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

Koh Chang’s PADI Freediver course takes you from breathing practice on land to pool work, then out to two coral-reef sites by boat. In only two days, you learn the basics of breath-holding, relaxation, safety, and controlled underwater movement.

I like the five-person maximum, which gives the instructor room to watch each student closely. I also like that the price includes equipment, the PADI online manual, hotel transfers from Koh Chang’s west coast, refreshments, and meals.

The main catch is that this is a serious skills course, not a casual reef outing. You need to be ready for structured training, and the second day depends on good weather. The THB200 national park fee is also extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Two-stage training: Start with breathing methods and pool exercises before moving to open water.
• Small group size: No more than five participants keeps the instruction personal.
• Named instructors: Previous courses have been led by instructors including Pierre, Charles, Markus, Adam, Joe Pawsey, and Chen.
• Full second day on a boat: You train at two coral-reef stops, with lunch served between sessions.
• Useful inclusions: Equipment, drinks, snacks, the PADI online manual, and hotel transfers from the west coast are included.
• Plan for changing conditions: Poor weather can force a new date, and the national park entry fee is not included.

From Bang Bao to your first underwater breath

This course begins at BB Divers, a PADI five-star center in Bang Bao on Koh Chang’s southwest side. The listed start time is 8:00 am, and you can either meet at the center or use the pickup service if your hotel is on the island’s west coast.

The small group format matters here. Freediving is not simply a matter of taking a large breath and swimming downward. You need to learn how to stay calm, control your breathing, equalize pressure, and return safely. With up to five students, the instructor can pay attention to your comfort and technique instead of treating the class like a crowd.

The exact instructor depends on the schedule. Names connected with this course include Pierre, Charles, Markus, Adam, Joe Pawsey, and Chen. The teaching style described across the course material ranges from calm and patient to direct and methodical. That is useful to know because freediving students often need both: clear safety rules and an instructor who can help them relax.

Your first day lasts about four hours. It is shorter than the boat day, but it does the most important groundwork.

Day one: breathing work and pool practice

The first session takes place at Bang Bao. You begin on land with breathing techniques and breath-holding practice, then move into the pool.

The land portion is where you learn to replace effort with control. The goal is not to compete with the person beside you or hold your breath for an impressive number of seconds. You are learning how your body reacts, how to relax before entering the water, and how to follow safe procedures.

That slow beginning is a good feature for first-timers. Several instructors associated with the course are praised for helping nervous students feel secure, including Charles, who was described as funny and reassuring, and Pierre, who was noted for patience and calm instruction. You should still expect the course to challenge you. One useful warning from the provider is that freediving can be harder to learn than scuba for some beginners, because you must manage your breath and your reactions without breathing equipment.

Pool training gives you a controlled place to practise. You can work on body position, fin movement, breath control, and basic safety before dealing with open water. This is also where you start to see how much progress comes from staying relaxed. Students have reported reaching times and depths that initially seemed beyond their ability, but those results come from careful instruction, not from forcing yourself.

I would treat day one as a test of your attitude. If you want a fast thrill with little explanation, this may feel slow. If you want a proper foundation for future sessions, the land and pool work are valuable.

Day two: two reef sessions from the boat

The second day is the main sea session and lasts about eight hours. You join a boat trip from Bang Bao and travel to two coral-reef sites for training.

The two-stop format gives you more than one chance to practise. You work in the water, return to the boat to rest and eat, then continue at another location. The change of site can help break up the day, although the exact conditions and underwater visibility depend on weather and the sea.

The schedule includes a buffet lunch on the boat between training sessions. Drinks, light refreshments, and snacks are included, so you do not need to plan the day around finding food. Two lunches are listed in the package, though the detailed schedule specifically describes the boat buffet on day two. It is sensible to confirm the meal arrangement when booking if this matters to you.

The reef setting gives the course a clear purpose. You are not only practising exercises in a pool. You are learning to use the same calm breathing and controlled movement in open water, where depth, waves, current, and the wider surroundings can affect your confidence.

You should not expect a free-form day of swimming wherever you like. The instructor controls the exercises and the pace. That is exactly what you want in a first certification course. Safety comes before collecting the longest breath-hold or deepest descent.

The weather clause is important. Boat-based training can be canceled or moved if conditions are poor. If that happens, the stated policy offers an alternative date. Keep some flexibility in your Koh Chang schedule rather than placing this course on the final morning before departure.

What the PADI qualification gives you

This is designed to give you your first PADI Freediver license. The PADI online manual is included, so your learning is not limited to what you cover at the center and in the water.

The course gives you a structured introduction to:

• Breath-holding methods
• Relaxation before entering the water
• Pool-based technique
• Open-water procedures
• Controlled descents and returns
• Safety habits for future freediving

The exact performance requirements are not listed in the supplied information, so I would not promise a particular depth or breath-hold time. Your result depends on your comfort, technique, and progress during the two days.

