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

Breath control changes everything. This two-day PADI Freediver course in Koh Chang starts with calm breathing practice on land, moves to pool training, then heads out by boat for two reef sessions. I like the small maximum group of five, and I like that the price includes equipment, instruction, refreshments, drinks, two lunches, and hotel transfers on Koh Chang’s west coast.

The strongest part is the patient teaching. Instructors including Pierre, Charles, Markus, Adam, Joe Pawsey, and Chen have helped beginners manage fear, relax in the water, and reach depths and breath-hold times that first seem out of reach. The main consideration is that this is a focused two-day course, not a leisurely sightseeing trip, and the THB200 national park fee is extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Two-stage training: Learn breathing and safety on land, practise in a pool, then train at coral reefs.
• Maximum five people: The small group allows instructors to watch each student closely.
• Full second day on a boat: You get two reef training stops, with lunch served between sessions.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: The course is designed for first-time freedivers, including people working through fear.
• Useful inclusions: Equipment, PADI online manual, drinks, light refreshments, lunch, and west-coast hotel pickup are covered.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date, and the national park entry fee is not included.

What this Koh Chang course actually teaches

Freediving looks simple from the surface. You take a breath, go below, and return. In practice, the sport asks you to control breathing, stay relaxed, manage pressure, and follow safety habits carefully.

That is why the order of this course makes sense. You do not begin on a boat in open water. You first learn the basic ideas on land, then practise them in a pool, and only after that work in the sea.

The course leads to a first PADI Freediver license. It is suited to someone who wants a structured introduction rather than a one-time tryout. The PADI online manual gives you study material before or during the course, while the instructor-led practice turns the theory into physical habits.

I also like the small-group setup. Five students is the stated maximum, which is a useful limit for a sport where timing, supervision, and personal comfort matter. The exact number in your group can be smaller, but you should not assume you will have private instruction unless you arrange that separately.

Day one: breathing practice and pool training at Bang Bao

The first day begins at 8:00 a.m. The meeting point is BB Divers, a PADI five-star dive center at 16/2 Moo 1, Koh Chang Tai, in the Bang Bao area. Pickup is available from hotels on Koh Chang’s west coast, which can save you the trouble of arranging a separate taxi.

Your first session takes place on land. This is where you learn breathing techniques and begin to understand how relaxation affects breath-hold performance. It may sound basic, but it is the foundation of the whole course. Beginners often try too hard, breathe too forcefully, or tense their bodies without noticing. A careful instructor can help you replace that effort with a calmer routine.

The land portion also gives you space to ask questions before you enter the water. That matters if you are nervous. One student arrived with clear fears about freediving and credited instructor Charles with making the process feel safe, calm, and even funny. That sort of reassurance can be more useful than impressive numbers.

After the land work, the class continues in the pool. Here you can practise technique in a controlled setting before dealing with waves, boat movement, or open-water visibility. Instructors can focus on your breathing, body position, relaxation, and safe returns to the surface.

The pool session lasts about four hours, so this is not a quick orientation. Expect a proper teaching block. You will need concentration, and you may find the mental side just as demanding as the physical side.

Instructor style seems to be one of the course’s strongest points. Pierre is described as patient and enthusiastic, while Markus is noted for a calm, precise, no-nonsense approach. Charles helped one beginner move past fear, and Adam was praised for building confidence. Personalities vary, but the common thread is a strong focus on safety and steady progress.

The course also provides equipment, so you do not need to assemble a complete freediving kit before arriving. The supplied information does not specify every item or brand, so ask BB Divers if you have a particular equipment need.

Day two: two reef sessions from the boat

The second day is the big step into open water. You join a full-day boat trip from Bang Bao for approximately eight hours of training. There are two stops at coral reefs, giving you separate sessions rather than one long attempt.

The two-stop format is practical. You can work during the first session, rest and eat, then return to the water later. That break helps you reset your breathing and energy. It also prevents the day from becoming a nonstop test of endurance.

Between the training sessions, lunch is served as a buffet on the boat. Drinks and light refreshments are included, and the course information lists two lunches among the inclusions. Food is not a minor detail here. Breath-hold training takes focus, and a full day on a boat is easier when you do not need to bring your own meal.

The boat day combines instruction with time to relax. Still, keep your expectations in the right place. This is a training day first. The coral reefs provide the setting for your practice, but the course is not primarily a sightseeing cruise or a casual snorkeling outing.

Your instructor will guide you through the open-water work and help you apply the skills learned in the pool. You may practise controlled descents, equalization, relaxation, and safe surface procedures, though the exact exercises and goals depend on your instructor and conditions.

Several students described reaching depths or breath-hold times they had not expected after only two days. That is encouraging, but it should not be read as a promise of a particular depth or time. Freediving progress is personal. Your comfort, previous water experience, and ability to relax will affect how far you go.

The weather is an important variable. The activity runs only in favorable conditions. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered an alternative date. If your Koh Chang schedule is tight, leave some flexibility rather than booking the course on the final two days of your trip.

The instructors are a major part of the value

A course like this is only as good as its teaching. The strongest feedback centers on instructors who are calm, patient, safety-minded, and able to keep students relaxed.

Pierre receives repeated praise for patience, kindness, enthusiasm, and clear support in the pool and sea. Charles helped a nervous beginner feel confident enough to continue. Markus is described as meticulous and informative, with a relaxed manner that put the group at ease. Adam was praised for encouragement, while Joe Pawsey was singled out for making the course enjoyable and well planned. Chen also helped provide thorough theory instruction.

You may not be assigned the instructor you hope for, so treat these names as examples of the teaching team rather than a guarantee. If you have a strong preference, contact BB Divers before booking.

The safety focus is especially important for a first license. One student specifically appreciated the instructor’s patient approach and strong attention to safe practice. That is the right priority. A good course should not push you to chase a depth simply to produce a dramatic result.

The published rating is 4.9 from 17 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the experience. That is a very positive signal, though the sample remains modest. The detailed comments are most useful because they repeatedly point to the same qualities: organization, supportive instructors, good food and drinks, and confidence-building instruction.

Price and what you receive for $389.96

At $389.96 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two days in Koh Chang. It is also more than a casual introductory water activity. The price needs to be judged as a complete training package.

You receive:

• Professional instruction
• PADI online manual
• Freediving equipment
• Land and pool training
• A full boat day with two reef stops
• Lunch, including a buffet lunch on the boat
• Drinks and light refreshments
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from the west coast of Koh Chang
• A maximum group size of five

That package gives the fee real value if you want a recognized first license and structured teaching. Sharing the course with a small group keeps the cost below a private course while preserving more personal attention than a large class.

The transfer is useful but limited. Pickup is offered only from hotels on Koh Chang’s west coast, not every part of the island. If you are staying elsewhere, you may need to reach BB Divers on your own.

You also pay the national park entrance fee separately, listed as THB200 per person. Factor that into your budget. The activity ends back at the meeting point, although hotel drop-off is offered for eligible west-coast pickups.

Who should book this course?

I would consider this course if you want to learn freediving properly and leave Koh Chang with a first PADI license. It is also a good match if you like active instruction, small groups, and a clear progression from simple exercises to open-water practice.

It may suit you especially well if you feel nervous about breath-hold activities. The teaching style described by past participants suggests that instructors are used to helping students relax and build confidence gradually.

The course is less suitable if you want a quiet beach day with a little swimming on the side. Day one lasts around four hours, and day two takes about eight hours. You need to be ready for concentration, repetition, and time in the water.

It is also not ideal for someone who cannot adjust plans around weather. The open-water day depends on sea conditions, and a poor forecast can change the schedule.

Most people can participate, according to the activity information, and service animals are allowed. If you have a medical concern, a specific equipment requirement, or uncertainty about breath-hold training, ask the operator before booking rather than waiting until the morning of the course.

Practical details for a smoother two days

Start with the meeting point and pickup rules. The course begins at 8:00 a.m. at BB Divers in Bang Bao. If you are staying on the west coast, confirm the pickup arrangement and timing. If not, plan your own transport to the center.

Wear comfortable clothing for land instruction and bring anything you normally need for a full day outdoors. The operator provides drinks, refreshments, equipment, and lunch, but the supplied information does not specify personal items such as towels or sunscreen. Ask ahead if you want a precise packing list.

Expect the first day to feel technical and the second day to feel more active. Do not judge your ability after the land session alone. Freediving often depends on learning to relax, and that can take time.

Keep the national park fee in Thai baht if possible, or confirm the accepted payment method before the course. It is a small extra charge compared with the total price, but it is easy to overlook.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The local time in Koh Chang controls the cutoff.

Should you book the PADI Freediver course in Koh Chang?

Book it if you want a serious beginner course, not merely a boat outing. The two-day structure, small group, equipment, PADI manual, pool work, reef training, meals, and supportive instructors make the $389.96 fee reasonable for someone seeking a first license.

I would be more cautious if your holiday schedule is fixed to the hour, your hotel is outside the west coast pickup area, or you are hoping for a sightseeing day with minimal instruction. For everyone else, this looks like a well-supported way to begin freediving in Koh Chang, with enough time to build confidence before reaching the open sea.

FAQ

How long is the PADI Freediver course?

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

What time does the course start?

The start time is 8:00 a.m.

Where does the course begin?

It begins at BB Divers, PADI 5 Star Dive Center Koh Chang, at 16/2 Moo 1, Tambon Koh Chang Tai, Amphoe Ko Chang, Trat 23170, Thailand.

Is hotel pickup available?

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

What happens on the first day?

You practise breathing techniques on land and then continue your training in the pool at Bang Bao.

What happens on the second day?

You join a full-day boat trip and train at two coral reef stops. Lunch is served as a buffet on the boat between the training sessions.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The national park entry fee is listed separately at THB200 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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