Champagne Diving

Based in Chalong, Phuket, Champagne Diving has been operating since 2016. The centre is designed for divers who prefer a personalised, boutique approach to their underwater adventures, moving away from the crowded, impersonal logistics often found in major diving hubs.

Affiliated with both PADI and SSI, the centre provides a bridge between different training styles while maintaining a consistent focus on quality and safety. Their operations are centred on small group sizes, ensuring that every diver receives the individualised attention required to explore the Andaman Sea comfortably.

The team at Champagne Diving is composed of professional instructors dedicated to a tailored service. As a French-speaking centre, they offer a comfortable environment for Francophone divers, though their expertise is accessible to all.

They place a strong emphasis on building a relationship of trust with their clients. This boutique philosophy means they take the time to understand your experience level and goals, whether you are a novice or an experienced diver looking for specific challenges like wreck or deep diving.

Champagne Diving offers a comprehensive catalogue of training programmes through both PADI and SSI. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, with progression paths leading through the Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver certifications.

For those looking to specialise, the centre provides various specialty courses, including Nitrox, Deep Diver, Wreck, and Adventure Diver. They also facilitate EFR (Emergency First Response) training to ensure your safety skills are as sharp as your diving skills.

The centre provides a full range of rental kit for those who do not wish to carry their own equipment. This includes regulators, BCDs, and wetsuits, allowing you to dive with everything you need on hand.

Nitrox is available for use, which is an essential asset for extending bottom times on multi-dive days. For those heading out on full-day excursions, the centre provides breakfast, lunch, snacks, water, coffee, and tea to keep you fuelled between dives.

The reefs around Phuket are home to a vast array of colourful life, including various species of corals and soft corals (Alcyonacea). You will frequently encounter reef fish such as snappers (Lutjanus), fusiliers (Caesio), and various damselfish (Pomacentridae), alongside larger residents like groupers, barracuda, and jacks (Carangidae).

For those watching the water column, the area hosts several larger species. You may encounter blacktip reef sharks, leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata), and occasionally whale sharks (Rhincodon typus). Manta rays (Mobula alfredi) are also a significant draw, particularly at Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock when conditions allow.

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to explore among the crevices and sandy patches. The sites are known for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and various species of shrimp (Caridea). You can also look for octopus (Octopus vulgaris), scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), and ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) tucked away in the reef structure.

Diving conditions in the region vary significantly depending on the specific site. Currents can range from calm and sheltered around the Racha Islands to medium or even very strong at sites like Shark Point and the King Cruiser wreck.

Seasonal planning is important, as the best time to visit is generally between December and February. During these months, the conditions are most favourable for the diverse marine life the area has to offer.