2 Days PADI Advanced Course from Phi Phi

The most appealing part of this course is its mix of formal PADI training and carefully chosen underwater sites around Phi Phi. You can work toward Advanced Open Water certification while looking for turtles, sharks, and coral life, rather than spending two full days in a training pool. I like the small classes, capped at 10 people, and the clear focus on safety. I also like that the course includes PADI e-learning, equipment, lunch, and certification fees, which makes the headline price easier to assess.

The main caution is the schedule. Day 2 lasts about eight hours, and you need moderate physical fitness. The course is also non-refundable if you cancel, although poor weather or an insufficient group may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Key points to know before booking

• Two-day PADI Advanced course: Complete the official program with online study and practical sessions around Phi Phi.
• Small-group instruction: The maximum group size is 10, with a stated preference for personal attention and safety.
• Ko Bida Nok and Ko Phi Phi Le: Training takes place at two well-known local sites, with the chance to see turtles, sharks, and coral.
• A night session may be included: The course experience described here included a first night session for one participant, depending on the selected training plan.
• Most major costs are included: Equipment, computer rental, lunch, insurance, e-learning, taxes, and certification fees are covered.
• Extra park charge: You must pay the Phi Phi National Park fee directly to the rangers, 800 THB for two days.

What this PADI Advanced course is really like

Blue View Divers runs this course from Ko Phi Phi Don, using longtail boats and also offering larger-boat trips. The team has been operating from Phi Phi for many years and aims to reach sites at quieter times, sometimes trying to have a site largely to itself.

That goal matters here. Phi Phi is famous, and its most scenic bays can feel busy above the water. Underwater, a smaller group and good timing can make the experience calmer. You are still visiting popular sites, so there is no promise of solitude, but the operator’s approach is more thoughtful than simply following the busiest boat schedule.

The course is for certified Open Water participants who want the next PADI level. You are not just collecting another card. The sessions introduce different skills, including a descent to 30 metres, navigation, and comparisons involving color and light at depth. The exact mix of training sessions can vary, but the supplied course details also mention a night session as part of one participant’s program.

You meet your instructor before the main course day to review the required online chapters. This is useful. It lets you ask questions before getting on the boat and helps the instructor check that you understand the basic material. You should complete the PADI e-learning in advance rather than treating it as a last-minute task.

Meeting at Blue View Divers above Phi Phi

The meeting point is Blue View Divers at Scuba Diving Phi PhiViewpoint Resort, 107, Phi Phi Island, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi 81210. You meet near Phi Phi Pier about 30 minutes before departure on each course day.

That extra half hour is not wasted time. The staff use it for a briefing, equipment preparation, and a review of what you will practice. The center includes a training pool and a view, giving you a place to get comfortable with equipment before heading out.

The course has a maximum of 10 people, but your personal experience depends on the number assigned to your instructor. Small groups are one of the strongest reasons to consider this center. They allow more room for questions and make it easier for an instructor to watch your buoyancy, equipment handling, and comfort level.

The staff named in the course feedback include Becca and Michael. Becca is repeatedly singled out for making people feel safe while explaining the skills clearly, while Michael is praised for his calm instruction during an Advanced Open Water course. Instructor availability will vary, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will lead your class.

Day 1 at Ko Bida Nok

The first full day takes about five hours and centers on Ko Bida Nok. This island is part of the dramatic Phi Phi group, where steep limestone scenery continues below the surface in the form of coral areas, rock walls, and marine habitats.

The important point is that this is not simply a sightseeing outing. You are practicing the skills required for the advanced qualification while using a real marine site. Your instructor briefs you before each session, explains what to watch for, and keeps the pace suited to the group.

The shorter first day is helpful after the online study and equipment setup. You have time to settle into the course without facing the longest schedule immediately. It also gives you an early chance to decide how comfortable you feel with the instructor and the equipment.

At Ko Bida Nok, you might see the sort of wildlife associated with Phi Phi, including turtles, reef fish, sharks, and coral life. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and the quality of a sighting depends on conditions, but the operator specifically selects sites for marine life while asking participants to respect fragile underwater areas.

The environmental focus is worth noting. The team teaches low-impact habits and presents conservation as part of good scuba practice, not as a separate lecture. That means you should expect reminders about protecting coral and avoiding contact with the seafloor or animals.

Lunch is included, along with coffee or tea at the center. The course does not state a detailed menu, so you should not book it for a particular meal. Still, having lunch covered is practical on a five-hour boat day.

Day 2 at Ko Phi Phi Le

The second day lasts about eight hours, so this is the demanding part of the course. You meet at the pier again, receive a briefing, and travel toward Ko Phi Phi Le for the maximum-depth session and other required activities.

One of the listed exercises takes you to a maximum depth of 30 metres. You compare colors and observe how light and color change with depth. This is a useful lesson because it turns a classroom idea into something you can see directly. Red and warmer colors lose intensity as you descend, and your instructor can use that change to explain why underwater photographs often look different from what your eyes see.

