforgettable experience with huge schools of fish, and soft corals.
If you liked this post and want to support our journey, you can buy us a coffee here → buymeacoffee
☕️ Thanks a ton!
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