Taste the Fun and Adventure with Professional Diving Lessons in Phuket

Are you traveling to Phuket to go diving? Then you will need to take professional diving lessons on the island. The beach is lined with all kinds of dive shops offering courses—and the selection can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to evaluating a diving center so you can make an informed choice.

First of all, choose a school that uses the latest instructional principles emphasizing hands-on, real-world dive training. The best dive schools are recognized and even recommended by PADI. They boast modern class rooms and a low instructor-to-student ratio (usually 1:2), so you can get personalized attention and instruction. The best providers of professional diving lessons in Phuket have their own large and private swimming pools as well as their own yachts for open sea training.

Also remember to look beyond the price. Are the lessons too cheap to be true? Go somewhere else. Always put your safety above the urge to save money. In the world of professional diving lessons, you truly do get what you pay for.

Here’s another tip: Look around the diving store or office. Does it look well maintained? The condition of the shop or office is often an indication of their work ethic. Check their rental equipment and assess if they are up-to-date. You should also ask questions like the following:

• Can you have a look at their latest test certificates? (These are usually displayed on the walls)
• What is their safety record?
• Are boat logs available?
• Do their instructors have instructor cards? (Ask to see them.)
• Is the dive agency affiliated with PADI?
• How often do they service / repair / clean their equipment?

Do not be shy to ask the staff any questions you might have. After all, it’s their job to answer you and make you feel safe. If the staff seems unwilling to answer you or does not seem to know what they are doing, walk away and go to a different professional diving lesson provider.

Incredibly Fascinating Diving Experience with Similan Liveaboard

Joining a Similan liveaboard trip is an exciting and efficient way to explore the Andaman Sea’s wonderful underwater attractions. Liveaboards range from short 2-day/2-night adventures to weeklong trips, and from cheap-and-cheerful to high-end. No matter what your diving skill level and budget, you will find a Similan liveaboard package that is suitable for you.

There are many benefits to choosing a liveaboard arrangement instead of staying in a hotel. Below are some of them:

1. Save time – Why waste previous hours making the trip to and from the mainland every day when you can live in a boat? You get to relax under the starry sky at night and wake up to dive early the next day way ahead of the day trippers—which means you can enjoy the dive sites before the crowds pile in.

2. Learn more – If you are a beginner diver, a Similan liveaboard adventure immerses you fully in the wonderful world of diving. You will likely meet more experienced divers in the boat and learn from their stories and experiences. Just a few days out at sea and you will soon feel confident underwater. Don’t worry—most adventures start off at the beginner-friendly dive sites and move to advanced sites throughout the journey.

3. Save money – A Similan liveaboard is an economical way to access the best dive sites in the Similan National Marine Park. It is often cheaper than staying in a hotel and joining multiple day trips. A Similan liveaboard allows you to get more dives for your dollar compared to Similan daytrips. Food, drinks, accommodation, and transfers are often included, so you save even more money.

What’s more, you might get to go on night dives! Some Similan liveaboard outfitters provide night dive packages that let you see the nocturnal creatures of the sea. Night diving is often only possible on liveaboard because the sites are too far to access at night from the mainland.

Learn Recreational Diving and Advanced Diving Courses in Phuket

Phuket is one of the best place to explore great dive sites. What makes Phuket so attractive is the fact that is offers different sites suitable for different divers in all levels. So whether you’re an expert diver or a first-timer in exploring the deep blue, Phuket has interesting spots just for you.

Before you choose a diving course in Phuket, it is better to find tour operators or diving centers first. They can gauge what your diving level is and recommend a suitable course. You’ll want a dive center that is instructed by PADI Awarded Elite Instructors and preferably given a five star CDC. The best dive centers can cater to all types of divers, from beginners to professionals as well as budget to luxury travelers.

Kids as young as 8 years old can take a certification diving course. It will only take 1 day and will include 2 pool dives of 35- to 45-minute each in areas. Before you get into the sea, it is important to take a short class and listen to instructors discuss the basics of diving. Throughout the dive, you will be guided and supervised by PADI instructors.

If you want to take a certification PADI course, take a PADI open water diving course where you will get an in-depth understanding of diving. This 3 days course will also usually involve basic swimming pool training & instruction on the first day. For the following two days, you will be brought to beginner-appropriate diving sites in Phuket.

If you are interested in advanced diving courses, you must be a PADI Open water diver. You can expect more training dives on your first day and a combination of training and fun dives in the days after. Always check what is included in the diving course before you sign up. Aside from the necessary equipment, materials, certification, and guidance, it also helps if the course already includes insurance, transfers, and on-board food.

Choose Similan Diving Liveaboards on Your Next Holiday

The Similan Islands is one of the best places to visit in Phuket, Thailand, especially if you are an avid diver. Composed of 11 islands spread in the Andaman Sea, the Similan Islands are best explored via a liveaboard holiday package. It can be a hassle (and a waste of time and money) to go back and forth to your land accommodation after each day of island hopping. Why not live on a boat for the duration of your adventure? When you choose Similan Diving Liveaboard, you will have more time diving and exploring the treasures of the Similan Islands.

With dozens of tour operators in Phuket, you are sure to find the right one to help you enjoy your holiday. Go to a 5 Star dive center where they have elite PADI instructors. It also helps if the dive center can cater to all types of divers, whether you are a beginner looking for a budget option or an expert wishing to go at your own pace with a private liveaboard. Here are some factors to consider when choosing you’re a liveaboard diving provider:

• Diver certification – If you are going on a group dive, you must have the same diver certification or level as everyone else to fully enjoy your trip. Dive centers usually provide dive courses.

• Privacy – Are you looking to meet new friends during your trip or would you rather have a private one all to yourself? Choose from private boats to rooms with twin, triple, or quad cabins.

• Dive sites to visit – If you are with a group, there’s usually an itinerary already for the trip. Check if you are interested in visiting these locations so you don’t end up wasting time.

• Facilities and amenities – If you want a luxurious trip with deluxe amenities and even a private chef, check out First Class live boards or private deluxe yacht live boards.