Coral Identification for Snorkeler

Your passport to the underwater world The Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba diving course in the world. It teaches you all the theoretical and practical basics you need to dive safely with a buddy (diving partner) anywhere on the planet.At Apo Dhatu Divers, we prioritize your comfort, confidence, and safety.Maximum of 2 students per instructor: Highly personalized instruction at your own pace, stress-free.Flexible Online Theory (MySSI): Complete your theory courses at home before you leave or at your leisure from your hotel.100% French and English-speaking instruction: Clear explanations and a stress-free learning experience.Open-water dives from our boat: No beach departures—you’ll dive directly onto the magnificent reefs in one of the marine national parks near Koh Lanta.

An unforgettable first dive in Thailand’s tropical waters, guided by an attentive, passionate team.Why choose the Basic Diver program?The Ideal Experience to Start Directly in the Ocean and Build ConfidenceIt lets you practice essential skills right in the calm, shallow waters of the marine national parks, followed by two fun exploration dives on Koh Lanta’s coral reefs.100% Ocean-Based in 1 Day No pool sessions required! Jump straight into a full-day experience on the boat.2 Exploration Dives Dive down to 12 meters (40 feet) guided every step of the way by your instructor.Flexible Certification Your dive is logged directly in the MySSI app and counts 100% toward your Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver course if you decide to continue within 6 months!2 Students Maximum per Instructor Designed for ultimate comfort, safety, and dedicated personal attention.The Apo Dhatu Divers AdvantageSafety & Small Groups Maximum of 2 students per instructor for constant, dedicated attention.Stress-Free & Relaxed A patient, passionate instructor committed to your peace of mind every step of the way.Learning Materials Seamless theory accessible via the MySSI app before your trip.Hotel Transfers Round-trip pickup from your hotel included (a small surcharge may apply for remote locations).All-Inclusive on Board Breakfast, a hot cooked lunch (dietary options available), snacks, drinks, and fresh tropical fruit.Complete Gear Included Top-tier, regularly serviced dive equipment provided for maximum safety.Insurance Included Complimentary coverage for the entire duration of your activity.

Using online learning, confined and open water dives, the SSI Scuba Diver program is a perfect foundation to become a confident and safe diver. You will learn all you need to scuba dive in open water up to 12 meters deep with an SSI Professional. In this program, you will complete almost half of the Open Water Diver course training and can upgrade your certification easily. You just need to complete the remaining academic and confined water sessions, plus two open water training dives.

Push your limits, explore depths of up to 30 meters, and discover five new aspects of scuba diving in complete safety.Gain confidence, feel more at ease, and discover new sensations.Are you Open Water certified (or equivalent) and looking to take your diving to the next level? The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program is the ideal next step to refine your technique without getting bogged down in lengthy theory classes.This course is hands-on: you’ll complete 5 themed adventure dives to try out different specialties and expand your diving capabilities to a depth of 30 meters.Access to the most beautiful sites: The 30m certification opens the doors to iconic deep sites such as Hin Daeng & Hin Muang or the caves of Koh Haa.Maximum of 2 students per instructor: Personalized attention and tailored advice to help you perfect your buoyancy.100% Hands-On: No lengthy written exams—just briefings and fun in the water.Counts toward your future specialties: Each dive you complete counts as the first dive of the corresponding SSI Specialty course!100% French- and English-speaking instruction: Clear explanations and a stress-free learning experience.

In the SSI Marine Ecology specialty program, you will learn how ocean organisms interact with each other and their environments. You will be taught how energy flows through communities and the links between different ocean ecosystems. With your newfound knowledge, you will appreciate the marine life you dive with even more! Start online today and earn your SSI Marine Ecology Specialty certification.

