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

Phi Phi’s limestone islands are only part of the story here. You get two underwater sessions around Phi Phi, then a third at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai, chosen according to sea and visibility conditions. The small underwater groups, limited to three or four people, make it easier to stay close to your instructor and notice small marine life.

I like the full-service boat setup, with breakfast, lunch, fruit, snacks, and drinks included. I also like the practical hotel transfers from much of Phuket, so you do not need to arrange your own early-morning ride to the marina. Guides such as Julien, Dima, Wilana, Kob, and Sam have been praised for calm supervision, clear explanations, and excellent creature spotting.

The main consideration is the long day, roughly 10 hours from pickup to return. You must also bring 600 Thai Baht in cash for the Phi Phi National Marine Park fee, and the exact third site can change with conditions. Visibility around Phi Phi is not always as clear as at Racha Noi, so this is best for divers who value variety and convenience over a guaranteed single-site plan.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Phi Phi sessions plus one nearby reef: The third stop may be Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai, depending on conditions.
• Small underwater groups: Each session is limited to three or four participants, with an instructor close by.
• Up to 50 minutes underwater: You return sooner if your cylinder reaches 50 bars.
• Food is built into the day: Breakfast, lunch, fruit, snacks, coffee, tea, and soft refreshments are served aboard.
• Selected Phuket pickup included: Transfers cover Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, and parts of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong.
• Bring cash for the park fee: Phi Phi charges 600 Thai Baht per diver, paid directly to marine park police.

Three underwater sessions, three different moods

This is a full-day boat trip for certified scuba divers, not a quick shore outing. The plan gives you three sessions, each lasting up to 50 minutes or until your cylinder pressure reaches 50 bars.

The first two sessions normally take place around Phi Phi. That gives you enough time to see more than one section of the island group and compare conditions during the day. The third session is usually planned at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai, but the final choice belongs to the tour leaders.

That flexibility matters in Phuket. Sea conditions, visibility, currents, and traffic at the sites can change. A fixed promise of one exact reef sounds tidy, but it can force a boat into poor conditions. Here, the staff can choose the site that makes the most sense that day.

You should also understand the group format. The boat may carry more people than your personal underwater group, but each session is limited to three or four participants with an instructor. That is useful if you want guidance without being placed in a large cluster of divers.

The early pickup and ride to the boat

Pickup is offered from Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, and selected areas of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong. The stated road transfer takes about 30 minutes, though your actual morning may depend on your hotel location and other pickups.

If you stay outside the free pickup area, a private transfer can be arranged at cost. Check this before booking, since an apparently good price can rise once you add a longer transfer.

The day begins at the dive center and continues by van to the boat. The boat ride is part of the trip, not just a way to reach the reef. You have time to settle your equipment, listen to the safety briefing, eat breakfast, and get ready without rushing into the first session.

I consider this a strong choice for visitors who want the practical side handled for them. You do not need to source tanks, hire a taxi to the marina, or pack meals for a long day at sea. You still need to bring your certification card and logbook, since this trip is only for certified scuba divers.

What the large boat adds to the day

The boat is described as spacious and fully equipped, with seating in several areas, cabin space, and an upper sun deck. That gives you options between sessions. You can sit in the shade, find a sunny spot, or rest inside while the crew prepares the next stage.

This matters more than it might seem. Three underwater sessions, boat travel, sun, and early transport can wear you down. A cramped speedboat would make the surface breaks less pleasant. Here, the extra room gives you a place to eat, dry off, and recover.

Breakfast is served before the first session, followed by lunch during the midday break. Fruit, snacks, coffee, tea, and other refreshments are also available. Several people have specifically praised the amount and freshness of the food, which is useful information for anyone who tends to get hungry after using up energy underwater.

You should still bring water if you prefer a particular drink, but refreshments are part of the package. A towel is not listed among the included items, so pack your own.

Phi Phi: two sessions with a useful pause

After the safety briefing and breakfast, the boat reaches Phi Phi for the first underwater session. You get up to 50 minutes below the surface, assuming your air supply allows it. The session ends when the cylinder reaches 50 bars, even if the clock has not reached the full limit.

Phi Phi is the scenic centerpiece of the day, with steep island walls and well-known marine sites. The package is not simply a sightseeing cruise past the islands. Your time is focused on the underwater side, with the instructor helping you stay oriented and notice marine life.

After the first session, you return to the boat for a break and lunch. This is a sensible rhythm. You are not expected to climb out of the water and immediately repeat the process. The hour-long pause gives you time to eat, rest, and prepare for the second session.

The second Phi Phi session follows the same limit of 50 minutes. Having two sessions in the same island group increases your chances of seeing different conditions and marine life. It also gives you a second chance to settle in if the first session is your first time diving in Thailand.

Visibility is the variable to keep in mind. One person who had hoped to visit Phi Phi was advised to choose Racha Noi instead and found the clearer water there more impressive. That does not make Phi Phi a poor choice. It means you should treat conditions as part of the decision, not expect identical visibility every day.

Choosing the third site near Shark Point

After the second Phi Phi session, the boat pauses for about 80 minutes before the final underwater session. Coffee, tea, local snacks, and another meal are available during this break.

