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Earning Your Fins in Open Water Diving Certification
Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief
Country: Thailand 
The Experience
After shaking off the initial surprise of my first plunge into the open water, I started to breath more calmly from my regulator. The transition from feeling heavily weighed down from all the scuba gear to one of pure weightlessness is a unique sensation, I'm sure it's much compared to that of being in space. Soon there after we began our descent into the thriving marine life below.
The journey to obtaining our open water diving certification began back on beaches of Koh Samui, where we found a reputable PADI certified dive shop. Located in the idyllic Fisherman´s Village of Bophut, the Easy Divers staff were very friendly and had plenty of experience. Over the next two days we spent time both in the classroom and in the pool, all in preparation for our four open water dives that would earn us our certification. Although open water diving is something that I have always wanted to do, there was still a small part of me that was unjustifiably scared of a completely insane shark attack. Tilo my instructor assured me that this would not happen, which I knew already, but that extra little reassurance was all I needed.
Descending for the first time was somewhat challenging. There was so much going on around me, it was hard to take it all in at once. Being in only a small group of two was key, as we were able to descend slowly with attentive guidance from Tilo, allowing us plenty of time to equalize and regain our comfort level.
Our first dive at Koh Yippon was just a fun dive, and despite the poor visibility, I emerged a changed woman. My fascination with everything we saw around us consumed me as we rested until our next dive. Our second dive of the day was even better; Koh Wao a secluded cove in Ang Thong National Marine Park was piercingly beautiful. The water was so alluring and clear, with a sheltered overhang, which I would later learn housed a massive school of silver fish. Floating through them was like being in the middle of an agile and unified traffic jam. With every move I made, the fish would move in unison around me and the sounds of their shiftings combined into a single deliverance.
On our final day of diving we dove at Sail Rock, an amazing site just off of Koh Tao. This site was sensational to say the least. Although it looked demur on the surface, below it blossomed into a beautiful column of reef with fluttering walls, swaying, surging, scampering, and swarming to the pulse of the ocean. After demonstrating our final skills we were fully open water certified! This allowed us, now that we were no longer students, to swim through the reef chimney, which was spectacular. To be totally enclosed in coral and so close to so much unknown life was fascinating.
Ascending from a rainbow of fish and coral below, the realization of the unique opportunity I had been afforded hit me. The calmness you encounter below is not something readily attainable on land. Witnessing things that are so incredible and unique, while being weightless and unable to speak allows you the rare opportunity to bask in the pleasure of your own quiet thoughts. We emerged exhilarated and elated.
The journey to obtaining our open water diving certification began back on beaches of Koh Samui, where we found a reputable PADI certified dive shop. Located in the idyllic Fisherman´s Village of Bophut, the Easy Divers staff were very friendly and had plenty of experience. Over the next two days we spent time both in the classroom and in the pool, all in preparation for our four open water dives that would earn us our certification. Although open water diving is something that I have always wanted to do, there was still a small part of me that was unjustifiably scared of a completely insane shark attack. Tilo my instructor assured me that this would not happen, which I knew already, but that extra little reassurance was all I needed.
Descending for the first time was somewhat challenging. There was so much going on around me, it was hard to take it all in at once. Being in only a small group of two was key, as we were able to descend slowly with attentive guidance from Tilo, allowing us plenty of time to equalize and regain our comfort level.
Our first dive at Koh Yippon was just a fun dive, and despite the poor visibility, I emerged a changed woman. My fascination with everything we saw around us consumed me as we rested until our next dive. Our second dive of the day was even better; Koh Wao a secluded cove in Ang Thong National Marine Park was piercingly beautiful. The water was so alluring and clear, with a sheltered overhang, which I would later learn housed a massive school of silver fish. Floating through them was like being in the middle of an agile and unified traffic jam. With every move I made, the fish would move in unison around me and the sounds of their shiftings combined into a single deliverance.
On our final day of diving we dove at Sail Rock, an amazing site just off of Koh Tao. This site was sensational to say the least. Although it looked demur on the surface, below it blossomed into a beautiful column of reef with fluttering walls, swaying, surging, scampering, and swarming to the pulse of the ocean. After demonstrating our final skills we were fully open water certified! This allowed us, now that we were no longer students, to swim through the reef chimney, which was spectacular. To be totally enclosed in coral and so close to so much unknown life was fascinating.
Ascending from a rainbow of fish and coral below, the realization of the unique opportunity I had been afforded hit me. The calmness you encounter below is not something readily attainable on land. Witnessing things that are so incredible and unique, while being weightless and unable to speak allows you the rare opportunity to bask in the pleasure of your own quiet thoughts. We emerged exhilarated and elated.
