That low-key boat day can turn into real skill growth. This 2-day PADI Advanced Freediver course from BB Divers pairs structured breath-hold training with on-the-water sessions, and it’s built for going deeper on purpose, not just for fun. I like the clear focus on athletic performance and longer breath-hold control, and I also like how the day-to-day flow is handled with tight boat organization. One thing to consider: if you end up diving in Koh Rang National Park, there’s an extra entrance fee on top of the course price.

What makes this course feel practical is the mix of guided coaching, provided equipment, and the fact it runs with hotel pickup (on the West coast of Ko Chang only). The instructor I’ve seen praised most often in feedback is Lars, described as calm and patient, which is exactly the vibe you want when you’re pushing limits safely. If you’re easily anxious around being on boats or working through technique drills, you’ll want to go in with a steady mindset and let the structure do the work.

Key Highlights I’d Prioritize Before You Book

• Advanced skill target (16–24m breath-hold descents): You train for deeper and longer performance, not just a check-the-box certification.
• Small group size (max 5): More coaching attention and less time waiting around.
• Everything handled on the water: Boat trips, instruction, and freediving gear are included.
• Meals and drinks are built in: Lunch buffet plus snacks and beverages make the two-day schedule easier to manage.
• Lars-style coaching energy: Calm, patient instruction helps you actually progress, especially with required performance.
• National park entry fee may apply: Plan for possible added cost if the site is Koh Rang National Park.

Ko Chang’s Advanced Freediver Course: What You’re Really Paying For

At $377.44 per person for about 2 days, this isn’t a “cheap thrills” add-on. The value is in the package: hotel pickup and drop-off (from the West coast), equipment, instruction, boat trips, and food plus drinks. You’re paying for consistent coaching and time on the water, not just a ticket.

This is a PADI Advanced Freediver course, which is designed to push your current breath-hold skills toward deeper and longer descents. The course is specifically described as targeting depths of 16 to 24 meters, so you should expect technique refinement and performance work. In other words, it’s athletic training disguised as an adventure day at sea.

If you already have basic freediver comfort—equalization timing, relaxation, and breath-hold control—you’ll probably get more out of the course. If you’re starting from scratch, you might find the “advanced” label means you spend real time on performance requirements rather than just learning how everything works.

The 8:00 AM Start and Small-Group Advantage at BB Divers

Your day begins at the BB Divers PADI dive center in Koh Chang Tai (16/2 Moo 1, Tambon Koh Chang Tai, Ko Chang, Trat). The start time is 8:00 am, which matters because it gives you a full day for skill sessions and a calmer start on the water.

This is also capped at a maximum of 5 travelers. That detail is bigger than it sounds. With small groups, you typically get:

• More direct feedback when you’re practicing technique
• Less lag time between skills
• A more “coached” feeling than a “tour bus” feeling

And yes, the reviews you’ll read about this operation often point to boat organization and the on-board vibe. Translation for you: the schedule isn’t chaotic, so you can focus on training.

Day 1: Skill Set-Up, Equipment, and Breath-Hold Control

The course runs across two days, and both days revolve around skill-building. Even though the exact training block-by-block timing isn’t spelled out here, the included items tell you the structure: professional guide/instruction, provided freediving equipment, and boat trips.

What you should expect on day one

• Equipment fitting and setup with the instructors
• Coaching on safe technique and efficient breath-hold performance
• Time practicing how your body responds as you go deeper than you may be used to

This is where the “advanced” part shows up. The course description emphasizes improving your own breath-holding time and adding more athletic elements to the sport. That means you’re not only learning to follow instructions—you’re also learning to manage your own readiness and pace.

Why this matters

When you go deeper, small mistakes stack up faster. Better control—how you relax, how you equalize, how you pace your breathing before a descent—makes depth feel more stable and less stressful. Day one is usually where that foundation gets set.

Stop 1: BB Divers and the Course Base That Keeps Things Smooth

Even though your itinerary lists “Stop 1: BB Divers,” the real value of this stop is what it represents: the course base where everything funnels through—setup, instruction, and coordination.

The meeting point address is clear, so you can plan your morning without guessing. And because the tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off (West coast only), you’re not spending your morning hunting transport or trying to figure out where to park your scooter.

If you’re staying on the West side of Koh Chang, this part is especially convenient. If you’re on the East side, you’ll need to arrange your own way to the center since transfers are limited to the West coast.

Day 2: Deeper Performance With Coach Feedback on the Water

On day two, you continue building toward the course goals: deeper and longer breath-hold descents, targeting 16–24 meters. In a course like this, day two is often where feedback gets sharper and the training becomes more performance-focused.

How to approach it

Go into day two thinking like an athlete:

• You’re practicing calm, not forcing intensity.
• You’re chasing smooth technique, not just maximum depth.
• You’re letting the instructor correct what’s measurable.

In the feedback I’ve seen, the instructor Lars gets mentioned for being calm and patient, and that style fits what you need when you’re aiming for required performance. When you feel rushed or judged, your body often tightens up. Calm coaching helps you stay relaxed.

