Thailand Scuba: Get PADI Certified & Support Marine Conservation

Thailand Scuba: Get PADI Certified & Support Marine Conservation

Location
  • Thailand
    • Krabi
Length
2 to 7 weeks
Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer
Housing
Guesthouse Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Budget Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
3195
Price Details
Price includes everything once you arrive:
All accommodations during your trip, which are comfortable with basic amenities and security
All ground transportation during your trip (not flights)
All meals and water throughout your stay (a few country-specific exceptions)
All of your epic adventure and cultural immersion activities
Funding for volunteer projects
Your PADI Certification and Scuba course
Dedicated and experienced guide support
360-travel support, including customer care, trip preparation materials, trip planning, and Volunteer Profile to manage your trip.
24/7 travel support and risk management practices
Post-trip pathways to remain active and engaged global citizens
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Dec 31, 2025
Jul 30, 2025
2 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Experience the beauty of southern Thailand's stunning beaches, limestone cliffs, and dense jungles with our scuba conservation trip. Get your PADI Open Water or Advanced Scuba certification, volunteer on marine conservation projects, and end each day rock climbing in one of the most epic places. Witness the biodiversity of Thailand's coral reefs while gaining skills, certifications, and inspiration to protect critical ecosystems & species. Work & learn alongside the Shark Guardians to support shark conservation in the area.

If you already have your Advanced certification, you'll complete one day of a PADI specialty certification such as Nitrox, FISH ID, or Underwater Naturalist!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers well-structured scuba training combined with deep cultural immersion and community engagement in Thailand.

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

GIVE's mission is to inspire growth, empower global citizens, and ignite sustainable change worldwide. To truly inspire growth and achieve sustainable travel internationally, GIVE has adopted the Asset-based community development (ABCD) model, a set of proven best practices in sustainable development that mobilizes a community’s assets and resources as the basis for development. Furthermore, through providing hands-on and eye-opening learning experiences that foster authentic connections between participants and host community members, we can empower global citizens who will continue to spread GIVE’s values and ignite sustainable change worldwide.
Exploring the world with GIVE is all about responsible travel, but what does that really mean?
Mindful Tourism + Community Partnership = Economic Growth & Community Empowerment.

Part of what makes GIVE trips so special is being fully immersed in the cultures and communities we visit. However, we take extra steps to ensure we minimize our influence and always respect local cultures. We prepare all participants before travel and ensure they understand the culture and how to dress appropriately.

Program Highlights

  • Get PADI Open Water Certified - dive anywhere in the world for life!
  • Volunteer underwater on coral propagation and reef maintenance
  • Kayak through mangrove forests
  • Rock climb on Krabi's famous limestone cliffs

Program Reviews

4.91 Rating
based on 11 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.91%
  • 4 rating 9.09%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 11 reviews
Renato
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I thought everything was planned exceptionally well with GIVE. The experiences were meaningful and memorable. Our interactions with locals was genuine and we really got to know them. The itinerary was great, we had a good balance of cultural activities and adventures as well as time to spend getting to know each other. The connection I made with the local people, guides, and other volunteers was amazing and definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life. The close contact with elephants in an environment where elephant safety and well being comes first was unforgettable. Learning to scuba dive in Thailand was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so grateful that I got to do it

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers on this program is to step out of your comfort zone and try it all. Take advantage of this opportunity and really enjoy all of the new experiences you are having.
Pros
  • The people
  • The itineraries
  • The adventures
Cons
  • The food sometimes
73 people found this review helpful.
Elin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Trip to Thailand

I had such an amazing experience at Thailand Scuba! This was my first GIVE trip and just like many others I talked to, I was very nervous and a bit apprehensive about flying to the other side of the world with people I had never met before. However, I could not have asked for a more meaningful trip. I had so much fun learning how to scuba dive and gained so much knowledge on the local people and ecosystems. Nice and Seth were the most awesome, funniest, and smartest guides I could have asked for. All of the fellow volunteers on my trip were amazing and many of them I will speak to for years to come. I am so grateful to GIVE for allowing me to live this experience and the amount of effort that everyone put into making this trip what it was. Truly an educational, fun, and fulfilling week spent in Thailand that will never be forgotten.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
One night we went to a market and were all tasked with picking a fruit we had never seen before. Some of them were really delicious but the Snake Fruit I would only recommend to someone I strongly dislike. Had an incredibly strange taste and texture but still glad I got the opportunity to try it.
62 people found this review helpful.
Abigail
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Adventures in Thailand!

GIVE’s Thailand Scuba Conservation trip is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We spent our days diving from boats surrounded by stunning limestone cliffs, exploring the vibrant underwater world while learning about marine conservation, sustainable tourism, and the importance of protecting coral reefs and sharks. What impacted me most was GIVE’s deep commitment to supporting local communities and businesses in Krabi, Thailand. It was educational to learn about the importance of knowing where your money is going and how to live a more local and sustainable life. Beyond earning our Open Water Scuba Certification, we also spent two unforgettable nights on Koh Klang Island at the homestay of Bang Bao and Jah San. There, we volunteered with women-led organizations and engaged in meaningful discussions about the history of this community as well as our own incredible experiences there. Whether you’re looking to get scuba certified or just craving a meaningful, adventure-filled journey, this trip is the perfect blend of education, sustainability, and unforgettable fun!

60 people found this review helpful.
Maxwell
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Thai Experience!!

