Learning To Scuba Dive In Thailand

Discover Thailand, the premier destination for learning to scuba dive and diver training. From Phuket, Koh Tao, to Pattaya and more lets dive into the top-notch dive course experiences on offer!

Firstly, the simple fast answer is “Do your Open Water Diver Course”. PADI is the top dog in the dive industry, having more dive centers worldwide than any other dive organization. Thailand is the number one destination for diving tourism and learning to dive. Thailand is one of the world’s top scuba diving locations. This means you are guaranteed experienced, quality diver training and facilities where there are the most PADI certifications made per year in the world! When you learn to dive in Thailand, you can rest assured you’ll be taught the best diving techniques with the most up-to-date PADI training materials. It’s fun and easy to become a diver.

Choosing a Dive Area In Thailand

Learning to dive options can be split into three distinct areas: South, in places like Phuket, Koh Lipe, and Krabi; South East, Koh Tao and Ko Samui; and East of Bangkok at Pattaya or Koh Chang.

Where should I learn to dive in Thailand?

You will have an amazing experience wherever you choose, but here are some of the pros for each area and some of the trade-offs. Phuket, Koh Lipe, and Krabi: These areas are amongst the most famous places in Thailand. With easy access via Phuket Airport, you’ll find stunning beaches and landscapes surrounding you with many dive shop options nearby. The dive sites are numerous, and you are close to the Similan Islands (world-famous dive sites), although you are not likely to dive them as a beginner. You are more likely to do beach dives or short near-island dives. A stunning experience is guaranteed! The trade-off is that being the most popular, you can expect crowds during their season. The season also closes down for monsoon from May to October, and the price of both diving, food, and accommodation is higher than in other places in Thailand. Koh Tao and Ko Samui: These islands have been super famous since the movie “The Beach” was released (even though it was mostly filmed near Phuket in the famous Maya Bay). These two islands, especially Koh Tao, actually capture the experience of that film in real life. Offering pristine island conditions miles from anywhere in the middle of the Thai Gulf, Koh Tao is also one of the cheapest places to learn to dive on earth. The downside of this area is twofold: access and island costs. Getting to Koh Tao is not as easy as getting to Pattaya or Phuket. You can fly to Koh Samui from Pattaya and Phuket and then take a ferry to Koh Tao or take a sleeper bus to Surat Thani ferry port on the mainland from either. Depending on your time scale, this is a day’s travel extra each way, however you cut it. Also, in a similar fashion to Phuket and Koh Lipe, island prices come into play. The dive courses may be cheap, but everything else, not so much. I’m not gonna lie though, it is a beautiful place and can offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Finally, how about learning to dive in Koh Chang or Pattaya on the easy coast a few hours from Bangkok? Pattaya is a huge multinational seaside city offering both budget and luxury at the same time. There are 18 islands nearby and 5 shipwrecks. Koh Chang, which is a few more hours down the coast after Koh Samet island, is very much like Koh Tao, a true getaway Thailand island experience but with a few more amenities than Koh Tao. You’ll find both are easy to get to and offer an unforgettable experience.

Beginner Dive Course Options

As you browse the internet, you will see slogans like “Get Your PADI” and “The Way The World Learns to Dive”. These quotes directly refer to the Open Water Course.

What Is The Open Water Course?

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the world’s largest diver training organization. They certify more divers per year than any other scuba training organization and have more dive centres globally. The Open Water Course is the entry-level diver certification that will enable you to learn to dive and get your first scuba diving license.

Are there different Open Water Courses on offer?

Yes! Fundamentally each open water course will ultimately lead to you gaining a life long PADI diver qualification you can use anywhere in the world, however the experience will be different in each dive center or place. You may learn to dive from a boat (advised) or a beach You might be in a small group size or a bigger one You might choose a 3 or 4 day option with standard or extra training options.

Why Learn Scuba Diving With Scuba Adventures?

Unique Learn to dive package

We pioneered two course options which some other dive schools later adopted. These are the Learn to Dive Share The Adventure Packages and also The Deluxe Open Water course

Diver Safety

Besides the PADI safety standards being a priority during our PADI dive courses, our experience and knowledge also lend to increasing these safety aspects in all that we do.

Small Dive Groups

Share the adventure and learn to dive with a friend or just come along. Maximum of four students per class, but you might be the only one taking the course… so 1 on 1 lesson!

Personalized Diver Training

We take our time and train you at your own pace. Some diver training locations are busier than others, meaning the instructors, no matter how much they wish they could, simply can’t offer the same level of personal attention that we can.

Quality Dive Equipment

We use well-maintained Scubapro and Cressi dive equipment, which is well serviced/replaced every year.

Great Dive Instructors

Friendly and experienced only scrapes the surface of our dive team. Our instructors are renowned for making a learn-to-dive experience a fun and memorable one. Our mission is not just to help you learn to dive, but to initiate you into our scuba diving family!

