Review · PHI PHI ISLAND TOURS

From Phi Phi: PADI Open Water Course *eLearning (2+ days)

★ 5.0 · 41 reviews From $475 Operated by Blue View Divers · Bookable on Viator
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Phi Phi’s best scenery is below the surface, and this PADI Open Water course gives you four underwater sessions around coral reefs, turtles, sharks, and the islands of Phi Phi Leh and Bida. You study the theory at your own pace, then learn the skills in a training pool before heading out by longtail boat.

I like the small class size, capped at 10, and the strong focus on calm, careful instruction. I also like the practical setup: eLearning before arrival, two boat trips with two sessions each, lunch between them, and a team that includes instructors such as Michael, Caroline, Jose, and Rebecca. The main drawback is the time and commitment. You need 8 to 12 hours of study before arriving, plus two or three days on Phi Phi, and the 800 THB National Park fee costs extra.

Key points to know before booking

From Phi Phi: PADI Open Water Course <em>eLearning (2+ days) – Key points to know before booking’ /></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Four qualifying underwater sessions:</strong> Your training takes place over two boat trips, with two sessions on each trip.</li>
<li><strong>PADI eLearning comes first:</strong> Complete the online course and videos before arriving, usually allowing 8 to 12 hours of study.</li>
<li><strong>Training starts off the beach:</strong> You practice skills, complete swim tests, and review theory before visiting the marine sites.</li>
<li><strong>Phi Phi Leh and Bida Islands:</strong> The route can include Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay, and Ko Bida Nok, with coral, turtles, and possible shark sightings.</li>
<li><strong>A small, safety-led operation:</strong> The maximum group size is 10, and the centre provides equipment, a dive computer, basic insurance, lunch, and certification fees.</li>
<li><strong>Budget for the park charge:</strong> The 800 THB National Park fee is not included in the advertised $475.80 price.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="why-this-phi-phi-course-is-more-than-a-sightseeing-trip">Why this Phi Phi course is more than a sightseeing trip</h2>
<p>eLearning (2+ days) – Why this Phi Phi course is more than a sightseeing trip’ /></p>
<p><p>This is a real PADI Open Water certification course, not a quick introductory swim with an air tank. You will learn how to use scuba equipment, manage basic underwater problems, complete required skills, and show that you can handle yourself in the water.</p>
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<p><p>That distinction matters. Four sessions around Phi Phi sound like a holiday activity, but the course also asks for concentration and patience. The online work covers the academic side, while your instructor handles the practical skills and supervises you in the water.</p>
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<p><p>The course is supplied by Blue View Divers, a PADI 5 Star centre at Viewpoint Resort. The office is about five minutes outside Phi Phi town and looks over Loh Dalum Bay, so you get a pleasant place to sort out paperwork, equipment, and questions before the serious work begins.</p>
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<p><p>I would contact the centre soon after booking. The team sends the official PADI eLearning course and Open Water videos so you can study before you set foot on Phi Phi. This format saves classroom time on the island, but do not leave the lessons until the night before. Eight to 12 hours of theory is a sizeable assignment, especially if you are also managing ferries, hotel check-in, and island plans.</p>
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