Amity Diving Club

Amity Diving Club has been operating in the Andaman Sea since 2020, serving divers through two distinct bases in Phuket and Khao Lak. While the Phuket location offers easy access to sites like Racha Yai and the Phi Phi Islands, the Khao Lak base puts you closer to the premier northern reefs of the Similan and Surin Islands.

The centre is Thai-owned and managed, providing a local perspective on the best dive windows and site conditions. Whether you are looking for a day trip to a nearby reef or a multi-day liveaboard to reach the more remote pinnacles, the operation is designed to handle the logistics of the Andaman's varied topography.

The team consists of six experienced instructors capable of teaching in both English and Thai. This allows for a smooth experience for international divers while maintaining strong local roots. The instruction style is relaxed, aimed at ensuring safety and enjoyment without the rigid atmosphere of larger, more commercial operations.

Training is supported by two dedicated pools, including a 12-metre pool with a 2-metre deep section specifically for confined space training. This makes the centre an ideal choice for those moving from open-water basics into more technical disciplines.

Amity offers a comprehensive curriculum through both SSI and PADI affiliations. Beginners can start with Try Scuba Diving and progress through the Open Water Diver and Advanced Adventurer courses.

For those looking to deepen their expertise, the centre provides Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue, and various technical pathways. They are particularly well-equipped for technical training, offering SSI Extended Range Sidemount and Recreational Sidemount courses. This makes them a reliable choice for divers transitioning from standard recreational diving into the technical realm.

The centre operates a four-engine speedboat designed to reach the offshore reefs efficiently. For day trips, the boat is equipped to provide breakfast, lunch, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages, including coffee and tea, to keep you fuelled between dives.

For those looking for longer itineraries, the centre organises liveaboard trips that explore the North Andaman. These trips allow for extended time at remote sites like Richelieu Rock that are difficult to reach on standard day excursions.

The dive shop is well-equipped for both recreational and technical divers, stocking high-end brands such as Xdeep, Apeks, and OMS. For those bringing their own kit, there are secure facilities for personal equipment storage.

Technical divers will find a range of specialized equipment available, including Xdeep Zeos, Apeks XTX50, and OMS Slipstream. The centre also offers a full range of rental kit, including BCDs, regulators, masks, fins, wetsuits, and dive computers. For those needing more gas volume, 15-litre cylinders and sidemount or twinset configurations are available.

On-site gas services include the filling of air, Nitrox, and Trimix, along with oxygen for safety. The centre also provides maintenance and repair services for your personal diving equipment.

The reefs are defined by a spectacular array of hard and soft corals (Alcyonacea), providing a complex habitat for a vast range of species. You will frequently see large schools of Fusilier (Caesio), Snapper (Lutjanus), and various Jack (Carangidae) moving through the water column. Larger predators like Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and various reef sharks are common sights around the pinnacles.

In the more current-swept areas, you can encounter Manta ray (Mobula alfredi) and the occasional Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) during the high season. Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) and Bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium) are also known to frequent the sandy patches and reef edges.

For macro enthusiasts, the sites offer incredible diversity. Look closely for Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), and various species of Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda). You can also find dancing shrimp, box shrimp, and various species of Flatworm (Turbellaria) tucked into the crevices of the reef.

Small residents like the Clownfish (Amphiprion), various species of Angelfish (Pomacanthidae), and many types of Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) inhabit the anemones and coral structures. You may also spot garden eels (Gorgasia) swaying in the current on the sandy sections of the reef.

Divers should be prepared for varying conditions depending on the site. Some locations, such as Racha Noi, the King Cruiser Wreck, and Anemone Reef, are known to experience strong currents.

The best window for diving in the Khao Lak area is from November to May, coinciding with the warmer season for the Andaman Sea. While many sites offer excellent conditions, divers should always check the local swell and current before heading out.