Phi Phi’s best-known scenery is above the water, but this half-day program gives you a look at the island from below it. With a PADI instructor beside you, you’ll learn the basics, then visit two reef sites where you may spot turtles, schools of fish, coral, or other marine life. No prior scuba knowledge is required.
I like two things in particular: the small advertised instructor ratio of two divers per instructor makes this a more personal introduction, and the two-session format gives you time to get used to breathing underwater before your second outing. Lunch is included, too, so you are not left to sort out a meal between sessions.
One important catch: this trip starts and ends on Koh Phi Phi Don, not Phuket or Krabi, and the preparation is not optional. You need to contact Blue View Divers by 6 pm the day before, complete the medical pre-check and PADI online learning, and allow at least 18 hours after the program before flying.
- At a glance
- Two reef visits, with a lesson in between
- What the half-day schedule looks like
- The instruction matters more than the fish
- What the price covers, and what it does not
- Getting to Blue View Divers and being ready
- Is this the right first scuba experience?
- FAQ
- Do I need scuba experience before booking?
- Where does the trip start and finish?
- How long is the program?
- How deep will I go?
- What is included in the price?
- How much is the national park fee?
- What should I do after booking?
- Can children join?
- How long should I wait before flying?
- The Best Of Krabi!
- More Tours in Krabi
- More Tour Reviews in Krabi
- Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Krabi we have reviewed
At a glance
- Two sessions, maximum depth 12 meters: This is a beginner program, not a certification course.
- Two divers per instructor: The advertised ratio is a useful safety and comfort detail for first-timers.
- Morning or afternoon start: Meet about 30 minutes before the 7:30 am or 1 pm boat departure.
- Lunch between sessions: Meals, drinks, refreshments, and equipment are included.
- Extra costs: The Phi Phi National Park fee is THB 600 per person; underwater photos are optional at THB 3,000 for two people.
- Prepare the day before: Contact the centre for medical screening, sizing, and PADI eLearning by 6 pm.
👉 See our pick of the 13 Best Workshops And Classes In Krabi
Two reef visits, with a lesson in between
This is a half-day introduction to scuba, run by Blue View Divers from Koh Phi Phi Don. You meet your instructor, learn basic equipment use and underwater signals, and then head by boat to two sites around the Phi Phi Islands. The maximum depth is 12 meters, and a PADI-certified instructor guides you throughout.
The first session is often where the lesson becomes real. You are no longer just hearing how to clear a mask or breathe through a regulator; you are practicing those skills in the water. Some people find that first step unnerving, and that is normal. The point of a beginner program is to take things at a manageable pace, with your instructor close by.
The second session gives you another chance to settle in and pay attention to the marine life. People have seen turtles, small sharks, giant clams, schools of fish, and coral. Sightings are never guaranteed, and visibility can change. One person may come away talking about a turtle, while another may remember the calm of breathing underwater or the first time a school of fish passes close.
That variety is part of the appeal. You do not need to be an experienced swimmer or have previous scuba training to take part, according to the program details, but you should be comfortable with the medical requirements and ready to follow your instructor’s directions. If the idea of being underwater makes you anxious, tell the operator before the day rather than hoping the nerves will vanish at the pier.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Krabi.
What the half-day schedule looks like
The morning option has an early start. Meet at about 7 am, then leave for the sites at 7:30 am. The boat ride is listed at roughly 30 minutes. The first underwater session follows, with a lunch break before the second. The morning boat is due back around 11:30 am, though the schedule can shift with weather and local conditions.
The afternoon option follows a similar rhythm, with a 12:30 pm meeting and a 1 pm departure. The listed return is around 5:30 pm. If you arrive on Phi Phi on the same day as an afternoon program, the operator advises taking the first ferry. In practice, staying on the island the night before gives you more breathing room and avoids turning your morning into a race against boat schedules.
The program’s timetable gives approximate times, not a promise that each session will last a fixed number of minutes. Conditions, comfort, and how the group progresses all matter. Past participants have described a first session used mainly for practice, while the second allowed more time to explore. If you are booking because you expect two long stretches underwater, ask the centre what duration to expect for your date.
Lunch and refreshments are included, and vegetarian food is available if you state your preference at checkout. If you are prone to seasickness, consider how you usually manage boat rides; the program takes place on the water, and the ride to the sites is part of the day.
The instruction matters more than the fish
For a first scuba experience, the instructor can make the difference between a memorable outing and a stressful one. Blue View Divers advertises a maximum of two divers per instructor, and the program includes PADI-certified professionals rather than trainees. Past participants have praised patient instruction from staff including Daow, Anha, Becca, and Giorgi. These names are examples, not a way to request or guarantee a particular instructor.
Feedback about instructor manner has not been uniformly positive. There has also been a complaint about an instructor being impatient with a nervous beginner, while other participants describe instructors calming them and building confidence. That contrast is worth taking seriously: confidence underwater is personal, and the same teaching style will not suit everyone.
If you are nervous, say so clearly when you contact the centre. Ask how the first session is structured and whether there is time for practice before heading to the reef. The operator also notes that extra in-pool training may involve an additional charge, so clarify any proposed cost before agreeing to it. A calm, clear conversation before the trip is better than trying to negotiate while you are already suited up.
