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Discover the thrill of scuba diving in Phuket with this full-day beginner scuba diving experience at Racha Yai Island. Perfect for first-time divers, the trip includes two guided open-water dives, professional instructors, full diving equipment, boat transfers, meals, and hotel pickup from major Phuket areas.
Highlights
- Beginner-Friendly Scuba Diving in Phuket
- Explore Racha Yai’s Coral Reefs and Marine Life
- Two Open Water Dives with Professional Instructor
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Phuket Scuba Diving for Beginners – Full Day Racha Yai Island Dive Trip
Full description
Experience one of the best beginner scuba diving trips in Phuket with this full-day diving adventure to Racha Yai Island. This experience is designed for first-time divers and travelers who want to explore the underwater world of Thailand without needing a scuba certification.
Your day begins with convenient hotel pickup from major Phuket areas including Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala, Rawai, and Chalong. After arriving at Chalong Pier, you will board a dive boat heading toward the beautiful waters surrounding Racha Yai Island in the Andaman Sea.
During the journey, professional dive instructors will provide a safety briefing and basic scuba diving training. You will practice essential skills on the boat and at the surface before descending into the water for your first open-water dive.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Pickup
Pickup from hotels in Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai and nearby areas. Guests will be transferred to Chalong Pier where the dive boat departs.
Arrival & Boat Departure from Chalong Pier
Arrive at Chalong Pier, meet your professional dive instructor and board the dive boat heading to Racha Yai Island. Enjoy breakfast and a safety briefing during the boat journey.
Scuba Training
Learn basic scuba diving skills with a certified instructor. Practice breathing techniques, equipment usage, and safety procedures before entering the water.
Open Water Dive
Your first guided scuba dive at Racha Yai Island lasting approximately 45–50 minutes. Explore coral reefs, tropical fish, and beautiful marine life.
Lunch & Relax on Boat
Return to the boat to enjoy lunch, snacks, water, tea and coffee while relaxing on the deck and enjoying views of the Andaman Sea.
Second Open Water Dive
Complete your second open water dive with your instructor, continuing to explore the beautiful underwater world surrounding Racha Yai Island.
Return to Chalong Pier
The dive boat returns to Chalong Pier. After arrival, guests are transferred back to their hotels in Phuket.
Detailed Itinerary
Hotel Pickup and Transfer to Chalong Pier
Your adventure begins early in the morning with hotel pickup from major areas around Phuket including Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, Nai Harn, and Rawai. Pickup times vary depending on location, generally between 6:45 AM and 7:45 AM.
A comfortable transfer will take you to Chalong Pier, the main departure point for many diving trips in Phuket. Upon arrival, you will meet your dive instructors and the rest of your group before boarding the dive boat for the journey to Racha Yai Island.
Boat Departure and Dive Briefing
At approximately 8:00 AM, the dive boat departs from Chalong Pier and begins cruising toward the beautiful waters surrounding Racha Yai Island.
During the boat ride, professional dive instructors will conduct a comprehensive safety briefing and introduction to scuba diving. This session covers essential diving techniques, equipment usage, breathing methods, and underwater safety procedures.
Guests will also enjoy breakfast, snacks, tea, coffee, and refreshments while relaxing on the boat and enjoying scenic views of the Andaman Sea.
Beginner Scuba Diving Training
Before entering the water, participants will practice basic scuba diving skills either on the boat or at the surface under the supervision of certified dive instructors.
This training session is specifically designed for first-time divers, allowing guests to become comfortable with the equipment and breathing techniques before beginning their underwater adventure.
Your instructor will guide you step-by-step through the process, ensuring you feel confident and prepared before your first dive.
First Open Water Dive at Racha Yai Island
Once training is complete, it is time for your first open water dive.
The waters around Racha Yai Island are known for their excellent visibility, calm conditions, and vibrant marine ecosystems, making them one of the best diving locations near Phuket for beginners.
During this dive, which typically lasts 45–50 minutes, you will descend with your instructor to explore coral reefs and encounter tropical marine life such as colorful reef fish, coral formations, and other fascinating underwater creatures.
