Padi Advanced open Water Diver Courses (Start at Koh Chang)

Ready for more than basic scuba? This two-day PADI Advanced Open Water course from Koh Chang lets you build confidence through five specialty training sessions, including deep-water work and underwater navigation. I like the small maximum of three participants, and I like that you can choose three specialty subjects with your instructor.

The package also includes hotel pickup on Koh Chang’s west coast, lunch, drinks, snacks, equipment-related activities, and professional instruction. The main catch is the price, $550.30 per person, plus the Koh Rang National Park entrance fee. You should also plan carefully around flights, health requirements, and the fixed 8 a.m. start.

Key points to know before booking

• Five training sessions in two days: Two are required, deep-water training and navigation. You choose the other three.
• Small groups: The maximum is three participants, which can mean close attention from your instructor.
• Choice of specialties: Options include wreck exploration, underwater photography, naturalist skills, buoyancy control, night work, and more.
• West-coast hotel pickup: Transport is included, but only from hotels on Koh Chang’s west coast.
• Lunch and refreshments included: Expect buffet lunch, drinks, coffee or tea, snacks, and light refreshments.
• National park fee extra: The entrance fee for Koh Rang National Park is not included in the advertised price.

What this Koh Chang course is really designed to teach

The PADI Advanced Open Water course is not mainly about classroom study. It is built around practical sessions that help you become calmer, more controlled, and more capable underwater.

You will complete five specialty training sessions. The two required subjects are deep-water training and underwater navigation. These are useful skills, not mere boxes to tick. The first helps you understand how your body, equipment, and judgment change at greater depth. The second teaches you to use navigation techniques so you are less dependent on your instructor or group leader.

The other three sessions are chosen with your instructor. That choice is one of the best parts of the course because you can match the program to your interests and current ability.

Available subjects include:

• Wreck exploration
• Underwater photography
• Naturalist training
• Multilevel planning
• Peak performance buoyancy
• Search and recovery
• Night training

You should discuss your choices before the first session begins. If your basic control still feels rough, peak performance buoyancy may be more useful than photography. If you are eager to understand local underwater sites, a wreck session or naturalist subject may be more appealing.

Starting at 8 a.m. with hotel pickup

The morning begins at 8 a.m. in Ko Chang, Trat Province. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but only for hotels on the west coast of Koh Chang. If you are staying elsewhere, confirm transport before paying, since the pickup area is limited.

A pickup service matters here. You will have equipment to carry, an early start, and a full day ahead. One of the strongest practical points in this course is that the transport has been described as punctual, while the boats are clean and organized.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. The supplied information does not give a precise return time, so do not schedule a tight afternoon connection, ferry, or other paid activity.

The group limit is three people. That is unusually helpful for a skill-based course. You have more opportunity to ask questions, repeat a task, and receive correction without waiting behind a large class. If you are the only participant, you may receive one-on-one attention, as happened for one student working with Chang.

How the five underwater sessions work

The course includes five specialized sessions across about two days. The exact order can depend on conditions, your instructor, and the specialty subjects you select.

The required deep-water session

The deep-water session takes you beyond the level of a basic certification. The goal is not simply to go farther down. You learn how to manage yourself and your equipment in a setting where pressure and depth affect your experience.

This session is valuable if your basic certification left you uncertain about going deeper. It gives you a supervised way to build confidence. You should still treat the course as training, not as permission to take unnecessary risks after certification.

The required navigation session

Underwater navigation helps you understand direction, distance, and position beneath the surface. You will work on techniques that make it easier to stay with your group and find your way around a site.

I consider this one of the most useful sessions in the whole course. Good navigation can make your future trips calmer and more organized. It also helps you use your air and time more sensibly because you are not constantly trying to work out where you are.

Three sessions chosen with your instructor

Your remaining three subjects are flexible. That lets you create a course that feels personal rather than standardised.

Peak performance buoyancy is a strong choice if you want better control of your body position. It can help you avoid unnecessary contact with the bottom and reduce wasted effort.

Wreck training may suit you if you are interested in the man-made structures found underwater. The information provided does not promise a particular wreck, so ask your instructor what site and limits apply before selecting it.

Underwater photography is appealing if you want to make better images without losing control of your position or equipment. One participant specifically praised underwater and above-water photographs made by Hannah, including images from a wreck session.

The naturalist option is likely the most useful choice if you want to pay closer attention to marine life and the underwater environment. Multilevel training focuses on planning a session at different depths. Search and recovery adds practical problem-solving work, while night training gives you a very different setting and demands careful attention to your equipment and partner.

The key is to choose based on your needs, not on what sounds most dramatic. Ask about conditions, equipment, and the order of sessions when you meet your instructor.

Instructors and the human side of the course

The course has received very strong feedback for its teaching staff. Names praised in individual accounts include Chang, Pierre, Adam, Charles, Julia, Quentin, Marcus, Sheila, Chris, Karim, Delphine, Seb, and Maik.

That range matters because your instructor shapes the experience more than the scenery does. Sheila was praised for her work both underwater and on the boat. Chang was described as patient and supportive, while Pierre was noted for his professional manner and good humor. Adam was appreciated for combining technical ability with empathy.

Several instructors speak languages other than English. French-speaking instruction was specifically requested and arranged for some students. If language is important to your comfort or safety, ask about it when booking rather than assuming it will be available on the day.

The strongest theme is personal attention. Students described instructors who explained skills clearly, helped them feel safe, and kept the mood relaxed. That is especially useful if you are moving from a basic certificate to more demanding underwater work.

At the same time, instructor assignments can vary. You cannot assume you will receive a specific person unless the operator confirms it. If you have a preference, name the instructor when you contact the center, but treat it as a request rather than a guarantee.

Boat, food, and what your $550.30 covers

At $550.30 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value depends on how much use you make of the instruction, the small group size, and the included day services.

The price includes all activities, a professional guide, hotel pickup and return, buffet lunch, beverages, coffee or tea, snacks, and light refreshments. That reduces the need to carry food or arrange transport separately.

The boat has been described as clean and well organized. Lunch was also praised, which is no small point on a full day at sea. You are likely to appreciate having a proper meal rather than relying only on packaged snacks.

The National Park entrance fee for Koh Rang is extra. This should be part of your real budget. The supplied information does not state the fee amount, so confirm the current charge before you go.

The price makes more sense if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, meals, and several specialty sessions. It makes less sense if you only want casual recreational swimming or if you are already highly experienced and do not need structured instruction.

Safety, health, and timing around flights

You must complete a health questionnaire before entering the water. Conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent participation, so speak with a doctor if you have any concern.

You should not plan to fly within 18 hours after the course. This is an important scheduling rule. Give yourself enough time after the final session before boarding an aircraft, and avoid squeezing the course between a morning flight and an afternoon departure.

The two-day format is efficient, but it is also fairly full. You will spend time preparing equipment, listening to instructions, completing the practical work, and travelling by boat. You should arrive rested and ready to pay attention.

The course is suitable for most participants, but you need to be comfortable in the water and medically fit for scuba activity. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation, though the included hotel transfer only covers the west coast.

What could be better

The biggest weakness is the limited detail about the daily schedule. You know the start time and total length, but not the exact departure, return, or session times. That makes it hard to plan other activities around the course.

The choice of specialty subjects is useful, but the final selection is made after you begin. If you have your heart set on a particular subject, confirm that it is available before booking.

One person reported blisters from rental fins and explained that boots were no longer being used with those fins. This is a small but practical concern. Bring suitable socks if your feet are sensitive, or ask the center what protection is available.

The course also involves weather and sea conditions, even though no detailed weather policy is provided. Ask what happens if conditions affect a chosen specialty. Do not assume every subject will be available on every day.

Finally, the supplied material includes praise for both Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses. Make sure your reservation is for the Advanced course if you already hold the required basic certification.

Who should book this course?

I would recommend it to a certified beginner who wants more confidence and a wider set of practical skills. The small group limit is particularly attractive if you learn better through direct correction and questions.

It is also a good fit if you want to combine training with a full day on the water. The included lunch, drinks, snacks, transport, and professional instruction make the package easier to manage than arranging each part separately.

You may want to choose another option if you are looking for a cheap introduction to scuba, have strict flight plans, or dislike committing to two full days. You should also reconsider if a medical condition could affect your participation and you have not yet spoken with a doctor.

Booking, cancellation, and practical preparation

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Before you go, I would confirm four things: your west-coast pickup point, the National Park fee, your preferred language for instruction, and the three specialty subjects you are considering.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and any personal items you need for a long day around the water. If you are prone to foot irritation, ask about fin socks before the first session.

Should you book the Koh Chang Advanced Open Water course?

Yes, if you want structured skill training rather than a simple recreational outing. The five-session format, small group limit, flexible specialty choices, and consistently strong instructor feedback give this course real substance.

The price is high, and the National Park fee is extra. Still, the package includes transport, meals, refreshments, and two full days of instruction. For a certified diver who wants better control, navigation skills, and confidence at greater depth, I think it offers solid value.

Book it with enough time before your flight, confirm pickup from the west coast, and choose your specialties thoughtfully. That preparation will help you get much more from the course.

FAQ

How long does the PADI Advanced Open Water course take?

The course lasts approximately two days.

What time does the course start?

The start time is 8 a.m.

Where does the course begin?

It begins in Ko Chang, Ko Chang, Trat Province.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many training sessions are included?

Five specialized training sessions are included.

Which two sessions are required?

The required sessions are deep-water training and underwater navigation.

Which specialty subjects can I choose?

Options include wreck training, underwater photography, naturalist training, multilevel training, peak performance buoyancy, search and recovery, and night training.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels on the west coast of Koh Chang only.

Is the Koh Rang National Park entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is not included in the course price.

Can I fly soon after completing the course?

Flying within 18 hours of scuba activity is not recommended. Plan your flights with that restriction in mind.