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After your Open Water course, it’s natural to start thinking about where diving might take you next. For many new divers, the best next step is to join a liveaboard trip and immerse themselves in the underwater world for a few days. There’s no better place to do that than on a Similan liveaboard.
These trips give you the chance to gain real experience and take the next step in your diving education without pressure, surrounded by supportive dive professionals and fellow enthusiasts.
A Similan liveaboard is the perfect setting for newly certified divers to build confidence. With multiple dives over several days and access to varied dive sites, you’ll go from beginner to capable, comfortable diver in no time.
Surrounded by experienced divers and instructors, you’ll learn just by being there — listening, observing, asking questions, and getting feedback. Whether you want to log more dives or take your next course, this is the ideal environment to do it.
Once you’re certified, the real diving begins. A Similan liveaboard is the perfect next step. With up to four dives a day in some of Thailand’s most spectacular sites, it’s a great way to boost your confidence and fine-tune your skills.
You’ll be diving alongside people with different levels of experience and often hear useful stories, tips, and insights. Plus, with your instructor onboard, guidance is never far away if you need it.
“A Similan liveaboard after your Open Water course is like a graduation trip — but with more fish and better sunsets.”
You can continue your diving education while onboard too. With SSI’s digital learning system, courses like Advanced Adventurer or specialities like Enriched Air Nitrox or Perfect Buoyancy are easy to complete. The theory is done through the app at your own pace and your instructor is always around for support and supervision.
One of the key benefits of joining a liveaboard after learning to dive is the chance to log multiple dives in a short period of time. With an average of 14 dives over four days, you’ll not only gain experience but also feel the improvement in your buoyancy, air consumption and overall comfort in the water.
There’s no rush, no pressure — just plenty of dives and the freedom to grow into your dive gear and your skills.
You also get to explore dive sites that are rarely visited by day boats, adding a sense of adventure and discovery to your early diving days.
Once you’re an Open Water diver, a Similan liveaboard is a great opportunity to level up. The SSI Advanced Adventurer program allows you to try out five different types of dives – such as deep, navigation, night, or perfect buoyancy – and get credit for future specialty certifications too.
Other popular options for continuing education on board include:
Enriched Air Nitrox – Extend your bottom time safely and learn to use different gas mixes.
Perfect Buoyancy – Refine your trim and control for more enjoyable and efficient dives.
Marine Ecology – Learn more about reef ecosystems and become a more aware, eco-conscious diver.
Underwater Photography – Learn how to capture your experiences below the surface.
All of these courses are supported by the SSI digital learning system, so you can complete the academic portion before or during your trip and enjoy instructor-led sessions in the water.
We’ve helped many newly certified divers take their next steps on Similan liveaboards. Whether it’s gaining experience, completing an SSI Advanced Adventurer course, or working through specialties like Nitrox or Buoyancy, we’re here to guide you at your own pace.
“We believe diving should be stress-free, supportive, and fun — and that’s exactly what we offer.”
Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us for a chat about your diving goals and how we can help you achieve them on a Similan liveaboard.
Entry-level courses are no longer permitted in the Similan Islands, but there’s a wide range of continuing education options available onboard. Most courses can be completed in a few dives and the app-based learning system means you can begin whenever you like.
We’d be happy to help you choose the right path depending on your goals and experience level.
Some of the most popular courses for certified divers include:
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