3 Fun Dives for Certified Diver Phi Phi islands &Shark Point

Three underwater sessions make this a full Phuket day. This trip pairs two sessions around Phi Phi Islands with a third at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai, depending on sea conditions. I like the small groups of only three or four people and the easy hotel transfers from much of Phuket. The main drawback is the long day, plus the extra 600-baht Phi Phi National Marine Park fee, payable in cash.

The large boat, full equipment, breakfast, lunch, fruit, snacks, and drinks make the $176 price easier to justify. I also like the calm, attentive guides, including names such as Dima, Wilana, Kob, Sam, Mon, and Julien, who have helped guests feel safe and notice small marine creatures. Still, you must be a certified scuba diver, and the schedule leaves no room for flying until at least 1 p.m. the following day.

Key points at a glance

• Three sessions of up to 50 minutes: You get two outings around Phi Phi and one at a nearby site selected for the day’s conditions.
• Small groups of three or four: This gives your guide room to adjust the pace and point out marine life.
• A full boat day, not just time underwater: Breakfast, lunch, fruit, drinks, coffee, tea, and snacks are included.
• Transfers cover much of Phuket: Pickup is included from Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, and selected areas of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong.
• The 600-baht park fee is extra: Bring cash, since the fee is usually collected aboard the boat at Phi Phi.
• Conditions may change the final site: The third stop can be Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai.

Why this three-session trip works well

This is a serious full-day outing for certified scuba divers, not a quick introduction for beginners. Each session lasts up to 50 minutes, or until your cylinder pressure reaches 50 bars. That gives you a useful amount of underwater time without making the day feel like a race from one site to the next.

The small-group setup is one of the strongest features. With only three or four people per guide, you are less likely to get lost in a large crowd. You can also expect more attention with equipment checks, buoyancy, navigation, and finding small creatures that are easy to miss.

I would pay particular attention to the guide assigned to your group. The staff names attached to especially strong experiences include Dima, Wilana, Kob, Sam, Mon, and Julien. The praise centers on calm supervision, helpful explanations, and good spotting skills. Wilana, in particular, was praised for finding camouflaged animals and creating underwater photos and videos.

The trip also works well for divers who dislike carrying their own logistics. Transfers, gear, meals, refreshments, and the boat schedule are handled for you. You still need to bring your certification and dive log, but the rest of the day is fairly straightforward.

Starting in Chalong and crossing toward Phi Phi

Pickup takes place from Chalong, Phuket, with the advertised transfer zone covering Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, and selected parts of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong. The ride to the dive center takes about 30 minutes by van. If you stay outside those areas, a private transfer may be arranged for an added cost.

Once aboard, the boat portion begins with breakfast, a safety briefing, and free time before the first session. The schedule allows about two and a half hours around Phi Phi for preparation, food, instructions, and getting settled. That may sound generous, but it matters when a boat is carrying equipment and multiple groups.

The boat is described as spacious and fully equipped, with seating in several areas, cabin space, and a sun deck. One useful detail from the experience reports is that you can move around during surface intervals instead of being stuck in one cramped corner. That makes a long day much easier, especially if you want shade after spending time in the water.

Breakfast is included before the first session. Lunch arrives after the first Phi Phi outing, followed by more food and drinks during the day. Fresh fruit, coffee, tea, local snacks, and soft refreshments help keep your energy up. The amount of food received positive attention, which is worth noting because three underwater sessions can leave you surprisingly hungry.

First and second sessions around Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi receives two of the three underwater sessions on the usual plan. The islands are the main reason to book this trip, offering dramatic coastal scenery above the surface and several established scuba sites below it.

You can expect a briefing before entering the water. Your guide will handle the group’s pace, and each session can last up to 50 minutes if your air supply allows. If your pressure reaches 50 bars first, the session ends sooner. That is standard practical planning, and it is better than chasing a fixed time when air use differs among participants.

The first Phi Phi session usually comes after breakfast and the safety talk. You then return to the boat for a break and lunch before the second session. This structure gives you a proper pause rather than forcing three outings back to back.

The second session is also around Phi Phi, although exact sites and conditions can change. Visibility is not guaranteed to be identical every day. One important point from the available experiences is that water clarity can vary among Thai sites and from one day to the next, so you should judge this as a conditions-based trip, not a promise of perfect visibility.

The reward is the chance to see a broad mix of marine life in a well-known island setting. One guide helped a group spot sharks and large numbers of fish. Another was praised for noticing camouflaged creatures that less attentive supervision might miss. You should expect the guide to make a real difference here, especially if you are unfamiliar with Phi Phi’s underwater sites.

Choosing between Shark Point, Anemone Reef, and Koh Doc Mai

The third session is selected from Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai. The final choice depends on weather, sea conditions, and the judgment of the tour leaders. That flexibility is a strength, since a good operator should choose the safest and most suitable site rather than follow a rigid plan.

Shark Point is listed on the usual route and appears in the day’s schedule after the second Phi Phi session. The boat allows about 80 minutes there for a surface break, coffee, tea, snacks, and food before the final entry. That pause is useful because it separates the last session from the earlier pair and gives you time to rest.

Anemone Reef and Koh Doc Mai serve as alternative sites when conditions or the day’s planning call for a different choice. You should not book this expecting a guaranteed named site every time. The trip is built around three quality sessions, with the final location chosen on the day.

This approach is also better for safety. Sea state, visibility, currents, and operating conditions can affect the best choice. A flexible plan gives the guides room to make a sensible call. I would see that as a positive, even if you have your heart set on one particular site.