The centre’s PADI 5-Star Eco status and stated focus on sustainability are relevant beyond a badge. You are asked not to feed marine animals or damage the reef. Follow your instructor’s guidance, keep your hands off coral, and treat wildlife as something to observe rather than chase. Responsible behavior helps protect the very places you have come to see.
What the price covers, and what it does not
The stated starting price is $127.45, while the morning package information also gives a starting figure of US$115.89. Prices can vary by date or booking conditions, so check the amount shown for your selected time before paying.
The package includes a PADI-certified instructor, equipment, basic diving insurance, two sessions to a maximum depth of 12 meters, PADI eLearning, lunch, and refreshments. Guide languages listed include English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Italian, with Thai-speaking staff. Language requests depend on availability, so confirm your preferred language with the centre.
The largest stated extra cost is the Phi Phi National Park fee of THB 600 per person. Underwater photography is listed at THB 3,000 for two people and is not included. If photos matter to you, confirm what the service covers and how the images will be delivered before paying. A past participant reported being disappointed with the number of photos captured, so it is sensible to set expectations instead of treating the extra as a guaranteed highlight.
Basic insurance is included, but it may not replace your own travel policy. The operator says you can buy a European policy for THB 300 per person per day, paid in cash, if your travel insurance does not cover scuba. Check your policy’s wording before the trip, especially if you have specific coverage needs.
For the price, the value depends on what you want. This is not simply a boat ride with a swim stop: instruction, gear, two sessions, food, and a small instructor ratio are included. But the national park fee and optional photos add to the total, and the trip requires an overnight stay on Phi Phi if you are coming from Phuket or Krabi. Factor in that lodging and transfer cost when comparing it with other activities.
Getting to Blue View Divers and being ready
The dive centre is at Blue View Divers, 107 Moo 7, Phi Phi Island. From Tonsai Pier, allow about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. The route goes into the main village and past Phi Phi Casita Resort and the Tsunami building, then over a small bridge near Sunflower toward Viewpoint Resort. Ask at Sunflower Bar or the Tsunami building if you need help finding the way.
The centre is outside the main pier area, and the booking itself does not complete every required step. Contact Blue View Divers by WhatsApp or email as soon as you book, and no later than 6 pm on the day before your program. You need to provide information for sizing, medical screening, and PADI eLearning registration, as well as your voucher. The operator says that failing to check in can leave you unprepared and unable to join.
Read the RSTC medical form before booking. You must tell the operator if you answer yes to any question; medical clearance from a physician may be required, and people with certain conditions may not be allowed to participate. The experience is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, asthma, or other serious medical conditions. Pregnant women cannot join. Participants must be at least 10 years old, and passport details are required for insurance.
Plan your flights around the water time. You cannot fly for 18 hours after the program. That rule can shape your whole Phi Phi schedule, so do not book a late-day flight soon after a morning outing.
Is this the right first scuba experience?
This program suits curious beginners who want more than a quick look through a snorkel mask, but do not yet want to commit to a certification course. It is also a good fit for couples, families with eligible children, friends, and solo visitors who can stay on Phi Phi and handle the advance preparation.
The strongest reasons to book are the two-session format, the advertised two-to-one instructor ratio, and the chance to see Phi Phi’s underwater life with a professional guide. The main reasons to pause are the additional park fee, the need to arrange the trip from Phi Phi Don, and the fact that instructor style and underwater visibility can vary.
I would book if you can spend the night before on Phi Phi, meet the medical requirements, and are willing to contact the centre promptly. If you are especially nervous, ask about the first-session routine and any extra pool-training charge before you commit. And if your schedule is tight, build in the 18-hour no-fly interval and avoid treating the published times as exact.
From Phi Phi: Discover Scuba Diving (2 Dives)
“Extremely satisfied! For my first real scuba diving experience, I chose the PADI 5-star certified Blue View Divers, and it was a wonderful experien…”
FAQ
Do I need scuba experience before booking?
No. The program is designed for beginners, and no basic diving knowledge is required. PADI online learning and instruction are included, but you must complete the preparation steps with the centre before the activity.
Where does the trip start and finish?
It starts and returns to Koh Phi Phi Don, with the return point at Tonsai Pier. It does not depart from Phuket or Krabi.
How long is the program?
It is listed as a half-day program of about five hours. The morning option is due back around 11:30 am, and the afternoon option around 5:30 pm. Weather and other conditions can change the schedule.
How deep will I go?
The two scuba sessions have a maximum depth of 12 meters.
What is included in the price?
The package includes a PADI-certified instructor, equipment, two scuba sessions, basic diving insurance, PADI eLearning, lunch, and refreshments. The Phi Phi National Park fee and optional photography are not included.
How much is the national park fee?
The stated fee is THB 600 per person. It is paid separately from the package price.
What should I do after booking?
Contact Blue View Divers by WhatsApp or email as soon as possible, and no later than 6 pm the day before. You need to complete the medical pre-check, equipment sizing, and PADI eLearning registration, and provide your voucher.
Can children join?
Participants must be at least 10 years old. The information provided does not specify additional child-specific conditions, so confirm details with the centre before booking.
How long should I wait before flying?
You cannot fly for 18 hours after the program. Plan your onward flight accordingly.
