Thailand is renowned throughout the world for offering some of the best diving in Asia. Most people, divers in particular, will have heard of the legendary Similan and Surin Islands, Koh Phi Phi and the famous dive sites Hin Muang and Hin Daeng. These amazing dive areas and dive sites are all easily accessible from Phuket.
If you are keen to become a scuba diver, Phuket is a great place to start your diving course. With countless dive centers, boats, and instructors, it’s an understatement to say that Phuket is well equipped for diving tourism. No matter which diving certification agency you choose: PADI, SSI or any other, there will be training centers in Phuket offering diving courses for you. The entry level diving course takes 3 full days, but can also be spread out over more days if you fancy spending time on the glorious Phuket beaches with your friends or family. The course includes 5 confined water training dives and 4 Open Water dives plus a theory exam. Depending on your dive center, the Open Water dives take place either from the shore or from the boat.
Diving from the shore is convenient and relatively close by. It is possible to dive from many locations in Phuket so there will be always one not too far from your hotel. The dive center will take you, your instructor, and the gear to the beach were you kit up, do your buddy check, and walk straight into the water. Boat diving on the other hand is more of an all day adventure. Generally, diving boats leave at 8 am from Chalong Pier in Phuket and return around 4 pm. Lunch is served and drinks are available on board. Racha Yai and Racha Noi are the islands nearest to Phuket. This is the most common and suitable hotspot for doing the 4 Open Water training dives of your diving course.
Another, highly recommended, possibility is that you complete the ‘confined water’ (meaning: in a swimming pool or at a location with equal calm, shallow conditions) training dives and the theory exam at home. Arriving with this course referral in hand, you only need to do the 4 Open Water dives to finish the diving course in Phuket. This way you gain extra time on your holiday that you can spend on doing fun dives. That’s what it’s all about! Check with your local dive center to schedule your referral diving course.
The water as well as the climate in Phuket are warm, the Andaman Sea has an average temperature of 27-29C. When doing a diving course, you breathe relatively dry air from a tank. That’s why it’s important to drink a lot of water, up to 4 liters per day to keep you hydrated. Alchohol before diving is not permitted, it’s way better to party afterwards, when you have succeeded in finishing the course and you’ve become a diver!!
As always, contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help.
