Diving courses in Thailand - Padi Thailand
Learning how to scuba dive is possible year round in Thailand & there are numerous puts where you might gain PADI certification. NAUI & SSI certifications are as well available but rare.
If you are just beginning out, you might longing to try the easier diving off the east coast of Thailand, at Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Koh Samet or Koh Chang. More undergo divers will longing to go to the west coast & head for the Similan Islands, with jumping off points at Phuket & Khao Lak. Fortunately, high seasons for diving at each of the coasts is dissimilar, then you might approach to Thailand & live with top diving all year round. 
photo credit: Luiz Castro
Ko Tao is likely the most favourite put one of youthful backpackers to learn how to scuba dive. PADI Open Water classes are very affordable here, when are subsequent dives. In the recent, the dive sites around Koh Tao were expedient acknowledged for whale shark sightings, but these have been fewer each year when the underwater environs has been very poorly monitored, over-fished & over-dived.
With the affordable diving comes numerous issues that more experienced divers would not be willing to spot up with. There is no restriction on the calculate of dive boats on a dive site, & it is not unusual to net numerous dive boats on the same site at the same time – numerous boats releasing when numerous when 50 Open Water divers into the water simultaneously.
The dive sites surrounding Koh Tao are mostly shallow & without currents, making them suitable for beginners. The outrageous cost of dive courses extends into the higher levels, making this a excellent put to take PADI Advanced, Rescue Diver, Dive Master, Master Scuba Diver & Instructor courses when wonderful. Many people get in on Koh Tao to take an Open Water course & finalizes up staying until they become teachers. There are dozens of dive shops on Koh Tao, offering you a furor of choices.
It’s best to select very carefully to suit your needs & what you might afford. Not all dive teachers are created evenly, nor are all shops the same. Inquire into the background of the instructors, shape out the quality & maintenance of the rental gear & ask about the policy insurance of the shop should you have an fortuity & call for treatment in the hyperbaric chamber on the isle. 
photo credit: JennyHuang
The most favourite puts to take PADI Open Water courses on the west coast of Thailand are Phuket Town Town Town or Khao Lak. Earlier the 2004 tsunami, Khao Lak was a concentrated dive community much delight in Koh Tao. These days, it has built up once more & is full of dive stores. It is the closest point to the Similan Islands where you might take dive courses, & therefore preferably convenient.
Along with plenty of accommodation, stores, restaurants & amusement, the selection of dive shops in Khao Lak makes it a great put to take an Open Water line. You might take a speedboat daytrip or a liveaboard of 3 days or more to get to the best dive sites. It takes a bit longer to get to the Similans from Phuket; nevertheless, there is more to see & do in Phuket Town Town Town & unless you are a hardcore diver, you might like to terminate here. Phuket Town Town Town is as well surrounded by numerous other dive sites for daytrips, although these are mediocre in comparison to the Similans.
Experienced divers will likely only longing to dive at the Similan Islands, technically located in Phang Nga province. The 9 islands are located within a marine national park & have retained a pristine optical aspect. Above the water, the islands have the best, powdery white sands imaginable. Off the shores & into the deep are tidy waters filled with astonishing tropical marine life & bright corals. Even seasoned divers are impressed by the 40 to 50m visibility. The best route to consume the Similans is by liveaboard.
The most luxurious dive undergo might be had on a boat delight in the Sea Rover, operated by Fantasea Divers. You’ll barely have to fade at all, with a skilled crew tending to your dive gear & preparing gourmet meals & snacks. The company offers 8 to 10-day trips with private en-suite cabins to the Similans, Burma Banks & Mergui Archipelago.
If you’re on a tighter allot, it might be fun to try operators delight in Similan Diving Safaris & Ocean Dragon Dive Center, both located in Khao Lak. They both offer less high-priced 4-day dive trips.
Most liveaboard dive operators will offer an Open Water dive course on plank, with the paperwork done ahead of time; you should book before if you longing this choice. Hold in mind that numerous of the dive sites in the Similans are on the distant side the recreational limit of 40m & numerous have currents that are not suitable for modern divers, then you should be aware of your potentialities & dive with a able expert. As well imprint that the islands near during the green time of year (mid-June to August).
