How much does scuba diving cost in Thailand?

In the public examples reviewed on 19 August 2026, a non-certification try dive starts at THB 2,900, two local fun dives start at THB 2,000, Open Water courses are advertised from THB 12,000 to THB 15,900, and a two-dive Similan day trip starts at THB 5,300 before listed extras. These are source-specific examples, not a Thailand-wide market average or guaranteed quote.

How much is an Open Water course in Thailand?

The reviewed public examples are THB 12,000 on Koh Tao, THB 13,900 for SSI or THB 15,900 for PADI on Koh Lanta, and THB 15,500 for a PADI course in Phuket. Compare the number of training dives, materials, certification, equipment, boat trips, meals, transfers, insurance, and group size before comparing the headline price.

Is diving cheaper in Koh Tao or Phuket?

The reviewed Koh Tao examples have lower headline prices for an Open Water course and two local fun dives than the reviewed Phuket boat-based examples. That does not prove every Koh Tao option is cheaper: boat distance, number of dives, class size, equipment, transfers, marine-park fees, and inclusions can change the final value.

What extra scuba-diving fees should I budget for in Thailand?

Ask about national-park and diver fees, equipment and dive-computer rental, Nitrox, insurance, transfers, certification materials, taxes, single supplements, larger tanks, and gratuities. Not every operator charges every item, so request one written total for your exact date, route, cabin or course.

Is a Thailand liveaboard cheaper than day diving?

Not necessarily. A liveaboard bundles accommodation, meals, transport between remote sites, and many dives, while day diving lets you pay for fewer dive days and choose land accommodation separately. Compare total trip cost and what is included, not only price per dive.

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Thailand Diving Costs 2026/27: Courses, Day Trips & Liveaboards

Compare source-backed public price examples for try dives, Open Water courses, certified day trips, Similan diving and liveaboards — with inclusions, extras and review dates.

By Thailand Dive MapLast reviewed August 19, 2026Sources & methodReport a correction

Source-backed cost planning

Thailand diving prices at a glance

Each guide has a slightly different emphasis. Read the context below before booking.

Quick answer

Start with the product, then compare the total

Prices below are named public examples checked on 19 August 2026. They are not official nationwide tariffs, market averages, live inventory, or guaranteed quotes. PADI and SSI define training requirements, while independently operated dive centres set retail prices and decide what to bundle. [1],[2]

Try scuba

THB 2,900–5,300

One seasonal shore dive or a two/three-dive Phuket boat option in one reviewed menu. This is not a certification. [5]

Open Water

THB 12,000–15,900

Named Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, and Phuket examples. Training agency, dives, equipment, transport, and meals differ. [3],[4],[7]

Certified day diving

THB 2,000–5,300 base

Two local Koh Tao dives at the low end; a two-dive Similan day trip at the high end before listed extras. [3],[8]

North Andaman liveaboard

From THB 22,500

One reviewed 2026/27 four-day, three-night, nine-dive example. It is not a market-wide minimum. [10]

Public price snapshot

Compare named products, not a fake national average

Every row keeps the original THB price, destination, trip or course basis, visible inclusions, possible extras, source, and check date. Different rows are examples of different products, not a cheapest-to-most-expensive ranking.

Swipe sideways to compare every column.

