From Phi Phi: Beginner Scuba Diving Day Trip with 2 Dives

The most appealing part of this Phi Phi trip is the chance to try scuba in warm, clear water with no more than two participants in a group. I like the calm, careful setup, plus the chance to see hawksbill turtles, blacktip reef sharks, Nemo fish, snappers, and large schools of reef fish around Phi Phi Leh. A second plus is the proper lunch and fresh fruit served on the boat between sessions. The main catch is the extra paperwork: you must contact the centre before arriving, and the 600 THB National Park fee is not included.

You also get two underwater sessions rather than a quick trial near shore. That gives you time to settle your breathing, practice basic skills, and enjoy a second reef after lunch. Instructor José has been especially helpful for Portuguese and Spanish speakers, while Michael is also named as a professional member of the team. Just remember that the experience reaches only 12 metres and the reef life can vary with weather, season, and recent sightings.

Key things to know before booking

• Two reef sessions around Phi Phi Leh: You spend about an hour underwater on each session, with a maximum depth of 12 metres.
• Small instruction groups: The activity is limited to two participants, useful if you want close guidance during your first underwater experience.
• Lunch on the boat: A Thai lunch, fresh fruit, water, tea, and coffee are supplied between sessions.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: You learn basic theory online, then practice breathing, swimming, and simple skills with a PADI instructor.
• Extra costs and rules: Bring 600 THB for the National Park fee, and do not schedule a flight within 24 hours after scuba activity.
• Timing choices: Morning departures can fit onward travel to Phuket or Krabi, while afternoon trips return in time for sunset drinks.

A beginner’s first look beneath Phi Phi’s reefs

This is not a sightseeing boat ride with a brief swim tacked on. You receive a proper introduction to scuba, including online theory, a briefing, equipment, and guided practice in shallow water before moving along the reef.

From Phi Phi Don, the boat ride to the sites takes about 20 to 30 minutes. That short crossing matters. You spend less time in transit and more time around the limestone islands, with the dramatic scenery of Phi Phi Leh close at hand.

The usual sites are around the Bida Islands or Phi Phi Leh, but the exact locations change. The crew chooses according to weather, time of year, sea conditions, and recent animal sightings. That flexibility is sensible, though it means nobody can promise a particular turtle, shark, or fish encounter.

Your first session begins with basic exercises just below the surface. You practice breathing, swimming, and a few simple skills while using a descent line. Once you feel ready, the instructor guides you onto the shallow reef.

The maximum depth is 12 metres. For a first scuba experience, that is a reasonable limit. You can see the reef from close range without being taken into the deeper water used by qualified advanced participants.

The online preparation and check-in matter

The online PADI eLearning course is required before the activity. It covers the basic theory you need, and it gives you a chance to think through the equipment and skills before you arrive at the boat.

Do not leave the administrative work until the morning of the trip. You must contact Blue View Divers through WhatsApp a few days before arrival, then complete the required forms, waivers, and medical pre-checks. You should check in one day before the activity, by 5pm.

You can visit the Blue View Divers centre overlooking Loh Dalum Bay, or complete the check-in remotely through messages. Either way, include a working WhatsApp number with your booking. If you fail to complete the required paperwork in time, you can miss the activity without receiving your money back for that day.

The meeting point may be Phi Phi Pier or Blue View Divers, depending on the option you book. You meet about 30 minutes before departure near the pier, pay the National Park fee, and receive the final briefing.

What the first one-hour session feels like

The first session is about getting comfortable. You may begin by breathing through the regulator near the surface, then practice moving and handling basic skills with your instructor close by.

That one-on-one feel is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. With a group limit of two, the instructor can watch your breathing and body position closely. If you are anxious, you can slow down and ask for help without feeling lost in a large group.

José has been particularly useful for Portuguese and Spanish speakers, since he can explain technical points in those languages as well as English. Michael is also named as part of the professional team. The centre offers instruction in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai.

The aim is not to rush you down to the reef. You descend when you are ready, then explore the shallow coral area with the instructor. You might see hawksbill turtles, blacktip reef sharks, clownfish, snappers, and many small reef fish. The word might matters here. Sightings depend on nature, not a fixed schedule.

One practical point: a blacktip reef shark may sound alarming to a first-time participant, but the description of this activity identifies them as harmless. Even so, your instructor remains responsible for managing the group and choosing suitable sites.

Lunch, fresh fruit, and a second session

After the first underwater session, you return to the boat for about an hour. A Thai lunch comes in a zero-waste lunch box, with fresh fruit and drinking water. Tea, coffee, and water refills are also included.

This break is more important than it may sound. New scuba participants often need time to rest, talk through what they experienced, and regain energy before going back into the water. A meal on the boat also saves you from losing time returning to Phi Phi Don.

The lunch is not a luxury restaurant meal, so keep your expectations sensible. Its value is convenience, freshness, and the chance to eat between the two reef visits. The extra fruit and chilled water are useful in Thailand’s warm conditions.

The second session takes place at another site around Phi Phi Leh. You repeat some of the basic process, then get a chance to look for different fish and rock formations. This is where the five-hour format earns its keep. After the nerves of the first session, you may spend more time simply looking around.

