Ocean Zone Divers

Located in Chalong, just a 30-minute transfer from Phuket International Airport, Ocean Zone Divers has been a cornerstone of the local diving community since 2004. The centre is positioned steps away from the Chalong pier, providing seamless access to the dive boats departing for the Andaman Sea.

While the centre serves a full spectrum of divers, it has established itself as a specialist hub for technical exploration. Whether you are looking to complete your first Open Water course or are planning complex Trimix or rebreather dives, the facilities are designed to support high-level training and exploration.

The centre was founded by the late Andrew Fortune and is now led by Ben Capitaine, an instructor with over 20 years of experience. The team is comprised of carefully selected instructors who prioritise high-standard education to ensure safer diving practices across all disciplines.

Instruction is available in a wide range of languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Japanese, and Thai. This multilingual approach makes the centre a versatile choice for international divers and clubs looking for professional training in the region.

The training programme is extensive, covering everything from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Diver to professional instructor development. For those moving into technical waters, the centre offers Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, Extended Range, and Trimix certifications.

Specialised training is a core strength, with courses available in Wreck Diver, Advanced Wreck, Cavern, Intro Cave, and Full Cave diving. The centre also supports rebreather divers through Semi-Closed and Closed-Circuit training, alongside professional paths such as Divemaster, Technical Divemaster, and Open Water Scuba Instructor.

The centre operates the MV Bubble 5, a 24-metre day boat specifically outfitted for technical diving. This vessel is equipped with full gas blending capabilities on board, allowing for the preparation of Nitrox and Trimix during the trip.

For those seeking different experiences, private speedboats and yachts are also available for trips to more distant dive sites or for more bespoke itineraries.

The shore-based facilities are designed to support serious technical divers, featuring a full gas blending station. The centre can mix any required blend for Nitrox, Trimix, or rebreather diving using both continuous flow and partial pressure blending methods.

Full equipment hire is available on-site, and the centre is an authorised retailer for Aqualung, Scubapro, Suunto, and Uwatec. The facility includes dedicated spaces for training and equipment maintenance.

The wrecks and reefs of the Andaman Sea are home to a diverse range of large pelagics. You can expect to encounter barracudas, jacks, tuna, and various species of rays patrolling the sites.

In the deeper technical sites, such as the CP1238 barge, the marine life is particularly abundant, with sightings of lionfish, scorpionfish, and occasionally manta rays. Moray eels are also frequently seen inhabiting the various crevices and cavities of the wrecks.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants are found throughout the various cave and cavern systems, including glassfish, crabs, and lobsters. Many of the reef structures are also colonised by various species of clams and cowries.

Diving in the Chalong and Phi Phi areas is subject to local maritime conditions, with many sites being accessible via day boat. Divers should be aware that the Khao Sok National Park has been closed to scuba diving activities since 2015.