Scuba Diving Courses at Puffer Divers
OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE
Take your first step into the underwater world. The SSI Open Water Diver course is the most popular way to learn to dive, and in Koh Samui you can complete it in just 3 days with our patient, experienced instructors.
Course Introduction
This internationally recognized 3-day training program is an entry-level Open Water Diver Course designed for beginners with little or no diving experience. Under the guidance of our professional SSI instructors, you'll develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to dive safely and comfortably in open water environments. Upon successfully completing the Open Water Diver Course, you will earn an SSI Open Water Diver certification, which enables you to dive worldwide.
Course Requirements
Medical Statement
All students must complete and sign an SSI Medical Questionnaire before diving.
Water Skills Assessment
Students must successfully complete the following water fitness evaluations as part of the Open Water Diver Course requirements:
*200-meter swim test (any stroke, no time limit)
*10-minute survival float test
Minimum Age for Participation
10 years old
Course Schedule-Day 1
Pool Training
The first day focuses on developing your fundamental scuba diving skills in a controlled pool environment. Your instructor will guide you through essential skills and safety procedures.
Training duration: about 3–6 hours (no lunch). Exact duration may vary depending on individual performance and learning progress.
Course Schedule-Day 2
Open Water Training Dive 1 & 2
Put your new skills into practice on your first two open water dives, on a full-day boat trip.
Hotel pickup: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Completion of Open Water Dives 1 and 2
Return to the pier before 5:00 PM
Lunch and drinking water are provided on the boat.
Course Schedule-Day 3
Open Water Training Dive 3 & 4
Complete your final two training dives as part of the Open Water Diver Course and demonstrate the skills required for Open Water Diver certification.
Hotel pickup: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Full-day boat trip
Completion of Open Water Dives 3 and 4
Return to the pier before 5:00 PM
After successfully meeting all course requirements, you will be certified as an SSI Open Water Diver!
What’s Included
A 3-day course.
• SSI Open Water Diver digital learning
• Professional SSI instructor training
• Day 1: pool session (about 3–6 hours, no lunch)
• Days 2–3: boat days, 2 dives per day (4 open water dives)
• Scuba equipment rental
• SSI Open Water Diver certification (dive to 18 m worldwide)
• Lunch & drinking water on boat days
• Dive insurance
• Hotel/villa pickup (send us your hotel or villa name – some areas may have a surcharge)
ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE
Ready for your next underwater adventure? The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver course takes you deeper, sharpens your navigation and lets you try three new types of diving, all in just 2 days.
Course Introduction
This 2-day training course is designed for certified divers seeking to further their skills through the Advanced Open Water Diver Course. Participants will explore more, dive with greater confidence, and experience the ocean in exciting new ways. Guided by experienced SSI professionals, this course combines skill development with unforgettable adventure dives. Upon successful completion, you will earn your SSI Advanced Open Water Diver certification, allowing you to dive worldwide.
Course Requirements
Medical Statement
All students are required to complete and sign an SSI Medical Questionnaire before diving.
Minimum Level
To enroll, you must have the Open Water Diver certification, which can be obtained through other agencies.
Course Schedule-Day 1
Day 1: Adventure Dives 1–3
Your adventure begins with a comprehensive orientation on the Advanced Adventurer program, including equipment preparation and a briefing that covers dive planning, safety procedures, and underwater communication.
The first training day comprises three Adventure Dives, designed to build your confidence and introduce new skills.
Hotel pickup: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Full-day boat trip
Completion of Adventure Dives 1, 2 and 3
Return to the pier before 5:00 PM
Course Schedule-Day 2
Day 2: Adventure Dives 4–5
The second day continues with two more Adventure Dives in different diving environments.
Hotel pickup: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Full-day boat trip
Completion of Adventure Dives 4 and 5
Return to the pier before 5:00 PM
Lunch and drinking water are provided on the boat.
What Are the Skills
Two Adventure Dives are compulsory: Deep and Underwater Navigation. You then choose three more from options such as Perfect Buoyancy, Fish Identification, Night or Limited Visibility, Boat Diving and Search & Recovery.
What’s Included
A 2-day course.
• SSI Advanced Open Water Diver digital learning
• Professional SSI instructor training
• 5 Adventure Dives over 2 boat days: Deep and Navigation plus 3 electives
• Scuba equipment rental
• SSI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (dive to 30 m worldwide)
• Lunch & drinking water
• Dive insurance
• Hotel/villa pickup (send us your hotel or villa name – some areas may have a surcharge)
Not sure which course is right for you? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you choose.