This dive provides an unforgettable introduction to the world of scuba diving.
Lunch Break and Relaxation on the Boat
After completing the first dive, guests return to the boat for a relaxing break.
A fresh lunch, snacks, drinking water, tea, and coffee are served onboard, giving you time to recharge while enjoying panoramic ocean views.
This break also allows divers to relax between dives and share their experiences with fellow travelers.
Second Guided Scuba Dive
Following the break, it is time for your second open water dive.
With your instructor guiding you every step of the way, you will once again descend into the crystal-clear waters surrounding Racha Yai Island. This second dive allows you to explore different areas of the reef and further experience the incredible underwater environment.
Many divers find this second dive even more enjoyable, as they feel more comfortable and confident underwater.
Return Journey to Phuket
After completing both dives, the boat begins the return journey to Phuket.
Guests can relax on the deck and enjoy the sea breeze while reflecting on the day’s adventure. The boat returns to Chalong Pier in the afternoon, typically between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM, depending on weather and sea conditions.
From the pier, hotel transfers will take guests back to their accommodations across Phuket.
A Perfect Introduction to Scuba Diving in Phuket
This full-day scuba diving experience at Racha Yai Island is ideal for travelers who want to try scuba diving in Phuket without needing prior certification.
With professional instructors, high-quality diving equipment, delicious onboard meals, and convenient hotel transfers included, this tour provides a safe, comfortable, and exciting introduction to the underwater world of Thailand’s Andaman Sea.
Whether you are a complete beginner or simply curious about scuba diving, this unforgettable experience offers the perfect opportunity to explore the beauty beneath the waves.
Includes
- Full scuba diving equipment (wetsuit, BCD, mask, regulator, fins)
- Professional certified scuba diving instructor
- Two open water scuba dives (45–50 minutes each)
- Boat trip to Racha Yai Island dive sites
- Breakfast onboard
- Lunch onboard
- Snacks and refreshments
- Drinking water, tea and coffee
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai and Chalong
- Scuba diving insurance
Excludes
- Souvenir photos (1000–1500 THB)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Hotel pickup outside Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai and Chalong areas
- Personal expenses
Important information
Meeting point
Chalong Pier Meeting Point 12 Sunrise Rd, Tambon Chalong, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
Never dived before and was honestly a bit scared but the instructor made me feel completley safe. We spent about an hour in shallow water learning the equipment and hand signals before going deeper. Racha Yai Island has incredibly clear water, visibility was maybe 20 meters, and the coral reef was teeming with fish. Saw a moray eel hiding in a rock which was terrifying and amazing at the same time. The boat ride to the island was beautiful too. Cannot believe I waited this long to try diving.
Absolutley magical experience. The full day trip to Racha Yai is worth it, the island is gorgeous with white sand and turquoise water. Did 2 dives, the first one was a training dive to about 8 meters and the second went to 12 meters where we saw so much marine life. Trigger fish, parrot fish, giant clams, and even a small reef shark in the distance! The dive instructor was PADI certified and very professional. Lunch on the boat between dives was good. Hands down the best day of our Phuket holiday.
Did a discover scuba diving day at Racha Yai and it was phenomenal. Water temperature was warm enough to dive in just a shorty wetsuit. The reef at the dive sites was healthy and colourful, much better than what you see snorkeling from the beach in Phuket. Two dives included and by the second one I felt really comfortable underwater. The dive team was very safety focused which gave me confidence. They provide everything including underwater camera for photos. Definitely doing my PADI cert now.
Great introduction to scuba diving. Racha Yai Island is about 45 minutes by speedboat from Phuket and the change in water quality is dramatic, so much clearer than the beaches near Patong. The dive instructor was patient and thorough with the safety briefing. First dive was a bit overwhelming honestly, its a strange sensation breathing underwater, but by the second dive I was relaxed and could really enjoy the fish and coral. Full day is tiring but totally worth it. Bring motion sickness pills if you need them.