You can breathe underwater for the first time without a licence on both islands. On Koh Tao, Simple Life Divers' afternoon costs ฿2,500 (≈ $69); on Koh Phangan, The Diver's Boat's full day costs ฿4,200 (≈ $116). The difference buys time and attention: a whole day and at most two students per instructor. For diving on a breath, Apnea Total's two-day course on Koh Tao costs ฿7,000 (≈ $194). Prices were read on the operators' sites on 1 October 2026.
- Koh Tao: an afternoon try dive
- Koh Phangan: a full day with two students per instructor
- Freediving: a two-day course
- Age, depth and group size side by side
Important
After a try dive do not fly for 12 hours. Plan your departure from the islands for the day after.
How does a try dive on Koh Tao work?
Simple Life Divers' Discover Scuba Diving costs ฿2,500 (≈ $69) all in and runs from 11:00 to about 17:00. You fill in the paperwork, hear how the equipment works and get fitted at the shop, then the boat leaves at midday. After a few skills in shallow water, the instructor guides you over the reef to 6 m. After a rest you can make a second dive to 12 m, snorkel or stay on deck.
PADI materials, full gear, boat trips, the instructor, water, tea and coffee and basic dive accident insurance for the day are included, with no fuel surcharge.
And on Koh Phangan?
The Diver's Boat try dive costs ฿4,200 (≈ $116) for a whole day from Chaloklum. You register at the shop the day before; on the day you meet at the boat at 9:15 and it leaves at 9:30. Your gear is already on board in your size. Beginners start in the calm, current-free water at Koh Ma, with at most two students per instructor; if you are comfortable, Sail Rock is possible too. A hot lunch, fruit and drinks are included, and you are back at the pier around 15:30.
The minimum age is 8. Camera rental costs ฿600, or the instructor can film your dive for ฿800.
What about freediving?
Apnea Total's Freediver course costs ฿7,000 (≈ $194) per person for two days, with classroom from 8:30 and sea sessions in the afternoon, at most three students per instructor. You must be able to swim 200 m and be at least 11; under-15s follow the Junior Freediver programme with a 12 m limit.
Side by side
| Operator | Island | Minimum age | Per instructor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Life Divers | Koh Tao | — | — | ฿2,500 (≈ $69) |
| The Diver's Boat | Koh Phangan | 8 | 2 | ฿4,200 (≈ $116) |
| Apnea Total, freediving | Koh Tao | 11 | 3 | ฿7,000 (≈ $194) |
Questions people ask
How deep do beginners go?
On Koh Tao with Simple Life, 6 m on the first dive and 12 m on the optional second. The Diver's Boat keeps beginners shallow and calm on the first descent.
Can children try diving?
The Diver's Boat takes children from 8. Apnea Total takes freedivers from 11.
