Dive courses
Local diver training follows CMAS, PADI and SSI systems. The majority of internationally-recognised Read more...
How to get there
Phuket can be reached directly by air, road and sea.
By air: It is possible to directly access the island’s international airport from a number of neighbouring countries, or via Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport also operates flights to Phuket.
Hospitals
Bangkok Phuket Hospital
in Phuket City 24 Hr Contacts Centre
• Within Thailand 1719
• From outside Thailand +66 (0)76 254425
Phuket International Hospital on by-pass road,
between Tesco Lotus & Central Festival Emergency Ambulance +66 (0)76 210935
+66 (0)76 249400
Recompression chambers
Badalveda Diving Medicine Network in Bangkok Phuket Hospital, Phuket City
Hyperbaric Services of Thailand in Patong Beach
+66 (0)76 342518-9
A few budget airlines serve the Bangkok–Phuket route but timetables change regularly. There are also direct flights between Koh Samui and Pattaya. The three main carriers are: Bangkok Airways: Within Thailand, Tel. 1771; from outside Thailand, Tel. +66 (0)2 265 5555. Nok Air: Within Thailand, Tel. 1318; from outside Thailand, Tel. +66 (0)2 900 9955. Thai Airways International: Tel. +66 (0)2 356 1111.
By bus: VIP air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal daily to Phuket City. Trip time is around 14 hours. At Phuket City bus terminal visitors continue their journeys by taxi or local bus, unless a pick-up by their dive operator has been arranged. For further information on bus services, contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal: Tel.
+66 (0)2 435 1199, (0)2 435 1200.
Where to eat
There are countless restaurants across the island; for the best up-to-date information on the island’s eateries, look out for Image Asia’s pocket publication Where to Eat in Phuket – it’s comprehensive. There is also an online version: www.wheretoeat-phuket.com.
Dive facilities
Scuba diving here is big business. The larger centres cater for divers from all over the world; courses and dive trips are generally supervised by multi-lingual staff, although English remains the main language. Several of the larger centres provide a transfer service to and from Phuket International Airport.
Dive Trips
There are two main types of dive trip available. All operators run daily trips, and the larger, more established, schedule regular liveaboard excursions on their own boats around the Similan and Surin island groups and the Mergui Archipelago. Some arrange short excursions to southern destinations around Koh Rok and Hin Daeng.
All these trips differ in style and duration with enough variations to suit anyone. Daily dive trip prices include transfers to and from resorts, light refreshments and beverages, lunch, two full tanks, weight system and – if required – Divemaster services. Equipment rental and Nitrox fills can be extra. Divers who have been out of the water for over six months either follow a refresher course or accompany an instructor during their first dive; there is a minimal charge for this important and necessary service.
Live-aboard excursions
Many divers come to Koh Phuket for the selection of live-aboard excursions, giving access to far-off dive sites. Excursion styles differ, but all share high standards. Prices include diving, meals/snacks and accommodation, but not alcoholic beverages or scuba equipment.
Dive courses
Local diver training follows CMAS, PADI and SSI systems. The majority of internationally-recognised certifications are accepted in any of the dive centres; certification cards and log books will be requested. The course price structures are mostly the same at different operators. The open water sections of the courses can be completed locally or amalgamated with a liveaboard excursion.
Generally prices are inclusive of instruction, study materials, equipment, dive trips and certification. Introduction courses include full equipment, whereas other courses are inclusive of tanks and weight systems only. Additional equipment can be rented from all the centres at a discounted price. You will need two passport sized photographs for certification in all courses.
For further information on Phuket, contact Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel. +66 (0)76 212213, +66 (0)76 211036
