Premium PADI Advanced Open Water Course (6 Dives-2 Days)

Two Phuket islands, six skill sessions. You handle PADI Advanced Open Water theory with PADI digital manuals online, then join your instructor on the boat for Ko Racha Yai and Ko Racha Noi.

I love the online theory setup because it lets you do the work at your pace before the early 7:00 am start. I also love that the package covers scuba gear plus underwater computers for the entire course, so you can focus on practice instead of hunting equipment.

One possible drawback is cost surprise: the Phi Phi National Marine Park fee (600 THB per person) is not included and is paid in cash on the boat.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Online PADI digital manuals before you go: theory can be completed at your pace.
• 6 underwater skill sessions in 2 days: includes five required sessions plus one extra.
• Small group size (max 4 people): more time with your instructor, less waiting around.
• Instructor stays with you on the boat: guidance doesn’t stop when you’re traveling between sites.
• Transfers from popular Phuket areas: free pickup from Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, plus select areas of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong.
• Marine park fee isn’t included: plan for 600 THB per person in cash.

Phuket Advanced Open Water: what you’re really buying for $557.80

This is a classic “level up” course in Phuket for anyone who has already finished PADI Open Water and wants more confidence and more time underwater. The big appeal here is that it’s built for practical training, not just tourism. You get two full days on the boat, with a structured PADI Advanced Open Water format and a small group capped at 4 travelers.

Now let’s talk value, because the price can look high until you break down what you’re actually getting. The course includes insurance coverage for the full program, PADI course materials, and the PADI certification fee (listed at about 3,000 THB). It also includes the scuba equipment and underwater computers for the entire course, plus breakfast and lunch each day and a soft drink. That means you’re paying for training time, gear, and meals in one package.

The other “value” piece is the format itself. Advanced Open Water is where you start refining buoyancy, planning, and awareness. The course is designed so you practice skills while seeing different underwater conditions around Phuket.

Doing the PADI theory online before Phuket

A lot of courses dump the theory on you once you arrive. This one gives you a smoother start: you can complete the theory portion online using PADI digital manuals before the diving days begin. That matters because you’re not spending your vacation mornings doing paperwork and reading under pressure.

If you like to prep ahead, this is a good match. You can review at your own pace, then show up ready for the in-water work. And since this course is only two days long, being prepared before you meet at 7:00 am is a real advantage.

You should also know the package includes the PADI materials and the certification fee. So you’re not paying extra for the required coursework after the fact.

The Phuket logistics that set the tone: 7:00 am, Port Phuket, and limited pickup zones

The day starts early. Meeting time is 7:00 am at Port Phuket (R8CV+8QF, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District). The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not losing half a day to transfers at the end.

Pickup is offered free from Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, with select service areas in Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong. If you’re staying outside that zone, the provider notes that private transfers are available for an extra cost. That’s one of those details that can make or break your day, especially with an early start.

The tour also uses a mobile ticket. That’s handy if you hate printed vouchers and last-minute desk hassles.

Day 1 on the boat: Ko Racha Yai and structured skill practice

Day 1 runs about 8 hours, focused on Ko Racha Yai. The description is clear that your instructor stays with you the whole time on the boat. That matters because it keeps the training vibe consistent. You’re not just handed a schedule and pointed in the general direction.

On an Advanced Open Water course, your underwater sessions are built around “adventure” activities. The course listing doesn’t specify the exact specialty tracks you’ll do, but it does say you’ll choose your adventure activities as part of the program. So what you practice will depend on what you select (and what’s available when you’re there).

What you can count on is the training being thorough and safety-minded. The standout feedback pattern from this course is organization and confidence. The course format seems to work for people who want structured learning, not freestyle guessing.

Also note the listing says admission ticket is free for this stop. Still, there’s a marine park fee you might pay on the boat later (more on that under costs).

Day 2 on the boat: Ko Racha Noi with another 8 hours of training

Day 2 is also about 8 hours, this time on Ko Racha Noi. Like Day 1, your instructor stays with you on the boat. That continuity is underrated. It helps if you’re learning new routines, because the same teaching approach is guiding you both days.

By the second day, you should feel the difference. Advanced Open Water is about building confidence, and the course is designed to give you more underwater time than Open Water training does. Since the package totals six underwater skill sessions (five required plus one extra), you’re not rushing through the basics and hoping it sticks.

The day-to-day experience is also described as “safe” and “well-organized” in the feedback pattern. That aligns with how smaller groups function. With a cap of 4 people, your instructor can adjust pace without juggling a crowded class.

As with Day 1, the site entry is listed as free for this stop, but the marine park fee is still something to plan for.

Safety, instruction style, and the instructor factor (including Sam)

This course wins points for instruction that feels patient and adaptable. That’s exactly what you want in Advanced Open Water, because the goal isn’t just to finish the paperwork. The goal is to make you better at judgment underwater.

One instructor name that shows up in the feedback is Sam, praised for being amazing and making each session feel like pure magic. I can’t promise every student gets Sam, but it’s a helpful clue about the kind of teaching style that’s valued here: calm, attentive, and focused on making you feel ready.