Diver Training In Different Languages

Our main instructors are English and Thai, which means our instructors can speak British English, American English, Thai English, and English in just about any accent! If you can speak English but would prefer the Learn to Dive in Your Own Language for the tests and quizzes, no problem! We offer the PADI Open Water Course in 16 different languages via PADI e-Learning. Complete all your theories in your language and then come and learn to dive with us without worrying about language issues because underwater we all speak the same language!

Great Diving Location

Learn to dive in Pattaya, where you can be there in less than 90 minutes from Bangkok. With a ton of amazing hotels, restaurants, and activities, Pattaya is an amazing place to be, especially if you stay in the Pratumnak Hill Area, which is quiet, tranquil, and beautiful. It’s far enough away from central Pattaya Beach Road to escape, while you are still close enough to pop in if you want to. The Pattaya Islands offer some of the best diver training grounds in Thailand and are some of the dive sites in the world to see seahorses, Hawksbill sea turtles, and a variety of underwater critters!

Why Learn Scuba Diving In Pattaya?

Pattaya was the first home of scuba diving in Thailand. The very first PADI dive center registered was located just off Pattaya Beach way back in 1970! Since then, the scuba diving industry, PADI dive courses, and diver training have spread out far and wide to make Thailand diving one of the world’s most popular scuba diving destinations! Pattaya was the first major diving location in Thailand because of its location during the Vietnam war, and its dive sites were some of the best diver training grounds around. Pattaya became an infamous Thailand holiday destination in the years to follow due to its number of beer bars and ladies that once serviced the military R&R presence that was here in Pattaya. Nowadays, you can still find the remnants of old Pattaya in certain sois and the world-famous Walking Street. However, the city has long since grown up around these beer bar sois and gogo bar attractions to become a much more diverse experience and Thailand holiday destination.

What Can Pattaya Offer As a Diver Training Destination?

Pattaya is so much more than you have heard about or read! Come and experience it for yourself!

Closest, fastest dive destination from Bangkok.
Three major scuba diving areas ( Near and Far Islands and Samaesarn) with more than 18 islands nearby.
5 WW2 Era Shipwrecks and 2 Pinnacle Dive sites
Pattaya is home to hundreds of Hawksbill Sea Turtles
Pattaya Is Home To Tons of Seahorses
Pattaya hotels and resorts offer all budgets from 300 THB ($10) a night to 4000 THB ($120) a night.
Restaurants and cuisine from around the world, eat from only 40 THB ($1) or splash out on sunset first-class restaurants for a little more.
Three enormous mega shopping malls with cinemas, bowling, branded shops, and outlets.
Traditional tourist attractions such as temples, sanctuaries, and giant Buddha statues.
Famous Mega Malls, night markets and street cuisine to browse and experience.
World-class nightlife not just in the beer bars. Clubs, restaurants, and attractions are open all hours for exploration.
Three major international hospitals for extra safety and peace of mind.
Home of Pattaya Scuba Adventures, a PADI dive center unlike any other 😉

PADI Open Water Course In Pattaya Details

Overview: Learn the basics and get certified as a PADI Open Water Diver in 3 or 4 days.

The PADI Open Water Course certification is recognized worldwide not only for scuba diving in Pattaya but also allows you to dive independently (as a buddy pair) up to 18 meters deep anywhere in the world, for life!

The Open Water Course Is In Three Parts:

The Theory: With the classic 4-day option, you’ll spend a day with us watching videos and taking your quizzes and exams the classic way. To avoid this and cut your course to 3 days, complete e-learning and videos before the course. You will only need to take a quick test upon arrival and go straight to the water training if you completed the PADI e-learning before arrival.
Confined Water Dives: Learn basic scuba skills. You will complete this part in the pool. This is where we show you and teach you the basic scuba diving skills you need to learn to dive safely.
Open Water Dives: Use your skills and explore underwater. You will go diving in Pattaya for 4 scuba dives during the dive course. These training dives will allow you to reproduce what you have learned in the pool and to make sure you can dive safely. Afterward, if all goes well, you will be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver and can join any fun dive trips just like any other diver!

Open Water Course Price:

Start Any Day Courses

From ฿14,490 (Includes PADI eLearning, 3 Days Training, 1 pool day, and 2 boat days making four open water training dives, all equipment rental, and validation of your PADI dive card included). Keep a look out for deals, deluxe courses and low season pricing.
+1,990 for Premium e-Learning (Including fully integrated video learning and training videos, quizzes, and exams to complete BEFORE you arrive. Then 1 pool day and 2 boat days making four open water training dives, all equipment rental, and validation of your PADI dive card included).

We also offer a learn to dive buddy discount if you get your PADI with a friend and book together! Additionally, we offer an Open Water Deluxe Course with extra training dives and a speciality buoyancy class over 4 days/6 dives, making you a very good first-time diver indeed!

There are many scuba diving schools in Thailand and Pattaya, but choose Pattaya Scuba Adventures if you are looking for not only a personalized, professional experience but also a friendly, relaxed, fun one. We enjoy meeting new people and love sharing our local Pattaya diving and local area experience. Read our reviews on Facebook or check out TripAdvisor and see how our amazing team loves to take care of you to make your Thailand diving experience extra special!

Get Your PADI Diver Training at Pattaya Scuba