Becoming OWD - Phuket Area

:)Awesome website so far.. Answered alot of my questions! You all seem very knowledgeable and informed.. I dig it!

So the lady and I are going to Thailand the first week of November, and we both want to do, at least, Open Water Diver certification.

We are going to be in Phuket for the first week, then off to Koh Lanta or Koh Jum - or somewhere we can relax.

What are some of your experiences with the dive shops around Phuket area? Should we just head to the Similan islands and spend the extra cash for a better dive site?

We are looking for price oriented shops, however, we do not want to question safety.


I also couldn't find any info on PADI's website regarding their star rating? What is 4 star padi as opposed to 5 star padi?

Any information for excited, first timers is much appreciated!!!

TIA

I suggest you get your PADI open-water certification in Phuket before getting on a boat to the Similan Islands. Best to do certification where there is a pool and calm shallow water, not the case at the Similan Islands.

Contact K. John at Siam Dive and Sail: easily found on google.

He is American, married to a Thai lady, and a dive agent. He can fix you up with PADI certification in Phuket AND arrange a trip to the Similan Islands for you. Tell him that "K. Fred" recommended him to you.

John can be reached at dive[at]siamdivers.com.

Happy diving...the Similan Islands are terrific.

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Originally Posted by bodaciousbob

We are looking for price oriented shops, however, we do not want to question safety.

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Would definitely advise against choosing an instructor based on price.May I suggest that you shop around to find an instructor that you find comfortable to be around,also check the state of the equipment you will be using.Without sounding racist, there are instructors of many different nationalities so pick one you can converse with confidently as there is a lot of theory work to get through.
Just be aware that you are making a very serious choice,while diving is one of best experiences you will ever have,you are at some stage putting your life in a strangers hands.
Next week,conditions permitting I will diving off Koh Tao and loving every minute of it.I sincerely hope you have the chance to have the same amount of fun.

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Hope you get some good weather as this is monsoon season on Tao and you could very well get rained out.

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Originally Posted by terry57

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Hope you get some good weather as this is monsoon season on Tao and you could very well get rained out.

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As Phuket is about as far away from Tao as you can get he should be OK :rolleyes: