2 Days PADI Advanced Course from Phi Phi

Phi Phi’s underwater world is the star here, but the real value is the way the course combines formal PADI training with proper exploration. You work toward certification at sites around Ko Bida Nok and Ko Phi Phi Le, rather than spending two days in a classroom or a crowded training pool.

I like the small groups, capped at 10, and the strong safety focus. I also like that the fee covers e-learning, certification costs, equipment, a computer, lunch, and basic insurance. The main catch is practical: the national park fee costs extra, the schedule depends on weather, and the course asks for two fairly full days at sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Maximum depth of 30 metres: The first Day 2 session is the course’s Deep Adventure Dive, with exercises that help you notice how colors and depth affect what you see.
• Small-group instruction: The group limit is 10, with personal teaching from PADI professionals such as Becca and Michael.
• Online study before the boat trip: You review the e-learning chapters with your instructor the day before the course begins.
• Ko Bida Nok and Ko Phi Phi Le: These famous Phi Phi-area sites give the course a scenic setting and a chance to see corals, turtles, sharks, and other marine life.
• Night training may be available: The course includes a choice of five adventure sessions, and a night session has been part of the program for some participants.
• Extra park fee: Bring 800 THB for two days, paid directly to the national park rangers.

What this two-day PADI course is really like

This is not simply a sightseeing trip with a tank on your back. It is a formal PADI Advanced Open Water course, designed to build on your existing basic certification while giving you more control, range, and confidence underwater.

You complete the academic part online before meeting your instructor. The day before the course, you sit down with the instructor to review the relevant chapters and make sure you understand what is coming. That small step matters. You can ask questions before you are on a moving longtail boat, with equipment to check and a group waiting.

Blue View Divers puts clear emphasis on safety. That means briefings before the sessions, close attention from the instructor, and a teaching style aimed at building confidence rather than rushing you through a checklist. Becca and Michael are two instructors specifically associated with strong, calm instruction, and the staff are described as friendly, attentive, and easy to approach.

The group limit is 10 people, though your actual class may be smaller. Small classes are especially useful on an advanced course. You get more direct feedback, and the instructor has a better chance of noticing small issues with buoyancy, trim, breathing, or task management.

You should still expect a full schedule. The first day lasts about five hours, while Day 2 runs about eight hours. This is not a good fit if you want a loose island outing with plenty of spare time. It suits you best if you want to finish a recognized qualification during your Phi Phi stay.

Day 1: Ko Bida Nok and the first set of skills

Your first morning begins near Phi Phi Pier, where you meet about 30 minutes before departure. The team gives a briefing before heading out, so allow yourself enough time to arrive without a last-minute scramble.

Ko Bida Nok is one of the course locations. The day is used for adventure sessions that form part of the PADI Advanced program. The exact combination depends on the course arrangement, but the course is built around practical subjects rather than a long classroom lecture.

That is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You are learning skills in the setting where they matter. The instructor can help you apply what you studied online while also showing you how the local conditions affect your movement, visibility, and awareness.

The underwater scenery adds a welcome reward. Blue View’s team selects sites for their coral and marine life, with the stated aim of avoiding the busiest periods when possible. You might encounter turtles, sharks, and other sea life, though no wildlife sighting is guaranteed.

The company also places weight on low-impact habits. You are taught to respect corals and avoid careless contact with the seabed. That may sound basic, but it is an important part of becoming a better scuba participant. The prettiest site in the world will not stay pretty if people kick, grab, or stand on the coral.

The first day lasts around five hours. Lunch is included, as are coffee or tea at the centre. Equipment use, a dive computer, e-learning, certification fees, and the listed taxes are also part of the package, which keeps the cost easier to understand.

Day 2: Ko Phi Phi Le and the 30-metre session

The second day begins in much the same way, with a pier meeting and a briefing before the boat heads toward Ko Phi Phi Le. This is the longer day, at about eight hours, so plan around the course rather than trying to fit another major activity into the same afternoon.

The first underwater session reaches a maximum depth of 30 metres. A central exercise involves comparing colors and noticing how depth changes what you see. It is a simple idea, but a useful one. Red and other warm colors fade with depth, and learning to read those changes helps you judge the underwater environment more accurately.

The course may also include navigation, buoyancy work, a night session, or another adventure subject from the PADI Advanced program. Five adventure sessions are part of the course structure, with the specific choices shaped by the instructor and conditions.

A night session is a particularly memorable option if it is included in your plan. One participant’s course included a first night experience, which is a good reminder that the advanced qualification can add variety as well as depth. At night, your attention changes. Your light becomes important, your surroundings feel different, and careful communication with the instructor matters even more.

The boat day is not only about completing exercises. You also get time to observe Phi Phi’s marine life and coral formations. The team’s longtail boat background is part of the local character of the operation, while larger boat trips are also available through the centre.

The tradeoff is comfort and timing. A longtail boat gives you a classic Phi Phi experience and access to nearby sites, but it is not the same as a large vessel with extensive indoor space. Bring practical sun protection and accept that the day may feel tiring. The course information calls for moderate physical fitness, and that is a sensible standard for two consecutive days on the water.

Why the small classes matter underwater

A maximum of 10 people is not tiny by every scuba standard, but it is much more personal than a large recreational outing. You are not simply following a guide from one point to the next. The instructor has to watch your technique and help you complete the course tasks safely.