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Demystify the lords of the ocean, understand their vital role in the marine ecosystem, and learn how to observe them safely during your dives.Why Take the Shark Ecology Specialty?Change Your Perspective on One of the Planet's Most Fascinating and Threatened PredatorsSharks often suffer from an unfair reputation. Yet, they are vital players in the balance and health of our oceans. The SSI Shark Ecology Specialty dives deep into the captivating world of these great apex predators, helping you understand their anatomy, evolution, and behaviors.By mastering shark biology and eco-friendly interaction rules, you'll experience your upcoming dives with an informed, passionate perspective.Biology & Sensory Receptors Discover their highly evolved senses (Ampullae of Lorenzini, lateral line, and unmatched sense of smell).Species Identification Learn to recognize Thailand's iconic species (whale sharks, leopard sharks, and blacktip reef sharks).Behavior & Interactions Decode shark body language and adopt best practices for respectful underwater observation.Ecological Role & Conservation Understand the critical impact of their decline and discover how to advocate for their global protection.PrerequisitesMinimum Age 10 years old.Requirements No prior diving experience required (open to non-divers, freedivers, and snorkelers as well).

The Perfect Buoyancy SSI specialty is the best way to improve your buoyancy and get the most out of every dive. Buoyancy is an essential diving skill, but any diver will tell you that it takes time to perfect. The Perfect Buoyancy Specialty will teach you advanced buoyancy skills and techniques, so you can master your buoyancy faster and enjoy more relaxed diving adventures. In this fascinating program, you'll also learn new skills that protect the environment and work in all diving situations. Upon completion of this course, you'll earn the Perfect Buoyancy SSI specialty certification. With improved buoyancy skills, you'll soon be able to glide with ease and take the underwater photos you've been dreaming of!

1. Why Take This Specialty Course?Take a fresh look at the underwater world by naming what you see. Have you ever returned from a dive or snorkeling trip wondering, “What was that colorful fish?” The SSI Fish Identification specialty gives you the tools and knowledge to recognize fish families, identify specific species, and understand their behaviors. Instead of seeing a wall of random fish, you will start recognizing habitats, feeding habits, and unique relationships, making every aquatic outing far more engaging and rewarding.Family Classification: Learn to group fish by body shape, fins, and markings rather than trying to memorize hundreds of individual species.Habitat & Behavior Observation: Discover where different species hide, how they feed, and how to spot camouflaged fish.Fish Survey Techniques: Practice counting and recording marine life, skills used by marine biologists and citizen scientists worldwide.Open to Everyone: Academic course accessible to scuba divers, freedivers, and snorkelers.2. Course Curriculum (1 day in ocean or theory only)The course combines interactive online learning on the MySSI app and a topic presentation at the center with your instructor (with an optional practical application during your ocean dives).???? Key Topics Covered:Fish Families & Anatomy: Key physical features, fin structures, and body shapes used to classify reef fish.Reef Fish of the Andaman Sea: Focus on emblematic families of Koh Lanta, including Butterflyfish, Angelfish, Parrotfish, Damselfish, Snappers, and Groupers.Observational & Recording Skills: How to use underwater slate slates and fish ID guides to log your sightings accurately.3. PrerequisitesNo diving prerequisites required (also accessible to non-divers, freedivers, and snorkelers).Minimum Age: 10 years old for divers and 6 years old for non-divers.4. Your International CertificationAt the end of the course, you will earn your SSI Fish Identification Specialty Certification.Recognized worldwide.Counts toward your Master Scuba Diver rating and can count as one of the 5 adventure dives for your SSI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (when combined with ocean dives).5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Do I need to scuba dive or snorkel for this specialty?No, it is not mandatory! The Fish Identification specialty can be completed entirely as a 100% dry course.If you are a non-diver or prefer to stay out of the water, you can earn your certification by completing the interactive classroom or online sessions.However, if you are a diver or snorkeler, adding in-water sessions is highly recommended: it’s the perfect opportunity to apply your new knowledge to real fish and practice identifying families!Do I need to memorize all the fish species in the ocean?Not at all! The course teaches you a system based on fish families and physical characteristics. Once you know the family, finding the exact species in an identification guide becomes quick and easy.Is this specialty useful for photography or video?Yes! Knowing fish behavior and habitats allows you to anticipate their movements, approach them without scaring them, and capture much better photos and videos.

