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

The most useful part of this two-day PADI Freediver course is its steady progression. You begin with breathing work on land, move to the pool, and only then head out by boat to practise in open water around Koh Chang’s coral reefs. That order matters when you are learning to stay calm without breathing equipment.

I like the small maximum group of five, which gives the instructor room to watch your technique and adjust the pace. I also like that lunch, drinks, snacks, equipment, the PADI online manual, and hotel transport are included, so you can focus on the course instead of sorting out each extra cost. The main consideration is that west-coast hotel transfers are the only transfers offered, and the second day depends on good weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Two different training settings: Learn breathing methods on land, practise in a pool, then train at two coral-reef stops from a boat.
• A genuinely small class: The group is capped at five people, with several instructors available depending on the class.
• A calm introduction for beginners: Charles, Pierre, Markus, Joe Pawsey, Adam, and others are noted for patient, safety-focused instruction.
• A full second day on the water: Allow about eight hours for the boat outing, training, lunch, and time between sessions.
• Useful costs included: Equipment, the online manual, drinks, refreshments, lunch, and west-coast hotel pickup are covered.
• One extra fee to budget for: The national park entry fee is THB 200 per person.

Learning freediving in Koh Chang, one careful step at a time

Freediving asks you to work with your breath, body position, and nerves. For a first course, the teaching sequence is more important than a dramatic setting. This program starts at Bang Bao with breathing techniques on land, then continues into a pool session. On the second day, you use what you learned in open water.

That gradual structure makes the course approachable if you have never trained this way before. You are not simply taken straight out to sea and told to try. You first get time to understand breath-holding methods and practise them under supervision.

I would still treat this as a real physical course, not a casual sightseeing trip. You need to listen closely, accept the instructor’s pace, and be ready to repeat basic skills. The goal is not to force a long breath-hold. It is to learn how to stay relaxed and safe.

The reported instruction style is reassuring for first-timers. Pierre is described as patient and encouraging, while Charles helped one beginner manage fear and feel confident. Markus is known for a precise, no-nonsense approach, and Joe Pawsey received special thanks for making the days fun and well planned. Instructors Adam and Chen are also associated with supportive, clear teaching.

The specific instructor you receive may depend on the class schedule. Still, the range of feedback points to a useful pattern: the course puts strong weight on calmness, safety, and steady progress.

Day one at Bang Bao: breathing work and pool practice

The first day takes about four hours at Bang Bao. It begins on land, where you practise breathing techniques and learn the basics behind controlled breath-holding. This part may feel less exciting than the sea session, but it is where you start building the habits that make the rest of the course possible.

Expect the instructor to explain the theory before asking you to use it. The PADI online manual is included, giving you material to read and refer back to during the course. You should take the theory seriously. Good breath control is not only about willpower. It also depends on relaxation, body awareness, and following a safe method.

The session then moves into the pool. A pool gives you a controlled place to work on technique before dealing with open water, boat movement, and changing conditions. You can concentrate on how your body feels rather than trying to manage every part of a sea outing at once.

This is also the point where confidence can change quickly. One person who had never been in the sea for this kind of training described gaining confidence through the pool work before heading out. That is a useful clue for anyone who feels nervous. You do not need to arrive as a natural. The course is designed to build comfort in stages.

The first day lasts around four hours, leaving the second day for the longer water session. It is a sensible split, though you should not expect a relaxed holiday morning followed by a short activity. The course asks you to concentrate, practise, and take instruction carefully.

Day two by boat: two reef training stops

The second day is the longer part, lasting about eight hours. You join a boat trip from Bang Bao and train at two stops over coral reefs. These are not simply sightseeing pauses. The purpose is to practise freediving skills in open water and apply the methods from the land and pool sessions.

The change from pool to sea is important. Open water introduces real conditions that a pool cannot copy, even if the basic skills remain the same. You will need to stay calm, follow the instructor’s directions, and work within the limits set for you.

The day is structured around training rather than nonstop underwater activity. Between sessions, you can rest on the boat and eat lunch from a buffet. Drinks and light refreshments are included, which is practical during a full day outside the training area.

That pause matters more than it may seem. Beginners often need time to recover, think about what they just practised, and settle their breathing before the next session. The boat day gives you that rhythm: instruction, practice, rest, food, then another chance to work on your technique.

The coral-reef locations add interest, but conditions are not guaranteed. The program is subject to favorable weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date. That is a fair tradeoff for an activity where water and wind affect safety. I would keep some flexibility in your Koh Chang plans rather than placing this course immediately before a flight or another fixed booking.

What the small group changes

A maximum of five participants is one of the strongest practical features here. Freediving is not a skill you learn well by standing in a large crowd and waiting for a turn. The instructor needs to observe your breathing, position, comfort, and response to the water.