"... fun, friendly, and knowledgeable -
the best dive staff on the island..."
the best dive staff on the island..."
When to Go to Open Water Dive
You are not limited to a specific time of year or location to get your open water diving certification, although the warmer the weather the more enjoyable the experience. We chose Easy Divers in Bophut, Koh Samui, but you can select any reputable PADI certified dive shop around the world.
Koh Samui is a great base to learn to dive from as it is close to the diving mecca Koh Tao, which offers numerous high quality dive sites. Alternatively if you are looking for a little more isolation you can also stay directly on Koh Tao, avoiding the boat shuttle to and from Koh Samui. From Samui by speedboat, it is an hour and half to most Koh Tao sites; by standard dive boat it is 2.5 to 4 hours.
Koh Samui is a great base to learn to dive from as it is close to the diving mecca Koh Tao, which offers numerous high quality dive sites. Alternatively if you are looking for a little more isolation you can also stay directly on Koh Tao, avoiding the boat shuttle to and from Koh Samui. From Samui by speedboat, it is an hour and half to most Koh Tao sites; by standard dive boat it is 2.5 to 4 hours.
Odds n' Ends
The PADI Open Water Diver course is in fact the world’s most popular scuba course, and has introduced millions of people to scuba diving. The course consists of three parts: knowledge development, confined water dives and finally open water dives. It typically takes four days of training, 1 in classroom, 1 in pool, and 2 days of open water diving.
To enroll in the PADI Open Diver course or Junior Open Water Diver course, you must be ten years of age or older. If you are in good health, you are truly never too young or too old to earn your fins.
To enroll in the PADI Open Diver course or Junior Open Water Diver course, you must be ten years of age or older. If you are in good health, you are truly never too young or too old to earn your fins.
Want a Guide?
- Easy Divers Bophut - EasyDivers-Thailand.com
- The dive-shop is located in the idyllic fisherman´s village of Bophut. A well-known and very popular place for many visitors because of many seafood-restaurants and small shops.
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Samui Heritage Resort of Koh Samui is located on the Bophut Beach. The convenient location makes this resort one of the frequented among foreign and ... 0 miles away
$1322 THB+
Set on a quiet stretch of Bo Phut Bay, a short drive from Koh Samui's airport and the bustling nightlife scene of Chaweng, Anantara Koh ... 0 miles away
$3429 THB+
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More Experiences Nearby
- Create Your Own Traditional Thai Feast
- Known globally for its exotic flavour combinations, there is no better place to learn how to cook Thai food then in Thailand. As you walk through the character filled streets found in every corner of Thailand, you will undoubtedly find yourself wandering through wafts of delicious traditional Thai food, rising up from the numerous curb side kitchens. Thai cuisine is a fusion of traditional fare originating from countries across Asia and Europe, mixed together to embody five main tastes: sweet, sour, salty, spicy and bitter. Immersed in the birthplace of this delicacy, Thailand is the perfect place to begin learning ...3 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
Board a fully equipped 23 metre 3 level Escort boat. A light breakfast is served as we depart Koh Samui. Arrive Angthong National Marine Park ...3.07 miles away via Koh Samui.
$79+
There will also be a demonstration of Thai cooking, and one of the islands biggest resources - rubber tapping. To cool down you can end ...3.07 miles away via Koh Samui.
$56+
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Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
Enquire now
Learn to dive in Koh Samui, Koh Ko Pha Ngan or Koh Tao with the professionals from Easy Divers.
Starting from $40.00 per person.
Starting from $40.00 per person.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
- PADI Open Water Diver course - Padi.com
- Now is the time to dive into the PADI Open Water Diver course, the most popular dive program in the world!
- Easy Divers Bophut Koh Samui - EasyDivers-Thailand.com
- The dive-shop is located in the idyllic fisherman´s village of Bophut. A well-known and very popular place for many visitors because of many seafood-restaurants and small shops. Feel free to visit us and turn to us for advice about diving in a relaxed personal atmosphere.
- Dive Happy - DiveHappy.com
- A personal guide to scuba diving in Thailand and South East Asia
Media References
- PRACTICAL TRAVELER; Homework for Aspiring Divers - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- That said, plenty of people learn to scuba dive on vacation, particularly with the proliferation of introductory lessons offered in many resort towns. So how do you know if a dive shop or instructor is reputable, and what should you ask before you take the plunge?
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
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Thai
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Vietnamese
are some of the languages spoken in Thailand. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
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