Try Scuba ยท SSI Basic Diver ยท Koh Tao
Your First
Dive Experience
No experience, no certification, no problem. Breathe underwater for the first time in clear tropical water โ a professional SSI instructor by your side every second. Complete 2 dives and you can even earn your SSI Basic Diver licence.
โก Fast reply on WhatsApp ยท Insurance included ยท Morning theory + afternoon boat dives
Try Dive โ Single Experience
One real ocean dive. Perfect if you just want to see what it feels like underwater. No commitment, no certification.
Basic Diver โ 2 Dives + SSI Licence
Complete 2 dives and earn your SSI Basic Diver licence โ valid for 6 months, recognised worldwide, up to 12m depth.
Everything provided
What's included
We take care of absolutely everything. All you need to bring is a swimsuit and your sense of adventure. Insurance included โ you're in safe, professional hands.
Dedicated SSI Instructor
Your certified instructor stays by your side throughout every dive. You are never alone underwater.
All Scuba Equipment
BCD, wetsuit, fins, mask and regulator โ professionally fitted and checked before you enter the water.
Morning Theory Session
09:00 โ 10:30 classroom briefing and equipment preparation. Relaxed, simple, no pressure.
Private Boat Dives
Our own boat leaves from Chalok Bay beach. No transfers โ straight out to the reef from our front door.
Diving Insurance
Full diving medical insurance is included in your programme. Safety is never an add-on here.
SSI Basic Diver Option
Complete 2 dives and receive your SSI Basic Diver licence, valid for 6 months worldwide.
How your day unfolds
From First Try to Basic Diver
Half a day is all it takes. In the morning you learn, in the afternoon you dive โ and if you complete both dives, you leave with a recognised diving licence.
09:00 โ 10:30
Theory & Equipment
Meet your instructor at the dive centre. Brief theory session, safety rules, and 5 hand signals. Get fitted for your full scuba equipment โ no rush, no stress.
12:00 โ Afternoon
Boat Dives
Meet at the beach, board our private boat and head out to the reef. Two real ocean dives in clear tropical water, maximum 12 metres, your instructor always by your side.
After Dive 2
Earn Basic Diver
Complete both dives and receive your SSI Basic Diver licence โ valid for 6 months, worldwide, up to 12m depth. A real, recognised first step into the diving world.
Go further than just a try dive
The SSI Basic Diver Licence
If you complete 2 dives in our programme, you don't just leave with a memory โ you leave with a real, internationally recognised diving licence. It's a perfect first step into the diving world, and a great option if you're not quite ready for the full Open Water certification yet.
Book the Basic Diver ProgrammeWorldwide recognition
Your SSI Basic Diver licence is accepted at dive centres around the world.
Valid for 6 months
Take your time. The licence is active for 6 months from the date of issue.
Up to 12 metres depth
Explore coral reefs, tropical fish and the underwater world up to 12m.
Always with a professional
The Basic Diver licence requires you to dive with a certified professional instructor at all times.
Gateway to Open Water
Love it? The Basic Diver programme counts toward your SSI Open Water certification. No wasted effort.
Programme schedule
Your half-day programme
Simple, relaxed and well-paced. Here's exactly what to expect from arrival to your last dive.
Theory Session & Equipment Preparation
- โMeet your SSI instructor at the Carabao Diving centre in Chalok Bay
- โQuick medical questionnaire โ nothing complicated, completely routine
- โTheory briefing: the 5 essential hand signals, equalisation, basic underwater rules
- โEquipment fitting โ wetsuit, BCD, fins, mask, regulator โ all checked and ready
- โAny questions answered before you even get near the water
Meet at the Dive Centre โ Board the Boat
- โMeet at the beach for a final pre-dive briefing
- โBoard our private boat directly from Chalok Bay beach โ no transfers needed
- โHead out to the reef โ shallow, clear, warm tropical water
2 Real Ocean Dives
- โDive 1 โ Shallow water entry, breathing underwater, first experience of weightlessness
- โSurface interval on the boat โ relax and debrief with your instructor
- โDive 2 โ Build confidence, explore coral and marine life up to 12 metres depth
- โComplete both dives โ earn your SSI Basic Diver licence valid for 6 months
Clear pricing, no surprises
Choose your experience
All prices include equipment, insurance and your dedicated instructor. No hidden costs โ ever.
