PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certification in Koh Phi Phi

One of my goals for the new year was to get PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certified. Naturally, I figured Thailand would be the place to go. Not only is the water AMAZING in Thailand, but the prices are fair and the courses and instructors are trustworthy.

Finding Your Scuba Diving Course:

There are two main options you can take to finding your scuba course, once you’ve identified what country you want to take it of course.

1. Research and sign up online.
   • I think research is a wonderful thing. It is a great way to get a feel for what a dive center might offer you, what are their qualifications and how did other people review them. Do some research online for sure but my advice: DO NOT BOOK ONLINE. Wait and go in person to get an idea of what the dive center is like in person and if you connect to the people.
2. Go to the Dive center and sign up on the spot.
   • I prefer this option because I feel I can get a better feel for the people working there and their styles.

REMEMBER: You are paying for this experience and it is a challenging and sometimes overwhelming one. You want to make sure that the people who are there to support you are people you actually like and connect with.

My Scuba Course:

When I arrived in Phuket, Thailand I knew I wanted to get certified I just didn’t know where yet. I asked my hostel about the best places to get certified. 

After talking to my hostel, I decided to go with Koh Phi Phi. Once of the best places and the cheapest to get certified is in Koh Tao, but unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to get there and take the course so my next best option was Koh Phi Phi.

I did some research online and found a couple of Dive Centers on the island that I thought might be a good fit. Once I arrived on the island I would go to each of them and get a feel for what they were like in person.

Getting to Koh Phi Phi:

To get to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket you can take a ferry that will cost around 350-400 baht. Koh Phi Phi is one of the National Parks of Thailand. Because of this, you have to pay 20 Baht to get onto the island then additional baht to go to surrounding dive spots. The money is used to keep the park clean and protect the marine life.

Interesting Fact: If you are a Leonardo Dicaprio fan, the movie The Beach was filmed on Phi Phi Ley, which is where I did most of my open water dives.

Blue View Divers:

After shopping around I decided to go with Blue View Divers for my certification. Like most of the Dive Centers on the island this Dive Center has certified PADI instructors and Dive Masters teaching the course and diving with you on your first four dives. However, in addition to their skills the center is also a Echo friendly Dive Center.

What Does This Mean?

This means that everyday after the Dive, the divers participate in a daily beach clean up. In addition the center tries to upcycle everything my making eco bricks and furniture, using reusable dishware on the boats and around the center, and organizing and running local events to teach the community about how to be more eco friendly, ways to protect the natural environment on the island and more.

In addition, the owner, manager and one of the dive instructors are all super powerful and strong women which I loved seeing. At the same time the other team members, two young guys, are nice and open minded and were both close to my age.

Overall, it was a great experience working with them and I would recommend diving with Blue View Divers any day. Click here to check out their website: http://www.blueviewdivers.com

The Course:

To get PADI certified you will need to set aside at least 3-4 days to complete all the requirements. It will cost roughly $400 USD. 

Day 1: Classroom Day: The first day is spent watching instructional videos and learning about diving. Then you go over the material with your dive instructor and then take some practice quizzes. You also have to take a 50 multiple choice Final Exam before the end of your course. I would recommend taking it the last day of your course. Once you start to apply what you learn in the classroom in the ocean you will understand how things work alot better.  

Day 2: Pool Instruction Followed by Your First Two Dives. The second day is divided into two parts. The first half of the day you are in the pool going over your equipment, basic skills such as breathing through your regulator, taking off your mask underwater, giving your buddy emergency air and alot more.

After the pool you have a mid day break to rest and eat some food before going out on the boat for your first two dives.

NOTE: Because Koh Phi Phi and Phi Phi Ley are Protected National Parks you will have to pay an additional 400 Baht to board the long tail boat the first day. Then 200 baht the second day.

Once in the ocean you do the same things you did in the pool. You practice your skills and then start exploring the reefs. It is AMAZING! You also have to take a float test which consists of a floating for 10 minutes in anyway you want.

Day 3: Pool Day Followed by Two More Dives. The third day is your last day and also is divided into pool and open water. In the morning you practice more skills in the pool and then take you final exam if you haven’t already. In my case, take it again because I failed the first time. Stupid test anxiety.

In the afternoon you head back to the ocean. In between dives you have to complete a 20 meter swim test. Then, once diving, you are in charge of your own air supply, time and nitrogen levels and everything else. Of course your instructor is always nearby just incase.

What We Saw:

I wish I had an underwater camera but I am not there yet. It is definitely on my list to get this year though. While diving we saw so many beautiful creatures and marine life. I missed it but my instructor even saw a Black Tip Shark. How cool is that!!!

I saw so many beautiful things.

Gorgeous coral, puffer fish, giant lobsters, sea cucumbers, sea slugs, a school of squid, sea turtles, sea snakes, lots of nemos and dorys, and so much more.

I can’t wait to go diving more! Next chance I get will be in Indonesia.

Comments/Questions:

Have you gone scuba diving before? What is your advice for a new diver?

Comment below to share your knowledge and stay tuned for a new post about managing your anxiety underwater.