Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
★★★★★
★ 8.8/10 (1,241 reviews)
13 km away as the crow flies
Dive centre · Rawai · Thailand
4.511 Google reviewsSanook Scuba
Family-run expertise in Chalong since 2000, offering day trips and liveaboards to the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.
What sets this centre apart
- Family-owned and managed since 2000
- Professional PADI and SSI certified instructors
- Direct access to Similan Islands liveaboard safaris
- No hidden booking fees on any services
- Credit card payments accepted without extra charges
- Over 24 years of local diving expertise
- Discounts available for groups and multi-day diving
Sanook Scuba about the centre
Located in Chalong, Sanook Scuba has been a fixture of the local diving community since 2000. As a family-run operation, the centre brings a personal approach to diving in the Andaman Sea, catering to both those looking for local reef exploration and those seeking long-range expeditions.
The centre provides a gateway to some of Thailand's most iconic marine environments. From the sheltered reefs near Phuket to the remote, high-biodiversity sites of the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock, the team organises both daily trips and extended liveaboard safaris.
The club and its team
The team at Sanook Scuba is comprised of professional instructors affiliated with both PADI and SSI. They offer guidance in English and Thai, ensuring clear communication for international divers and locals alike.
With over 24 years of local experience, the staff provides expert advice on the seasonal shifts and specific conditions of the Andaman Sea. The centre is officially registered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, maintaining professional standards across all their diving programmes.
The centre at a glance
- Affiliation
- PADI · SSI
- Operating since
- 2000
- Languages spoken
- English · Thai
- Website available in
- English
- Management
- English
- Access and transfers
- L'aéroport international de Phuket (HKT) est le point d'arrivée principal. Les safaris en liveaboard partent généralement de Khao Lak, situé à environ 70 minutes en taxi de Phuket.
- Address
- 21/27 Luangpohw Soi 4, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand
- Official website
- sanookscuba.com ↗
Courses on offer
Sanook Scuba offers a full range of training through PADI and SSI. For those new to the water, the Discover Scuba Diving programme provides an introduction to the sensations of underwater breathing.
For those looking to build a formal qualification, the centre provides the complete PADI dive course curriculum, taking students from their initial certification through to more advanced levels.
Dive sites with Sanook Scuba
King Cruiser Wreck is a significant wreck dive that offers a look into the region's maritime history. It is a site that rewards divers looking for structure and interesting marine life settled on the remains of the vessel.
Richelieu Rock is a world-renowned pinnacle that is a highlight of any liveaboard safari. This site is a must for divers seeking high biodiversity and the chance to encounter larger pelagics.
Shark Point is a classic site for those looking to encounter various shark species in their natural habitat. It provides a reliable way to see the larger predators that call these waters home.
And some of the dive sites the centre runs.
Phi Phi IslandsShark PointKing Cruiser WreckDoc MaiRacha NoiRacha YaiSimilan IslandsKoh BonRichelieu RockHin DaengHin MuangKoh Haa
Marine life around Rawai
The waters around Phuket and the Similan Islands are home to a variety of resident species, including purple fire gobies. During the liveaboard season from November to April, the area becomes a prime location for spotting whale sharks.
Large pelagics are a significant draw for the region, with manta rays also being a seasonal highlight for divers lucky enough to be in the water during the right months.
Diving conditions
The best time to access the Similan Islands for liveaboard safaris is between November and April. During this window, the conditions are most favourable for long-range expeditions.
Local diving in the Phuket area is subject to the seasonal shifts of the Andaman Sea, which influence the accessibility of the more remote offshore sites.
A question about this dive centre?
Hello, I'm Marina, DivingDeal.com's AI assistant. I answer in detail about hotels, dive centres and liveaboards.
Thinking about the whole trip and the flights? Talk it over with Edith →
Marina is an AI. Some links are affiliate links: DivingDeal may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Bookings are made with the partner.
