Stunning aerial view of Koh Tao's crystal-clear waters and rocky coastline, perfect for diving and adventure.

DESTINATIONS

THE WORLD'S DIVING CAPITAL!

On an island built for divers, join our PADI IDC Course in Koh Tao — the world’s leading hub for dive education. Learn from elite instructors and take the first step toward a global career filled with opportunity, travel, and adventure.

  • An unparalleled level of teaching
  • Train among the industry’s elite
  • A vibrant lifestyle of diving and adventure
KOH TAO - ASSAVA DIVE RESORT
Aerial view of Koh Tao’s pristine coastline with crystal-clear waters and boats docked along the shore.

WHERE YOUR DIVE CAREER BEGINS!

JOIN OUR PADI IDC COURSE IN KOH TAO!

Koh Tao is the beating heart of the diving industry — a place built for training, surrounded by coral reefs and filled with people chasing the same goal. Train among a global diving community, surrounded by coral reefs, pinnacles, and deep-water sites. Local dives are home to turtles, black tip reef sharks, and schools of colorful reef fish. Head out to Chumphon Pinnacle or Sail Rock for huge schools of barracuda, bigeye jacks, and the occasional whale shark. On land, hike to Koh Nang Yuan’s panoramic viewpoints, try rock climbing, Muay Thai, kayaking, or even take flight on a trapeze. It’s the island where diving is a way of life — and where your dive career begins.

DAVY JONES LOCKER

Davy Jones Locker is a PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre located in central Koh Tao. The center is led by Tim Lawrence, a well-known technical diving instructor and wreck exploration specialist. DJL offers a full PADI IDC program with the added edge of tech-focused training. Instructor candidates with an interest in deep diving, trimix, or underwater exploration will find opportunities to go beyond recreational limits. The team also runs expeditions in the Gulf of Thailand to document sunken wrecks — making DJL a unique choice for those drawn to the deeper side of diving.

Technical divers exploring shipwrecks during a Davy Jones Locker expedition in Koh Tao.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS DESTINATION

Yes, you can! Before arriving in Koh Tao, 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 training at Davy Jones Locker over eight days, followed by the two-day PADI Instructor Exam (IE). You can start the IDC LIVE on the 1st or 15th of any month.

We recommend completing it the month before your IDC to keep everything fresh.

There is also an option to take a full 14 day in person IDC with the Scuba Dive Online team, on Koh Tao if you have time. 

The full PADI IDC Course in Koh Tao with Davy Jones Locker costs 68,900 THB, whether you choose the hybrid format (IDC LIVE online + in-water) or the full 14-day in-person option. Here’s what’s included:

  • IDC LIVE online: 7 days, 3 hours per day
  • Optional 8th day covering EFR Instructor academics
  • All IDC workshops and presentations
  • Unlimited access to Dive Theory Live (live and recorded sessions)
  • Exclusive Scuba Dive Online study materials (yours to keep)
  • Daily digital practice exams with live progress tracking
  • 8-day in-water IDC at Assava Dive Resort
  • EFR Instructor course with digital materials
  • Emergency O2 Provider Specialty Instructor rating
  • Additional dry workshops and practice presentations
  • Full PADI IDC Crewpak with eLearning, cue cards, workbook, and PADI rucksack
  • Daily lunch during the in-person

IDC PADI fees are not included and are paid directly to PADI in AUD during your course.

Accommodation is available in Davy Jones Dorm rooms and nearby, with prices on request.

PADI Instructor Specialty ratings available if you’d like to work towards your MSDT rating.

PADI Tec courses available.

In 2025, you can choose to complete a full 14-day in-person IDC on Koh Tao with the Scuba Dive Online team or opt for the IDC LIVE Online course. For those completing the IDC LIVE Online section, the following in-water dates are available. The schedule below includes both the full 14-day in-person IDC start dates (Prep week) as well as the in-water only dates for candidates who have already completed the IDC LIVE Online section. PADI IDC 2025 at DJL Dates:

  • PREP: Jan 7-12 | IDC: Jan 13-20 | IE: Jan 21-22
  • PREP: Mar 4-9 | IDC: Mar 10-17 | IE: Mar 18-19
  • PREP: May 6-11 | IDC: May 12-19 | IE: May 20-21
  • PREP: July 8-13 | IDC: July 14-21 | IE: July 22-23
  • PREP: Sept 9-14 | IDC: Sept 15-22 | IE: Sept 23-24
  • PREP: Nov 11-16 | IDC: Nov 17-24 | IE: Nov 25-26

To enroll in the PADI Instructor Course in Koh Tao, 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 Tao offers a diverse range of dive sites, from shallow coral gardens to deep pinnacles, catering to divers of all levels. The island’s vibrant reefs are home to turtles, blacktip reef sharks, and a colorful array of reef fish. Sites like Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock provide opportunities to encounter large schools of barracuda, bigeye jacks, and, occasionally, passing whale sharks. With over 25 dive sites featuring unique underwater topographies and abundant marine life, Koh Tao delivers unforgettable diving experiences for both novice and experienced divers.

MASTER EVERY SKILL, LEARN FROM THE BEST, BECOME A PADI PRO!

View of Koh Tao harbor with wooden dock and boats on calm waters, reflecting the tranquil beauty of the island perfect for your PADI IDC course.

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