The Typical PADI Open Water Course in Phuket
Diving into the world of scuba is an exhilarating experience, and there’s no better place to start than in the stunning waters of Phuket. Whether you’re completely new to diving or looking to earn your first certification, the PADI Open Water Course is your gateway to underwater exploration. At Aussie Divers Phuket, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive and enjoyable learning experience with our team of professional PADI instructors.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what you can expect from a typical PADI Open Water Course with us here in Phuket, Thailand. Spanning three full days, this course is designed to equip you with the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence to dive safely and enjoyably. From your first breath underwater to earning your certification, we’ll guide you every step of the way. Let’s dive in and explore how you can start your scuba diving journey in one of the world’s most beautiful diving destinations.
Day 1 – Theory and Confined Water Training
Your journey to becoming a certified PADI Open Water Diver with Aussie Divers Phuket begins with some essential online theory. This can be completed at your own pace before the first day of in-person training. Ideally, you’ll have all the theory work done ahead of time to maximize your time in the water. On the first day, the course kicks off at the Aussie Divers Chalong Training Center at 8:00 am. Depending on your location in Phuket, your hotel pickup will be scheduled between 7:00 and 7:50 am.
The online theory component of the PADI Open Water course is divided into five chapters. Each chapter includes instructional videos, knowledge review questions, and a quick quiz. Completing the theory can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, and having this finished before your first day will save you valuable time during your training.
Once you arrive at the training centre, your PADI instructor will review the theory with you, assess your knowledge reviews and quizzes, and complete a final exam. This review ensures that you have a solid understanding of the material before moving on to the practical skills in the pool.
Confined Water Training – Pool Session
After the theory review, you’ll head to a nearby training pool. These pools are specifically designed for scuba diving training, providing an ideal environment for learning essential skills. The first tasks you’ll complete are the 200-meter swim and a 10-minute water tread, which are required by PADI for your Open Water certification.
Next, you’ll learn how to set up your scuba diving equipment—a crucial skill that you’ll practice at least five times throughout the session. Then, you’ll enter the pool for your five confined water dives. During these dives, your PADI instructor will teach and assess the in-water skills you need to master before progressing to open-water dives. The pool training typically takes 3 to 6 hours, depending on how quickly you grasp the skills.
By the end of the first day, which could conclude anytime between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm, depending on your level of preparedness, you’ll have a solid foundation in both theory and practical skills, setting you up for success in the open water.
Day 2 – Open Water Diving
On the second day, you’ll be picked up from your hotel between 7:00 and 7:50 am and transported to Chalong Pier, located on the southern tip of the island. Here, you’ll board one of Phuket’s specially designed scuba diving boats, which can accommodate between 30 and 60 divers. Once on board, you’ll set up your scuba equipment and enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast as your PADI instructor briefs you on the day’s dives. The briefing will cover the skills you’ll need to perform, the diving conditions, and what marine life you might encounter.
Your First Open Water Dive
The first day of open water diving typically takes you to Racha Yai and Racha Noi, ideal beginner dive sites known for their clear visibility, sandy bottoms, and protection from strong currents. You’ll start by entering the water using a deep water entry or a giant stride from the boat. Once in the water, you may perform some surface skills for your instructor before descending into the shallows.
Your first dive is primarily an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the underwater environment, free from the pressure of performing skills. This dive usually lasts between 30 and 50 minutes, allowing you to take in the wonders of the underwater world.
After the first dive, you’ll return to the boat and head to a new dive site. Your instructor will brief you on the new location and the skills you’ll need to demonstrate during the second dive. These skills will be familiar, as you learnt and practised them the day before in the pool. Once you’ve completed the necessary skills, you’ll have more time to explore the underwater world.
On this first day of open-water diving, you’ll be limited to a maximum depth of 12 meters. By the end of the day, you’ll return to your hotel between 5:30 and 6:30 pm, having completed two open water dives and gained more confidence in your abilities.
Day 3 – Open Water Diving
The third day follows a similar routine but takes you to more advanced dive sites, such as Koh Bida Nok at Phi Phi and Shark Point. These sites offer the opportunity to explore deeper waters, with a maximum depth of 18 meters. With fewer skills to perform, this day allows for more time to enjoy the underwater scenery and the abundant marine life that makes these dive sites world-famous.
If conditions allow and you can dive at Phi Phi, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable experience, with vibrant coral reefs and an incredible variety of marine life. By the end of the day, you’ll return to your hotel between 7:00 and 7:30 pm, having completed your final dives.
Upon completing the course, you’ll earn your PADI Open Water Diver certification, enabling you to dive to a depth of 18 meters anywhere in the world. This achievement marks the beginning of many more adventures beneath the waves!
