PADI courses are offered at numerous diving schools on Phuket, Ko Samui, Ko Tao and Krabi. At least one dive school is offering combined PADI and BSAC certification. Dive Asia has recently become only the the second dive school in Asia Pacific certified as a PADI Career Development Center.Dive Training in Thailand
For beginners to 'Divemasters', instruction is cost effective and thorough. Most divemasters and instructors are westerners. And what better way to spend two week of winter in this tropical paradise.
Thailand Dive Courses
Before paying a deposit or reserving any diving services make sure you know:
- Are you doing business with the dive school/operator or a 'Dive Travel Agent' middleman?
- What all is included and what is not included in the fees.
- Your obligations if you cancel, or redress if the trip is cancelled for low attendance or bad weather.
See Dive Shops & Services for PADI training, day trips and liveaboards
Introduction Before laying out your hard-earned cash for a multi day course, a one day introduction may tell you what you like and don't like about the sport.
Open Water Diver A multi day course that certifies you to the first PADI level. Academic training is mixed with water training. Most courses include the PADI 'Open Water Diver Manual' and necessary diving equipment. A logbook as well as the PADI registration fee should also be included. Successful completion certifies you as an internationally recognized PADI Open Water Diver.
Advanced Open Water Diver A natural follow on that expands your knowledge of scuba diving. More theory in the classroom plus underwater navigation and deep dives. Some schools require three 'elective' dives such as multilevel, night dives, drift dives, photography, or search and recovery. Numerous options are normally available that include beach dives or liveaboard.
PADI Medic First Aid Course Is normally 1 day of training. It includes CPR and emergency routines and is requisite for the Rescue Diver Certification.
PADI Rescue Diver Course Teaches rescue skills as well as how to prevent problems and manage accidents. Basically, dealing with diving emergencies. Multi-day courses should involve classroom as well as water training.
Divemaster Requires developing your understanding and knowledge of dive theory, problem solving and control of diving activities. At least one school offers a condensed version that can be completed in nine days. PADI Rescue Diver certification plus 20 logged dives is required for beginning. PADI requires 60 logged dives for Divemaster certification, but if all courses are completed, the 60 dives can be completed anywhere in the world.
Nitrox & Rebreather Diver courses are available at a limited number of schools. They will include classroom training, swimming pool orientation and one or more dives with Nitrox or rebreather equipment.
Specialty Courses Photography, cavern diving, wreck diving and more are available.