What you’ll notice if the coaching is working

You’ll likely feel a difference in:

• How quickly you settle into a controlled breath-hold state
• How consistently you follow technique cues
• How much less “panic” shows up when things get deeper

That’s the real payoff of an advanced course: control under pressure.

Koh Rang National Park: Possible Extra Entrance Fee

The info here is straightforward: the price includes the course logistics and activities, but there’s an extra payment for the entry fee if you dive in Koh Rang National Park.

So you should budget for that possibility if the course ends up using park waters. It’s not included, and the amount can vary based on park rules.

Practical tip: if you’re traveling with a tight daily budget, ask your guide ahead of time whether Koh Rang is part of your sessions. That way you can plan cash flow without scrambling.

Food, Snacks, and Drinks: Why This Inclusion Changes Your Day

This is one of the most underrated parts of a multi-hour water course. The package includes:

• Buffet lunch
• Snacks
• Coffee and/or tea
• Beverages

When you’re training breath-hold performance, your energy and hydration matter more than you think. If you’re hungry, you get tired, your technique degrades, and your confidence drops. Having food and drinks handled reduces a lot of friction—especially on a two-day schedule.

Also, there’s a review pattern praising the food on board and the overall organization. Translation: this isn’t always the case with every boat setup, so when it’s included well, you notice.

Pickup on the West Coast of Koh Chang: Convenience With One Clear Limit

One very practical detail: transfers are offered only for hotels on the West coast of Koh Chang.

That matters because it affects how easy the morning is. If you’re staying west, your day starts on rails: pickup, arrival, and then back to the same area after the course.

If you’re staying elsewhere, factor in how you’ll reach BB Divers at 8:00 am. This is the kind of course where arriving late can mess with your equipment fitting and first training blocks.

Weather, Cancellation, and Safety: The Real Part You Should Plan For

This experience is subject to favorable weather conditions. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll get the option of an alternative date.

For you, the key takeaway is this: don’t treat the course like a guaranteed “calendar event.” It’s water-based training, and the provider will manage conditions for safe sessions. If your travel schedule is inflexible, consider booking with a buffer day or two around it.

Who This Advanced Freediver Course Fits Best

This course is best for:

• People who already know how breath-hold training works and want progression
• Adventurers who want structure and coaching, not just open-water time
• Divers-in-training who like sports-style goal setting (longer time, deeper targets)
• Anyone who values calm instruction and clear feedback—like the Lars-mentioned approach

It might be less ideal if:

• You hate boat days or feel easily seasick (the program depends on boat trips)
• You’re looking for a totally casual snorkel-style outing
• You don’t want any extra potential park fees

Price and Value Check: Is $377.44 a Good Deal?

Here’s how I’d judge it: you’re paying for a full PADI Advanced Freediver course over two days, with:

• Pickup and drop-off (West coast only)
• Equipment and instruction
• Lunch, snacks, and beverages
• Boat trips
• Small group size (max 5)

The only meaningful extra cost flagged is the Koh Rang National Park entry fee if used. So compared to “cheap” boat outings where you pay separately for gear, guiding, and food, this starts to look like fair value—especially if you want coaching that actually helps you meet deeper performance goals.

If you compare it to doing everything separately (equipment rental, guided instruction, boat time, meals), the bundled format is the point.

What I’d Ask Before You Go (Quick Checklist)

Before you pay, I’d confirm these points with BB Divers:

• Whether Koh Rang National Park is likely on your dates (so you can estimate the extra entry fee)
• If pickup is available for your specific hotel on the West coast of Ko Chang
• What prior skills or certification level you need to start the Advanced Freediver course
• What the plan looks like if weather affects your sessions
• The meeting time at 8:00 am and exactly where the center is for drop-off

Getting clarity now helps you relax later.

Should You Book the BB Divers Advanced Freediver on Ko Chang?

If you want a real progression course—one that aims for 16 to 24 meters and trains your breath-hold control with hands-on coaching—this is a strong pick. The small group size, included food and drinks, and the praise around boat organization make it feel like a course that’s run with attention, not chaos.

I’d say book it if:

• You’re ready for deeper breath-hold performance training
• You appreciate calm, patient coaching (Lars is a name that comes up for that)
• You’ll be on the West coast of Koh Chang and can use the pickup

I’d hold off if:

• You’re uncomfortable with boat trips
• Your schedule is too tight to handle weather shifts
• You’re trying to keep every cost predictable and don’t want any chance of park fees

FAQ

What certification does this course follow?

It’s a PADI Advanced Freediver course.

How deep does the course focus on?

The course allows you to freedive to a depth of 16 to 24 meters.

How long is the course?

It runs for 2 days (approximately).

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is BB Divers PADI dive center, 16/2 หมู่ 1 Tambon Koh Chang Tai, Amphoe Ko Chang, Trat 23170, Thailand.

What’s included in the price?

Included are hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch buffet, snacks, beverages, coffee/tea, freediving equipment, instruction, and boat trips.

Are entrance fees included?

No. There is an extra payment for the Koh Rang National Park entry fee if you dive in the park.

Is pickup available for all areas of Koh Chang?

Pickup is offered only for hotels on the West coast of Koh Chang.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 5 travelers.

What happens if weather is bad?

If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date.

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