Open Water or Open Water + Advanced?
Which One Should You Book on Koh Tao?

You’re looking at courses, you’re excited… and then you hit the choice that weirdly stresses everyone out:

Do I book just Open Water — or the Open Water + Advanced package?

If you’re not sure, you’re normal. Most people haven’t even tried scuba yet,
so picking “the bigger one” can feel like you’re guessing.

Let’s make it simple (and honest).

Book Open Water if you want a relaxed start, you’re a bit nervous, or you’re short on time.

Book Open Water + Advanced if you’ve got the days, you want diving to be the main thing you do on Koh Tao, and you’d love to leave feeling properly confident — not just “newly certified.”

That’s it. No secret rule. Just what kind of trip you want.

What Open Water actually feels like

Open Water is the course where everything becomes real.

First time breathing underwater. First time hovering instead of kneeling. First time you realise your mask can fog at the exact wrong moment. First time you do a proper dive and think: oh wow… this is what everyone’s obsessed with.

It’s also a lot to take in — in a good way.

So if you’re thinking, “I just want to do this properly without rushing”… Open Water is perfect.

What changes when you add Advanced

Advanced isn’t “harder school”. It’s more like:

more diving + more experience + more variety

You’ll do more training dives, usually over a couple more days, and you get a stronger base because you’re simply spending more time underwater (which is how confidence actually happens).

If your dream version of Koh Tao is wake up, dive, eat, chill, dive again, then the package makes a lot of sense.

Book Open Water only if any of these are true:

You’re excited but a bit nervous (or very nervous 😅)

You’re not sure yet if you’ll love diving

You’re on a tighter schedule

You want time for beaches, viewpoints, night markets, naps… the whole Koh Tao vibe

You’d rather finish feeling calm and solid than “speed-running” your holiday

And honestly: doing Open Water first is never a mistake.

Choose Open Water + Advanced if this sounds like you

The package is a great fit if:

You’re staying long enough to do it without cramming

You learn by doing (and you want lots of water time)

You want to leave Koh Tao feeling confident, not brand new

You already know diving is going to be a big part of your travels

You want to build momentum while you’re here (instead of stopping right after the first certification)

This is the “make diving the main event” option.

Two real-life examples

1) “I’m nervous, but I really want to do it.”
Start with Open Water. See how you feel. If you’re loving it by day two (most people are), you can decide about Advanced with a clear head.

2) “I’m here for a wee,k and I want to dive loads.”
Go for the package.
You’ll get more experience, more comfort in the water, and you’ll usually feel like a totally different diver by the end.

Our honest advice (the Echo way)

If you’re unsure, don’t force the decision right now.

Open Water is the best place to start.
And if you finish it thinking, “That was amazing, I want more,” — then adding Advanced is easy.

No pressure. No ego. Just the right pace for you.

Want help choosing in 30 seconds?

If you tell us:

– how many days are you on Koh Tao

– whether you feel confident in the water

– what you want from the trip (relaxed vs dive-heavy)

…we’ll point you to the option that actually fits. Simple as that.

© Echo Divers Koh Tao