### Discover the **SSI Underwater Navigation Specialty** and become a master of navigation!

Course Curriculum (1 day in ocean)The course combines interactive online learning on the MySSI app and a topic presentation at the center with your instructor (with an optional practical application during your ocean dives).Key Topics Covered:Coral Biology & Anatomy: Polyp structure, zooxanthellae symbiosis, and how coral colonies construct massive reef formations.Key Families of the Andaman Sea: Focus on emblematic species around Koh Lanta, including Staghorn, Table, Brain, Mushroom, and Leather corals.Reef Ecology & Conservation: Threats facing coral reefs worldwide and practical actions eco-conscious divers and snorkelers can take to protect them.PrerequisitesMinimum Age: 10 years old for diversYour International CertificationAt the end of the course, you will earn your SSI Coral Identification Specialty Certification.Recognized worldwide.Counts toward your Master Scuba Diver rating and can count as one of the 5 adventure dives for your SSI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (when combined with ocean dives).Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Do I need to scuba dive or snorkel for this specialty?No, it is not mandatory! The Coral Identification specialty can be completed entirely as a 100% dry course.If you are a non-diver or prefer to stay out of the water, you can earn your certification by completing the interactive classroom or online sessions.However, if you are a diver or snorkeler, adding in-water sessions is highly recommended: it’s the perfect opportunity to apply your new knowledge on the coral reef and practice identifying them!Is it difficult to distinguish different coral types?Not at all! Rather than memorizing scientific names right away, the course teaches you to categorize corals by their growth shapes and polyp structures, making identification simple and fun.Why is coral identification important for divers and snorkelers?Understanding corals helps you recognize healthy reef habitats, avoid accidental contact with fragile or stinging species, and appreciate the foundation that supports all marine life.

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you everything you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mix of theory sessions and open water dives. You'll learn how to safely plan and execute your deep diving adventures, and how to use computers and gas calculations to get the most out of your deep dives. At the end of this course, you'll receive your Deep Diving SSI Specialty certification and be able to explore magnificent deep dive sites wherever you like. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for certain additional training courses, making it the next logical step in your diver training.

React Right is SSI’s emergency first response course and provides you with the training and knowledge you need to act as a first responder in a medical emergency. In this flexible dive program, you can choose which subjects you want to learn about, including primary assessment, first aid, CPR and primary stabilization techniques. You can also learn about oxygen administration in diving emergencies and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) basics. Using a combination of academic sessions and practical training scenarios, this program will give you the tools and confidence you need for emergency response. By the time you are certified, you will be able to act as an emergency first responder, provide first aid and CPR, administer oxygen and provide AED support in a medical emergency. Earn your SSI React Right specialty certification. Get started today!

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.

Push your limits, explore depths of up to 30 meters, and discover 5 new aspects of scuba diving in complete safety.Are you Open Water certified (or equivalent) and looking to take your diving to the next level? The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program is the ideal next step to refine your technique without getting bogged down in lengthy theory classes.This course is hands-on: you’ll complete 5 themed adventure dives to try out different specialties and expand your diving capabilities to a depth of 30 meters.Access to the most beautiful sites: The 30m certification opens the doors to iconic deep sites such as Hin Daeng & Hin Muang or the caves of Koh Haa.Maximum of 2 students per instructor: Personalized attention and tailored advice to help you perfect your buoyancy.100% Hands-On: No lengthy written exams—just briefings and fun in the water.Counts toward your future specialties: Each dive completed counts as the first dive of the corresponding SSI Specialty course 100% French-speaking instruction: Clear explanations and a stress-free learning experience.