Seth and Nice were both amazing guides for me and my group, and I felt like I was really able to experience the authentic Thai culture while visiting. The accommodation, food, and transportation were all spectacular as well and exceeded all of my expectations. Alyssa from the Fast Manta team was my scuba instructor and she also blew it out of the park with her instruction it was amazing. The wildlife was so cool too, we saw reef sharks, sea snakes, stingrays, eels, razorfish, barracuda, a cuttlefish, and tons of different types of fish. Genuinely no complaints, I already want to go do it again and I just got home yesterday!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I got to try jellyfish at a local night market and it was actually really tasty!
Pros
  • Amazing and generous people
  • Cool wildlife sightings
  • Delicious food
66 people found this review helpful.
Amy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Paradise on Earth

SCUBA Program was my third add-on of my month in Thailand! I had the most amazing time in Krabi and Koh Khlong with some of the most amazing people I've ever met. If you've ever had the itch to learn to SCUBA dive, why not do it in the one of the best places for diving in the WORLD? Even our dive instructors, who have dived all over, told us how special diving in Krabi and in the surrounding local islands are. And even though SCUBA diving is main part of the trip, the home-stay on the island of Koh Khlong was even more special. The magic happens when you get to immerse yourself in Thai culture and live amongst the locals. It was the best way to end my stay in Thailand :)

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment was while rock climbing the limestone cliffs that surrounded our main accommodation Spirit Mountain! I've indoor rock climbed a couple of times before, but never outside. It was a bit scary climbing an actual cliff and there was one point I did not think I was going to make it, but the climbing guides and my fellow travelers didn't let me doubt myself. I pushed myself and made it to the top of one of the harder routes! The sense of accomplishment that I got from conquering my fears was just another amazing thing that I got out of this trip.
Pros
  • Outdoor adventures
  • Environmental education activities
  • Volunteering and giving back to the local communities
Cons
  • Saying goodbye to my GIVE family :(
91 people found this review helpful.
Saleta
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thailand Scuba

Diving in Thailand was an incredible experience! The marine life is vibrant, and the dive sites are absolutely stunning. I took the PADI Underwater Photography course, which was a highlight of the trip. It was amazing to learn how to capture the beauty of the underwater world, and the instructors were knowledgeable and patient. Whether you’re an experienced diver or just starting out, this experience is perfect for anyone looking to combine adventure with learning new skills. Highly recommend it!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Takoyaki! Loved it :D
Pros
  • Wonderful guides
  • Great food
  • New friends
Cons
  • Flight issues due to a Microsoft outage
97 people found this review helpful.
Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience with GIVE in Thailand

I recently returned from a volunteer trip to Thailand, and I can honestly say it was one of the most transformative and enriching experiences of my life. From cultural immersion to learning how to scuba dive, this trip offered a perfect blend of adventure, learning, and community service.
From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the local community, and our hosts ensured we were fully immersed in Thai culture. We participated in traditional cooking classes, attended local night markets, and even learned a few basic phrases in Thai. This cultural immersion was not only educational but also allowed us to connect deeply with the locals, gaining a genuine appreciation for their way of life. One of the highlights of the trip was learning how to scuba dive in the stunning waters of Thailand. Our instructors were professional, patient, and passionate about diving, making sure everyone felt comfortable and safe. Exploring the vibrant underwater world was an unforgettable experience, and I left with a newfound love for scuba diving. One of the most rewarding aspects of this trip was the connections made with fellow volunteers and locals. We bonded over shared experiences and created memories that will last a lifetime. The sense of community and camaraderie was truly special, and I left with friendships that I know will continue beyond the trip. If you're looking for a meaningful way to travel, learn, and give back, I highly recommend this opportunity. Thank you to everyone involved for making this journey so unforgettable!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My first jump into the ocean from a dive boat! This was seriously nerve-racking as we had only used our dive gear in a pool before this and my previous experience breathing underwater was when we walked into the ocean from a beach. It was easy to overcome as our instructors jumped before us so they were encouraging us from the water and we had practices in the pool before this. The crew helped us walk to the edge of the boat and helped us by counting us down and throwing us in! I didn't have enough time to think about it or be too scared so it was easy to overcome!
Pros
  • Meeting the other volunteers
  • Scuba diving with the awesome team
  • staying in the small village of Koh Klang
95 people found this review helpful.
Aiden
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

Working with GIVE was an amazing experience. I was able to meet so many wonderful people, experience new cultures, branch outside of my comfort zone, and grow as a person. Being able to see the reefs and learn all about sharks and their importance was a highlight of the trip. You get to scuba dive, snorkel with reef sharks, kayak through mangroves, plant mangroves, support local businesses, and so much more. If you are looking for a way to travel as well as make a difference, I would highly recommend GIVE.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I could do this trip again, I would extend the trip! During my trip I tried to extend my trip to go to Laos after the Scuba portion of the trip, but I was unable to extend it due to flight issues. I wanted to stay longer because this trip was genuinely one of the best experiences of my life. The guides were so helpful and I was able to learn so much, I just didn't expect that I would be so comfortable outside of my comfort zone! I would recommend doing two trips back to back, which is what most people do, since you get a better deal grouping trips together and you get to stay longer.
Pros
  • Meeting amazing people from all over the world
  • Scuba diving, snorkeling with sharks, rock climbing, and kayaking
  • Spending time with the locals
Cons
  • Luggage got delayed (received after 2 days)
112 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers