Padi Freediver, learn how to freedive and get your first license (at Koh Chang)

Koh Chang’s PADI Freediver course takes you from breathing exercises on land to pool training and then open-water practice over two carefully paced days. The group is limited to five people, which gives you more personal attention than a large class.

I like the clear progression from theory to pool work and then coral reefs, plus the practical extras: equipment, meals, drinks, and snacks are included. The main thing to consider is the physical and mental challenge. Freediving is not simply swimming underwater while holding your breath, and some beginners find the first open-water session demanding.

Key points to know before booking

• Two-stage training: Begin with breathing technique and pool practice on day one, then continue at two coral reef sites from a boat on day two.
• Small maximum group: Only five participants can join, so instructors can watch your technique closely.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: Instructors including Pierre, Charles, Markus, Joe, Adam, and Chen have worked with first-timers and nervous students.
• Useful inclusions: Gear, a PADI online manual, hotel pickup on Koh Chang’s west coast, lunches, drinks, and light refreshments are supplied.
• Bang Bao base: Both training days begin at BB Divers in Bang Bao, with the second day using a boat for a full day on the water.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the activity or lead to a different date, and the national park entry fee of THB200 is extra.

Starting at BB Divers in Bang Bao

Your course begins at 8:00 a.m. at BB Divers, a PADI five-star dive center in Bang Bao. The address is 16/2 Moo 1, Koh Chang Tai, Trat 23170. Hotel pickup and return transport are offered from the west coast of Koh Chang, which is useful if you are staying in the main resort areas there.

If you are staying elsewhere on the island, confirm the transfer details before booking. The included transport is not described as covering all of Koh Chang, and you may need to arrange your own way to Bang Bao.

The group limit of five is one of the most important details here. Breath-hold training depends on close supervision and calm communication, so a small class is worth more than a crowded lesson. You are not simply following an instructor at the back of a large group. The instructor can watch how you breathe, how you move, and how relaxed you remain.

The course includes use of equipment and a PADI online manual. That means you are not expected to arrive with specialist gear or find separate study material before the course. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and anything you normally need for a long day near the water, but the central training equipment is provided.

Day one: breath control, theory, and pool practice

The first day lasts about four hours and stays around Bang Bao. It begins on land with breathing techniques and course instruction, then moves into the pool.

This order makes good sense. Freediving starts before you enter the water. You need to understand how to prepare your breathing, relax your body, and manage your response to holding your breath. The pool then gives you a controlled place to apply those ideas before dealing with open water.

For a beginner, the pool is likely to be the most useful part of the first day. It lets you focus on body position and calm movement without the added distraction of waves, a boat, or a reef. It also gives your instructor time to notice small habits that could waste energy, such as tense arms, rushed breathing, or unnecessary movement.

The teaching style can vary by instructor, but the course has included instructors such as Pierre, Charles, Markus, Joe, Adam, and Chen. Specific experiences have highlighted Pierre’s patience, Charles’s reassuring humor, Markus’s calm and precise approach, and Joe’s ability to keep the course fun while maintaining structure. You may not receive a particular instructor, but the center has several names associated with beginner instruction.

Do not judge your progress only by depth or breath-hold time. The real goal is safe, controlled technique. Some first-timers arrive expecting the physical part to be easy and then discover that relaxation is harder than strength. That is normal. The course is designed to teach you how to work within your limits rather than force a dramatic result.

You should also expect the first day to feel more like a course than a sightseeing outing. Four hours is enough for a focused introduction, but it is not a casual beach activity with a short lesson attached.

Day two: two reef sites by boat

The second day lasts about eight hours and uses a boat from Bang Bao. You will make two stops at coral reef sites for open-water training, with time between sessions to rest and eat lunch on board.

This is where the first day’s work becomes practical. Open water adds movement and depth, so you need to stay relaxed and follow the instructor’s directions closely. The two-stop format gives you a chance to settle in, train, recover, and then try again. That rhythm is kinder than cramming every exercise into one long session.

The boat day is also the most scenic part of the experience. You are not only practicing breath control. You are spending a full day around Koh Chang’s coral reefs, with time between sessions to rest on the boat and enjoy the setting. The exact underwater conditions depend on weather and visibility, so it is best to think of this as a training day in a natural setting, not a guaranteed wildlife tour.

Lunch is provided on the boat, and drinks and light refreshments are included. That matters more than it might sound. Breath-hold training takes concentration, and a long day in the sun can leave you tired. Having food and water arranged means you do not need to pack a full meal or rush back to shore.

The boat crew is part of the practical experience. One account specifically praised the crew and the way Steve managed the group, helping create a calm atmosphere. Again, staff assignments may change, but the setup is intended to keep the day organized rather than leaving you to work out boat timing and meals yourself.

The national park entry fee is not included. Budget THB200 per person for this extra charge. It is a small amount compared with the course price, but it is exactly the sort of cost that can catch you unprepared if you arrive with only the advertised price in mind.

What the instruction feels like for a first-timer

This course suits people who want a real beginner qualification, not just a one-hour introduction. Several instructors have worked with people who were nervous about their first time in the sea. Charles, for example, has been praised for helping a student face fears and feel safe enough to continue. Pierre has been described as patient and encouraging, especially during pool practice and the move to open water.