FURTHER LEVEL TRAINING PROGRAMS
RESCUE DIVER COURSE
Want to become a better buddy? The Rescue Diver course teaches you to prevent problems, spot stress early and handle emergencies calmly, at the surface and underwater.
Course Introduction
The SSI Diver Stress & Rescue Course is expertly crafted to help divers prevent, recognize, and manage diving emergencies. You will develop a greater awareness and ability to be a safer dive buddy with the following training components: Recognizing and preventing diver stress, mastering self-rescue techniques, assisting tired, panicked, or distressed divers, emergency management. EFR is not included: it is a separate course, and you need EFR certification before starting Rescue.
Course Requirements
Minimum age: 12 years old. To enroll in the Rescue Diver Course, candidates must have an Open Water Diver certification (we accept students from other agencies). A React Right certification or a current CPR & First Aid qualification is required before certification is issued. If you do not have this certification, you must complete an extra day of training before the course starts. Please see further details in the React Right / EFR section. You must provide a signed SSI Medical Statement.
EFR Training (if needed)
Emergency First Response (EFR) equips you with essential skills to provide immediate care during a medical emergency until professional assistance arrives. It is required for the Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses. The curriculum includes life-saving techniques such as: CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), Rescue Breathing, Choking Management, AED Use, Patient Assessment.
Course Schedule Day 1
Theory & Rescue Skills
Digital learning review and instructor briefing
Understanding diver stress and accident prevention
Self-rescue techniques
Rescue equipment familiarization
Surface rescue skills
Assisting tired and panicked divers
Confined Water Training
Rescue skill practice and demonstrations
Approaching and assisting distressed divers
Responding to an unresponsive diver
Rescue breathing practice
Search patterns and recovery techniques
Emergency management exercises
Course Schedule Day 2
Open Water Rescue Scenarios
In our Rescue Diver Course, you will engage in open water rescue exercises tailored for real-life situations. These include missing diver search scenarios and underwater rescue simulations, alongside surface rescue management. Our program covers full accident management and the final assessment.
Time Plan
Hotel pickup: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Enjoy a full-day boat trip with Rescue scenarios 1, 2 and 3. Return to the pier before 5:00 PM.
What’s Included
A 2-day course.
• SSI Diver Stress & Rescue digital learning
• Training by experienced SSI instructors
• Day 1: theory review and rescue skills in confined water
• Day 2: open water rescue scenarios from the boat
• Scuba equipment rental
• SSI Diver Stress & Rescue certification
• Lunch & drinking water
• Dive insurance
• Hotel/villa pickup (send us your hotel or villa name – some areas may have a surcharge)
EFR / CPR training available if needed (THB 4,500).
DIVE MASTER COURSE
The SSI Divemaster program is your first step into the dive industry. Train with the Puffer Divers team in Koh Samui and learn to lead certified divers and assist instructors.
Course Introduction
It’s time to turn your passion for diving into leadership! This comprehensive 4-6 week leadership program develops the knowledge, skills, and experience required to supervise certified divers, assist instructors during training, and serve as a role model within the diving community. Throughout the program, you will refine your diving skills, build professional-level abilities and awareness.
Course Requirements
To enroll in the Dive Master Course, candidates must meet the following requirements: a minimum age of 18 years old, an SSI Stress & Rescue certification (or an equivalent), and a current CPR & First Aid certification. A minimum of 40 logged dives are required to begin Dive Master training, while a total of at least 60 logged dives is necessary for certification. Lastly, a completed Medical Statement signed by a doctor within the last 12 months is mandatory for the Dive Master Course.
What You Will Learn
You will learn to supervise certified divers and assist instructors on Discover Scuba and training courses, plan dives and manage risk, give clear briefings and guide divers, handle rescues and emergencies, protect the marine environment, and look after customers as part of daily dive center operations.
Typical Program Schedule Week 1-2
Orientation and program briefing, review of SSI standards and dive theory, a water fitness assessment and a skills demonstration workshop, including a full review of rescue skills. You start assisting instructors on Open Water and continuing education courses: giving briefings, guiding certified divers, and helping with dive planning, equipment, logistics and customer care.