The third site is generally Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai. The name of the package points toward Shark Point, but you should not assume it is guaranteed. The staff choose among these sites based on the day’s conditions.

That is a sensible arrangement for certified divers who would rather have a good site than a rigid schedule. Shark Point and Anemone Reef offer a different setting from Phi Phi, while Koh Doc Mai can add variety to the day. The exact underwater scenery depends on the selected site and current conditions.

One person described seeing sharks and a wide range of fish with instructor Dima. That is encouraging, but shark sightings are never something you should treat as a promise. Go for the range of reef life and the quality of the guided session, not one specific animal.

The final session lasts up to 50 minutes. Afterward, the boat heads back toward Phuket, with coffee, tea, snacks, and free time before the van ride back to the pickup area.

The instructors make the biggest difference

The most useful part of this trip may be the instructor-to-diver ratio. With only three or four people in an underwater group, your guide can watch your air use, pace, position, and comfort more closely than on a large group outing.

Names that appear in the feedback include Julien, Dima, Wilana, Kob, Sam, and Mon. Their strengths vary, but the pattern is clear: visitors valued calm guidance, safety, patience, and a sharp eye for marine life.

Wilana was especially praised for spotting camouflaged creatures and finding animals that were easy to miss. Kob was credited with keeping a private group together and taking good photos. Dima was praised for showing unusual sights and helping the group move away from crowded areas underwater.

Optional photos and videos may be offered by the staff on the boat. This service is separate from the tour company and costs extra if you choose it. If underwater pictures matter to you, ask about the price and who operates the camera before the session begins.

The real value of the $176 price

At $176 per person, this is not the cheapest way to enter the water around Phuket. You are paying for a full 10-hour day with three sessions, a large boat, equipment, an instructor, insurance, selected hotel transfers, and several meals.

The price makes more sense if you would otherwise need to arrange each part separately. Equipment rental, transport, food, a boat seat, and an instructor can quickly add up. The included meals are particularly useful because buying food at sea is not always easy.

The small underwater groups also matter. A lower-priced trip with a larger group may give you less personal attention and more time waiting for others. Here, the value is less about luxury and more about reducing the number of details you need to manage.

You still have two extra costs to plan for. The Phi Phi National Marine Park fee is 600 Thai Baht per diver, paid in cash directly to marine park police when they visit the boat. Pickup outside the listed areas may also cost more.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for a certified diver who wants three sessions in one day and prefers a managed outing over arranging a private boat. It suits divers who appreciate an instructor nearby, full equipment, prepared meals, and a flexible choice of sites.

It is also a good fit if you are returning to scuba after some time away and would like a calm guide beside you. The small groups can make the day less stressful, especially if you want help with local conditions or marine-life spotting.

This is not for beginners without certification. It is also unsuitable for children under 10, pregnant women, and people with back or heart problems.

The schedule may feel long if you dislike boat days or have trouble with repeated sessions. You also need to respect the flight rule: do not fly until at least 1 PM the day after the trip, meaning an 18-hour gap after diving. Plan this before booking, especially if you have a tight Phuket departure schedule.

What to pack and how to prepare

Bring your sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, diving certification, and dive log. Your certification and logbook are not optional details. They help the staff confirm that this certified-diver trip is suitable for you.

Eat normally before pickup, but do not arrive dehydrated. The boat provides breakfast and later meals, so you do not need to carry a full day of food.

Pack cash for the 600 Thai Baht park fee. Also keep valuables to a minimum, since you will spend much of the day moving between the van, boat, and water.

The operator provides full scuba equipment and scuba insurance. That removes two major planning tasks, but you should still tell the instructor about your recent experience, comfort level, and any concern before the first session.

Should you book this Phuket scuba trip?

Book it if you want three well-supported sessions, a spacious boat, included food, and a small underwater group. The strongest reasons are the patient guides, the flexible third site, and the fact that transport and equipment are handled for you.

Think twice if your priority is crystal-clear water at one guaranteed reef, since Phi Phi visibility can vary and the third site depends on conditions. You also need to accept a long day, an extra park fee, and the 18-hour no-fly rule.

For a certified diver staying in the included pickup areas, $176 is a fair package price. I would book it for convenience, attentive instruction, and the chance to see three different underwater settings in one day. I would not book it solely for a guaranteed shark sighting or a fixed Phi Phi-only plan.

FAQ

Is this activity suitable for beginner scuba divers?

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

How many underwater sessions are included?

Three sessions are included. Two are usually around Phi Phi, and the third is usually at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Doc Mai.

How long does each session last?

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

Where is pickup included?

Complimentary return transfers are available from Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, and selected areas of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong. Other locations may require an additional charge.

Is food included on the boat?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, fruit, snacks, coffee, tea, and other refreshments are included.

How much is the Phi Phi National Marine Park fee?

The fee is currently 600 Thai Baht per diver. You must pay it in cash directly to the marine park police when they visit the boat.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, Thai, and Persian.

When can I fly after the activity?

You must wait at least 18 hours before flying. The stated rule means you cannot fly until at least 1 PM on the day after the scuba sessions.