That support matters because freediving can feel surprisingly mental. The water is not the only challenge. You are learning to stay relaxed while your body signals that you want to breathe. A calm instructor can make the difference between a useful lesson and an uncomfortable one.

The course also appears suited to people who value direct instruction. Markus has been described as meticulous and no-nonsense, while other instructors have been noted for humor and encouragement. You should expect safety guidance, repetition, and corrections rather than a loose session where you simply try to swim down and back up.

Some participants have progressed to depths and breath-hold times that initially seemed unlikely. That does not mean you should expect the same result. Your comfort, fitness, prior water experience, and ability to relax will affect your pace. A good outcome is leaving with a safer understanding of the sport and a clear idea of how to keep practicing.

The course is also a better match for someone willing to follow instructions carefully. This is not the place to prove how long you can hold your breath. The value comes from learning a technique you can continue to practice responsibly after leaving Koh Chang.

Price and what you receive for $389.96

At $389.96 per person, this is not a budget pool lesson. It is a two-day PADI course with a full boat day, instruction, equipment, meals, refreshments, the online manual, and west-coast hotel transfers.

The small group helps explain the price. A maximum of five participants gives you a better instructor-to-student ratio than a large commercial class. That is especially useful during pool and open-water work, when an instructor needs to watch several details at once.

The boat day adds substantial value, too. You are not paying only for classroom time. The second day involves transport by boat, two reef training stops, lunch, drinks, and a full day on the water. If you had to arrange boat transport, equipment, meals, and instruction separately, the costs and planning would add up quickly.

Still, you should compare the package with your own plans. If you only want to try freediving once, a shorter discovery session may cost less and require less time. If you want a formal first PADI qualification and expect to keep practicing, the two-day format makes more sense.

Remember to add the THB200 national park fee. Pickup is included only from hotels on Koh Chang’s west coast, and the activity returns to the meeting point at BB Divers.

Food, comfort, and the long second day

The course includes lunch, drinks, and light refreshments. Lunch is available during the boat day, and the supplied food helps break up the long schedule. One of the strongest practical features is that you do not need to spend the day searching for food between training sessions.

You should still prepare for a full day outside. The second day runs for about eight hours, and conditions may be hot, wet, or tiring. Bring personal sun protection and any small items you prefer to have with you. The supplied refreshments are useful, but they do not replace your normal medication or personal snacks if you have specific dietary needs.

The first day is shorter and more focused. Four hours gives you time to learn the basics without turning the opening lesson into an endurance test. The second day is longer because it combines boat travel, two training stops, rest periods, and lunch.

Weather, transfers, and other practical limits

The activity depends on favorable weather. If conditions are poor, the course can be canceled and you will be offered an alternative date. Keep this in mind when planning a tight Koh Chang itinerary. Leaving the island immediately after the course may be risky if weather affects the schedule.

The meeting point is BB Divers in Bang Bao, and the activity ends back there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered for west-coast hotels only. The site is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not specify a fixed public transport route or timetable.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the activity is still physically demanding. If you have concerns about breath-hold work or open-water conditions, contact the operator before committing.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time.

Who should book this Koh Chang course?

I would choose this course if you want a structured introduction and your first PADI freediving license over two days. It is a particularly good fit if you appreciate patient coaching, prefer a small group, and want pool training before moving to coral reefs.

It also suits you if you are staying on Koh Chang’s west coast and can spare a full second day. The included transfers, equipment, food, and online manual remove much of the planning work.

You may want a different activity if you only have a few free hours, dislike boat days, or want a relaxed sightseeing trip with very little instruction. The first day is a lesson, and the second day requires focus and energy. It is rewarding, but it is not passive.

Should you book it?

Book this PADI Freediver course if you want a serious beginner foundation, not just a quick underwater encounter. The small group, two-stage training, experienced instructor team, and full boat day make the $389.96 price easier to justify, especially with equipment, meals, drinks, and west-coast transfers included.

Before booking, check your hotel location, leave room in your schedule for weather changes, and budget the THB200 national park fee. If you can commit to two full days and approach the training with patience, this is a well-organized way to earn your first license in Koh Chang.

FAQ

How long does the PADI Freediver course last?

The course lasts approximately two days. The first day takes about four hours, and the second day lasts about eight hours.

Where does the course start?

The course starts at BB Divers, a PADI five-star dive center in Bang Bao, Koh Chang. The listed start time is 8:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How many people can join the course?

The activity has a maximum of five participants.

What happens on the first day?

You will practice breathing techniques on land and then continue with training in the pool. The first day lasts about four hours.

What happens on the second day?

You will join a full-day boat trip and train at two coral reef locations. Lunch is served on the boat, with time to rest between training sessions.

Is equipment included?

Yes, use of equipment is included in the course price.

Is food included?

Yes. The package includes lunch, drinks, and light refreshments. Lunch is provided during the boat day.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The national park entry fee is THB200 per person and must be paid separately.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity is subject to suitable weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered an alternative date.