Typical Program Schedule Week 3-4
Leading certified fun dives under instructor supervision, emergency management exercises, risk assessment and decision-making, daily dive center operations and marine conservation. You complete all required swim tests; depending on your progress, an extra 1 to 2 weeks may be needed.
What’s Included
• SSI Dive Master digital learning
• Professional SSI training and mentoring with the Puffer Divers team
• Pool training session
• Open water training dives
• Scuba equipment rental
• SSI Dive Master certification on successful completion
• Lunch & drinking water
• Dive insurance
• Hotel/villa pickup (send us your hotel or villa name – some areas may have a surcharge)
Thinking about going pro? Message us on WhatsApp to talk through the Divemaster program.
SPECIALTY COURSES
NITROX DIVER COURSE
Extend your bottom time and dive smarter with our SSI Enriched Air Nitrox course.
Course Introduction
The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Course at Puffer Divers is among the most sought-after specialty courses for recreational divers. This course provides essential training on how to safely plan and execute dives with enriched air nitrox (EANx). By diving with nitrox, divers can significantly reduce nitrogen absorption, which allows for extended no-decompression limits on repetitive dives.
Course Requirements
Minimum age: 10 years old. Requirements: Open Water Diver certified (any agency). Theory only – about 2–3 hours, no dives required.
What’s Included
A short theory-only course – about 2–3 hours, no dives required.
• SSI Enriched Air Nitrox digital learning
• Theory session with a professional SSI instructor
• SSI Nitrox certification on successful completion
After certification you can dive with nitrox on any of our fun-dive trips.
DEEP DIVER COURSE
Ready to go deeper? The SSI Deep Diving specialty trains you to plan and make dives safely down to 40 m, so you can enjoy deeper sites like Sail Rock and Chumphon Pinnacle with confidence.
Course Introduction
The SSI Deep Diving Specialty Course at Puffer Divers is specifically crafted for certified divers who wish to safely enhance their depth limits and confidently explore deeper dive sites. This course equips you with the essential knowledge, skills, and equipment considerations required for dives between 18 and 40 meters, all while adhering to safe diving practices. There are two options: 9,800 THB for 1 day with 3 dives, or 14,500 THB for 2 days with 4 dives.
Course Requirements & Schedule
Requirements
Minimum age: 15 years old
Open Water Diver certification (can take students from other agencies)
Good buoyancy control and comfort underwater
signed SSI Medical Statement
Schedule
Hotel pickup: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Full-day boat trip for completing Deep Adventure Dives 1, 2 and 3 (if planned)
Lunch and drinking water on board
Return to the pier before 5:00 PM
For the 2-day option, the schedule can be arranged directly with your instructor.
What’s Included
• SSI Deep Diving digital learning
• Professional SSI instructor training
• Deep training dives (18–40 m): 3 dives in 1 day or 4 dives over 2 days
• Scuba equipment rental
• SSI Deep Diving certification on successful completion
• Lunch & drinking water
• Dive insurance
• Hotel/villa pickup (send us your hotel or villa name – some areas may have a surcharge)
OTHER SPECIALTY COURSES
Take your diving further with these SSI specialties, each taught over 2 days by our specialty instructors.
Sidemount Diver Course
This 2-day SSI Sidemount Diver Specialty course is designed for certified divers looking to enhance their comfort, streamlining, and gas management while using sidemount equipment. During this course, you will learn how to properly configure and maintain a sidemount diving system, manage multiple cylinders.
Wreck Diver Course
This 2-day training SSI Wreck Diver Specialty introduces certified divers to the exciting world of shipwreck exploration. Students will learn important wreck navigation techniques, the proper use of lines and reels, hazard awareness, buoyancy control around fragile structures, and responsible interaction with historic and artificial reefs. Upon completion, divers will be equipped to safely explore wrecks while minimizing environmental impact.
Underwater Photography Course
This 2-day training SSI Underwater Photography Specialty course is tailored for divers looking to enhance their skills while enjoying their dives. Students will gain insights into how water affects color and visibility. They’ll learn how to position themselves for stunning shots and maintain excellent buoyancy control to protect marine life and preserve the underwater environment.
Have questions about any of our courses? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll get back to you quickly.
PROFESSIONAL UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY AVAILABLE
Your Dive, Professionally Photographed
Our Professional Underwater Photography Package is available at THB 8,000 per day with no limit on the number of participants, making it perfect for couples, families, or groups diving together. It works for courses, training dives and fun dives alike.