Public Thailand scuba-diving price examples reviewed on 19 August 2026, compared by activity, destination, product basis, inclusions, and items to check separately.
Activity	Destination	Published example	Product basis	Listed as included	Check separately
Try scuba (not a certification)	Phuket	THB 2,900 / 4,900 / 5,300Checked August 19, 2026 [5]	One seasonal Kata shore dive, two Racha dives, or three Racha dives respectively.	Full equipment. The Racha boat options also list selected-area transfers and meals.	The shore option is seasonal; confirm operating dates, pickup coverage, and the exact number of dives.
SSI Open Water course	Koh Tao	THB 12,000Checked August 19, 2026 [2],[3]	About 2.5 days with pool training and four open-water dives.	The operator says complete scuba equipment is provided for beginner courses.	Accommodation, transfers, medical clearance, cancellation terms, and any optional extras.
PADI Open Water course	Phuket	THB 15,500Checked August 19, 2026 [1],[4]	Three days with four required training dives and two extra boat dives.	Digital manual, certification, equipment, six boat dives, listed-area pickup, boat/scuba insurance, and meals on dive days.	Day-one lunch, gratuities, and the optional Phi Phi marine-park charge.
SSI or PADI Open Water course	Koh Lanta	THB 13,900 SSI / THB 15,900 PADIChecked August 19, 2026 [2],[1],[7]	Current public course-rate examples from one Koh Lanta centre.	The rate page establishes the advertised course prices but is not a complete inclusion checklist.	Digital materials, certification, equipment, boat schedule, park fees, transfers, and meals in the written quote.
Certified fun diving	Koh Tao	THB 2,000Checked August 19, 2026 [3]	Two local dives on the reviewed schedule.	The public listing establishes the two-dive price and schedule window.	Rental equipment, special-site surcharges, Nitrox, computer rental, and pickup.
Certified day trip	Koh Lanta	THB 3,500 / 4,900–5,900Checked August 19, 2026 [7]	Two local dives, or a three-dive King Cruiser / Hin Daeng–Hin Muang trip respectively.	The rate page establishes destination, number of dives, and advertised price.	Equipment, park charges, pickup, meals, Nitrox, insurance, and minimum experience for the selected site.
Certified day trip	Phuket	THB 4,200Checked August 19, 2026 [6]	Three dives from Chalong on the reviewed boat page.	Guide, drinking water, tanks, and weights.	The page lists THB 600 equipment, THB 600 Phi Phi park entry, THB 200 computer rental, and THB 700 daily DAN insurance as separate options or charges.
Similan / Richelieu day trip	Khao Lak	From THB 5,300Checked August 19, 2026 [8],[9]	Two dives on the operator's 2026/27 schedule.	Professional guide, two air tanks, weights, breakfast, lunch, and drinks.	The page lists THB 700 park fees, THB 600 equipment, THB 250 computer rental, and THB 250 per Nitrox tank separately.
North Andaman liveaboard	Khao Lak departure	THB 22,500 / 29,700Checked August 19, 2026 [10]	MV Explorer 4 days / 3 nights with 9 dives, or 6 days / 5 nights with 16 dives, in the listed upper-deck double cabin.	Dive computer, meals, drinks, dive insurance, VAT, standard tanks, guide service, towels, and listed onboard basics.	Equipment, national-park fees, Nitrox, transfers, environmental tax, larger tanks, alcohol, and gratuities.

Courses

The agency logo does not tell you the final price

A complete Open Water price can combine digital materials, academic teaching, confined-water practice, four open-water training dives, certification, equipment, boat trips, insurance, food, and transfers. SSI explicitly says centres may charge those components separately or as a package. [2]

A try dive is a supervised introduction, not an Open Water certification. Compare like with like before using price as the deciding factor.

Day trips and liveaboards

Distance, dive count, and cabin explain much of the gap

Koh Tao local boats can run short two-dive sessions. Phuket and Lanta day boats may travel farther and offer three dives. Similan trips add long transfers and national-park costs. Liveaboards then add accommodation, meals, repeated dives, and cabin differences.

Price per dive can be a useful personal calculation, but it does not capture cabin comfort, guide ratio, route, equipment, insurance, or cancellation terms.

Budget the full trip

Nine line items that can sit outside the headline price

Training materials

Confirm whether digital learning and certification are in the course total.

Rental equipment

Ask about BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, computer, torch, and larger tanks.

National-park fees

Check the park, citizenship, activity, and number of chargeable days.

Nitrox

Confirm whether it is included, priced per tank, and available to certified Nitrox divers.

Dive insurance

Check both operator coverage and your own policy, including depth and evacuation limits.

Transfers

Hotel zones, airport trips, piers, and island ferries may use separate prices.

Cabin and occupancy

Liveaboard price depends on deck, bathroom, sharing, and single supplement.

Taxes and payment

Ask whether VAT, card fees, environmental charges, or foreign-currency settlement apply.

