Phi Phi: Beginner Scuba Diving 2 Dives & Small Group Eco Team

Summary

First time diving in Phi Phi’s reefs with turtles and eco guides

You’ll start off nervous but end up grinning behind your mask as you spot turtles and clownfish in Phi Phi’s reefs—with a patient local guide leading every step. Enjoy two dives in a tiny group, fresh fruit breaks on the boat, and that wild feeling of surfacing back into sunlight after your first real underwater adventure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Discover Scuba Diving at Phi Phi Island

• Register online 24 hours before trip
• Arrive at Phi Phi Don
• Complete beach or shallow water training
• Enjoy first supervised shallow dive
• Have fresh fruit and lunch at Phi Phi Leh
• Enjoy second supervised shallow dive
• Return to Phi Phi Pier

Top questions

Do I need experience for this beginner scuba diving tour?

No experience needed—your PADI instructor teaches all basics before diving.

How many people are in each group?

Groups are small: only 2 divers per instructor for safety and personal attention.

What marine life might I see during the dives?

You may spot turtles, blacktip reef sharks, clownfish (Nemo), snappers, and colorful corals.

Is lunch included on this day trip from Phi Phi?

Yes—lunch plus fresh fruit is served between dives on the boat with island views.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at the dive center on Phi Phi Don and ends at Phi Phi Pier.

What do I need to bring or prepare before joining?

You must review a medical form before booking and contact the center 24 hours ahead to register online with PADI.

Can I join if I'm staying elsewhere than Phi Phi?

You must stay overnight on Phi Phi or arrive early by boat; same-day return isn’t possible unless arriving early morning for afternoon dives.

What’s included

Your day includes all scuba equipment use, two guided shallow dives led by experienced PADI instructors (never trainees), insurance coverage as required locally, fresh fruit snacks plus lunch between dives right on the boat surrounded by island scenery—and full access to official PADI Discover Scuba eLearning materials when you contact them one day ahead to register.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I was nervous about trying scuba for the first time in Phi Phi — something about the tanks and all that gear. But our instructor, Joy, just grinned and said “No worries, we go slow.” She had this way of making it sound easy, like learning to ride a bike again but underwater. The air smelled faintly salty at the dive center, wetsuits hanging everywhere, everyone barefoot or in flip-flops. We practiced breathing on the sand first. It felt awkward at first—my mask fogged up and I kept laughing bubbles—but Joy didn’t rush us.

Our small group (just me and two others) climbed into a longtail boat with our tanks rattling behind us. The water was that clear turquoise you see in postcards but never believe is real until you’re there. When we finally sank under, it went quiet except for my own breath and the distant clicking from somewhere—Joy later told me it was parrotfish crunching coral. We saw a turtle gliding by so close I could see its shell pattern; I almost forgot to breathe out. There were schools of snappers swirling around us and these tiny orange clownfish darting through anemones—Nemo! I tried to point but my glove got tangled in my hose (classic me).

Between dives we sat on the boat eating pineapple while Joy pointed out where we’d just been under the surface. She joked about my attempt at saying “turtle” in Thai—let’s just say it sounded nothing like how she said it. Lunch was simple but tasted perfect after being underwater: rice, veggies, fruit. Sun on my face, salt drying on my skin—felt like I’d been away for days even though it was just a half day trip from Phi Phi Don.

I still think about floating there with nothing above but shifting light and blue water all around. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be part of that world—even just for a morning—this beginner scuba diving tour does it without making you feel silly or rushed. You’ll need to check your medical form before booking (they’re serious about safety), and you have to be staying on Phi Phi overnight or arrive early for the afternoon session. But honestly? Worth planning your trip around.