MV Sawasdee Fasai Similan Island Liveaboard Boat

Support Phuket’s Local Scuba Diving Industry

Written By
Darren Gaspari
Owner, CEO & PADI Course Director

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Support Phuket and the Local Scuba Diving Industry

Why booking your Similan Islands Liveaboard Adventure with a local Phuket company is better

Today more than ever, consumers are faced with many different ways of purchasing or buying the same product. Here in Phuket, Thailand it is the same. You will have the opportunity to support the local scuba diving industry or the big players. Scuba Diving is no different, particularly the Similan Island scuba diving liveaboard adventures.

In recent years has seen the introduction of two large online liveaboard booking agents, Liveaboard.com and PADI Travel. Both are legitimate businesses. Both operations are European-based and have huge advertising power beyond the reach of local Thai operators.

Prior to that bookings were made either directly by the liveaboard operators or through local agents like us at Aussie Divers Phuket. The local businesses then supported the local economy.

Buying Local

Buying local means more money stays within the Phuket community. Every dollar spent generates twice as much income for the local economy. It creates more jobs and helps other local businesses. The increased spending helps local communities improve the conditions of their roads, parks, community areas, schools and hospitals.

Further, we will offer local support and local knowledge to help plan your trip. Locals can assist with accommodation and where to stay in Phuket, transport to and from the liveaboard, equipment and what to wear, food recommendations and what to bring with you.

Local operators have intimate knowledge of the different vessels, dive sites, water conditions and pending weather, all of which make for a better scuba diving experience.

Since the advent of the two big booking agents, local operators have been suffering and as a result, it affecting local scuba diving employment and that rolls onto other local businesses.

Aussie Divers Phuket is such a company and currently employs 10 local Thai staff and uses up to 20 other local businesses.

Budget Scuba Diving Liveaboard Phuket Aussie Divers

Book through local agents

By booking through local agents you will know that your money will stay in the local community and contribute to the health and development of the local economy.

Aussie Divers Phuket will attempt to match any final price offered by the two big online agents and provide and much better.

Please support local businesses.

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Dates for Aussie Divers Phuket IDC and PADI IE

Here is a list of the Aussie Divers Phuket PADI IDCs dates for 2026, including the PADI IE dates for Phuket.

Month
Early Preparation
IDC Course
PADI IE Phuket
Specialty Dates
January ’26
1st – 4th
5th – 16th
17th – 18th
19th – 23rd
February ’26
28th Jan – 1st Feb
2nd – 13th
14th – 15th
16th – 20th
March ’26
25th Feb – 1st Mar
2nd – 13th
14th – 15th
16th – 20th
April ’26
1st – 5th
6th – 17th
18th – 19th
20th – 24th
May ’26
29th Apr – 3rd May
4th – 15th
16th – 17th
18th – 22nd
June ’26
3rd – 7th
8th – 19th
20th – 21st
22nd – 26th
July ’26
1st – 5th
6th – 17th
18th – 19th
20st – 24th
August ’26
29th Jul – 2nd Aug
3rd – 14th
15th – 16th
17th – 21st
September ’26
2nd – 6th
7th – 18th
19th – 20th
21st – 25th
October ’26
30th Sept – 4th Oct
5th – 16th
17th – 18th
19th- 23rd
November ’26
4th – 8th
9th – 20th
21st – 22nd
23rd – 27th
December ’26
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12th – 13th
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