From City to Deep Sea: How I Fulfilled Two Diving Dreams in Seven Days on Koh Tao, Thailand

Meta Description: Discover how one traveler earned both an OW scuba certification and AIDA Freediving Level 2 on Koh Tao in just 7 days. A complete guide to dual diving courses, instructors, and island life.

Introduction: Trading Office Blues for Ocean Blues

A month ago, I was staring blankly at my computer screen in the office, my coffee long gone cold. That day, a few friends and I were chatting about work and life, and we all sighed in unison: it felt like we hadn't truly "disappeared" for days in a long time. Scrolling through my phone that night, a video on my best friend's Moments made me sit up instantly — in the frame, a girl was swimming effortlessly in the ocean, no oxygen tank, no restraints, as free as a fish. In that moment, I could hear my own heart racing.

Through a friend's introduction, I got in touch with the girl in the video, Lisa. After a quick chat about transportation and course schedules, I booked my flight that very night. Destination: Koh Tao, Thailand. Goal: Get my OW Open Water Diver certification and my AIDA Freediving Level 2 certification.

Five days of annual leave plus two weekends gave me a solid nine days. Since I had plenty of time, Lisa suggested I take both courses together — one trip, two dreams. Sounded like a great deal to me.

OW Scuba Diving in Four Days: Coach Goat Helped Me Meet a Sea Turtle

After taking a bus and ferry from Bangkok to the island, I arrived on Koh Tao at 3 PM. A staff member from BANS Diving Resort was holding a sign at the pier to pick me up — the service was thorough. After checking in, at 4 PM, my instructor Goat was already waiting for me at the front desk.

The first time I saw Goat, the tattoos on his arms immediately caught my eye. With his sun-kissed skin and athletic, well-proportioned build, he looked like a diving instructor straight out of a movie — handsome with a touch of wildness.

To be honest, scuba diving wasn't as hard as I imagined. There was a classmate in our group who couldn't swim at all, and he still graduated successfully. So if you love the ocean but can't swim, you can absolutely give it a try. On the second day of the course, we spent a full six hours in the pool practicing snorkeling and various skills — plenty of time to get comfortable in the water.

With an experienced instructor like Goat, the teaching ratio was 1:3, and when we went out to sea, there was also a dive master named Panpan following along. This aspect of BANS really put me at ease — two big guys accompanying us the whole time made me feel completely safe in the ocean every day. Every dive shop and instructor has their own style, but I especially loved the family-like, warm atmosphere at BANS, and I appreciated Goat's relaxed, humorous teaching approach. Of course, it might also have something to do with him being good-looking — after spending so long in the city, you rarely meet guys who are so sun-kissed, cool, and handsome, yet still gentle.

[Link: How to Choose the Best Scuba Diving Instructor on Koh Tao]

OW First Day at Sea

The first time going out to sea, I was so excited I could barely contain myself. The speedboat, the dive boat, and the handsome captain — everything felt fresh and new. I kept taking photos before even getting in the water, so when Goat asked me about the four elements of the buddy check, I almost couldn't answer. I admit, I wasn't the best buddy.

For the first and second dives, aside from the excitement, I was still pretty nervous. Underwater, we had to complete skills like half-mask clearing, full-mask clearing, regulator recovery, and using an alternate air source. Luckily, with Goat and Panpan watching over us the whole time, we all passed on the first try.

That evening, Goat took us to eat some authentic Thai food. During these few days of the course, my weight shot up — there's just so much delicious food on Koh Tao.

OW Second Day at Sea

The weather was great in the morning. We originally planned to go to White Rock, but the captain changed course on a whim to Chumphon Pinnacle. Goat said if we were lucky, we might see a whale shark, but I wasn't that fortunate. No matter — I did see a large sea turtle, grouper, sea slugs, clownfish, and two cuttlefish about 30 centimeters long. One of the cuttlefish hovered right next to me and wouldn't leave, just ten centimeters away from my face. A gray stingray over two meters long even swam right over my head... As for the whale shark, I'll save it for next time.

The OW course ended by noon. In the afternoon, Goat and Panpan took us to Love Koh Tao — a popular photo spot on the island where you can get amazing shots. I saw Lisa's profile picture there and thought it was so beautiful that I convinced Goat to take us. We chatted, watched the sea, and had a few drinks. Goat said this was just daily life on the island. Life was so relaxing that I suddenly felt the urge to leave the city behind.

[Link: Best Dive Sites on Koh Tao for Beginners and Advanced Divers]

Freediving in Three Days: Coach Tommy Helped Me Chase the Yellowfish Swarm

The day before the course started, Tommy asked me to meet him at the school front desk to check my ear equalization. From the moment I booked my flight, Tommy had been keeping up with my progress. A week before I left, he even created a small group chat with my classmates so we could practice and keep each other accountable. He started teaching before I even arrived — I was so touched by his dedication that I felt like I'd be letting him down if I didn't pass.

The Frenzel maneuver (the ear equalization technique) is a bit tricky. But after practicing for two days following Tommy's guidance, I could do it upright without any issues. Tommy said freediving requires a duck dive, so I also needed to practice the Frenzel while bending over and looking down. I didn't fully understand at first, but I'm an obedient student. Before leaving, I could sometimes manage it while bending over, but it wasn't consistent yet.

[Link: Frenzel vs. Valsalva: Which Equalization Technique Is Right for Freediving?]

Freediving Day One

The freediving course schedule was different from the OW one. Every day followed the same rhythm: meet at 7:30 AM, one hour of theory, two hours of pool practice, head out to sea at 10 AM, and finish around 1 PM.

On the first day, the theory class was held in the yoga pavilion next to BANS's infinity pool. The setting could only be described as "epic." Tommy first taught us about breath-hold techniques, static apnea, and the theoretical foundations of freediving. By the way, Tommy isn't just handsome — his voice is incredibly captivating. I'd venture to guess that if he weren't a freediving instructor, he'd be a really talented singer.

The first time I saw Lisa, she was in a corner practicing yoga and freediving stretches. Her figure was amazing — no wonder she looked so composed and free in the video. I silently vowed to myself: I'm going to get a body like that too.

At 8:30, we started practicing static apnea in the pool. In the water, I felt much more relaxed — on land, I could only hold my breath for 30 seconds, but in the pool, my first attempt reached 1 minute and 20 seconds. Lisa's guidance was really effective. She taught me to first relax my body and imagine the blood flowing through my head, neck, arms, abdomen, and finally down to my thighs and calves. By visualizing the blood flow, I could relax my whole body. I think freediving and yoga share some similar principles.

At 10 AM, we went out to sea for training. Do you think freediving is as free and easy as it looks in videos? Wrong. To be honest, the freediving course was really exhausting. As Tommy later put it: "People who fall in love with freediving all have a bit of a masochistic streak."

There were four of us in the class. On the first day of sea training, each person took turns grabbing the rope and descending. First, we each did four rounds of upright descents, mainly to test ear equalization. Two of my classmates were naturally gifted with the Frenzel maneuver — after four upright descents, they could already descend horizontally. But me and another classmate, Karen, were fine with upright descents, but when we tried to go down horizontally, our ears would block at around 6 meters. I felt a bit discouraged at first, but Lisa told me that when she first started, she struggled for two weeks before getting it. That gave me hope.

[Link: AIDA Freediving Certification Levels Explained: From Level 1 to Instructor]

Why Koh Tao Is the Perfect Place for Dual Diving Certifications

Koh Tao, often called the "turtle island," is world-renowned as a diving mecca. With warm, clear waters, abundant marine life, and dozens of dive shops offering competitive prices, it's an ideal destination for anyone looking to earn multiple certifications in one trip.

Key advantages of taking both OW scuba and freediving courses on Koh Tao:

Concentrated learning environment: Both courses are offered by the same resort (BANS), making scheduling seamless.
Expert instructors: From Goat's relaxed scuba teaching style to Tommy and Lisa's patient freediving coaching, you get top-tier guidance.
Affordable pricing: Compared to other destinations, Koh Tao offers excellent value for diving courses.
Short travel time between courses: No need to island-hop; everything is within walking distance.

Practical Tips for Your Koh Tao Diving Adventure

What to Pack

Rash guard or wetsuit (though rental is available)
Reef-safe sunscreen
Waterproof phone case or GoPro
Ear drops for equalization practice
Light clothing for tropical weather

Physical Preparation

Practice the Frenzel maneuver before you arrive
Do light cardio and flexibility exercises (yoga helps!)
Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol before dives

Budget Considerations

OW course: Approximately 10,000–12,000 THB
AIDA Level 2: Approximately 12,000–15,000 THB
Accommodation: 800–2,000 THB per night at BANS or nearby
Food: 200–500 THB per day for local Thai meals

FAQ: Dual Diving Courses on Koh Tao

1. Can I really complete both OW scuba and AIDA freediving courses in one week?

Yes, with a well-planned schedule. This article details a 7-day itinerary: 4 days for OW (including pool and sea sessions) and 3 days for freediving. You'll need to be physically prepared and committed.

2. Do I need to know how to swim for scuba diving?

No. The article mentions a classmate who couldn't swim and still passed. However, swimming skills help with comfort in the water. For freediving, basic swimming ability is recommended.

3. How difficult is the Frenzel maneuver for freediving?

It varies by individual. Some people learn it naturally; others, like the author, need practice. Tommy and Lisa provided personalized guidance, and the author succeeded after a few days of practice. Starting before your trip is a good idea.

4. Is Koh Tao safe for solo female travelers?

Yes. The diving community is welcoming, and instructors are professional. The author felt safe with her instructors and the resort staff. Always choose a reputable dive shop.

5. What marine life can I expect to see on Koh Tao?

Common sightings include sea turtles, groupers, clownfish, cuttlefish, stingrays, and occasionally whale sharks (at Chumphon Pinnacle). The author saw a large sea turtle, a gray stingray over 2 meters long, and many smaller species.

Conclusion: Your Turn to Dive Deep

Seven days on Koh Tao transformed my outlook on life. I traded office coffee for ocean water, fluorescent lights for sun-drenched coral reefs, and work stress for the pure joy of floating weightlessly. Whether you're chasing sea turtles with a scuba tank or chasing yellowfish swarms on a single breath, this island delivers.

Ready to book your own dual certification adventure? Start by checking flights to Bangkok, then take the bus and ferry to Koh Tao. Contact BANS Diving Resort or similar schools to reserve your spot. And don't forget to practice that Frenzel maneuver!

The ocean is waiting. Are you ready to answer the call?

[Link: Best Time to Visit Koh Tao for Diving: Seasonal Guide]

Have you taken both scuba and freediving courses? Share your experience in the comments below!