Pray Dive

Located in Phuket, Pray Dive provides access to some of the most diverse marine environments in Thailand. Whether you are looking for the sheltered reefs near Kata Beach or the dramatic limestone walls of the Phi Phi Islands, the centre offers a range of excursions tailored to different skill levels.

From the deep pinnacles of Racha Noi to the historic King Cruiser wreck, the diving here covers a broad spectrum of topography. You can choose between morning departures from Chalong Pier for island trips or more flexible day dives and night dives directly from the shore at Kata Beach.

This PADI 5 Star centre is a family-run operation with over 15 years of experience in the industry. The team consists of 12 instructors, ensuring that even during busy periods, the focus remains on safety and professional standards. To maintain a personalised approach, the centre strictly limits group sizes to a maximum of three divers per guide.

Instruction is available in several languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Thai. This multilingual support makes it easier for international divers to follow technical briefings and course material. The team also places a strong emphasis on marine conservation, incorporating reef protection principles into their training and operations.

Pray Dive offers a comprehensive catalogue of PADI courses, catering to every stage of a diver's progression. Beginners can start with the PADI Discover Scuba Diving programme or work through the PADI Open Water Diver and Scuba Diver courses. For those looking to advance, the centre provides the PADI Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver, and Rescue Diver courses.

Specialty training is extensive, covering essential skills such as the PADI Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) Specialty, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Night Diver. There are also courses focused on professional development, such as the Divemaster course, and conservation-led training like the Project AWARE and Coral Reef Conservation Specialist courses. For younger divers, the PADI Bubblemaker and Junior certification programmes are also available.

The Mermaid is a 23.8-metre steel-hulled vessel designed for stability and comfort during longer excursions. Powered by twin Diesel HINO engines totalling 620 horsepower, she is capable of reaching sites like the Phi Phi Islands and the Racha Islands efficiently.

On board, you will find breakfast, lunch, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages provided for the day. The vessel is well-equipped for comfort, offering towels and even ginger tea to help manage sea sickness. Nitrox is available for those who require it, making the Mermaid a reliable choice for advanced divers and those looking to extend their bottom time.

The centre provides a full range of rental kit for divers who do not have their own equipment. This includes regulators, BCDs, and dive computers, as well as more basic items like masks, snorkels, and fins. For night dives, torches are also available for hire.

While the centre does not list specific compressor brands, they maintain a professional setup to support their daily excursions and training programmes. All equipment is managed on-site to ensure it is ready for your scheduled dives.

The reefs are teeming with life, from colourful reef fish and parrotfish to larger pelagics. You can often spot eagle rays (Aetobatus) and various species of sharks, including blacktip reef sharks and Leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata). During the manta ray season, these magnificent creatures are a highlight of the Racha Noi area.

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to explore in the smaller details of the reef. The sites are home to various nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and octopus (Octopus vulgaris). Look closely for ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), shrimps, and various species of crabs among the corals.

In the deeper sections and around the wrecks, larger predators move through the water column. You may see great barracudas (Sphyraena barracuda), jacks (Carangidae), and various types of snapper (Lutjanus). The presence of moray eels (Muraenidae) and scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) adds to the biodiversity of the rocky outcrops and caves.

Diving conditions in Phuket vary depending on your chosen site. The Racha Islands and the King Cruiser wreck can experience stronger currents, which are better suited to more experienced divers. In contrast, Kata Beach offers minimal currents and shallower depths, making it ideal for beginners or those preferring a more relaxed experience.

The best time to visit the area is generally between November and May. During this period, you can expect more stable conditions across the various dive sites.