How Specialty Courses at Chang Diving Work – Step by Step (2025, Koh Chang)
Specialty Courses let you improve your skills, explore new dive styles, and dive deeper into your favorite topics – all with professional guidance and internationally recognized certification.
At Chang Diving Center on Koh Chang, our certified PADI, SDI, and TDI instructors offer a wide selection of specialty courses – taught in small, fun, and personalized groups for maximum learning and enjoyment.
Wondering what's next after your OWD? Curious which specialties are available, which agency fits you best, and what the requirements are?
Whether you're interested in deep diving, wrecks, night dives, photography, Nitrox, or even technical diving – you'll find all the answers below! Let's dive into the world of Specialty Courses!
Who Can Join the Specialty Courses?
Anyone with an Open Water Diver (OWD) certification from a WRSTC-recognized agency can enroll – even right after completing your OWD course. ?
We accept certifications from all major agencies such as PADI, SDI/TDI, SSI, CMAS, NAUI, RAID, and others.
Requirements vary by specialty course and may include:
- Minimum age (usually 10–18 depending on the specialty)
- Minimum certification level (some PADI specialties require Advanced Open Water)
- Sometimes a minimum number of logged dives (e.g., SDI Solo Diver requires 100)
Check the detailed course comparison below or directly on the individual course booking pages for age limits, certification requirements, depth limits, number of dives, and availability with our certified TDI/SDI or PADI instructors.
What Is a Specialty Course?
A Specialty Course is a short, focused program that trains you in a specific diving activity or environment – such as deep diving, wreck exploration, underwater photography, sidemount, or diving with nitrox.
- Most specialties take 1–2 days and include 2–4 dives
- You’ll get an internationally recognized certification
- Theory is often browser-based or PDF (online)
- Perfect for skill-building after your Open Water Diver course
What’s Included in the Specialty Course Training?
- Online theory access (browser-based or downloadable PDF)
- Dives depending on the specialty course (usually 2–4)
- Rental gear (or tank & weights if bringing your own)
- Hotel pickup & return (in standard areas)
- Lunch, fruits, water & soft drinks onboard
- Small groups with personal attention and safety
Bringing your own full gear?
5% discount (tank & weights provided).
TDI/SDI vs. PADI – Which System Fits You Best?
Both agencies offer excellent training and globally recognized certification. The difference lies in flexibility and prerequisites. Compare SDI vs. PADI Courses
| Course | Requirements | Course Details | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrox (Enriched Air) | SDI: Age 10 / PADI: Age 12 Min: OWD |
0–2 dives (optional) | ✅ SDI / ✅ PADI |
| Deep Diver |
SDI: 18 (10–14 max 21 m) / PADI: 15 SDI: OWD / PADI: AOWD |
Max 40 m, 2–4 dives | ✅ SDI / ✅ PADI |
| Wreck Diver |
SDI: 18 (15 limited) / PADI: 15 SDI: OWD / PADI: AOWD |
Max 30 m+, 3–4 dives | ✅ SDI / ✅ PADI |
| Night Diver | 12+, Min: OWD | 18–30 m, 2-4 dives | ✅ SDI / ✅ PADI |
| Peak Perf. Buoyancy (PPB) | 10+, Min: OWD | 2 dives | ✅ SDI / ✅ PADI |
| Sidemount Diver | 15+, Min: OWD | 2–4 dives | ✅ SDI / ✅ PADI |
| Search & Recovery | 12+ SDI: OWD / PADI: AOWD |
2-4 dives | ✅ SDI / ✅ PADI |
| Navigation | 10+, Min: OWD | 2-2 dives | ✅ SDI / ✅ PADI |
| Underwater Photography | 10+, Min: OWD | 2 dives | ✅ SDI / ✅ PADI |
| Solo Diver (SDI only) | Age 21+, 100 logged dives | 4–5 dives | ✅ SDI / ❌ |
| Technical Diving (TDI Courses) | |||
| Intro to Tech | 18+, OWD + 25 dives | 2–3 dives, up to 30 m | ✅ TDI / ❌ |
| Advanced Wreck Diver | 18+, Wreck Diver + 50 dives | 6 dives (overhead training) | ✅ TDI / ❌ |
| Decompression Procedures | 18+, Advanced + Nitrox | 4+ dives, up to 45 m | ✅ TDI / ❌ |
| Advanced Nitrox | 18+, OWD + Nitrox | 4+ dives, up to 50 m | ✅ TDI / ❌ |
| Extended Range | 18+, DPD + AND | 4+ dives, up to 55 m | ✅ TDI / ❌ |
The Ultimate Specialty Package for Wreck Lovers
Dreaming of exploring every corner of the legendary HTMS Chang Wreck? Then this is the perfect adventure pack for you!
What's Included?
Our Deep + Wreck + Nitrox Specialty Package allows you to unlock the full recreational potential of this amazing dive site:
- SDI Deep Diver: Extend your depth limit to 40 meters ?
- SDI Wreck Diver: Explore inside the wreck (limited penetration) ⚓
- SDI Nitrox Diver: Stay longer and dive safer with Enriched Air ?
Why This Combo Rocks ?
This package gives you everything you need to fully enjoy the HTMS Chang wreck and similar advanced dives worldwide. Here's why it's ?:
- 40m certified: Reach the maximum recreational depth limit
- Wreck penetration: Legally enter & explore structures (within your depth limit)
- Nitrox advantage: Enjoy longer no-decompression times and added safety
Thinking about going technical in the future? These three specialties – Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Nitrox Diver – are also required prerequisites for the next-level TDI technical diving courses:
With this combo, you're not just upgrading your recreational diving – you're laying the foundation for the world of technical diving! ⚙️
⚠️ About Limited Penetration:
For wreck diving, your maximum penetration distance into an overhead environment is limited by your overall certification depth:
Example: You're AOWD (30 m max), and you enter the HTMS Chang at 25 m → You may only penetrate 5 meters inside, since 25 + 5 = 30m. Your maximum combined depth (entry depth + penetration distance) must not exceed your certification depth.
Only with Deep Diver certification (40 m) can you fully explore deeper wreck zones.
Requirements to Join:
- Minimum Certification: Open Water Diver (OWD)
- Minimum Age: 18 years (for penetration dives)
- Essential Skill: Solid buoyancy control (seriously important inside wrecks!)
Check out the full package details here
Planning a Master Scuba Diver Certification?
This package is also a great stepping stone toward the prestigious Master Scuba Diver (MSD) rating – the highest non-professional level in recreational diving!
PADI Master Scuba Diver (MSD)
- ✅ PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
- ✅ PADI Rescue Diver
- ✅ 5 PADI Specialty Courses
- ✅ 50 logged dives
- ✅ Age: 18+ (or 12+ for Junior MSD)
SDI Master Scuba Diver
- ✅ SDI Rescue Diver
- ✅ 4 SDI Specialty Courses
- ✅ 50 logged dives
- ✅ Age: 18+
Important: You cannot mix specialties between agencies to qualify. For example, a PADI MSD must include only PADI specialties; SDI MSD = SDI specialties.
Want to Get the Most Out of Diving?
Specialty Courses help you develop expert-level control, safety, and confidence underwater. Whether you're passionate about marine life, wrecks, or improving your buoyancy – there’s a Specialty Course for you!