Changes and cancellations

Read deposit, weather, park-closure, rescheduling, and refund terms before paying.

Similan fee example: the published DNP schedule lists THB 500 admission for a foreign adult plus a THB 200 per-person, per-day scuba activity fee. That explains the THB 700 park charge shown on the reviewed 2026/27 day-trip page. Confirm the amount collected for your specific date and route before paying. [9],[8]

Choose by goal

Turn a budget into the right comparison

I want to try scuba once

Compare the number of sea dives, maximum group size, equipment, transfers, meals, and whether any credit can be applied to a later course.

Read the first-dive checklist

I want a full certification

Compare the complete course total, not just the agency logo. Confirm digital materials, certification, confined water, four training dives, equipment, insurance, and any extra fun dives.

Compare Koh Tao dive shops

I am already certified

Local two-dive boats can have a lower headline price. Longer Phuket, Lanta, and Similan trips cost more but may include more dives, meals, transfers, or remote sites.

Explore Phuket diving

I want several remote-site dive days

Compare a liveaboard with the total cost of multiple day boats plus land accommodation. Match the same route, dive count, cabin, equipment, fees, and insurance before deciding.

Open the liveaboard Price Index

Editorial transparency

How this guide was checked

By Thailand Dive Map Last reviewed August 19, 2026

We first use PADI and SSI material to define what a training product includes, then record named public price examples from established Thai dive operators and a 2026/27 liveaboard schedule. Every amount keeps its original currency, product basis, inclusions, exclusions, source, and fixed check date. The sample is not a market-wide average.

Sources reviewed

PADI: How to become a scuba diver (source 1)Used for: The difference between online knowledge development and the complete course, plus the fact that independently operated PADI dive shops set their own retail prices.
SSI: Open Water Diver training standards and cost components (source 2)Used for: Four open-water training sessions, the 18-metre certification depth, and the fact that materials, tuition, training dives, and certification may be bundled or charged separately by each training centre.
Big Blue Diving Koh Tao: Current Koh Tao courses and fun-diving prices (source 3)Used for: The reviewed THB 12,000 SSI Open Water example and THB 2,000 two-dive Koh Tao fun-diving example, including the displayed course length and dive count.
Andy's Scuba Diving: PADI Open Water Course Phuket (source 4)Used for: The reviewed THB 15,500 three-day Phuket course example and its published inclusions and exclusions.
Aussie Divers Phuket: Discover Scuba Diving Phuket (source 5)Used for: The reviewed non-certification examples of THB 2,900 for one seasonal Kata shore dive, THB 4,900 for two Racha dives, and THB 5,300 for three Racha dives, with the listed inclusions.
Aussie Divers Phuket: MV Kepsub certified-diver day trip (source 6)Used for: The reviewed THB 4,200 three-dive Phuket example and separately listed equipment, Phi Phi park, dive-computer, and insurance charges.
Go Dive Lanta: Koh Lanta course and day-trip rates (source 7)Used for: The reviewed SSI and PADI Open Water price examples plus two-dive local and three-dive premium day-trip prices in THB.
Big Blue Diving Khao Lak: Similan day trips 2026/27 (source 8)Used for: The reviewed THB 5,300 two-dive base example for 2026/27 and the separately listed park, rental equipment, dive-computer, and Nitrox charges.
Department of National Parks: National-park admission and activity fee schedule (source 9)Used for: The published foreign-adult Similan and Surin admission fee of THB 500 plus the THB 200 per-person, per-day scuba-diving activity fee. Operators should confirm what they collect for a specific trip.
Similan Diving Tours: MV Explorer 2026/27 schedule and prices (source 10)Used for: The reviewed 2026/27 THB examples for 4-day/3-night and 6-day/5-night North Andaman itineraries, including the displayed dive counts, inclusions, and exclusions.

Before you book: Ask the provider for one written total for your exact date, course, route, cabin, occupancy, and equipment needs. Public prices can change and may exclude park fees, insurance, equipment, Nitrox, transfers, taxes, or single supplements.

Found an outdated date or a source we should review? Report a correction.