Try Dive
Single Dive Experience
A first taste โ one real ocean dive
2,500 THB
Equipment, briefing & insurance included
- โMorning theory session (09:00)
- โ1 boat dive from Chalok Bay
- โDedicated instructor throughout
- โAll scuba equipment included
- โDiving insurance included
Most Popular
Includes SSI LicenceBasic Diver Programme
2 dives + SSI Basic Diver licence
3,500 THB
Equipment, insurance & certification included
- โMorning theory session (09:00)
- โ2 boat dives from Chalok Bay
- โDedicated instructor both dives
- โAll equipment & diving insurance
- โSSI Basic Diver licence (6 months, worldwide)
โก Reply in minutes on WhatsApp
Ready to go all the way? ๐คฟ
Your Try Dive or Basic Diver programme counts toward the full SSI Open Water course. The cost is deducted from your course price if you decide to continue. No pressure โ just an option.
See the Full Open Water Course โFind your level
Which experience is right for you?
From a first taste of diving to full advanced certification โ see how everything compares.
Try Dive / Basic Diver
- ๐คComplete beginners
- ๐คฟ1โ2 real ocean dives
- ๐ SSI Basic Diver (optional)
- โฆFirst step into the ocean
From 2,500 THB
Book nowOpen Water
- ๐คBeginners ready to certify
- ๐คฟ4 ocean dives + pool
- ๐ SSI Open Water cert
- โฆFull beginner certification
9,900 THB
See Open Water โAdvanced Adventurer
- ๐คCertified divers
- ๐คฟ5 adventure dives
- ๐ SSI Advanced cert
- โฆMore depth, more adventure
9,500 THB
See Advanced โThe bigger picture
Your diving journey starts here
A Try Dive is more than an afternoon activity. For many of our divers, it's the first step of something life-changing.
Try Diving
Take your first breath underwater. You're right here โ no experience needed, no pressure, just curiosity.
Get Certified
3 days, 4 ocean dives, a lifetime SSI certification. The natural next step if you love it.
Open Water โGo Further
Deep dives, night dives, wrecks, navigation. The Advanced course takes you to a whole new level.
Advanced โWhy dive with us
The Carabao difference
01
We go at your pace
Nervous? Completely normal. We never rush. Your instructor adapts entirely to how you feel โ from the first breath to the last.
02
20+ years experience
Pioneer dive centre in Koh Tao. We've introduced thousands of first-timers to the underwater world safely.
03
Boats from the beach
No transfers, no taxis. Our private boats leave right from Chalok Bay beach, steps from the centre.
04
5 languages
We brief in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. Ask us anything, in your language.
From first-time divers
First dive stories
I was absolutely terrified before. My instructor was so calm and reassuring โ within minutes I completely forgot I was nervous. Best 2 hours of my whole trip.
Laura B.
๐ฌ๐ง UK ยท First time diver
I got the Basic Diver licence at the end! Didn't expect to walk away with any certification at all. Now I'm coming back next year to do the full Open Water course.
Julien P.
๐ซ๐ท France ยท Basic Diver student
Went with my girlfriend who had never dived before. She was nervous but loved it. Small group, friendly staff, beautiful reef. We're coming back to get certified!
Marco L.
๐ฎ๐น Italy ยท Try Dive student
Common questions
Try Dive & Basic Diver FAQ
Do I need any experience at all?+
None whatsoever. The programme is designed specifically for people who have never dived before. All you need is to be comfortable in the water.
What is the SSI Basic Diver licence?+
The SSI Basic Diver is a real, internationally recognised scuba certification issued after completing 2 dives in our programme. It is valid for 6 months, allows you to dive worldwide up to 12 metres, and always requires a professional instructor to dive with you.
Is the Basic Diver licence the same as Open Water?+
No โ they are different. The Basic Diver is a temporary licence (6 months) that requires you to always be with a professional. The Open Water is a permanent, lifetime certification that allows you to dive independently with a buddy. The Basic Diver is a great stepping stone if you're not ready for the full course yet.
Is there an age limit?+
You need to be at least 10 years old. Children aged 10โ15 require parental consent. There's no upper age limit as long as you're in reasonable health.
Is it safe? What if I panic underwater?+
Your SSI instructor is literally within arm's reach at all times. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, you signal to surface and we go up. No questions asked. Safety is our first priority โ always.
Can I continue to the full Open Water course after this?+
Absolutely โ and your Try Dive or Basic Diver cost is deducted from the Open Water course price. Many people decide on the day. No obligation whatsoever.
Ready to breathe underwater?
Try Scuba & Basic Diver
in Koh Tao
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and number of people. We reply in minutes โ morning theory at 09:00, afternoon boat dives included.
๐ฅ Insurance included ยท ๐ SSI Basic Diver licence available
โก Fast reply ยท No experience needed ยท From 2,500 THB
Try Scuba Diving & SSI Basic Diver Koh Tao
Try scuba diving in Koh Tao with Carabao Diving. No experience needed. SSI-certified instructors, private boats from Chalok Bay beach, all equipment and diving insurance included. From 2,500 THB. Complete 2 dives and earn your SSI Basic Diver licence โ valid 6 months, worldwide, up to 12m depth.