PADI Open Water Course in Phuket: Cost, Schedule, Medical Form & What to Expect

If you want to learn to scuba dive in Phuket, the PADI Open Water course in Phuket is the main beginner certification route. It is for people with no previous scuba experience who want a recognised diving licence, proper training and enough confidence to enjoy real coral reef dives.

At Thailand Divers, the course is a 3-day programme with PADI eLearning, pool training, boat dives around the Racha Islands and private instructor support. This guide explains the PADI Open Water Phuket cost, schedule, medical form, what is included and what to check before booking.

Is this the right course for you?

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the first full scuba diving certification level. It is best if you want to become a certified diver rather than just try scuba for one day. Once completed, you can join suitable certified-diver trips within your training limits, experience and local diving conditions.

If you only want a one-day scuba experience without becoming certified, start with the New Divers page instead. If you already have a certification, look at Certified Divers or scuba diving day trips from Phuket.

PADI Open Water Phuket cost

The Thailand Divers PADI Open Water course costs ฿16,000 per person. This is an inclusive course price, not just a training fee.

Item	Included in the Thailand Divers course
PADI eLearning	Included
Instructor	Private instructor support
Equipment	Rental scuba equipment and dive computer
Dives	Six dives across the course
Boat days	Racha Islands day trip boat training days
Food on boat days	Breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks
Transfers	Return hotel transfers on boat days
Insurance	Included student scuba-diving accident cover during booked course activities, subject to eligibility and policy terms

If you compare prices between dive centres, check what is actually included. A cheaper course may not include the same level of private instruction, eLearning, insurance, transfers, equipment, boat-day food or dive-computer support.

The 3-day course schedule

Day	What usually happens	Why it matters
Day 1	Meet your instructor, set up equipment and practise core skills in the swimming pool.	You build confidence before going to the ocean.
Day 2	Hotel pickup, day trip boat from Chalong Pier and open water training dives around the Racha Islands.	You start applying your skills on real coral reef dives.
Day 3	More open water training, final course skills and supervised diving with your instructor.	You finish the course with real experience, not only a certificate.

The exact timing can depend on boat schedules, weather, training progress and where you are staying in Phuket. Do not book a tight flight or onward transfer immediately after the course without checking first.

Do you need to be able to swim?

Yes, you should be comfortable in the water. The Open Water course includes water skills, so it is best for people who can already swim and relax in deeper water. Being nervous is normal; being unable to swim is different.

If you cannot swim or feel very anxious in water, ask Thailand Divers before booking. A gentler beginner experience may be a better first step than a full certification course.

What to prepare before the course

What happens after you qualify?

Once you are certified, you can start joining suitable scuba diving day trips from Phuket. Many new divers begin with easier reef dives around the Racha Islands before building experience for deeper sites, stronger currents or more advanced trips.

If you want to continue training, the next step is usually the PADI Advanced Open Water course, which helps you build confidence, improve buoyancy and explore deeper dive sites under instructor supervision.

How to book safely

1. Read the live PADI Open Water Phuket course page.
2. Check the PADI medical form before committing to dates.
3. Send your booking details through the Open Water Diver details page.
4. Message Thailand Divers with your preferred dates, hotel area and questions.
5. Wait for confirmation before treating the course as booked.

FAQ

Is scuba-diving insurance included for my Open Water course?

Yes. Scuba-diving accident cover is included for Discover Scuba Diving, Explore Scuba and Open Water students during their booked course, subject to eligibility and policy terms. These students do not need to arrange separate scuba cover for those course activities. This does not replace travel insurance or cover later certified fun dives.

Read the documents supplied for your booking for the insured activities, limits and exclusions. Keep your cover details available during your course, and contact us if you need help finding them.

Certified divers joining day trips, liveaboards or further training must arrange their own suitable cover. See our scuba insurance guide for the full distinction and the optional DAN route.

Is the course suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The PADI Open Water course is built for beginners, but you should be able to swim and feel reasonably comfortable in the water.

Can I complete the theory before arriving in Phuket?

Yes. The Thailand Divers course includes PADI online learning, so you can complete the theory before your pool and open water training days.

Where do the ocean dives take place?

The open water training dives are normally around the Racha Islands, which are popular Phuket dive sites for beginner training and coral reef diving.

Should I book before checking the medical form?

No. Check the medical form first, especially if you have a medical condition, recent surgery, chest symptoms, breathing issues or regular medication. If anything is unclear, ask Thailand Divers before booking.

Useful official references

• PADI Open Water Diver course overview
• UHMS / Diver Medical screening system

Before choosing your dates, read our guide to the PADI medical forms.