Thailand diving costs FAQ

How much does scuba diving cost in Thailand?: In the public examples reviewed on 19 August 2026, a non-certification try dive starts at THB 2,900, two local fun dives start at THB 2,000, Open Water courses are advertised from THB 12,000 to THB 15,900, and a two-dive Similan day trip starts at THB 5,300 before listed extras. These are source-specific examples, not a Thailand-wide market average or guaranteed quote.
How much is an Open Water course in Thailand?: The reviewed public examples are THB 12,000 on Koh Tao, THB 13,900 for SSI or THB 15,900 for PADI on Koh Lanta, and THB 15,500 for a PADI course in Phuket. Compare the number of training dives, materials, certification, equipment, boat trips, meals, transfers, insurance, and group size before comparing the headline price.
Is diving cheaper in Koh Tao or Phuket?: The reviewed Koh Tao examples have lower headline prices for an Open Water course and two local fun dives than the reviewed Phuket boat-based examples. That does not prove every Koh Tao option is cheaper: boat distance, number of dives, class size, equipment, transfers, marine-park fees, and inclusions can change the final value.
What extra scuba-diving fees should I budget for in Thailand?: Ask about national-park and diver fees, equipment and dive-computer rental, Nitrox, insurance, transfers, certification materials, taxes, single supplements, larger tanks, and gratuities. Not every operator charges every item, so request one written total for your exact date, route, cabin or course.
Is a Thailand liveaboard cheaper than day diving?: Not necessarily. A liveaboard bundles accommodation, meals, transport between remote sites, and many dives, while day diving lets you pay for fewer dive days and choose land accommodation separately. Compare total trip cost and what is included, not only price per dive.

Thailand Diving Costs 2026/27: Courses, Day Trips & Liveaboards

Compare source-backed public price examples for try dives, Open Water courses, certified day trips, Similan diving and liveaboards — with inclusions, extras and review dates.

By Thailand Dive MapLast reviewed August 19, 2026Sources & methodReport a correction

Source-backed cost planning

Thailand diving prices at a glance

Each guide has a slightly different emphasis. Read the context below before booking.

Quick answer

Start with the product, then compare the total

Try scuba

THB 2,900–5,300

One seasonal shore dive or a two/three-dive Phuket boat option in one reviewed menu. This is not a certification. [5]

Open Water

THB 12,000–15,900

Named Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, and Phuket examples. Training agency, dives, equipment, transport, and meals differ. [3],[4],[7]

Certified day diving

THB 2,000–5,300 base

Two local Koh Tao dives at the low end; a two-dive Similan day trip at the high end before listed extras. [3],[8]

North Andaman liveaboard

From THB 22,500

One reviewed 2026/27 four-day, three-night, nine-dive example. It is not a market-wide minimum. [10]

Public price snapshot

Compare named products, not a fake national average

Swipe sideways to compare every column.

