Railay Dive Center Co Ltd

Railay Dive Center has been a fixture of the Krabi diving scene since 2012. Based on the distinctive peninsula of Railay Beach, the centre provides access to some of the most iconic dive sites in southern Thailand, ranging from shallow reef flats to deep, high-current pinnacles.

Whether you are looking to complete your first certification or want to explore the famous shipwrecks near the Phi Phi Islands, the centre operates year-round. Even during the lower season, daily dives are organised, ensuring you can plan your trip around the best local conditions.

The centre is a PADI affiliated dive centre, ensuring all instruction and dive operations meet international standards. The team consists of PADI certified instructors who are able to communicate in English, Thai, and Finnish, making them well-equipped to assist a wide range of international divers.

For those staying in the nearby area, the centre provides a complimentary transfer service to and from hotels in the Ao Nang region every morning. This makes it easy to transition from your accommodation to the dive boat without any logistical hassle.

Railay Dive Center provides a comprehensive range of PADI courses for all experience levels. Beginners can start with the Scuba Diver or Adventure Diver programmes, leading into the full Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to progress further, the centre offers the PADI Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses. Specialty training is also available, including PADI Deep Diver, PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox), and the Digital Underwater Photographer course. They also provide the Emergency First Responder course to ensure you have the essential safety skills.

The fleet at Railay Dive Center includes longtail boats, big boats, and speedboats, allowing for different types of excursions depending on the destination. For local dives around the Railay islands, the traditional longtail boats offer a quick and direct way to reach the sites, which are only a 30 to 40-minute journey away.

For longer trips to the Phi Phi Islands or the more remote sites like Hin Daeng, larger vessels are used. All boats are equipped with drinking water and lunch is provided on board for your trips. Some longer excursions also include snacks and additional beverages.

The centre offers full equipment hire for divers who prefer not to carry their own kit. This includes everything from regulators and BCDs to fins, masks, and snorkels. If you only require a wetsuit, this can also be arranged.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time, making it a practical choice for the deeper wreck and pinnacle dives in the region.

The reefs are vibrant with life, featuring extensive soft coral gardens and colourful soft corals. You will often encounter large pelagics such as Manta ray (Mobula alfredi) and Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) during excursions to the deeper pinnacles. Schools of Jack (Carangidae) and various species of fusiliers move through the water columns, while Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) are frequently sighted.

On the reefs and walls, look for Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and various species of sea turtles. Large groupers (Epinephelus) and Moray eel (Muraenidae) often patrol the structures, and you may spot eagle ray (Aetobatus) gliding past.

For macro enthusiasts, the sites offer incredible diversity. Keep a close eye on the rubble and corals for Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), and various species of shrimp (Caridea). You can also find ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus), clownfish (Amphiprion), and various species of scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), alongside bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium) and blue-spotted stingrays near the sandy patches.

Diving conditions in the area vary significantly depending on the site. Some locations, such as the King Cruiser Wreck and the Hin Daeng pinnacles, are known for having strong currents that require confident divers with appropriate skill levels.

Other sites, such as the Koh Hong lagoon or the local islands near Railay, offer much calmer conditions with weak to moderate currents, making them suitable for a wider range of diver abilities.