Freediver advanced (start at Koh Chang)

Reaching 16 to 24 meters on a single breath is the heart of this two-day PADI Advanced Freediver course on Koh Chang. You work on breath-hold time, technique, and the athletic side of freediving, with instruction from BB Divers and open-water sessions by boat.

I like the small maximum of five participants, which should give you more direct coaching. I also like that the price covers the parts that can quietly add up, including equipment, transport from Koh Chang’s west coast, lunch, drinks, snacks, and boat trips.

The main caution is that this is a serious skills course, not a casual snorkeling outing. You need to be ready for focused training and changing sea conditions, and entry to Koh Rang National Park costs extra if your sessions take place there.

Key points to know before booking

• 16 to 24 meters is the target range: The course is designed to move you beyond beginner-level breath-hold skills and toward longer, deeper underwater sessions.
• Small groups matter: BB Divers limits the course to five people, allowing more room for individual instruction.
• Lars is a named instructor to look for: He is described as calm and patient, useful qualities when you are working on comfort and control underwater.
• The package covers most daily costs: Equipment, instruction, boat trips, hotel transfers on the west coast, lunch, drinks, coffee or tea, and snacks are included.
• Boat service receives strong praise: The organization on board, food, and general atmosphere are important parts of the day.
• National park fees are separate: You pay an additional entry fee if the course uses Koh Rang National Park.

What this Koh Chang course is really teaching

The PADI Advanced Freediver course is for building control, not simply collecting a greater depth number. You continue working with your breath-hold, body position, and mental focus while moving toward a stated range of 16 to 24 meters.

That makes this a clear step up from an introductory course. The description places more weight on athletic ability and on extending both time and depth. You should expect the course to ask more from you physically and mentally than a first-level lesson.

The goal is also personal. A longer breath-hold can let you spend more time near marine life without the noise and equipment associated with scuba. The course presents freediving as a closer connection between body, mind, and the underwater setting. That does not mean the sessions are casual. It means the training is built around calm, efficient movement and better self-awareness.

You should book this with a specific reason in mind. Perhaps you want to improve your depth, prepare for further freediving, or gain more confidence in open water. If you simply want a relaxed day by the sea, this is probably more structure than you need.

Starting at BB Divers at 8:00 in the morning

The course begins at 8:00 am at BB Divers PADI dive center, located at 16/2 Moo 1, Koh Chang Tai, Ko Chang, Trat 23170. The activity finishes back at the meeting point.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but only for hotels on Koh Chang’s west coast. That restriction matters. If you are staying elsewhere on the island, you should plan how to reach the center and confirm the arrangement before booking.

The early start suits a full day on the water. It also gives the course time to combine instruction, boat travel, practical sessions, and breaks without cramming everything into a short morning. The total activity is listed at about 16 hours across two days, so you should expect two substantial training days rather than one quick lesson.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. I would avoid making an unchangeable travel plan around the course until you receive that confirmation.

The two-day format gives your body time to adjust

A two-day course is useful because advanced breath-hold work should not feel rushed. You have time to absorb the instruction, notice how your body responds, and continue working on technique during the second day.

The available information does not give a minute-by-minute timetable, so you should not assume a fixed number of sessions or a particular order for every exercise. What is clear is that the course includes instruction, equipment, boat trips, food, and underwater training aimed at 16 to 24 meters.

That format also makes the course more demanding than a sightseeing boat ride. You will spend much of the day focused on your own breathing, movement, and limits. The athletic part of freediving is a central theme, so this course is best for someone who has already completed the first level or has the required background for an advanced PADI course.

The small group limit helps here. With no more than five participants, you are less likely to disappear into a crowd. You should have a better chance to ask questions and receive attention during skills work, although the exact instructor-to-student arrangement is not specified.

Boat trips and the value of a well-run day

Boat logistics can make or break a water course. Poor organization means more waiting, less training time, and a tiring day before you even begin. BB Divers receives especially strong praise for boat organization, onboard food, and the general atmosphere among the dive masters.

The course price includes the boat trips, so you do not need to arrange a separate vessel for the open-water sessions. Lunch is included as a buffet, along with light refreshments, drinks, coffee or tea, and snacks. That is a practical benefit during a long day. You can focus on the course rather than searching for food between sessions.

The food is not a luxury feature, and the listing does not promise a particular menu. Still, having lunch and refreshments provided is valuable when the activity lasts many hours. It also reduces the need to carry supplies from your hotel.

Keep your expectations sensible. A boat trip is still dependent on weather and sea conditions. The course is subject to favorable weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date rather than a normal session. That is the right safety trade-off, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Koh Chang schedule.

Instruction from Lars and the BB Divers team

Lars is specifically noted as an instructor for the advanced course. His teaching style is described as calm and patient, qualities that fit breath-hold training particularly well. When you are working toward greater depth, a steady instructor can help you focus on technique instead of rushing after a number.