What the 10-hour schedule feels like

The total day runs about 10 hours, including van transfers, boat time, three underwater sessions, surface breaks, meals, and the return journey. The schedule begins with pickup and ends with a van ride back to your accommodation area.

A typical flow looks like this:

• About 30 minutes by van to the starting point
• Breakfast, briefing, and preparation aboard the boat
• First Phi Phi session, up to 50 minutes
• Break and lunch
• Second Phi Phi session, up to 50 minutes
• Travel or rest period before the third site
• Coffee, tea, snacks, and food
• Final session at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai
• Refreshments and free time during the return
• About 30 minutes by van after reaching Phuket

This is not the right choice if you want a short, low-effort morning. It is a better fit if you want to make one day count and prefer three sessions over a rushed single outing.

The boat helps soften the long schedule. You can sit, eat, rest, use the sun deck, or spend time in the cabin between sessions. The food is not a minor extra here. Regular meals and snacks help you recover between entries and avoid spending the whole day waiting while hungry.

Guides, safety, and the small-group advantage

Safety is handled through briefings, full equipment, insurance, and close supervision. The instructors speak English, Thai, and Persian. You should still arrive ready to show your scuba certification and dive log.

The guide names associated with strong outings include Dima, Wilana, Kob, Sam, Mon, and Julien. Their roles go beyond leading the group. Good guidance means checking that you are comfortable, keeping the group together, helping you read the site, and showing you creatures you might swim past.

The small group limit of three or four is especially helpful for divers who are new to the area or a little rusty. You can ask questions without competing with a large crowd. If you want personal underwater attention, this setup is much more appealing than a large boat group.

Insurance is included for the trip. That adds peace of mind, but it does not remove the need to follow the medical and safety rules. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems. Children under 10 cannot join, and the activity is only for certified scuba divers.

Optional underwater photos and videos may be offered by staff on the boat. This service is separate from the main package and should be treated as an optional purchase, not as part of the included price. If you want your own images, bring a camera and confirm what is available before entering the water.

Is $176 a fair price?

At $176 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Phuket. The price becomes more reasonable when you count the three sessions, full equipment, insurance, transfers from covered areas, a large boat, breakfast, lunch, fruit, snacks, and drinks.

You are also paying for a small group, which has real value. A cheaper trip with a crowded group may give you less personal guidance and a less relaxed pace. Here, the guide can focus on just a few people, and the boat gives you room to rest between sessions.

Remember to add the 600-baht Phi Phi National Marine Park fee. It is not included in the advertised price and must be paid in cash. The fee is usually collected by marine park officials when the boat reaches Phi Phi, so keep the money accessible rather than buried in your luggage.

Transfers outside the complimentary zones may cost extra. If you are staying farther away, ask about the added transport charge before booking. The price is strongest for someone staying in the covered parts of Phuket and planning to use all three sessions.

What to pack and what to plan around

Bring your sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, camera, scuba certification, and dive log. A dry change of clothes may also be sensible, though it is not specifically listed among the required items.

The most important planning rule concerns air travel. You are not allowed to fly until at least 1 p.m. on the day after the trip, described as an 18-hour no-fly period. Do not schedule this outing immediately before a flight, even if the flight leaves late at night.

You should also be comfortable spending much of the day on a boat. The schedule includes breaks and food, but it remains a long saltwater day. Sun protection, hydration, and a willingness to rest between sessions will make a difference.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Phuket plans are still shifting, but the marine park fee and any extra transfer cost remain separate considerations.

Who should book this Phuket scuba trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to certified divers who want three sessions in one day and appreciate an organized package. It suits you if you are staying near the covered pickup zones, want Phi Phi as the main destination, and prefer a roomy boat with food and drinks included.

It is also a good match for divers who value personal guidance. The limited group size, experienced instructors, and repeated praise for guides such as Dima, Wilana, Kob, and Mon make this more appealing than a basic boat ride with little supervision.

I would hesitate if you are looking for a beginner lesson, a short outing, or a guaranteed visit to one exact site. The plan can change with conditions, and the day is long. You also need to budget for the 600-baht park fee and plan around the no-fly rule.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a full day of underwater exploration around Phi Phi, prefer small groups, and value having meals, equipment, transfers, and insurance arranged together. The strongest reasons are the three sessions, attentive guides, spacious boat, and unusually complete food service.

Skip it if you are not certified, have a flight the next day, or want a fixed itinerary with one guaranteed site. For the right diver, the $176 cost is fair, especially when you use all three sessions and stay within the included pickup area. Just bring cash for the marine park fee and expect the final site to depend on the sea.

FAQ

How many scuba sessions are included?

Three sessions are included. The usual plan has two around Phi Phi Islands and one at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai, depending on conditions.

How long does each session last?

Each session lasts up to 50 minutes or until your cylinder pressure reaches 50 bars, whichever comes first.

Is the experience suitable for beginners?

No. It is only for certified scuba divers, and you must bring your scuba certification and dive log.

What is the group size?

The group is limited to three or four participants per session.

Is hotel pickup included?

Return transfers are included from Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, and selected parts of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong. Pickup from other locations may cost extra.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, fresh fruit, snacks, coffee, tea, and other refreshments are served aboard the boat.

Is the Phi Phi National Marine Park fee included?

No. The current fee is 600 Thai Baht for each diver and must be paid in cash, usually when marine park officials visit the boat at Phi Phi.

Can I fly after the trip?

You must wait at least 18 hours before flying. The stated rule means you cannot fly until 1 p.m. on the day after the activity.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak English, Thai, and Persian.