You’ve probably seen those slick divers cruising by with tanks clipped to their sides and thought, “Whoa, that’s gotta be for cave pros or tech nerds, right?”
Not really.
While sidemount diving did start out in caves and deep tec dives, it’s evolved into something way more chill, and way more fun. Recreational sidemount diving is picking up speed because it’s comfy, streamlined, and surprisingly accessible. You can become a sidemount diver alongside your PADI Open Water course, as part of your PADI Advanced Open Water, or even as the PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty.
If you’re after a smoother, more balanced way to dive, sidemount diving might just be your new favorite setup!
So What's Recreational Sidemount Diving?
Instead of strapping a tank to your back, you clip one (or two) tanks to your sides. That’s it.
We dive because we crave that weightless freedom, whether we’re floating across coral gardens, weaving through wrecks, or just enjoying that underwater stillness. Sidemount gives you even more of that feeling. It’s about mobility, comfort, and total control.
Here’s what you get:
✔ Better balance
✔ More gas
✔ Less back strain
✔ And yeah, you’ll look pretty badass underwater
Why It Might Be a Game-Changer for You
Let’s be honest: the idea of two tanks might sound like a hassle. But once you try it? You might never want to go back!
Glide with Ease
Sidemount naturally encourages perfect horizontal trim,the holy grail of good diving. You’re more hydrodynamic, with less drag, smoother movement, and way better buoyancy control. You’ll really notice the difference in currents or tight spaces, you glide, not fight!
Zen-Level Balance & Stability
Tanks run along your body’s centerline, which makes your center of gravity spot-on. No more tipping, wobbling, or being pulled around. Safety stops become actual meditative moments, not underwater balancing acts.
Way More Comfortable
Ever struggled across the beach or boat deck with a tank digging into your spine? Sidemount spreads the weight more evenly and offers the option to clip on your tanks in the water, game changer for divers with back problems or those who just want to make their entry easier. The gear itself is more flexible too; sidemount harnesses can be fine-tuned to fit different body shapes better than many standard BCDs.
Total Gear Control
Your valves, hoses, and regs are right in front of you. Shut-downs? Easy. Reg switches? Smooth. No contortionist moves required. That kind of control means more confidence and independence, and way better problem-solving if something ever goes sideways.
Double the Gas, Double the Fun
Two tanks = more air = longer dives. Especially awesome with Nitrox, you’ll stay within no-deco limits longer, which means more time on deep sites like Chumphon Pinnacle, HTMS Sattakut wreck, or Southwest Pinnacle !
Who’s It For?
-
Anyone who wants to glide smoother and dive longer
-
Divers with back or joint pain
-
Curious fun divers who want to level up
-
Underwater photographers, wreck divers, cavern divers chasing better trim
-
Dive pros spending hours underwater
Is It Hard to Learn?
Not at all. The PADI Recreational Sidemount Specialty usually takes 2–3 days. You’ll cover:
-
Gear setup and adjustment
-
Tank mounting/dismounting (on land & in water)
-
Trim and buoyancy tuning
-
Gas switching
-
Shutdown drills and self-rescue techniques
By the end, you’ll feel (and look) like a pro, even if you’re just diving for fun!
Any Downsides?
A few, just so you're ready:
-
You’ll need to get used to switching regs often, but it becomes second nature
-
Not all dive shops rent sidemount gear, ask ahead
-
The setup might take some tweaking at first, but once it's dialed in, it's a dream
Ready to Give It a Go?
If you're dreaming of longer dives, better trim, more comfort, and feeling like a total badass underwater, sidemount might just be your next big love story.
And the best part?
Koh Tao’s the perfect place to fall for it. You can start sidemount diving right from the get-go, whether you’re doing your PADI Open Water Diver Course, stepping up with PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course, or going all-in with the PADI Sidemount Diver Specialty.
Built by divers who live and breathe this setup, our course is designed to level you up and get you diving smarter, smoother, and stronger!
Hit us up if you're curious - we'll walk you through it all and have you gliding like a pro in no time.
