How Your Phuket PADI Open Water Course Works
A Phuket PADI Open Water Course will be the highlight of your holiday in Thailand. Our warm tropical waters, abundant marine life, excellent facilities and experienced PADI professionals will make the experience a special one. Unlike most diving destinations around the world, Phuket offers great infrastructure, plenty of other things to do and all year diving.
PADI Open Water Course Day 1
It starts with a bright and early pick up between 07:00 – 07:40am depending on your hotel location. You’ll be transferred to our dive centre in Rawai where we have a large air-conditioned classrooms. After a meet and greet with your PADI instructor and some paperwork formalities, you’ll begin your theory.
You will complete a minimum of three sections which will consist of videos, knowledge reviews and quizzes. By late morning you’ll probably have had enough brain strain for one day and it’s time to go to the pool. The theory** on the Phuket PADI Open Water course is by no means difficult. Our instructors will definitely get you through it, it’s mostly centred around safety and common sense.
our comfortable classrooms in chalong
The pool is where the fun begins and you’re a few minutes away from taking your first breaths underwater. After a thorough briefing on your equipment and important safety checks it’s time to jump in. Don’t worry, we won’t literally chuck you in the deep end, you’ll start in water shallow enough to stand in so for this crucial first of five pool sessions you’ll be able to stand up and put your head above water if you’re feeling uncomfortable. Only when you’re ready will you move on to deeper water skills to prepare you for the excitement of the following day in the ocean.
pool training for a phuket padi open water course
If all goes well you should finish around 4pm but sometimes the pool sessions takes longer. Don’t worry, nobody’s judging you, diving just comes easier to some. Our instructors are infinitely patient and so will give you all the time you need.
**You can save a lot of time by completing elearning before your trip
Day 2
Time for the open ocean and to meet our fantastic marine life! Pick up time will be the same time but this time you’ll be taken directly to the boat pier. Your instructor will be waiting for you when you step out of the minibus and you’ll get the chance to meet the rest of our great team. A short bus ride down the 1km pier will get you to our own purpose built and very comfortable dive boat – MV Kepsub.
Our tour leader will gather all guests upstairs for a roll call, boat safety and orientation briefing. So once that’s done it’s time for a freshly cooked breakfast before the work begins. After being sufficiently food sated you’ll begin to set up your scuba diving equipment under the supervision of your Phuket diving instructor.
You’ll now be on the way to your first dive sites at Racha Noi or Racha Yai. On the way to the dive site you may watch any remaining videos and complete more quizzes. If you’ve already completed the theory then just relax and take in the view. Well before dive time your instructor will give you a thorough brief of dive safety protocol. Your instructor will clearly explain the skills you need to complete as well as dive site description and marine life so you’ll be fully prepared. All of the dives on the first day will be completed in clear, calm water down to a maximum depth of 12m.
racha noi a great place for your first open water dive
Basically it’s rinse, wash repeat for all 3 dives you’ll complete on this day. In between there be plenty of food so you definitely won’t go hungry and plenty of free flow water, tea and coffee to make sure you stay hydrated.
The Final Day
Depending on your course choice, its back to the Racha Islands or to the Phi Phi Islands. Either way you would have completed most of your skills by now and a fun relaxing day awaits. Again on the journey out you may complete more theory and your final exam. The first dive of the day should see you complete all aspects of your Phuket PADI Open Water course. So congratulations, you’re now a certified diver!
The final two dives will allow you to have fun, relax and so really enjoy our breathtaking underwater world. If you’re back at the Racha Islands you’ll be able to see a bit more of the dive sites down to a depth of 18m. The Phi Phi option will give you a chance to see turtles, sharks and huge schools of fish. After you finished the final dive, the journey back to the pier will be very satisfying. A sense of achievement, a wonderful experience, possibly partnered by a cold beer or whatever your poison.
We’re Flexible
Outlined above is a typical open water course in Phuket but everybody’s different. We have different options for our courses so if you want shorter two dive days or even beach dives, we’ll be happy to accommodate. Send an email to one of our experienced PADI staff to arrange the perfect course for you.
By Justin Hartrey
Posted in Scuba Diving For Beginners on .
