2 Days PADI Advanced Course from Phi Phi

The best classroom here is underwater. Blue View Divers’ two-day PADI Advanced course combines formal training with the reefs around Ko Phi Phi Don, and I like the small class limit of 10 and the clear focus on safety. I also like that the package includes PADI eLearning, equipment, lunch, a computer, and certification fees. The main drawback is the price, $417.93 per person, before the separate national park fee.

You will meet near Phi Phi Pier, train with experienced PADI professionals, and return to the same meeting point after each day. The course can include a descent to 30 metres, navigation work, underwater skills, and a night session, depending on the final plan. You need moderate fitness, and the operator does not recommend this course for people with asthma.

Key points to know before booking

• Two full days of PADI training: The course mixes online preparation, briefings, practical skills, and several underwater sessions.
• Small groups matter: A maximum of 10 people gives the instructor more room to watch your technique and answer questions.
• Ko Bida Nok and Ko Phi Phi Le: These sites provide the setting for training and marine life encounters around Phi Phi.
• Night session may be included: The course can feature a first night session, an especially memorable part of advanced certification.
• Strong instructor praise: Becca and Michael are singled out for calm, professional teaching and confidence-building support.
• Budget for the park charge: You pay 800 THB to the national park rangers for the two-day course.

What the two-day PADI course is really like

This is not simply a sightseeing outing with a certificate attached. It is a structured step beyond basic certification, designed to help you become more comfortable with depth, navigation, night conditions, and different underwater tasks.

Before the first morning, you meet your instructor to review the online learning chapters. That short preparation matters. It lets you ask questions before boarding the boat, rather than trying to understand new rules while everyone is waiting to leave.

Blue View Divers uses the official PADI online program, which keeps the theory portion organized. You can work through the material at your own pace before the practical sessions. I would not leave it until the last minute. The more familiar you are with the chapters, the more attention you can give to buoyancy, navigation, and the sea itself.

The operator describes its classes as small, with no more than 10 participants. That is a sensible limit for a skills course. You are not guaranteed a private instructor, but a group of this size should give the professional room to monitor each person and offer corrections.

The tone also appears to be reassuring rather than rushed. Becca receives repeated praise for making people feel safe, while Michael is highlighted for helping a student complete the advanced qualification. That matters if you feel uncertain about depth or have not used a particular skill in some time.

Day one: Ko Bida Nok and the first skills

The first morning begins near Phi Phi Pier, where you meet about 30 minutes before departure. Expect a briefing before heading out to Ko Bida Nok. The schedule lists roughly five hours for this day, so the pace is substantial but not an all-day marathon.

Ko Bida Nok is one of the course locations selected for both training and marine life. The exact skills assigned to this site can vary, but the first day is where the course begins to move beyond basic open-water routines. You may work on navigation, buoyancy, or another required PADI specialty, depending on your instructor and the final course plan.

The important point is that this is not a passive boat trip. Your instructor will explain the plan, review safety points, and watch how you handle each task underwater. The operator places strong emphasis on safe habits, which is useful when you are adding depth or new conditions to your experience.

You should also have time to enjoy the setting. Blue View Divers aims to choose sites that avoid the heaviest crowds when possible, and the team uses both longtail boats and larger boats for its local trips. The exact boat for your course is not specified, so you should ask at booking if transport style matters to you.

Marine life can be a pleasant bonus at Ko Bida Nok. The company highlights possible sightings of turtles, sharks, and other sea life, but these are never guaranteed. The better reason to choose the site is its mix of open-water training and the chance to see Phi Phi’s underwater environment while you work toward certification.

Lunch is included, along with coffee or tea at the centre. That makes the five-hour schedule easier to manage, especially if you prefer not to organize food between sessions. Scuba equipment and a computer are also supplied, so you do not need to bring a full personal kit.

Day two: Ko Phi Phi Le and a 30-metre descent

The second day is longer, listed at about eight hours. You again meet at the pier for a briefing before heading toward Ko Phi Phi Le. This is the more demanding day, with a planned maximum depth of 30 metres for the first underwater session.

At that depth, the instructor may have you compare how colors appear at different levels and complete related tasks. The course description also refers to bringing some depth-related equipment or material, though the exact exercise is not fully specified. Your instructor will explain the practical steps before you enter the water.

A 30-metre descent is a serious part of advanced certification. It is not something to treat as a casual photo opportunity. You should be ready to follow instructions closely, monitor your air, and pay attention to how your body and equipment respond. The value of having a computer supplied with the course is that you can track depth and time with the right instrument under professional supervision.

Ko Phi Phi Le gives the second day a scenic setting, but the course remains the priority. You are there to complete required training, not simply to tour the coast. Some participants may find the eight-hour schedule tiring, particularly if conditions are warm or the sea is unsettled.

That longer format can still be a good use of time. It allows the team to spread out the practical work instead of cramming every task into a short outing. If you want a relaxed holiday morning, this may not be the right activity. If you want to finish an advanced qualification during a short Phi Phi stay, the full day is useful.

The course can also include a night session. One participant described this as a first night underwater experience and found it memorable enough to want more. Night conditions change the way you use your light, communicate, and observe the marine world, so this part can add real value to the certification.

The provided schedule does not spell out every specialty or confirm the exact timing of the night session. Ask the centre to confirm which activities are included on your dates. This is especially important if a night session is the feature you most want.

