Aussie Divers Phuket

Located in Chalong, Aussie Divers Phuket has established itself as a cornerstone of the local diving community over the last 15 years. As a PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre (CDC), the facility is equipped to handle everything from your first breath underwater to professional instructor training.

The centre serves as a gateway to some of Thailand's most iconic waters. Whether you are looking for local reef dives around Racha Yai or seeking the high-adventure liveaboards to the Similan Islands, the operation is designed to manage the logistics of the Andaman Sea efficiently.

The centre is led by owner and CEO Darren Gaspari and General Manager Ash Walker. The team is composed of professional instructors capable of guiding you through the entire PADI progression, including the most advanced professional levels.

As a Career Development Centre, they are a hub for those looking to turn diving into a profession. They offer the full Instructor Development Course (IDC) and support students through to becoming a Staff Instructor or Course Director.

The training programme is comprehensive, covering every level of the PADI system. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Scuba Diver course, while those looking to refine their skills can take the Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver, or Peak Performance Buoyancy courses.

Technical and specialty training is also a core part of the curriculum. This includes Sidemount, Wreck Diver, Night Diver, and the Tec 40 and Tec 45 programmes. For those pursuing a career, the centre provides the full professional pathway from Divemaster through to Course Director.

The MV Kepsub serves as the centre's primary vessel for excursions. This boat is used for various trip types, including day trips and liveaboard adventures to the Similan Islands.

For those looking to extend their time on the water, the centre also recommends specific liveaboard vessels such as The Junk and The Phinisi for trips to the Similan Islands.

The centre is equipped to support divers with Nitrox available for use, which is essential for extending bottom times on deeper sites like the King Cruiser wreck. They also offer night diving opportunities, supported by appropriate lighting kit.

For those travelling without their own equipment, a range of rental kit is available on-site to ensure you have the necessary tools for your dives.

The region is renowned for its large pelagics. Depending on the season, you may encounter the Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) or Manta ray (Mobula alfredi). Other frequent visitors include blacktip reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), and leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata).

The reefs are teeming with colourful fish, including various snappers, fusiliers (Caesio), and angelfish (Pomacanthidae). You will also see plenty of reef fish, parrotfish (Calotomus), and triggerfish (Balistidae) patrolling the coral structures.

For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove. You can find a wide array of Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and various species of shrimp. The walls and crevices also host octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and many different types of pipefish.

The hard and soft coral structures provide the essential habitat for this life, with soft corals (Alcyonacea), sea anemones (Actiniaria), and various gorgonians creating a complex underwater landscape.

The best time to dive in this region is during the dry season from November to April. During this period, the sea is generally calmer and more predictable.

During the rainy season from May to October, the sea can become rough, particularly when out in the open ocean. The Racha Islands typically offer better protection from the swell during these months. At sites like Anemone Reef, be prepared for strong currents, and note that upwelling can occasionally affect visibility.