2 Days PADI Advanced Course from Phi Phi

REVIEW · KO PHI PHI DON

2 Days PADI Advanced Course from Phi Phi

  • 5.013 reviews
  • From $417.93
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Operated by Blue View Divers · Bookable on Viator

Phi Phi turns scuba skills into real confidence. This 2-day PADI Advanced course with Blue View Divers keeps things practical, with small groups (up to 10) and instructors who emphasize safety and eco-friendly habits. One thing to plan for: the Phi Phi National Park fees aren’t included, so you’ll pay rangers on top of the course price.

What makes this option interesting is the way it’s structured around preparation and underwater success. You review PADI eLearning chapters before you even meet your instructor on-site, then the days run with tight briefings, quality equipment, and hands-on coaching from instructors such as Becca and Michael (both mentioned in feedback). If you want strong guidance without feeling rushed, this kind of course format fits.

Key Things I’d Focus On Before You Book

2 Days PADI Advanced Course from Phi Phi - Key Things I’d Focus On Before You Book

  • Small group size (max 10): more attention during skills and briefings.
  • PADI eLearning included: you arrive ready, instead of guessing what you’ll need to study.
  • 30m training limit on Day 2: structured for depth control and understanding how visibility/colors shift.
  • Equipment + scuba computer rental included: fewer extra costs, less last-minute stress.
  • Eco-minded, safety-first team: conservation practices are part of the teaching, not an afterthought.

Two Days of PADI Advanced Training on Koh Phi Phi Don

This is a classic Phi Phi setup: a course on land for prep and planning, then short, focused work underwater around some of the best nearby sites. Blue View Divers runs as a highly rated PADI provider (5-star center in their category, with strong ratings and repeat customers), and the tone is consistent: professional, safety focused, and centered on helping you feel in control.

You’re not buying this for a quick badge. You’re buying it for better habits—planning dives well, managing buoyancy and awareness, and learning how to handle changing conditions. That’s especially useful on Phi Phi, where visibility and currents can vary and where you want your skills to work even when you’re excited about what you might see.

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Safety-First Coaching in Small Groups (Up to 10)

The biggest value here is how the instruction is delivered. The course is capped at 10 travelers, and that matters. In a larger group, it’s easy to become a passenger. In a smaller one, you get time to ask questions, check understanding, and refine your technique without feeling like you’re falling behind.

The teaching style also seems to land well with people coming from different comfort levels. Feedback highlights instructors who are attentive and methodical, with names like Becca and Michael coming up for confidence-building and clear instruction. That’s a big deal on an Advanced course, because the goal isn’t just to get deeper—it’s to act like a safer, more independent diver.

Day 1 Preparation and the Ko Bida Nok Session Plan

Day 1 has two parts: preparation before you go, then your first reef/underwater sessions from Phi Phi.

First, you meet your instructor the day before the course starts (or earlier as arranged) to review the eLearning chapters. This is a smart way to set up the course. It helps you connect what you studied on your own with how it’s applied in real conditions. You’re also more likely to show up with questions that your instructor can answer right away.

Then you meet about 30 minutes before departure near Phi Phi Pier for the day’s briefing. From there, you head out for the session at Ko Bida Nok. The day runs about 5 hours. Admission to sites is not included in the price, but the overall structure includes the core “course work”: briefings, guided training, and time to practice skills rather than only chasing scenery.

A practical note: when a course day starts with a strong briefing, you waste less time underwater trying to figure out what’s happening. That’s how you get more learning per hour.

Day 2 at Ko Phi Phi Le: Depth Control to 30 Metres

Day 2 starts the same way—pier briefing, then you head out with the instructor’s plan in mind. This day is longer (around 8 hours), and it includes what the course calls a deeper training focus.

At Ko Phi Phi Le, your first underwater session tops out at a maximum depth of 30 metres. The training also includes a lesson-style component about what changes with depth—specifically, comparing colors at different depths. That’s more than a fun observation. It’s a way to train your eye and expectations so you don’t get disoriented when the light looks totally different from shallower water.

This is also the kind of day where your prep work from Day 1 pays off. If you understand what you’re practicing and why, you spend more time improving and less time reacting.

One more thing I’d watch for: people often come to Phi Phi excited about marine life. That’s great. Just keep your focus on the course goals, because the instructor’s guidance is what turns a pretty outing into certified progress.

What’s Included (And How That Affects Real Value)

The course price is $417.93 per person, and the “included” list is pretty thorough. You get:

  • PADI eLearning course plus certification fees
  • Scuba equipment use
  • Lunch
  • Rental scuba computer
  • Insurance with basic redemption only policy
  • Coffee or tea at the dive center
  • All fees and taxes (for the operator-side costs)

That combination is what usually makes a course feel worth it on a travel budget. If you’re comparing prices elsewhere, check what’s actually included. Some operators charge extra for certification fees, equipment, or “must-have” gear. Here, the essentials are bundled.

