Krabi Scuba Club

Located in Ao Nang, Krabi Scuba Club is one of the most established diving operations in the region. As a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort with over three decades of experience, it operates as a fully integrated facility, combining professional dive training with on-site resort accommodation and a swimming pool.

The centre is well-equipped to handle a wide spectrum of divers, from those completing their first Open Water course to technical divers looking for advanced Trimix or cave certifications. Whether you are staying on-site or travelling from the local islands, the centre manages the logistics of transfers and daily departures to the best sites in the Andaman Sea.

The team consists of 10 instructors, providing a high level of expertise across a vast range of specialities. This allows for a structured learning environment whether you are pursuing a professional Divemaster path or exploring technical disciplines like decompression procedures.

As a family-run Thai business, the centre focuses on a high standard of education and safety. They have a proven track record, having trained thousands of divers through their extensive programme of recreational, technical, and freediving courses.

The training catalogue is extensive, beginning with PADI Open Water Diver and progressing through Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver, and Rescue Diver. For those looking to turn professional, the centre offers the full path through to Divemaster.

Technical training is a significant component of the curriculum, with courses including TDI Decompression Procedures, TDI Extended Range Diver, and IANTD Technical Diver. They also provide specialised training in Trimix, covering everything from TDI Advanced Trimix to IANTD Hypoxic Trimix.

For divers interested in overhead environments, the centre offers a complete progression in cave diving, from Introduction to Cave Diver and Cavern Diver to Full Cave Diver. Other specialties available include Sidemount, Wreck Diver, and Freediving.

The centre operates using small power boats and RIBs to reach the dive sites. These vessels are used for daily excursions to the Phi Phi archipelago and surrounding reefs.

On full-day trips, lunch, soft drinks, and fruit are provided on board. The boats are equipped to handle various dive types, including night dives, and can carry Nitrox for those who require it.

The shore-based facilities are comprehensive, featuring a dedicated classroom for theory work and a restaurant and bar for divers to relax between sessions. The resort includes a swimming pool, which is ideal for skills practice or buoyancy training.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for those not travelling with their own kit. The centre is also equipped with the necessary compressors and cylinders to support both standard recreational diving and technical requirements, including Nitrox and Trimix.

The reefs are home to a diverse array of large marine life. You can frequently spot various sharks, including Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata), Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus), and Bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium). During the season from November to April, Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) may also be encountered.

The rocky outcrops and reefs are also frequented by large groupers (Epinephelus) and various rays, such as Eagle ray (Aetobatus) and blue-spotted stingrays. You may also see moray eels (Muraenidae) and large sea turtles throughout the area.

For those interested in macro life, the sites offer plenty of smaller treasures. Look closely for harlequin shrimps, nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), and various species of seahorses (Hippocampus kuda). Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) and frogfish (Antennarius) are also common residents of the reef.

The underwater scenery is defined by vibrant soft coral gardens and dense colonies of anemones, which provide a home for many clownfish (Amphiprion). You will also find various species of pipefish, sea moths, and scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) tucked into the reef structure.

Diving in this region is highly influenced by tidal movements. At sites like Hin Dot and Ao Lo Sama, currents can become very strong during low tide, so timing the dive with the tide is essential for safety.

Many of the best sites, such as Phi Phi Leh and Viking Cave, offer calmer conditions with low currents, making them accessible for a wider range of experience levels. The best period for diving in the area is generally between November and April.