Advertisers

Scuba diving and snorkelling

Marine conservation scuba diving and PADI courses

Diving in Thailand

Thailand has got some absolutely stunning beaches, but don't forget that just offshore in the crystal clear water is a host of amazing sea life - jacks, barracuda, tuna, blue spotted stingrays, porcupine pufferfish and moray eels to name just a few. So why not make use of the economic accommodation prices and get a diving qualification there?

Many backpackers use their time in Thailand to gain a diving qualification. PADI Open Water Diver is the most popular qualification and allows you to dive independently with a buddy when you have passed. You can take the Open Water course over a few days and combine it with a live aboard trip onto the reefs where you live on a boat and dive several times each day - these are great fun!

Click here >> to search for all PADI dive centres in Thailand
Click here >> for information on the 'Open Water' Qualification
Click here >> to search for all PADI dive centres worldwide

Name: Personal Overseas Development (POD)
Postal address: Linden Cottage, The Burgage, Prestbury, Cheltenham GL52 3DJ
Telephone: 0845 344 7535

If you love the deep blue and want an exciting challenge, or if you fancy getting paid for doing something you love, then take one of our PADI diving programmes or join our marine conservation project.

You may be on your gap year, taking a careergap or having a holiday. Our programmes range from one-week Learn to Dive trips, to six-month Go Pro Instructor courses opening up a completely new career and lifestyle.

You will be based in one of the World’s top dive destinations - choose between the exotic locations of Thailand and Australia.

You may have already done lots of diving or you may have never dived before - these programmes are open to all levels of diver.

On all our programmes you will experience some fantastic diving and live an amazing lifestyle in an outstanding location. We offer four main options (which can also be combined):

- Go Pro - Divemaster and Instructor (one to six months)
- Underwater Videographer (four to eight weeks)
- Marine conservation reef survey project (two to four weeks)
- Learn to Dive (one to two weeks)

PoD Diving is based in the UK, set up to specifically focus on diving opportunities around the World. We only offer places that we believe represent a great combination of diving and lifestyle, and we only work with high-quality, well-established dive schools. As a UK-based organisation we are able to offer comprehensive support and advice to divers pre-departure. We are a small company that focuses on quality and safety rather than quantity.

Name: Ao Nang Divers
Address: c/o Krabi Seaview Resort, 143 Moo 2, Ao Nang, Krabi 81000 Thailand

'Full steam ahead' is the motto of the largest and most modern five-star PADI diving school here in Ao Nang.

Since our diving school is fully integrated into the Krabi Seaview Resort, we offer not only diving-certification courses, but also daily diving trips (on long-tail boats) to the offshore islands of Ao Nang, as well as to the most well-known diving spots in the Andaman Sea. Year round, our luxury 25m dive ship makes daily trips to the most beautiful dive sites in the region, such as the well-known Shark Point, the Anemone Reef, the 80m wreck "King Cruiser", or any of the dive sites around the Phi Phi Islands. Different trips are also well suited for snorkellers.

Click here >> if you'd like to tell us about your experiences with this company

Name: Railay Thailand
Address: Po Box 34, Krabi 81000 Thailand

Snorkeling in Ao Nang... Our traditional longtail boat will take you out to explore some of the deserted tropical islands in the Andaman Sea.

The pristine coral reefs are the home of thousands of exotic fishes. Floating over the clear waters you will feel like you are flying through a world of three dimensional colour.

After snorkeling off the sun-drenched reefs you'll be provided with a picnic lunch beneath the shade of the coconut trees.

The boat trip back can be arranged to coincide with sunset. The sunsets here are something not to be missed!

Click here >> if you'd like to tell us about your experiences with this company

Name: Samui International Diving School
Address: 124/93 Moo 3, Tambon Maret, Koh Samui, 84310 Thailand

The Samui International Diving School group of companies incorporating Planet Scuba and Planet Tec has over 20 years of experience in Scuba diver education and Scuba diving Thailand tours. We are one of Thailand's leading dive centres and the first in South East Asia to be awarded the prestigious PADI Career Development Center Rating.

Click here >> if you'd like to tell us about your experiences with this company