Thailand's complete scuba diving information source: dive centres, dive courses, dive equipment, dive sites

Facilities in and around Phuket
(Similan Island, Surin Island)

How to get there
It's possible to directly access the island’s international airport from a number of neighbouring countries, Read more...

Where to eat
There are countless restaurants across the island; for the best up-to-date information on the island’s eateries,Read more...

Dive facilities
Scuba diving here is big business. The larger centres cater for divers from all over the world; Read more...

Dive trips
There are two main types of dive trip available. All operators run daily trips, and the larger, more established, Read more...

Liveaboard excursions
Many divers come to Koh Phuket for the selection of live-aboard excursions, Read more...

Dive courses
Local diver training follows CMAS, PADI and SSI systems. The majority of internationally-recognised Read more...

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How to get there

Phuket can be reached directly by air, road and sea.

By air: It’s 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.

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 for Image Asia’s comprehensive publication Where to Eat in Phuket. It’s also an online at: www.wheretoeat-phuket.com.

For more information and insight on where and what to eat, see Pocket Guide FOOD Thailand − launching first quarter of 2011 − and its online version, www.foodguidethailand.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 multilingual staff, but English remains the main language. Several 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’s a minimal charge for this important and necessary service.

Liveaboard excursions

Many divers come to Phuket for the selection of liveaboard 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 BSAC, 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 centres at a discounted price. You’ll need two passport sized photographs for certification in all courses.

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Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel. +66 (0)76 212213, +66 (0)76 211036 Go to top