Freediver advanced (start at Koh Chang)

This course takes breath-holding seriously. The PADI Advanced Freediver course from Koh Chang is built for people ready to move beyond basic technique and work toward underwater descents of 16 to 24 meters. I like the small maximum group of five and the fact that transport, meals, drinks, equipment, boat trips, and instruction are included.

I also like the practical focus. You spend two full days working on longer breath-holds, deeper descents, and the athletic side of freediving rather than simply trying a one-off coastal activity. The main drawback is that the price does not include the entrance fee for Koh Rang National Park, and hotel pickup is limited to Koh Chang’s west coast.

• 16 to 24 meters: This is a serious next step for people who have already completed an introductory freediving course.
• Two full days: The roughly 16-hour program gives you time to work on technique, breath-hold control, and depth.
• Small groups: A maximum of five participants should allow for close attention during training.
• BB Divers base: The course begins and ends at BB Divers in Koh Chang Tai, with an 8:00 am start.
• All-in practical package: Lunch, snacks, drinks, equipment, boat trips, hotel transfers, and instruction are included.
• Extra park fee: You pay separately if the training takes place inside Koh Rang National Park.

Moving From Basic Freediving to 24 Meters

The main purpose of this course is progression. PADI Advanced Freediver training is aimed at people who already have a foundation and want to extend both their breath-hold time and their depth.

That distinction matters. This is not a casual introduction where you float around for a few hours and try a single underwater descent. The course asks you to work on control, physical effort, and comfort in the water. At the upper end, 24 meters is a meaningful target, and reaching it requires more than simply being brave.

You will work toward descents between 16 and 24 meters. The exact result depends on your existing ability, your comfort in the water, weather, instruction, and how your body responds during the two days. The course description presents these depths as the training range, not as a promise that every participant will reach the maximum.

That is a sensible approach. Freediving is personal. One person may make quick progress, while another may need more time at a shallower depth. The value here is learning how to extend your limits in a controlled setting, not chasing a number for its own sake.

What the Two Days Are Designed to Do

The program is described as roughly 16 hours spread over two days. You begin at 8:00 am at BB Divers PADI dive center in Koh Chang Tai, at 16/2 Moo 1, Tambon Koh Chang Tai.

The course continues the work started at the first level, with greater attention to breath-hold time and the physical side of the sport. You can expect the training to focus on how your body, mind, and breathing work together during a descent.

The supplied information does not provide a minute-by-minute schedule, so I would not expect a fixed list of exact exercises before arrival. Weather and water conditions can affect the plan. Still, the broad structure is clear: instruction, boat trips, equipment use, and repeated practice over two days.

That two-day format is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You are not forced to learn a new skill, test it, and leave all in one morning. The extra time gives you room to process instruction and see how your performance changes from one session to the next.

It also makes the price easier to understand. You are paying for a full training package, not just transport to a swim site.

Starting at BB Divers in Koh Chang Tai

BB Divers is the meeting point and return point. If you use the included pickup, transfers are available from hotels on Koh Chang’s west coast only. That limitation is easy to miss, so check your hotel location before booking.

If you stay elsewhere on the island, you may need to arrange your own way to BB Divers. The center is near public transportation, but the activity still starts early, so allow enough time to arrive before 8:00 am.

The small group limit of five is important here. Freediving instruction depends on observation and timing. A lower participant count should make it easier for the professional guide to watch technique, answer questions, and keep the day organized.

The course has a maximum of five participants, though the actual number may be smaller. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. That means you should avoid treating an unconfirmed reservation as final if your island schedule is tight.

Boat Trips and the Koh Rang National Park Question

Boat trips are part of the package. They take you away from the center and provide the setting for the water sessions. That adds a sense of purpose to the course: you are not simply practicing in a confined training area, but heading out as part of a full marine day.

The exact sites are not specified in the available information. If the course uses an area inside Koh Rang National Park, an entrance fee applies. This cost is separate from the advertised price of $377.44 per person.

Ask about the likely location and current park fee before you go. That is especially useful if you are budgeting closely. The extra charge is not a criticism of the course, but it is a cost you should include in your planning.

The boat operation receives especially strong praise in the available feedback. One person who had used five different dive clubs in Thailand over a month and completed 30 dives singled out BB Divers for its organization, food, and atmosphere on board. That is useful context because boat logistics can shape a course just as much as the instruction.

Good boat organization means less wasted time and less confusion between sessions. For a breath-hold course, that calmer rhythm matters. You want your attention on your breathing and technique, not on whether the day is running properly.

Instruction From Calm, Patient Coaches

Professional instruction is included, and BB Divers has three freediving instructors working at the center, according to the supplied information. One instructor, Lars, receives specific praise for being calm and patient during an advanced PADI freediving course.

Those qualities are well suited to this activity. A loud or hurried teaching style would add pressure where careful pacing is more useful. Calm instruction can help you identify whether a problem comes from breathing, body position, relaxation, or simply trying to progress too quickly.