Across both days, the course emphasizes confidence and more dive time as part of the overall “level up” promise. In plain terms: you should leave with stronger skills and less second-guessing.

Gear, insurance, and meals: why this package feels “complete”

A lot of tours say they include equipment, but then you still end up paying for something. Here, the inclusions are straightforward and practical:

• Scuba equipment provision for the course duration
• Underwater computers included for the course duration
• Scuba insurance coverage for the entire course
• Breakfast (2) and lunch (2)
• Soft drink

Meals matter more than people think on a two-day course. You’re spending full boat days, and you don’t want to spend every break hunting food. Having breakfast and lunch already handled reduces stress and keeps you focused on learning.

Insurance also matters. The course states it includes comprehensive dive insurance coverage for the entire course. (In your own planning, still double-check your comfort level and any medical considerations you typically handle before scuba training.)

Price and extras: what’s included vs what costs extra on the water

Let’s break down the money in a way that helps you decide if it’s worth it.

Included in the price:

• PADI materials
• PADI certification fee (about 3,000 THB)
• Extra underwater session, making the total 6 sessions (listed as 5+1)
• Gear and underwater computers
• Insurance coverage
• Meals (breakfast and lunch both days)
• Soft drink
• Free transfers from selected Phuket areas
• Mobile ticket

Not included:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Phi Phi National Marine Park fee: 600 THB per person, paid in cash on the boat
• Optional underwater photos and videos
• Pickup outside the free zone (private transfers available, cost applies)

Here’s the value logic: if you were booking gear rental, buying insurance separately, and paying certification costs separately, the bundle price starts to look reasonable fast. The underwater computers and the extra session alone help tip the equation in your favor, because you’re paying for training time and monitoring, not just location access.

And about that marine park fee: it’s the one item that can catch people off guard. Bring cash so you’re not scrambling when it’s time to pay onboard.

What Ko Racha Yai and Ko Racha Noi are like for a course day

The course doesn’t promise a specific animal list or water conditions in the information provided. But the experience feedback you can expect from this kind of Phuket itinerary focuses on stunning, breathtaking underwater scenery. If you care about seeing beautiful underwater spots while still training seriously, these two islands fit the bill.

Think of it as a balance you want: practice sessions where you can focus, plus scenery that keeps you motivated even when you’re working on skills. The course also keeps your instructor with you on the boat the whole time, which tends to make the day feel less chaotic.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This is a strong fit if you:

• Already completed PADI Open Water and want a clear next step
• Want confidence-building training with a structured PADI format
• Prefer smaller groups (max 4 people)
• Like the idea of doing theory online before arriving
• Care about having gear and underwater computers handled for the whole course

You might reconsider if:

• You hate paying extra fees that come up during the boat day (the 600 THB marine park fee in cash)
• You’re not comfortable committing to an early 7:00 am meeting twice
• You’re looking for a pure leisure day with minimal instruction time

Practical booking reality checks before you commit

A few details are worth locking down before you go, because they affect your smoothness level more than you’d expect.

First: confirm whether your hotel is in the free pickup zone. The provider lists pickup from Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata and select areas of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong. If you’re outside that, private transfer costs apply.

Second: plan cash for the Phi Phi National Marine Park fee (600 THB per person). Since it’s paid in cash on the boat, bring small denominations.

Third: this experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If your dates are uncertain, you’ll want to think twice.

Should you book this Phuket Advanced Open Water course?

I’d book it if you’re ready for a real training upgrade and you value a well-run, safety-forward course with gear handled and a small group. The package is built to reduce friction: online theory, provided equipment, included meals, and a course structure that totals 6 underwater sessions in 2 days.

If you’re on the fence because of the extra marine park fee or early meeting times, that’s a solvable problem with a bit of cash planning and schedule buy-in. But if your schedule is fragile, the non-refundable policy is the deciding factor.

Overall: this is the kind of course that rewards preparation. Do the online theory, show up early, and you’ll get the most out of the two full boat days and the extra session included in the package.

FAQ

How many underwater skill sessions are included?

The course includes a total of 6 underwater skill sessions, listed as 5+1.

Where does the course start, and when?

The meeting point is Port Phuket (R8CV+8QF, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand) with a start time of 7:00 am.

How long is the experience?

It runs for 2 days, with each day scheduled for about 8 hours.

Are transfers included?

Yes. Free transfers are offered from Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, plus select parts of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong.

Is theory included, and can it be done online?

Yes. The course theory is available online with PADI digital manuals so you can complete it at your own pace before the Phuket days.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are PADI materials, the PADI certification fee (about 3,000 THB), scuba equipment and underwater computers for the course duration, insurance coverage, and meals (breakfast and lunch each day), plus a soft drink.

What extra costs should I plan for?

Phi Phi National Marine Park fees of 600 THB per person are not included and must be paid in cash on the boat. Optional underwater photos and videos cost extra, and alcoholic beverages are not included.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 4 travelers.

Is this booking refundable if I cancel?

No. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

If you tell me where you’re staying in Phuket and what your Open Water certification date was, I can help you sanity-check whether the pickup zone and early start will work smoothly for you.