Local Dive Thailand - Phuket

Located in the Rawai area of Phuket, Local Dive Thailand has been a fixture of the local diving community since 2012. Following a recent merger with Aussie Divers Phuket, the centre continues to operate as a PADI 5 Star facility, providing a professional base for both local reef exploration and long-range expeditions.

Beyond the daily local trips, the centre manages liveaboards to the Similan Islands, Mergui, and Myanmar. Whether you are looking for a shallow reef flat or a deep wreck dive, the operation is built around a dedicated dive boat, the M/V Kepsub, ensuring your time on the water is focused entirely on the dive.

The centre is staffed by a team of experienced professional and local instructors. This local expertise is a significant asset for navigating the specific currents and topography of the Andaman Sea.

Instruction is conducted in English, though the team is multilingual, with staff capable of communicating in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian. This makes the centre a versatile hub for international divers.

Training is available for all ages, including specific PADI courses designed for children. The facility is fully equipped with on-site classrooms and a swimming pool for skill reinforcement and training.

As a PADI 5 Star centre, the training programme is extensive, ranging from the PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience for beginners to the full PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications.

The curriculum extends into professional levels, including PADI Divemaster and various PADI Specialty Courses. For those looking to refresh their skills, the PADI Reactivate programme is available, alongside a full suite of professional training modules.

The M/V Kepsub is the centre's dedicated dive boat, specifically designed for daily excursions. It provides a stable platform for divers to access the surrounding reefs and wrecks.

On board, you will find breakfast, lunch, and snacks to keep you fuelled between dives, along with beer served after the dives are completed. The boat is equipped to handle various trip types, including day trips and longer liveaboard expeditions.

The centre provides full kit hire through Aqualung, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, masks, fins, and computers. For those who prefer to use their own equipment, individual items can be rented separately.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time. The shore-based facilities are comprehensive, including a dedicated pool for training and classroom spaces for theory.

The area is known for its diverse marine life, including sightings of Whale sharks, Blacktip reef sharks, and Leopard sharks. You may also encounter Loggerhead sea turtles and various species of rays.

For those interested in macro life, the reefs host a variety of nudibranchs, seahorses, and octopus. These can often be found around the wrecks and reef structures.

The reefs are also home to various species of eels, moths of the sea, and various types of fish such as damselfish and butterfly fish.

The area offers a variety of environments, from shallow, low-current reef flats at Racha Noi North Tip to deeper wreck and wall dives. The seasonal availability for certain sites, such as Racha Noi North Tip, is best between June and October.