Public Thailand scuba-diving price examples reviewed on 19 August 2026, compared by activity, destination, product basis, inclusions, and items to check separately.
Activity	Destination	Published example	Product basis	Listed as included	Check separately
Try scuba (not a certification)	Phuket	THB 2,900 / 4,900 / 5,300Checked August 19, 2026 [5]	One seasonal Kata shore dive, two Racha dives, or three Racha dives respectively.	Full equipment. The Racha boat options also list selected-area transfers and meals.	The shore option is seasonal; confirm operating dates, pickup coverage, and the exact number of dives.
SSI Open Water course	Koh Tao	THB 12,000Checked August 19, 2026 [2],[3]	About 2.5 days with pool training and four open-water dives.	The operator says complete scuba equipment is provided for beginner courses.	Accommodation, transfers, medical clearance, cancellation terms, and any optional extras.
PADI Open Water course	Phuket	THB 15,500Checked August 19, 2026 [1],[4]	Three days with four required training dives and two extra boat dives.	Digital manual, certification, equipment, six boat dives, listed-area pickup, boat/scuba insurance, and meals on dive days.	Day-one lunch, gratuities, and the optional Phi Phi marine-park charge.
SSI or PADI Open Water course	Koh Lanta	THB 13,900 SSI / THB 15,900 PADIChecked August 19, 2026 [2],[1],[7]	Current public course-rate examples from one Koh Lanta centre.	The rate page establishes the advertised course prices but is not a complete inclusion checklist.	Digital materials, certification, equipment, boat schedule, park fees, transfers, and meals in the written quote.
Certified fun diving	Koh Tao	THB 2,000Checked August 19, 2026 [3]	Two local dives on the reviewed schedule.	The public listing establishes the two-dive price and schedule window.	Rental equipment, special-site surcharges, Nitrox, computer rental, and pickup.
Certified day trip	Koh Lanta	THB 3,500 / 4,900–5,900Checked August 19, 2026 [7]	Two local dives, or a three-dive King Cruiser / Hin Daeng–Hin Muang trip respectively.	The rate page establishes destination, number of dives, and advertised price.	Equipment, park charges, pickup, meals, Nitrox, insurance, and minimum experience for the selected site.
Certified day trip	Phuket	THB 4,200Checked August 19, 2026 [6]	Three dives from Chalong on the reviewed boat page.	Guide, drinking water, tanks, and weights.	The page lists THB 600 equipment, THB 600 Phi Phi park entry, THB 200 computer rental, and THB 700 daily DAN insurance as separate options or charges.
Similan / Richelieu day trip	Khao Lak	From THB 5,300Checked August 19, 2026 [8],[9]	Two dives on the operator's 2026/27 schedule.	Professional guide, two air tanks, weights, breakfast, lunch, and drinks.	The page lists THB 700 park fees, THB 600 equipment, THB 250 computer rental, and THB 250 per Nitrox tank separately.
North Andaman liveaboard	Khao Lak departure	THB 22,500 / 29,700Checked August 19, 2026 [10]	MV Explorer 4 days / 3 nights with 9 dives, or 6 days / 5 nights with 16 dives, in the listed upper-deck double cabin.	Dive computer, meals, drinks, dive insurance, VAT, standard tanks, guide service, towels, and listed onboard basics.	Equipment, national-park fees, Nitrox, transfers, environmental tax, larger tanks, alcohol, and gratuities.

Courses

The agency logo does not tell you the final price

A try dive is a supervised introduction, not an Open Water certification. Compare like with like before using price as the deciding factor.

Day trips and liveaboards

Distance, dive count, and cabin explain much of the gap

Price per dive can be a useful personal calculation, but it does not capture cabin comfort, guide ratio, route, equipment, insurance, or cancellation terms.

Budget the full trip

Nine line items that can sit outside the headline price

Training materials

Confirm whether digital learning and certification are in the course total.

Rental equipment

Ask about BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, computer, torch, and larger tanks.

National-park fees

Check the park, citizenship, activity, and number of chargeable days.

Nitrox

Confirm whether it is included, priced per tank, and available to certified Nitrox divers.

Dive insurance

Check both operator coverage and your own policy, including depth and evacuation limits.

Transfers

Hotel zones, airport trips, piers, and island ferries may use separate prices.

Cabin and occupancy

Liveaboard price depends on deck, bathroom, sharing, and single supplement.

Taxes and payment

Ask whether VAT, card fees, environmental charges, or foreign-currency settlement apply.

Changes and cancellations

Read deposit, weather, park-closure, rescheduling, and refund terms before paying.

Choose by goal

Turn a budget into the right comparison

I want to try scuba once

Compare the number of sea dives, maximum group size, equipment, transfers, meals, and whether any credit can be applied to a later course.

Read the first-dive checklist

I want a full certification

Compare the complete course total, not just the agency logo. Confirm digital materials, certification, confined water, four training dives, equipment, insurance, and any extra fun dives.

Compare Koh Tao dive shops

I am already certified

Local two-dive boats can have a lower headline price. Longer Phuket, Lanta, and Similan trips cost more but may include more dives, meals, transfers, or remote sites.

Explore Phuket diving

I want several remote-site dive days

Compare a liveaboard with the total cost of multiple day boats plus land accommodation. Match the same route, dive count, cabin, equipment, fees, and insurance before deciding.