You finish by relaxing on the return boat. Morning trips are scheduled to get back in time for onward travel to Phuket or Krabi, while afternoon trips return in time for sunset drinks. You should still leave a sensible buffer before a ferry, bus, or other connection because sea conditions can change.

How much value you get for $125

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest water activity around Phi Phi. But the price includes the PADI eLearning course, scuba equipment, an instructor, two guided reef sessions, lunch, fruit, water, tea, coffee, and basic Thai opt-in insurance.

The strongest value comes from the instruction and small group size. A large beginner group can feel hurried, especially when everyone is learning to clear ears, control breathing, and move comfortably. A maximum of two participants gives you more personal attention for the money.

The price does not include the 600 THB National Park fee. Photography is also extra, and optional beach training costs 1,200 THB. Ask about the photo cost before the trip if underwater images matter to you. One recent experience included a complaint that a photo option cost 1,000 baht per person and that personal GoPro use was not allowed. That makes the photo policy worth clarifying in advance.

The activity follows Green Fins guidance and National Park rules. That is good news if you care about reef protection. The zero-waste lunch box and water refill approach also reduce disposable packaging.

The optional beach session for nervous beginners

If you are a non-swimmer, especially nervous, or unsure about entering the open sea, ask about the optional beach training before booking the boat trip. It costs 1,200 THB and is separate from the main price.

This option may help you decide if scuba feels right before you travel to the reef sites. It is not included automatically, so you need to request it and confirm the details with the centre.

The main program is designed for beginners, but beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. You still need to complete the medical checks, follow the instructor’s directions, and be comfortable enough to practice in the sea. If you already know that deep water makes you panic, beach training could be a wise extra rather than an unnecessary expense.

Timing, health rules, and practical planning

The total activity lasts about five hours, including transport, two underwater sessions, the lunch break, and the return trip. You can choose a morning or afternoon departure, subject to availability.

Morning is the better choice if you are heading onward to Phuket or Krabi later that day. Afternoon is useful if you want a slower morning on Phi Phi Don and a return around sunset.

The most important health rule is simple: you cannot fly for 24 hours after scuba activity. Do not schedule this on the day before a flight. The same caution applies to any itinerary that depends on a tight departure time, since boat trips can be affected by conditions.

You must be staying on Phi Phi Island for this activity. The starting and finishing points are around Phi Phi Pier and Blue View Divers, so confirm your exact meeting point when you contact the centre.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve while paying later. Those policies help if your island plans are still moving around, but they do not remove the need to complete the required check-in on time.

Who will enjoy this Phi Phi scuba experience

I would choose this for a first-time participant who wants more than a quick introduction and values close instructor support. It also suits couples or friends who want a small, quiet group rather than a crowded boat operation.

It is a good fit for people staying on Phi Phi Don, since the sites are close and the five-hour schedule leaves room for other island plans. The language choices are helpful if you prefer instruction in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or Thai.

This is less suitable if you want deep technical scuba, guaranteed shark or turtle sightings, or a large amount of underwater photography. The depth is capped at 12 metres, wildlife is never certain, and photography costs extra.

It may also not suit someone with a very tight connection after the trip. The morning schedule is designed for onward travel, but I would still avoid booking an important same-day flight or ferry with no spare time.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a careful first taste of scuba around Phi Phi, with two sessions, a maximum group of two, and a proper lunch break. The personal instruction, warm water, and short boat ride make it a strong choice for a beginner who wants to feel looked after.

Think twice if the extra National Park fee, paid photography, or advance paperwork will bother you. Also confirm the photo rules and meeting point through WhatsApp before arrival.

My practical advice is to contact Blue View Divers as soon as you book, complete the online course early, and choose the morning trip if you have onward travel. For a first underwater experience, the combination of close instruction and two reef visits gives you a fair amount for the price, as long as you accept that nature sets the schedule.

FAQ

How long does the Phi Phi scuba activity last?

The activity lasts about five hours, including the boat journey, two underwater sessions, the lunch break, and the return to shore.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Two guided sessions are included. Each underwater session lasts about one hour.

How deep will beginners go?

The maximum depth is 12 metres. You first practice breathing, swimming, and basic skills near the surface before going to the reef.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include hawksbill turtles, blacktip reef sharks, clownfish, large schools of snappers, colorful corals, and many tropical fish. Sightings depend on conditions, the season, and recent reports.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The trip includes a Thai lunch in a zero-waste lunch box, fresh fruit, water, tea, coffee, and water refills.

Is the National Park fee included?

No. The National Park fee costs 600 THB and must be paid separately.

Do I need to complete anything before the activity?

Yes. You must contact the dive centre through WhatsApp, complete the required administration and medical pre-checks, and finish the PADI eLearning course one day before the program.

Can I fly after the activity?

No. You cannot fly for 24 hours after scuba activity, so plan your flights accordingly.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. Morning and afternoon departures are available, subject to availability. Morning trips are planned to return in time for onward travel to Phuket or Krabi, while afternoon trips return in time for sunset drinks.