About this tour
When Lily from our BugBitten team did this full-day dive off Phuket, we headed out to Koh Phi Phi's two bays—dramatic limestone cliffs rising straight out of the water, dotted with other tour boats and snorkellers. The tour runs 7 hours, pairs you with a certified instructor, and suits divers who've logged dives before (beginners might find the Racha Yai trip easier). Breakfast, lunch, kit, two dives down to 12 metres, and hotel transfers are all bundled in. You'll spot turtles and the occasional reef shark cruising the shallows, though Phi Phi itself draws crowds.
Highlights
- Two dives in limestone-framed bays with decent coral and reef fish
- Turtles and the odd blacktip shark spotted in shallow waters
- All scuba equipment provided; instructor guides the whole show
- Breakfast and buffet lunch included; hotel pickup sorted
- Max 12-metre depth keeps it accessible for intermediate divers
- Vertical cliff backdrops make for dramatic surface intervals
- Thai National Park setting; relatively structured group experience
What to expect
You'll be picked up from your hotel early, driven to the Phuket pier, then speedboated out to Phi Phi. The two bays feel like postcard Thailand—soaring cliffs, turquoise water—but also busy with tourists. Your instructor runs a full briefing, kits you out, and takes you down for two dives. Lily's group spotted a few turtles and a blacktip cruising the shallows; visibility was decent, though the coral wasn't pristine everywhere. Between dives, you'll surface for a breather and snacks. Lunch comes midday—a buffet setup on the boat or at a beach stop, which works if you're not fussy. The pace is fairly leisurely; the boat time and surface intervals mean it's not frantic, just solid underwater time in a scenic location.
The main thing: Phi Phi is a magnet for day-trippers, so you'll share the dive sites. It's not the quietest or most remote experience, and the water can feel a bit stirred up if conditions are choppy. If you're past your first few logged dives and OK with crowds, it's straightforward and well-organised.
What travellers say
- Fully guided and equipped; no hidden gear-hire costs
- Breakfast and buffet lunch on the boat; straightforward logistics
- Two dives in a scenic, limestone-ringed location
- Suitable for divers with some experience; instructor keeps it safe
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included from partner hotels
- Phi Phi draws heavy crowds; dive sites feel busy
- National Park fee and souvenir photos are cash-only extras
- Shallow 12-metre limit; not for more advanced divers
- Early start required; long day if you're not an early riser
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
You get proper instruction, all kit included, and two solid dives without having to hire equipment separately. Breakfast and lunch mean you're not scrabbling for food on the boat. If you're a casual intermediate diver (20–50 logged dives), this is a no-stress outing. Hotel pickup saves hassle.
Phi Phi is touristy; expect crowds and lots of other boats. The 12-metre depth limit means no deep exploration. You'll pay THB 600 in cash at the gate (National Park fee), so bring small notes. Souvenir photos cost extra. Not suitable if you have heart issues, spinal injuries, or are pregnant. Divers need to wait 18 hours after flying before diving. Minimum age is 12; babies can come along but won't be diving. Check dietary needs when booking—buffet choices can be limited. Early start means an early alarm.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.