BB Divers has three freediving instructors on Koh Chang, all working at the center. The exact instructor assigned to your booking may depend on availability, so you should not assume Lars will lead every course. If his teaching style is important to you, ask the center when you book.

Good freediving instruction is not just about telling you how to hold your breath longer. It should help you understand how to move with less effort, how to stay composed, and how to recognize your own limits. The course description emphasizes the relationship between body, mind, and environment, which suggests that your progress is measured by control and comfort as well as depth.

Do not treat the 24-meter figure as a promise that every participant will reach it. The listed range is the course goal. Your results will depend on your preparation, prior training, comfort in the water, and the conditions on the day.

Equipment, meals, and what the $377.44 price covers

The price is $377.44 per person for approximately two days. That is not a cheap day excursion, but the package includes a large share of the costs you would otherwise need to arrange separately:

• Freediving equipment
• Professional instruction
• Boat trips
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from the west coast of Koh Chang
• Buffet lunch
• Drinks and light refreshments
• Snacks
• Coffee or tea
• All listed course activities

That bundle makes the price easier to assess. You are paying for a structured PADI course, not simply transport to a swimming spot. Equipment rental and instruction are already included, as are the boat and most food costs.

The extra expense is the Koh Rang National Park entrance fee if the course takes place there. Since the location can depend on the day’s plan and conditions, you should budget for that possibility. The amount is not provided, so contact BB Divers if you need the exact fee before committing.

I see the strongest value here for someone who would otherwise need to book instruction, gear, boat transport, and meals separately. If you already own freediving equipment or only want a short practice session, the full package may feel less economical.

What the reviews reveal about the experience

The available feedback is limited to three reviews, but the rating is 5, and the praise is quite specific. The strongest points are the boat organization, the food on board, and the atmosphere among the dive masters.

That matters because those details shape a two-day course more than glossy promises do. A well-organized boat can keep the day moving. Reliable food and drinks help during long sessions. A friendly team can make the hours between training periods more comfortable.

One review describes trying five different dive clubs in Thailand during a month with 30 dives and placing BB Divers first. That is an enthusiastic comparison, but you should still read it in context: three reviews are not a large sample. I would take it as a useful signal about service and boat operations, not proof that every participant will have the same experience.

The course feedback about Lars is more directly useful. His calm and patient manner is credited with helping a participant progress to the required performance. That is encouraging if you are concerned about pressure during an advanced course. It also reinforces the value of asking about instructor assignment before you arrive.

Who should book this course

This course fits you best if you have completed the first PADI freediving level or already have comparable experience. You should be comfortable spending long periods on a boat and taking part in structured breath-hold training.

It may suit you especially well if you want:

• A clear path toward 16 to 24 meters
• More practice with breath-hold time
• A small group rather than a large class
• Instruction from an established Koh Chang freediving center
• Boat-based sessions with equipment and meals included
• A two-day format that allows continued practice

It is less suitable if you want a simple beach activity, a quick introduction, or a flexible sightseeing trip. The course has a defined training purpose and a physical component. You should also be prepared for the possibility of a weather-related change.

Most travelers can participate according to the supplied information, and service animals are allowed. The center is near public transportation, though the exact route is not provided. For hotel pickup, check that your accommodation is on Koh Chang’s west coast.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Weather is the main operational uncertainty. If poor conditions cancel the course, you are offered an alternative date. That policy is helpful, but you should keep a spare day available if your Koh Chang schedule is tight.

Because confirmation can take up to 48 hours and depends on availability, book before your preferred date fills. Give yourself extra time if you need west-coast pickup or want to ask about Lars, the national park fee, or the planned training location.

Should you book the BB Divers advanced course?

Book it if you are ready to train seriously toward 16 to 24 meters and value a small group, included equipment, boat transport, meals, and patient instruction. The boat organization and onboard food receive the clearest praise, while the two-day format gives you more time than a single-session lesson.

Think twice if you are not prepared for the athletic side of freediving or if you want a relaxed water outing with no performance goal. Also allow for the separate national park fee and a possible weather change.

For the right participant, $377.44 is a reasonable all-in price for two days of advanced instruction and boat-based training on Koh Chang. Confirm your pickup area, instructor, and national park costs before paying, then arrive ready for focused work rather than a casual swim.

FAQ

How long is the advanced freediver course?

The course lasts approximately two days, with a total activity time listed at about 16 hours.

What depth is this course designed to reach?

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

What time does the course start?

The course starts at 8:00 am.

Where does the course begin and end?

It begins at BB Divers PADI dive center at 16/2 Moo 1, Koh Chang Tai, Ko Chang, Trat 23170, Thailand, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels on the west coast of Koh Chang only.

What is included in the price?

The price includes beverages, buffet lunch, light refreshments, snacks, coffee or tea, freediving equipment, instruction, boat trips, all listed activities, professional guidance, and eligible hotel transfers.

Is the Koh Rang National Park entrance fee included?

No. You pay an additional entrance fee if the course takes place in Koh Rang National Park.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

The course is subject to favorable weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered an alternative date.