EXPLORE THE WRECK WITH PURPOSE
PADI FISH IDENTIFICATION SPECIALTY IN KOH TAO
Learn how to recognise reef fish by their shape, colours, behaviour and family groups, so your dives feel more interesting from start to finish.
The PADI Fish Identification Specialty is for certified divers who want to understand more of what they see underwater,
instead of coming back to the boat saying, “What was that fish?”
HOW YOUR FISH ID SPECIALTY WORKS
This is a relaxed but surprisingly useful specialty.
You learn how to look more carefully, spot patterns between fish families and remember what you saw after the dive.
Look For Shapes
Start noticing body shape, fin position, tail shape and other simple clues that help separate one fish family from another.
Watch Behaviour
Learn how fish move, feed, hide or stay together, so identification is not only about colour or markings.
Use Fish Slates
Take simple notes underwater, then compare what you saw
with your instructor
after the dive.
Understand The Reef
See how different fish families fit into the reef, from grazers and hunters to cleaning stations and schooling fish.
BEFORE YOUR PADI FISH IDENTIFICATION SPECIALTY
The key details before you start: who can join, how the day works, what is included and what we take care of.
The Key Details
Duration: 1 day
Price: 5,000 THB
Dives included: 2 fish identification training dives
Certification needed: Open Water Diver or equivalent
Minimum age: 10 years old
What We Take Care Of
We include your PADI Fish Identification materials, instructor guidance, scuba equipment, dive computer, fish slates, training dives and your digital certification card.
GET READY FOR YOUR FISH ID SPECIALTY
Before the dives, we’ll make the fish identification side simple and practical.
You do not need to memorise every fish name — you just need to know
what clues to look for.
Before You Arrive
You can start your PADI Fish Identification materials in your own time. They introduce common fish families, key features, behaviour and simple survey techniques.
When You Meet Us
We check your certification, medical form and equipment, then go through the fish slate, common Koh Tao reef fish
and what to look for during the dives.
WHAT YOU PRACTISE ON THE FISH ID DIVES
The course is built around two training dives.
The first helps you recognise what you are seeing, while the second turns that awareness into a simple fish survey.
Dive 1 — Identify What You See
Use your slate to record fish families, body shapes, colours, markings and behaviour as you move slowly around the reef.
After The Dive
Look back at what you saw with your instructor, check your notes and connect the fish to the right family groups.
Dive 2 — Conduct A Fish Survey
Plan a simple survey, record fish families, species, numbers and habitat details, then discuss your findings after the dive.
A Better Eye For Marine Life
By the end of the course, you will recognise more fish on normal fun dives and remember more clearly what you saw.
WHY FISH ID CHANGES THE WAY YOU DIVE
Once you start recognising fish families, the reef feels less random.
You begin to notice who lives where, how fish behave and why some areas feel more active than others.
More Than Names
Fish identification is not only about collecting names. It is about learning the little clues that make a fish easier to recognise next time.
You start noticing patterns — who feeds on coral, who hides in the sand, who guards territory and who moves in schools.
Small Details Make Better Dives
A normal reef dive becomes more interesting when you understand what is happening around you.
Instead of just seeing “colourful fish”, you begin to read the reef with more curiosity and come back with better stories from the dive.
WHO CAN JOIN THE PADI FISH IDENTIFICATION SPECIALTY?
This specialty is for certified divers who enjoy marine life and want to understand Koh Tao’s reefs with a more curious eye.
Certification Needed
You need to be a PADI Open Water Diver, Junior Open Water Diver or hold an equivalent certification.
Minimum Age
You need to be at least 10 years old to take the PADI AWARE Fish Identification Specialty.
Medical Form
Every diver completes a short scuba medical form before training. Some answers may require doctor clearance.
No Marine Biology Needed
You do not need to know fish names already. We start with simple clues and build from what you see underwater.
STAYING ON KOH TAO FOR YOUR FISH ID COURSE?
If you are still choosing where to stay, Flow Divers can help point you towards nearby accommodation options.
This is a simple one-day specialty, so staying close makes the morning start and afternoon boat schedule easier.
BOOK YOUR PADI FISH IDENTIFICATION SPECIALTY IN KOH TAO
Ready to know what you are looking at underwater?
Join Flow Divers for the PADI AWARE Fish Identification Specialty in Koh Tao and learn how to recognise fish families
and enjoy reef dives with a more curious eye.
PADI Fish Identification in Koh Tao
Price range: ฿5,500 through ฿9,000
WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR FISH ID SPECIALTY
After the PADI Fish Identification Specialty, you can use your new awareness on every reef dive.
You will notice more marine life, remember more of what you saw and understand Koh Tao’s dive sites in a different way.
Improve Your Buoyancy
Better buoyancy helps you slow down,
stay still and watch marine life without disturbing the reef.
It also gives you more time to notice small details.
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR PADI AWARE FISH IDENTIFICATION SPECIALTY
Answers to the main questions divers usually have before joining the PADI Fish Identification Specialty in Koh Tao.
Do I need to be certified already?
Yes. You need to be a PADI Open Water Diver, Junior Open Water Diver or hold an equivalent certification.
How old do I need to be?
You need to be at least 10 years old to take the PADI AWARE Fish Identification Specialty.
How long does the course take?
The course usually takes 1 day, with knowledge development and two fish identification training dives.
How many dives are included?
The standard PADI Fish Identification Specialty includes two training dives.
What will I practise during the course?
You will practise recognising fish families, looking at body shape and behaviour, recording sightings and completing a simple fish survey.
Do I need to know fish names already?
No. The course teaches you how to start identifying fish step by step, using simple clues instead of memorising everything at once.
Can I fly after the course?
You should leave enough time before flying. After multiple dives or multiple days of diving, it is safest to wait at least 18 hours before flying.
Do I need to complete a medical form?
Yes. Every diver completes a short scuba medical questionnaire before training. Some answers may require doctor clearance.
Still have a question?
If you are unsure about anything before booking, send us a message with your dates and what you’d like to do. We’ll get back to you and help you choose the right next step.