Why the small-group approach is worth paying for

The headline price is $417.93 per person, which is not a budget activity. Still, the package includes several costs that can add up elsewhere:

• PADI eLearning and certification fees
• Full scuba equipment
• A dive computer
• Lunch
• Coffee or tea at the centre
• All listed fees and taxes
• Basic redemption-only insurance

You still pay the Phi Phi national park charge separately. For a two-day course, that fee is 800 THB, paid directly to the rangers. It is easy to overlook when comparing prices, so include it in your budget.

I see the value here in the professional structure rather than in the food or equipment alone. Small classes, an instructor-led plan, and a training pool at the centre can make the process less stressful. The centre also presents itself as an eco-focused operation, with lessons about respectful contact with coral and responsible underwater behavior.

That environmental approach is worth taking seriously. An advanced qualification should improve more than your ability to go deeper. It should also help you control your movement, avoid damaging coral, and understand how your choices affect the places you visit.

The price makes more sense for someone who wants certification, not just two recreational outings. If you already hold an advanced qualification and only want scenic sessions, a standard local trip may be a better match. If you need the PADI course itself, the included certification costs make the package easier to justify.

The instructors and the feel of the centre

The strongest praise goes to the staff. Becca is repeatedly described as professional, attentive, calm, and good at building confidence. Michael is also praised for guiding a student through the advanced course. Those details suggest an operation that takes teaching seriously rather than treating the course as a quick sale.

The centre is described as the longest-running longtail operator on Phi Phi, and it also offers larger-boat trips. It has a training pool and a view, which gives you a place to review skills before heading to sea. The operator also reports recognition from Lonely Planet, Google, and TripAdvisor, though the more useful point for you is the repeated emphasis on communication, equipment quality, and safety.

No instructor can control currents, visibility, or marine life. A friendly team can, however, make the difference between a course that feels tense and one that helps you grow. The comments about Becca and Michael suggest that Blue View’s staff are particularly good at keeping participants comfortable while still taking standards seriously.

The maximum group size is 10, but the actual number on your date may be smaller. Ask if you want to know the expected class size. A smaller group could be especially helpful if you are returning to scuba after a long break.

What to expect from the boat days

You begin and end at the Blue View Divers meeting point near Phi Phi Viewpoint Resort, at 107 Phi Phi Island, Ko Phi Phi. The activity ends back at that meeting point, so plan your accommodation and other plans around that return location.

You meet near the pier before each departure, with the first-day briefing starting about 30 minutes before leaving. Bring enough time to check your equipment and listen carefully. A course day is not the moment to arrive at the last second with breakfast still in hand.

The boat style is not fixed in the supplied details. Blue View uses longtail and larger boats, so conditions can vary. The company aims to avoid crowded sites, but Phi Phi is a popular destination and no operator can promise an empty reef.

Weather also affects the program. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The experience also needs a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

The standard cancellation rule is much stricter: your booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That makes travel insurance and a sensible schedule important. Do not place this course immediately before a flight or another fixed activity unless you have plenty of room for changes.

Who will get the most from this course

This experience suits you if you already have the basic certification needed for PADI Advanced training and want to build confidence in new conditions. It is particularly useful if you want a guided introduction to greater depth, navigation, and night conditions around Phi Phi.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The operator does not recommend the course for people with asthma, and you should discuss any health concern with a qualified medical professional before booking.

The course also fits people who value instruction over a loose recreational outing. Becca and Michael are praised for clear guidance, and the team’s safety-first approach should appeal if you want someone watching your technique closely.

It is less suitable if you want a short, cheap activity or if you dislike fixed schedules. Day two can last about eight hours, and the course requires online study before the practical work. You need to give it proper attention.

Final verdict: should you book Blue View Divers?

I would choose this course if your main goal is to complete PADI Advanced certification in Phi Phi with a professional team and a small-group format. The package includes the major course costs, equipment, lunch, and a computer, while the underwater locations offer a useful mix of training and marine life.

The best reasons to book are the repeated praise for Becca and Michael, the careful safety culture, and the possibility of a night session. The biggest cautions are the high price, the separate 800 THB park fee, the strict non-refundable policy, and the long second day.

Before paying, confirm the exact specialties, boat type, expected group size, and whether the night session is scheduled for your dates. If those details match what you want, Blue View Divers offers a serious and friendly route from basic certification to more capable scuba skills.

FAQ

How long does the PADI Advanced course take?

The course takes approximately two days. The first day is listed at about five hours, while the second day is listed at about eight hours.

Where does the course meet?

You meet at Blue View Divers near Phi Phi Viewpoint Resort, 107 Phi Phi Island, Ko Phi Phi, Krabi 81210, Thailand. You also return to this meeting point at the end.

Which locations are included?

The listed locations are Ko Bida Nok on day one and Ko Phi Phi Le on day two.

What is the maximum depth mentioned?

The first underwater session on day two reaches a maximum depth of 30 metres.

Is the national park fee included?

No. You pay the Phi Phi National Park charge directly to the rangers. The fee for the two-day course is 800 THB.

What does the price include?

The price includes taxes and fees, scuba equipment, lunch, PADI eLearning, certification fees, coffee or tea at the centre, basic redemption-only insurance, and a computer.

Can the booking be cancelled for a refund?

The experience is normally non-refundable and cannot be changed. If poor weather causes cancellation, or if the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.