That personal contact is where Blue View’s strongest reputation lies. Becca is repeatedly singled out for professionalism, clear guidance, and the ability to make people feel safe. Michael is also praised for helping a student complete the Advanced Open Water course while keeping the mood positive.

You should still ask about the likely class size when booking. The published limit is 10, not a promise that every session will have only a few people. If direct attention is your top concern, that question is worth asking before you pay.

The centre also operates with an eco-focused approach. Its instructors present conservation as part of good scuba practice, not as a separate lecture. That makes sense in Phi Phi, where coral sites face pressure from boats, swimmers, and underwater visitors.

Equipment, safety, and what the price includes

The listed price is $417.93 per person. That is a serious amount, but it covers more than boat access and tanks.

Your package includes:

• PADI e-learning
• Certification fees
• Scuba equipment
• Dive computer rental
• Lunch
• Coffee or tea at the centre
• All listed fees and taxes
• Basic insurance under the stated redemption-only policy

The inclusion of certification and e-learning fees improves the value. You do not have to add the usual course materials and qualification charge later, at least according to the stated inclusions.

The computer rental is another useful detail. An advanced course is a good time to become comfortable reading your depth and related information, rather than relying only on the instructor. Equipment is described as high quality, but you should still mention any fit or comfort concern early in the process. A mask that leaks or a poorly fitting suit can distract you from the work you are there to learn.

The basic insurance wording deserves attention. It is listed as a redemption-only policy, so read the terms and understand what it covers before departure. Do not assume it replaces your own suitable travel or scuba insurance.

The extra cost is the Phi Phi National Park fee: 800 THB for two days, paid to the rangers. A three-day amount of 1,000 THB is also listed, but this course lasts two days. Add that fee to your budget, and bring the payment in the form requested locally.

Phi Phi’s marine life and the eco-minded approach

The setting is a major reason to choose this course over an urban certification program. Ko Bida Nok and Ko Phi Phi Le offer dramatic coastal scenery above the surface and coral habitat below it.

You might see turtles or sharks, as well as smaller marine life among the coral. These sightings are possible rewards, not promises. The course’s real purpose is training, so the instructor may need to pause your sightseeing to correct a skill or prepare for the next exercise.

I like that balance. A good advanced course should not turn into a wildlife chase. Blue View’s stated approach is to choose attractive sites while respecting delicate ecosystems and to avoid crowds when conditions allow. Fewer people at a site can mean a calmer session, but Phi Phi is a popular destination, and no operator can guarantee an empty site.

Conservation also has a direct benefit for you. Learning to keep clear of coral, control your buoyancy, and move with care makes the experience more enjoyable. You see more when you are not stirring up the bottom or worrying about accidental contact.

The practical side: meeting point, health, and weather

The meeting point is Blue View Divers at Scuba Diving Phi Phi Viewpoint Resort, 107, Phi Phi Island, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi 81210. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

The centre is associated with a training pool and a view, which gives you a useful place to prepare before going out. The initial briefing near the pier keeps the boat departure organized, but you should confirm the exact meeting instructions after booking.

You need moderate physical fitness. Two days on the water, equipment handling, boat movement, and repeated underwater sessions can be demanding. The course is not recommended for people with asthma, according to the stated health guidance. If you have any medical concern, get professional clearance before booking rather than waiting until the morning of the course.

Weather is another real factor. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The course also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that number is not met, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation terms are less flexible. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. That makes travel insurance and a careful look at your Phi Phi schedule sensible.

Who should book this Phi Phi course?

This course fits you if you already hold the required basic scuba qualification and want to add the PADI Advanced Open Water certification in a memorable island setting. It is especially suitable if you value patient instruction, small groups, careful briefings, and a centre with a conservation-minded outlook.

It also works well if you are returning to Phi Phi after an earlier course. One participant came back after completing an earlier qualification with Blue View and found the advanced training enjoyable and useful. Familiarity with the centre can make the process feel easy, but you do not need that history to benefit from the course.

You may want a different option if you dislike long boat days, want a private instructor, or need a highly flexible schedule. The $417.93 price also requires a clear commitment, especially once you add the 800 THB park fee.

Should you book it?

Book this two-day course if you want more than a certificate. You will get structured PADI training, coral sites near Phi Phi, included equipment and course fees, and instructors such as Becca and Michael who are praised for calm, attentive teaching.

Before paying, check the likely group size, confirm which five adventure sessions are planned, and make sure you are comfortable with the physical demands and non-refundable terms. If you are fit, already certified at the basic level, and ready for two serious days at sea, Blue View Divers offers a strong mix of education, marine life, and local Phi Phi scenery.

FAQ

Where does the course begin?

You meet at Blue View Divers at Scuba Diving Phi Phi Viewpoint Resort, 107, Phi Phi Island, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi 81210, Thailand. The morning briefing also takes place near Phi Phi Pier before departure.

How long does the activity last?

The course lasts approximately two days. Day 1 takes about five hours, while Day 2 takes about eight hours.

What certification does the course provide?

The activity is an official PADI Advanced Open Water course. PADI e-learning and certification fees are included.

What is the maximum group size?

The activity has a maximum of 10 participants.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with coffee or tea at the Blue View Divers centre.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The Phi Phi National Park fee is paid separately to the rangers. The stated cost for two days is 800 THB.

Is the course suitable for people with asthma?

The activity is not recommended for people with asthma. It also requires a moderate level of physical fitness.