Phuket Dive Shops

[brianstern99]

I'll be in Phuket from Nov 20-26 on my honeymoon and very much looking forward to a little diving.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding which dive shops to go through? Any dives sites that are not to be missed?

My wife-to-be and I are both beginners (but do have a handful of dives logged and do want to be a little adventurous!).

Thanks!

 

[Babukins]

Hi Brian -

Congratulations!

I'll be in Phuket in less than 2 weeks. I've planned to dive with Sea Fun Divers, and they're conveniently located within the Katathani Beach Resort where I'm staying.

I'll let you know how my experience with them is

www.seafundivers.com

 

[Ringo]

Whereabouts will you be staying Brian? Makes sense to dive with a reputable operation conveniently located to your hotel.

Also Babukins - Seafun have a good reputation so I am sure that you will have a great time with them. You will literally roll out of your hotel room at the Kathathani into the dive shop.

Brian - good luck with the wedding plans!

 

[Traminer]

Sea Fun is very good.. nice crew, great boat. They also take you to Racha Yai, which isn't a common site.

There are a few dive club owners here on this board who run good dive operations. There is also an understanding amongst the dive shops to take bookings to various destinations depending on your dive dates. So really you could pick a dive site anytime and chances are there will be boats going there on that day.

 

[brianstern99]

Thanks for your help, everyone.

We will be staying at the Banyan Tree resort. Does anyone know if Babukens or Sea Fun is anywhere near by?

Best,
Brian

 

[Ringo]

Brian
The Banyan Tree Resort is located north of the island up at Cherng Thalay. Babukens will be staying further south in Kata Noi which is where Seafun is located about 40 minutes drive from your hotel.
For the daytrips most DC's on the southern part of Phuket will arrange transfers to and from but usually at an extra cost of around 500 baht per person. Although I am not sure what the DC's would charge (if any extra cost) more closely located around Cherng Thalay.

 

[thomjinx]

I had a great time with Phuket Scuba Club, in Kata Beach. Kevan and Chantal and their staff were great! No big groups, very personalized service and a perfect (for me, anyway) balance of a fun but professional atmosphere.

One or both of them is "Ringo" and they always post very helpful info without indulging in self-promotion. ....and I don't work for them, I'm just a satisfied customer.

Thomjinx

 

[Babukins]

Thanks everyone for the advice and I'm so relieved to hear that Sea Fun Divers is highly recommended. I've been emailing back and forth with Sabine from the Dive Shop and she's been great and very informative.

Thanks Brianstern for letting me tag onto your thread!

 

[brianstern99]

Are there any dive centers located a bit closer to Banyan Tree, around Cherng Thalay? I guess I'd rather avoid a 40 minute drive if there are other highly recommended options nearby

 

[Traminer]

Well you don't have much of a choice, Brian... the Banyan Tree is designed as a complete getaway package. So you can't really expect much of a buzz up there.

All of the dive shops discussed here should be happy to pick you up at your hotel and do that 45 min drive to the pier at the southen end of the island at Chalong Bay. Some of them may accept bookings on the phone and prior payment via credit card.