Open the liveaboard Price Index

Editorial transparency

How this guide was checked

By Thailand Dive Map Last reviewed August 19, 2026

Sources reviewed

PADI: How to become a scuba diver (source 1)Used for: The difference between online knowledge development and the complete course, plus the fact that independently operated PADI dive shops set their own retail prices.
SSI: Open Water Diver training standards and cost components (source 2)Used for: Four open-water training sessions, the 18-metre certification depth, and the fact that materials, tuition, training dives, and certification may be bundled or charged separately by each training centre.
Big Blue Diving Koh Tao: Current Koh Tao courses and fun-diving prices (source 3)Used for: The reviewed THB 12,000 SSI Open Water example and THB 2,000 two-dive Koh Tao fun-diving example, including the displayed course length and dive count.
Andy's Scuba Diving: PADI Open Water Course Phuket (source 4)Used for: The reviewed THB 15,500 three-day Phuket course example and its published inclusions and exclusions.
Aussie Divers Phuket: Discover Scuba Diving Phuket (source 5)Used for: The reviewed non-certification examples of THB 2,900 for one seasonal Kata shore dive, THB 4,900 for two Racha dives, and THB 5,300 for three Racha dives, with the listed inclusions.
Aussie Divers Phuket: MV Kepsub certified-diver day trip (source 6)Used for: The reviewed THB 4,200 three-dive Phuket example and separately listed equipment, Phi Phi park, dive-computer, and insurance charges.
Go Dive Lanta: Koh Lanta course and day-trip rates (source 7)Used for: The reviewed SSI and PADI Open Water price examples plus two-dive local and three-dive premium day-trip prices in THB.
Big Blue Diving Khao Lak: Similan day trips 2026/27 (source 8)Used for: The reviewed THB 5,300 two-dive base example for 2026/27 and the separately listed park, rental equipment, dive-computer, and Nitrox charges.
Department of National Parks: National-park admission and activity fee schedule (source 9)Used for: The published foreign-adult Similan and Surin admission fee of THB 500 plus the THB 200 per-person, per-day scuba-diving activity fee. Operators should confirm what they collect for a specific trip.
Similan Diving Tours: MV Explorer 2026/27 schedule and prices (source 10)Used for: The reviewed 2026/27 THB examples for 4-day/3-night and 6-day/5-night North Andaman itineraries, including the displayed dive counts, inclusions, and exclusions.

Found an outdated date or a source we should review? Report a correction.

Thailand diving costs FAQ

How much does scuba diving cost in Thailand?: In the public examples reviewed on 19 August 2026, a non-certification try dive starts at THB 2,900, two local fun dives start at THB 2,000, Open Water courses are advertised from THB 12,000 to THB 15,900, and a two-dive Similan day trip starts at THB 5,300 before listed extras. These are source-specific examples, not a Thailand-wide market average or guaranteed quote.
How much is an Open Water course in Thailand?: The reviewed public examples are THB 12,000 on Koh Tao, THB 13,900 for SSI or THB 15,900 for PADI on Koh Lanta, and THB 15,500 for a PADI course in Phuket. Compare the number of training dives, materials, certification, equipment, boat trips, meals, transfers, insurance, and group size before comparing the headline price.
Is diving cheaper in Koh Tao or Phuket?: The reviewed Koh Tao examples have lower headline prices for an Open Water course and two local fun dives than the reviewed Phuket boat-based examples. That does not prove every Koh Tao option is cheaper: boat distance, number of dives, class size, equipment, transfers, marine-park fees, and inclusions can change the final value.
What extra scuba-diving fees should I budget for in Thailand?: Ask about national-park and diver fees, equipment and dive-computer rental, Nitrox, insurance, transfers, certification materials, taxes, single supplements, larger tanks, and gratuities. Not every operator charges every item, so request one written total for your exact date, route, cabin or course.
Is a Thailand liveaboard cheaper than day diving?: Not necessarily. A liveaboard bundles accommodation, meals, transport between remote sites, and many dives, while day diving lets you pay for fewer dive days and choose land accommodation separately. Compare total trip cost and what is included, not only price per dive.