That is a strength rather than a weakness. Freediving should not be treated like a contest. One student may need extra time to feel comfortable in the sea, while another may progress quickly. The small group and named instructor support make room for that difference.

If you finish the course with a license, you have a starting point for later practice. You will still need regular training and responsible supervision. The certificate is an introduction, not a reason to ignore safety limits.

The instructors and teaching style

The course has received especially strong praise for instructor behavior. Pierre is repeatedly associated with patient, encouraging instruction, and students describe gaining confidence after his pool sessions. Charles is noted for helping a nervous beginner feel safe and capable. Markus is described as calm, informative, and methodical, with a straightforward teaching style.

Adam and Pierre have also been praised for encouragement and patience, while Joe Pawsey is associated with a fun, well-planned course. Steve is mentioned for keeping the group at ease and managing the wider boat operation.

You may not be assigned to the instructor you hoped for, so do not book based on one name alone. The practical point is that the center has several instructors with different strengths. If you have fears about breath-holding, open water, or your ability to remain calm, tell the staff before the course begins.

The best instruction here seems to combine firm safety standards with a relaxed manner. That balance matters. You want an instructor who will not push you beyond your comfort, but who will also help you move past unnecessary fear.

What is included in the $389.96 price

At $389.96 per person, this is not a cheap activity, but it covers much more than two admission tickets. Your fee includes the professional guide, equipment use, PADI online manual, drinks, light refreshments, hotel pickup and drop-off from the west coast, and lunch arrangements.

The group limit of five improves the value. A larger class might cost less, but you would have more waiting and less direct attention during a skill where close supervision matters.

The boat day also adds value. You receive transport to two reef sites, instruction at both locations, and food during a full day on the water. That saves you from arranging a separate boat trip and trying to teach yourself the basics.

There is one required extra cost: the national park entrance fee, listed as THB200 per person. Build that into your budget. Pickup is offered only from hotels on Koh Chang’s west coast, so you may need to reach Bang Bao yourself if you are staying elsewhere.

The course ends back at the meeting point. That makes it easier to plan your evening, but the eight-hour second day means you should avoid scheduling another demanding activity afterward.

Who will get the most from this course

I would recommend this for a first-time freediver who wants a proper introduction rather than a quick swim with fins. You should be comfortable committing two full days to instruction and practice.

It suits you especially well if:

• You want a PADI license for future training
• You prefer a small group instead of a crowded class
• You like learning in stages, from land to pool to sea
• You want equipment and meals handled for you
• You feel nervous and would benefit from patient coaching
• You are staying on Koh Chang’s west coast and can use the transfer

It may not suit you if you want complete independence, a short introductory session, or a guaranteed boat departure regardless of conditions. It is also not ideal for a tightly packed itinerary because day two takes about eight hours.

The activity information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. If you have a health concern related to breath-holding or water activity, ask the provider before booking. No detailed medical screening information is supplied, so do not assume every condition is automatically covered.

Practical planning for Bang Bao

Wear comfortable swim clothing and bring whatever personal items you normally need for a full day on the water. The provider supplies the freediving equipment, but the information does not specify the exact equipment list, so ask if you have a preference about fins, masks, or suits.

Bring a little extra money for the THB200 park fee. Since pickup is limited to the west coast, check your hotel location before assuming a transfer is available.

You receive confirmation at booking. The activity is subject to favorable weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions comes with the option of another date. For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted.

The center is near public transportation, but the listed meeting point is specific: BB Divers, 16/2 Moo 1, Koh Chang Tai, Koh Chang, Trat 23170. Have the address ready if you are arranging your own way there.

Should you book the Koh Chang PADI Freediver course?

I would book this if you want a real two-day introduction with a recognized qualification, personal instruction, and open-water practice built into the price. The strongest reason to choose it is the balance of a five-person limit, pool preparation, reef training, and instructors known for calm safety-focused teaching.

I would hesitate only if your schedule cannot handle a weather change or if you want a simple half-day activity. The course asks for patience and concentration, but it gives you a much better foundation than a casual first attempt.

For a nervous beginner, ask for details about the instructor assigned to your group and confirm the pickup location. For an experienced swimmer seeking a new skill, arrive ready to listen rather than prove yourself. Freediving rewards calm technique, and this course is built around learning exactly that.

FAQ

How long does the PADI Freediver course take?

The course lasts approximately two days. Day one takes about four hours, while day two is a full boat-training day of about eight hours.

Where does the course begin?

The meeting point is BB Divers, a PADI five-star center in Bang Bao at 16/2 Moo 1, Koh Chang Tai, Koh Chang, Trat 23170, Thailand. The listed start time is 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels on the west coast of Koh Chang only.

How many people can join the course?

The maximum group size is five participants.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional guide, equipment use, the PADI online manual, drinks, light refreshments, hotel pickup and drop-off from the west coast, and lunch arrangements. The national park entry fee is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity depends on favorable weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you will be offered an alternative date.