THAILAND’S MOST EXCITING ISLAND!

Yes, you can! Before arriving in Koh Phangan, you’ll complete the “IDC LIVE” online section, which covers all classroom curriculum workshops. This online module takes place over 7 consecutive days, with 3-hour sessions per day (plus an optional 8th day for EFR Instructor academics). The sessions are flexible and can accommodate different time zones.
After completing the online section, you’ll join the in-water portion of your PADI IDC course in Koh Phangan, where you’ll train for 8 days with Alex Arnold, PADI Course Directors at Sail Rock Divers, followed by a 2-day Instructor Exam (IE).
The “IDC LIVE” online can be completed on the 1st or 15th of each month. We recommend finishing it the month prior to your in-water IDC so the material stays fresh.

The full PADI IDC Course in Koh Phangan costs 68,900 THB, and that includes both the IDC LIVE online and the in-water section — plus your official PADI IDC Crewpak. Here’s what’s included:

• The 7-day IDC LIVE online (3 hours per day)
• All IDC curriculum workshops and presentations
• Unlimited access to live and recorded Dive Theory Live sessions
• Exclusive digital study materials (yours to keep)
• Daily digital practice exams and live progress monitoring
• The 8-day in-water IDC at Sail Rock Divers
• EFR Instructor course with digital materials and eLearning
• Emergency O2 Provider Specialty Instructor rating
• Extra workshops, practice exams, and presentations
• Full PADI IDC Crewpak with eLearning, workbook, cue cards, and PADI rucksack
• 8 nights of free dorm accommodation (upgrades available)
• Daily lunch during the IDC

Note: PADI fees are not included and must be paid directly to PADI in AUD during your IDC:

• IDC Fee: 1,190 AUD
• Instructor Application: 350 AUD
• EFR Instructor Application: 242 AUD
• Specialty Instructor Fees: 139 AUD each

In 2025, Sail Rock Divers on Koh Phangan will offer three in-water IDC sessions, each followed by a two-day Instructor Exam (IE). We recommend completing your IDC LIVE online section the month before your in-water course starts to keep the material fresh and focused. Here are the confirmed dates:

• IDC: January 26 – February 2 | IE: February 3 – 4
• IDC: July 27 – August 3 | IE: August 4 – 5
• IDC: October 26 – November 2 | IE: November 3 – 4

To enroll in the PADI Instructor Course in Phangan, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old. 
• Be a certified Divemaster (or an equivalent certification from another agency).
• Have been a certified diver for at least six months. 
• Have at least 90 logged dives (with experience in night, deep, and navigation diving) before the course starts, and 100 logged dives before the Instructor Exam.
•  (IE) Be medically fit for diving, with a physician-signed medical statement issued within the last 12 months. 
• Have completed CPR and First Aid training within the last 24 months (The PADI Emergency First Response (EFR) course fulfills this requirement)

If you are missing any prerequisites, our team can advise you on how to meet them before your arrival.

Yes, most likely. As of 2025, Thailand offers a 60-day visa exemption for many nationalities—more than enough to complete the IDC and IE. However, visa rules can change. Always check the latest entry conditions for your passport before you travel. If needed, you can also apply for a tourist visa or extend your stay at a local immigration office.

Koh Phangan is home to the Gulf of Thailand’s top dive site, Sail Rock, known for its vertical chimney swim-throughs, large schools of batfish and barracuda, and regular whale shark sightings. You’ll also find vibrant coral gardens and reef walls at nearby sites like Southwest Pinnacle and Shark Island. For something different, some dive shops offer fluorescent night dives using UV light to reveal glowing marine life.
Above the surface, Koh Phangan offers plenty of adventure — from jungle trekking and zip-lining to wakeboarding, ATV safaris, and boat trips to Ang Thong Marine Park. Whether underwater or on land, the island promises an unforgettable mix of nature and adrenaline.