Why Specialty Courses Might Be the Best Choice for You
After getting SCUBA certified, most divers assume they need to complete the Advanced Adventurer course immediately after Open Water, but that’s not true! At Crystal Dive, you can skip the Advanced Adventurer and enroll directly in Specialty Courses (Specs).
This approach gives you more flexibility to train in the areas that truly interest you. Rather than following a set curriculum, you get to pick and choose the skills you want to master. Whether you’re passionate about deep diving, wreck exploration, or marine conservation, Specialty Courses let you tailor your training to your interests.
Benefits of Taking Specialty Courses First
- More flexibility – Train in specific skills rather than a general overview.
- More fun – Focus on the types of diving that excite you the most.
- No prerequisites beyond Open Water – You can start immediately!
- Each specialty counts toward your Advanced Open Water Diver certification – Once you complete four specialties and 24 logged dives, you’ll automatically qualify for SSI Advanced Open Water Diver status.
Specialty Courses Offered at Crystal Dive
At Crystal Dive, we offer a wide range of Specialty Courses to help you gain confidence and expertise in your favourite areas of diving. Below are the exciting Specialty Courses you can take after Open Water:
Core Specialties
Deep Diving Specialty
Take your scuba skills to the next level with the Deep Diving Specialty! Learn to safely explore dive sites down to 40 meters, improve your air management, understand nitrogen narcosis, and plan deeper dives with confidence. Perfect for divers ready to discover new depths.
Navigation Specialty
Master underwater orientation with the Navigation Specialty! Learn to use a compass, natural navigation techniques, and advanced methods to find your way with confidence. Improve your dive planning, explore sites more independently, and never feel lost beneath the surface again. Ideal for divers who want to boost skills and self-reliance.
Perfect Buoyancy Specialty
Refine your underwater control with the Perfect Buoyancy Specialty! This course helps you improve trim, reduce air consumption, and glide effortlessly through the water. You’ll enhance your control, protect marine life by avoiding contact, and enjoy longer, more relaxed dives. A must for divers who want to elevate their skills and confidence.
Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) Specialty
Extend your bottom time and shorten surface intervals with the Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty! Learn how to safely plan and dive with enriched air blends, giving you more time to explore and less time waiting between dives. Ideal for those looking to get the most out of every underwater adventure.
Exciting Adventure Specialties
Wreck
Discover the thrill of exploring sunken ships and artificial reefs in the Wreck Diving Specialty. Learn how to safely navigate and observe wrecks while understanding the history and marine life that call them home. Perfect for adventure-seekers and underwater explorers. Learn how to safely penetrate and explore the interior of wrecks. With advanced techniques and specialized training, you’ll unlock new levels of excitement while ensuring safety and precision in overhead environments. On Koh Tao we have 3 amazing wrecks; HTMS Sattakut, HTMS Suphairin and HTMS Hanhak Sattru.
Night Diving & Limited Visibility
Discover the magic of diving after dark. Learn how to navigate, communicate, and stay safe while exploring a completely different underwater world. This specialty boosts your confidence and opens up incredible new dive experiences.
Search & Recovery
Master the skills needed to locate and recover objects underwater. Learn effective search patterns, lifting techniques, and safety procedures to confidently handle real-world recovery scenarios. Perfect for divers looking to expand their abilities and tackle challenging underwater tasks.
DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle)
Explore new depths and cover more ground with a Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV). Learn to safely operate these exciting underwater scooters, enhance your diving experience, and increase your mobility on dives. Perfect for divers seeking to add an exhilarating new skill to their underwater adventures.
Environmental & Conservation Specialties
Marine Ecology
Dive deeper into understanding the underwater ecosystem with the Marine Ecology specialty. Explore the delicate balance of marine life, coral reefs, and ocean habitats, and learn how to protect them. Ideal for divers looking to enhance their knowledge of the ocean environment and contribute to its conservation.
Shark Ecology
Gain a deeper understanding of these incredible creatures with the Shark Ecology specialty. Learn about shark behavior, their vital role in ocean ecosystems, and how to protect them. Perfect for divers who want to explore the world of sharks and contribute to their pconservation efforts.
Sea Turtle Ecology
Dive into the fascinating world of sea turtles with the Sea Turtle Ecology specialty. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and conservation efforts while exploring these majestic creatures in their natural environment. Perfect for divers passionate about ocean conservation.
Coral Identification
Discover the vibrant world of coral reefs with the Coral Identification specialty. Learn to recognize various coral species and understand their vital role in marine ecosystems. Ideal for divers who want to deepen their knowledge of coral ecology and contribute to conservation efforts.
Nudibranch Ecology
Explore the fascinating world of nudibranchs with the Nudibranch Ecology specialty. Learn to identify these colorful creatures and understand their role in marine ecosystems. Perfect for divers passionate about marine life and eager to enhance their understanding of these unique, vibrant sea slugs.
Technical & Professional-Level Specialties
Science of Diving
Dive deeper into the science behind scuba diving with the Science of Diving specialty. Understand dive physics, physiology, and the effects of pressure on the body. This course is perfect for divers wanting to enhance their technical knowledge and improve their safety and diving skills.
Stress & Rescue
Master essential skills for handling stress and emergency situations underwater with the Stress & Rescue specialty. Learn how to recognize and manage dive-related stress, assist distressed divers, and respond to rescue situations confidently. This course is crucial for divers seeking to improve safety and rescue techniques in challenging environments.
React Right (First Aid & CPR)
The React Right specialty teaches vital first aid and emergency response skills for divers. Learn CPR, oxygen administration, and how to handle dive-related emergencies effectively. This course prepares you to act swiftly and confidently in emergency situations, ensuring the safety of yourself and others underwater.
Decompression Diving
The Decompression Diving specialty teaches advanced techniques for diving beyond recreational limits. Learn how to safely manage decompression stops, dive planning, and understand gas mixtures to prevent decompression sickness. This course enhances your ability to dive deeper and longer, all while keeping safety as a top priority.
Independent Diving
The Independent Diving specialty focuses on diving without relying on a dive guide. You’ll learn to plan and manage your dives, handle equipment and emergencies, and navigate autonomously. This course is perfect for divers who want to take their skills to the next level and enjoy self-sufficient, safe diving.
What About Advanced Adventurer?
If you’re still interested in taking the Advanced Adventurer course, it’s a great way to get a taste of different specialty areas. During this course, you’ll complete five introductory adventure dives in various specialties, giving you an overview before committing to full specialty training.
However, if you already know what excites you about diving, taking Specialty Courses directly is a better option. This way, you can focus your time and money on mastering the skills that truly interest you. Plus, as you complete Specialties, you’ll naturally progress toward Advanced Open Water status—without needing to follow a set structure.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Now that you know your options, what’s next? Whether you want to master wreck diving, improve your buoyancy, or explore deep sites, Crystal Dive has the perfect Specialty Course for you. Our experienced instructors, world-class dive sites, and flexible training options make it easy to continue your dive journey at your own pace.
Why Choose Crystal Dive for your Diving Adventure?
At Crystal Dive, we’re passionate about marine conservation and providing top-tier scuba diving experiences in Koh Tao. With our experienced instructors, high-quality dive equipment, and commitment to sustainability, ensuring ethical diving practices.
Our Courses Inlcude:
Expert instructors with extensive knowledge of marine behavior.
Small group sizes for a more personal and eco-friendly experience.
Top-rated dive sites known for great marine life.
Contact us today to book your next scuba diving adventure in Koh Tao and experience the specialties of your choice!