A small class should also make it easier to ask questions. You can explain if you feel uneasy, ask for a technique to be repeated, or take a little more time without holding up a large group. That is especially helpful if you are facing a fear of breath-holding or open water.

The group size does not mean you receive a private course. You still share the instructor and boat with other participants. Progress may vary, too. Some people may feel comfortable quickly, while others need more time to relax. The good part is that a group of five is intimate enough for the instructor to manage different starting points.

The course has received strong approval, with a 4.9 rating from 17 ratings and 100 percent recommendation shown in the supplied information. I would read that as a positive sign for instruction and organization, not as a promise that every student will reach the same depth or breath-hold. Your result will depend on comfort, practice, and how your body responds.

Equipment, meals, and what the price covers

The price is $389.96 per person. That is a substantial cost, but the comparison should include what you would otherwise need to arrange separately. The package includes use of equipment, the PADI online manual, a professional guide, drinks, light refreshments, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off for eligible hotels.

It also covers two days of instruction, with roughly four hours on day one and eight hours on day two. The second day includes the boat trip and two reef training stops, so the price is not simply paying for a short lesson and a quick swim.

Lunch is part of the practical design. The boat day includes a buffet lunch, and the package lists two lunches in the inclusions. You should still check the exact meal arrangement when booking if you have dietary needs, since the available information does not specify special menus.

Hotel transport saves both money and effort, but only if your accommodation is on Koh Chang’s west coast. If you are staying elsewhere on the island, you may need to make your own way to BB Divers at Bang Bao. The activity starts at 8:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

There is one stated extra cost: a national park entry fee of THB 200 per person. Add that to your budget before deciding that the advertised price is your complete total.

For someone already planning to learn freediving, the package offers reasonable value because it combines instruction, gear, meals, boat access, and transport. For someone who only wants a quick underwater experience, it may be more course than needed.

The instructors and the tone of the teaching

Your instructor is not listed as one fixed person, so you should not book expecting a particular teacher unless the operator confirms it. Names connected with the course include Joe Pawsey, Steve, Markus, Charles, Pierre, Chen, and Adam.

The most useful detail is the range of teaching qualities described. Charles helped one beginner face several fears with humor and patience. Pierre is repeatedly associated with calm, clear instruction and encouragement. Markus is described as meticulous and direct, while Joe Pawsey is credited with making the course fun and keeping the days well planned.

That combination is well suited to freediving. You want an instructor who can explain technique clearly, but you also need someone who will not push you past your comfort level. A friendly manner helps, but safety and patience matter more.

The course seems particularly suitable if you are curious but unsure. You do not need to present yourself as fearless. The pool session gives you a controlled first step, and the small class should make it easier to communicate how you are feeling.

At the same time, you should arrive ready to learn rather than expecting the instructor to do all the work. Breath control improves through attention and practice. The course can teach you the method, but it cannot remove every nervous reaction in two days.

Who should book this course

I would recommend it most to a beginner who wants a formal first qualification and prefers personal instruction over a large class. It suits people who want both theory and practical training, rather than only a scenic boat outing.

It is also a good match for someone staying on Koh Chang’s west coast. Hotel pickup simplifies the early start, and the return to the meeting point after the activity keeps the day’s transport fairly clear.

You may want to think twice if your schedule is rigid. Poor weather can force a change of date, and the boat day takes about eight hours. It is also not the right choice if you are looking only for a short, low-commitment activity.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information does not provide detailed medical requirements, age limits, or guidance for specific health conditions, so ask BB Divers before booking if you have a concern that could affect breath-holding or water activity.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refundable, so keep the weather policy and your own schedule in mind.

Should you book it?

Book this Koh Chang PADI Freediver course if you want a serious two-day introduction with a small class, pool preparation, and supervised open-water training. The strongest reasons are the five-person limit, the patient teaching style associated with instructors such as Pierre and Charles, and the fact that equipment, meals, drinks, the manual, and eligible hotel transfers are already included.

Think carefully if you want a simple beach activity, need a fixed date, or are staying away from the west coast. You will also need to add the THB 200 national park fee and allow a full day for the boat session.

For the right beginner, this is a well-structured way to earn a first PADI Freediver qualification while learning at a measured pace around Koh Chang’s reefs.

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 takes about eight hours.

Where does the course begin?

The meeting point is BB Divers, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center at Bang Bao, Koh Chang Tai, Koh Chang.

What time does the activity start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are offered for 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 practise breathing techniques on land and then continue with 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. You also have time to rest and eat a buffet lunch on the boat.

Is equipment provided?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included, along with drinks and light refreshments. The boat day includes a lunch buffet.

Is there an extra entrance fee?

Yes. The national park entry fee is THB 200 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.