The course is also described as a natural continuation for many people who complete the first level. That makes it a good choice if you enjoyed your initial training and want a more structured challenge.

You should still be honest about your current ability. The course is not presented as an introduction for complete beginners. It assumes that you already have basic freediving skills and are ready to work on longer breath-holds and greater depth.

If you have concerns about your readiness, contact BB Divers before booking. The supplied details do not state a specific prerequisite list, so it is better to confirm than to arrive with the wrong expectations.

What Is Included for $377.44

At $377.44 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value depends on how much of the included package you would otherwise need to arrange yourself.

Your price includes:

• Hotel pickup and return on Koh Chang’s west coast
• Freediving equipment
• Professional instruction
• Boat trips
• Lunch
• Snacks
• Drinks
• Coffee or tea
• Light refreshments
• All listed activities

That is a substantial bundle for a two-day course. You are not paying separately for the main training elements, transport from an eligible hotel area, or food during the day.

The lunch is described as a buffet, and the boat food receives favorable comments in the available feedback. Food quality can vary on any boat operation, but it is reassuring that meals are treated as part of the day rather than an afterthought.

The price makes the most sense for someone who wants a proper qualification-focused experience. If you only want to try breath-hold swimming once, this course is probably more than you need. If you are already committed to freediving, the combination of two days, equipment, boat access, and instruction gives the fee a clearer purpose.

Remember to budget for the Koh Rang National Park entry fee if applicable. Also account for your own accommodation and any transport needed if you stay outside the west coast pickup zone.

Food, Drinks, and the Rhythm of the Day

Long water sessions are easier when the basic comforts are handled. Lunch, snacks, beverages, coffee, tea, and light refreshments are included, so you do not need to organize food for the boat portion of the course.

This may sound minor, but it affects the day. You can focus on the course instead of carrying a separate meal plan or searching for food between sessions.

The available feedback gives BB Divers particularly high marks for the atmosphere among the dive masters. That matters during a two-day course because you spend a long time with the team. A friendly, organized boat environment can make the training feel less formal without making it careless.

I would still bring any personal essentials you normally need for a full day around the water. The supplied details do not specify what personal items are available, so do not assume that every individual preference will be covered by the included refreshments.

Weather Can Change the Schedule

The course runs only in favorable weather conditions. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered an alternative date.

This is a normal condition for a boat-based activity, but it matters if you have a short stay on Koh Chang. A flexible schedule gives you a better chance of fitting in the replacement date. If you are leaving the island immediately after the course, ask BB Divers about weather risk and rescheduling before you commit.

The weather rule also protects the quality of the training. Conditions at sea affect boat travel, comfort, and the suitability of the water sessions. A postponed course is frustrating, but it is preferable to forcing a depth program into unsuitable conditions.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The cutoff uses local Thailand time.

Who Will Get the Most From This Course?

This course suits you if you have completed an introductory freediving level and want to develop further. It is especially useful if you want structured guidance rather than practicing alone.

You are likely to appreciate it most if you value:

• A small group setting
• Two full days of instruction
• Boat-based training
• A target range of 16 to 24 meters
• Equipment provided on site
• Food and drinks included
• Hotel transport from Koh Chang’s west coast

The course may not suit you if you are looking for a short, casual activity, dislike early starts, or have no previous freediving experience. The 8:00 am meeting time and two-day commitment require planning.

The activity information says most people can participate and service animals are allowed. It does not provide detailed medical, age, or certification requirements, so contact the provider if you have a health concern or need to confirm a specific prerequisite.

My Booking Advice for BB Divers

I like the way this course combines focused instruction with the practical ease of a managed boat day. The small group cap, included equipment, meals, transfers, and boat trips remove many of the small hassles that can distract from learning.

The strongest reason to book is the chance to spend two days working toward meaningful depth and breath-hold goals with professional support. The calm, patient teaching associated with Lars is also a good sign for anyone who prefers measured progress over macho pressure.

The main cautions are simple: confirm your hotel pickup area, ask about the possible Koh Rang National Park fee, and leave room in your itinerary for weather changes. You should also make sure you already have basic freediving experience before booking.

Should You Book the Advanced Freediver Course?

Book it if you want a serious next step after beginner training and value a small, well-supported course. At $377.44, the cost is reasonable for two days with instruction, equipment, boat trips, food, drinks, and eligible hotel transfers, though the park fee may add to the total.

Skip it if you only want a quick underwater outing or have no previous freediving background. For the right participant, BB Divers offers a focused route toward 16 to 24 meters, with enough time to build confidence rather than rush through a single session.

FAQ

Where does the course start?

It starts at BB Divers PADI dive center, 16/2 Moo 1, Tambon Koh Chang Tai, Amphoe Ko Chang, Trat 23170, Thailand.

What time does the course begin?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the course last?

The course takes two days and lasts approximately 16 hours in total.

How deep can the advanced course go?

The course is designed to help you freedive to a depth of 16 to 24 meters.

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. You pay an additional entrance fee if the course uses a site inside Koh Rang National Park.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered the option of an alternative date.