Diving courses in Phuket

The Thai island of Phuket ranks among
  the world's top scuba diving destinations, but you won't want to go into the waters unprepared. Fortunately, high demand for diving instruction on the idyllic island has led to numerous dive courses opening up shop, tailored for those just starting out as well as experienced divers looking to enhance their skills in the Andaman Sea.

There are many reasons why Phuket is such a popular spot for diving, and they aren't just under the water. While relaxing on the beach can be enjoyable for a certain time, many holidaymakers are increasingly looking for ways to get more out of their holidays by doing something different, and exploring the strange new world beneath the surface of the ocean is about as 'different' as you can get.

Swimming amongst Phuket's diverse and abundant marine life is one of the major appeals of scuba diving, of course, but the island's spectacular underwater rock formations and magnificent coral reefs also give a sense of discovering another side to Phuket, known only to an elite few. Whether you're looking to head out on day excursions or you're hoping to earn your PADI or NAUI certification to become a qualified diver, Phuket is the place to do it.

Phuket dive courses are accessible by anyone, with the one proviso that you are a competent swimmer. The island has an excellent safety record that speaks wonders of the quality and care of its instructors and dive shops, some of which have been given the seal of approval by PADI.

If this will be your first time scuba diving, choose a basic course that will teach you the essentials of exploring the waters, before taking you to two supervised open ocean dives at destinations such as Ko Raja Island. Prices start at 4,600 baht, which includes equipment hire and lunch as well as the cost of the boat trip and instruction. It's certainly not an experience you'll forget in a hurry.

If you're looking for something more than just the basics or a refresher, you can find internationally recognised dive courses from just 12,500 baht, which, when completed, will give you the sought-after PADI Open Water Diver Certificate that means you can dive safely anywhere in the world. The courses take place over a number of days, incorporating theory and practice sessions to ensure you have an in-depth knowledge of diving before being left to explore the ocean at your leisure.

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