The one clear extra is the Phi Phi National Park diving fees, paid to rangers:

  • 2-day fee: 800 THB
  • 3-day fee: 1000 THB

So your real budget is the course price plus the ranger fee. Still, even with that addition, you’re covering the big cost items: training program fees, equipment, and a rented computer.

Marine Life Chances Off Ko Bida Nok and Ko Phi Phi Le

Phi Phi is known for the kind of underwater scenery that pulls you forward, and the course is designed to use that. The plan emphasizes selection of underwater sites that show strong marine life while respecting fragile ecosystems.

From the information provided, you can reasonably expect opportunities to see highlights like corals, turtles, and even sharks. The exact lineup depends on conditions and the day’s conditions—nothing underwater is guaranteed. But the course is clearly geared toward giving you both: real training and the excitement of what’s living there.

Also, the team’s conservation focus is not just marketing language. Eco-friendly diving practices are taught as part of the experience, which helps you avoid the classic mistake of getting so focused on photos that you forget how easily reefs get damaged.

Gear, Food, Boats, and the Phi Phi Rhythm

This is a two-day schedule with early starts and a realistic pace. You’ll be meeting near Phi Phi Pier with a briefing, then out on a boat, then back to base to reset. Expect a “day off your mind” feeling: you’re busy, but guided and organized.

Equipment quality matters on an Advanced course. Here, you’re provided with scuba equipment, plus a rental scuba computer, so you aren’t trying to hunt down gear or rent the wrong size item last minute. The presence of a computer rental also supports consistent training, since the course goals rely on your depth and timing awareness.

The operator also has long-running experience using longtail boats, and they’re also set up for larger boat diving when needed. That flexibility can matter when conditions shift.

Lunch is included too, which sounds basic, but it really changes the mood of a long day. You won’t be burning mental energy figuring out food halfway through training.

Who This Course Fits Best (And Who Should Think Twice)

This is a PADI Advanced course, so it’s best for divers who already have the foundation skills. The experience also specifies a moderate physical fitness level.

If you have asthma, this is not recommended. That’s the sort of restriction you should take seriously—don’t treat it as a casual note.

Who tends to like this style? People who want:

  • Safety-first instruction with clear briefings
  • Small group attention
  • An instructor who helps you build confidence, not just check boxes
  • A course that includes sightseeing, but keeps the training goals in front

If your main goal is a relaxed vacation with no structured work, you might find this more intense than you want. If your main goal is improving and feeling more capable, this format makes sense.

Price and Logistics: Is $417.93 Worth It?

For Phi Phi, the $417.93 price is competitive when you look at what’s included: eLearning and certification fees, equipment, lunch, and a scuba computer rental. The total “real cost” is the course price plus the ranger fee (800 THB for two days).

In other words, you’re not paying for the basics and then getting nickel-and-dimed for the things that make the course work. That’s the value angle here.

You should still verify a couple practical points before booking:

  • Plan for extra ranger fees for the park
  • Build in flexibility for weather, since the experience depends on good conditions
  • Remember the class size is small, so it’s not the best choice if you want a huge social party vibe

FAQ

FAQ

What is the duration of the PADI Advanced course?

It runs for 2 days, with the time per day listed as approximately 5 hours on Day 1 and 8 hours on Day 2.

Is PADI eLearning included in the price?

Yes. The package includes the PADI eLearning course, along with certification fees.

What scuba equipment do I get?

Scuba equipment use is included, and you also get a rental scuba computer.

What additional fees do I need to pay for Phi Phi National Park?

Phi Phi National Park diving fees are not included. You pay rangers 800 THB for a 2-day course (or 1000 THB for a 3-day course).

How deep does the training go?

On Day 2, your first underwater session includes a maximum depth of 30 metres.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

Where do I meet the group?

The start point is Blue View Divers: Scuba Diving Phi Phi Viewpoint Resort, 107, Phi Phi Island, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Thailand. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

No. It is not recommended for travelers with asthma.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book This 2-Day PADI Advanced Course in Phi Phi?

If you want an Advanced course that feels organized and safety focused, this is a strong match. The bundled training package (eLearning, certification fees, equipment, lunch, and a scuba computer rental) keeps the experience straightforward, and the small group size helps you actually learn instead of just follow.

I’d book it if your goal is real skill improvement plus the chance to see Phi Phi’s marine life without chasing it at the expense of good technique. I’d think twice if you’re sensitive to asthma or if you prefer a totally unstructured vacation day with no formal training.

If you’re ready to work a little and come away more confident, this is exactly the kind of course that can turn a good trip into a lasting underwater upgrade.

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