A 30-metre descent requires attention and good judgment. The point is not to go as deep as possible for bragging rights. You are learning how depth affects air use, color, pressure, and your response to the environment. Your instructor’s role is to manage the exercise and help you stay calm and controlled.

The course experience also includes a night session for some participants. A first night outing can be one of the most memorable parts of an Advanced Open Water course because familiar surroundings look and behave differently after dark. However, the supplied schedule does not spell out exactly when every specialty takes place, so ask Blue View Divers which sessions are planned for your dates.

Ko Phi Phi Le is visually impressive, but the site can be popular. The operator tries to miss the heaviest crowds, though weather, boat traffic, and local conditions can affect the plan. The long day gives you more time on the water, but it may feel tiring if you have packed too many other activities into your Phi Phi stay.

You return to the meeting point at the end of the activity. There is no separate transfer from another island listed, so make sure you are staying on Ko Phi Phi Don or can reach the meeting point on time.

Instruction, safety, and the feel of the course

The strongest feature here is the human side of the training. The instructors are described as professional, attentive, friendly, and reassuring. Those qualities matter more than a glossy boat or a famous location when you are learning at depth or entering the water after dark.

Becca receives particular praise for keeping people comfortable while still teaching properly. Michael is also described as an excellent instructor. The wider team is presented as willing to answer questions and flexible when plans need attention.

Blue View Divers places safety at the center of its service. You can expect briefings before sessions, supervision in the water, and use of a dive computer. The equipment is described as high quality, and the course includes scuba equipment rather than requiring you to arrange a separate rental.

Still, a course is a shared activity. Even with a maximum of 10 people, the instructor must divide attention among the group. If you want one-to-one teaching, ask about a private instructor before booking. The information provided does not state that private instruction is included.

You should also be honest about your health. The course calls for moderate physical fitness and is not recommended for people with asthma. Basic insurance is included, but it is described as a basic redemption-only policy, so you should check what it covers before relying on it for a medical or travel claim.

What the $417.93 price includes

At $417.93 per person, this is not a budget activity. Its value depends on whether you need the full certification package. The price includes:

• PADI e-learning
• Certification fees
• Scuba equipment
• Dive computer rental
• Lunch
• Coffee or tea at the center
• All fees and taxes
• Basic insurance

That list removes several costs that can surprise you at other training centers. You do not need to pay separately for the course manual or certification processing, and you do not need to arrange your own computer or standard equipment.

The extra charge is the Phi Phi National Park diving fee. You pay the rangers directly, at 800 THB for two days. A three-day amount of 1,000 THB is also listed, but this particular course lasts two days.

Group discounts are available, though the amount is not stated. If two or more people are booking together, ask for the current group price. Because the course includes certification and equipment, the cost is easier to justify for someone who specifically wants the PADI Advanced qualification. It is less attractive if you only want a few recreational underwater outings without certification.

Who will get the most from this course

I would recommend this course to an already certified Open Water diver who wants more structure and more confidence. It suits you especially well if you value careful instruction, small groups, and a conservation-minded approach.

It is also a good fit if you want to combine training with the marine life of Phi Phi. You may see sharks or turtles, but you should choose the course for the training first and treat wildlife as an added reward.

The course is not ideal for someone with a packed island schedule. Day 2 takes about eight hours, and both days begin with an early meeting near the pier. You also need to be comfortable with boat travel, repeated underwater sessions, and the physical demands of handling scuba equipment.

If you are not yet certified for Open Water, this is not the right course. The program is an advanced step, not an introductory lesson. If you have asthma, the supplied guidance says the activity is not recommended, so discuss your plans with a qualified medical professional and the center before paying.

Booking rules and practical cautions

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. That makes travel timing important. Avoid placing this course on the last possible day of your trip, especially if you have onward transport that cannot be moved.

Weather can cancel the activity. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the option of another date or experience.

You receive confirmation when you book. Bring enough time for the pre-course e-learning review and arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes before departure. You should also budget separately for the 800 THB national park fee, paid to the rangers.

I would ask three questions before booking: which instructor is assigned, which Advanced specialties are planned, and whether a night session is included on your dates. Those answers will help you know how closely your course will match your goals.

Is the two-day Phi Phi course worth booking?

I would book this course if you want a proper PADI Advanced qualification and prefer patient instruction over a large boat operation. The combination of small classes, included equipment, a computer, certification fees, and lunch gives the $417.93 price reasonable value.

I would be more cautious if your schedule is tight, your health makes strenuous activity uncertain, or you dislike strict cancellation terms. The park fee is extra, weather may affect the plan, and the long second day demands energy.

For the right participant, Blue View Divers offers a practical way to build confidence around Ko Bida Nok and Ko Phi Phi Le while learning better underwater habits. Book it for the training and the care of the instructors. Let the turtles, sharks, coral, and possible night session make the two days memorable.

FAQ

Where does the PADI Advanced course start?

It starts at Blue View Divers at Scuba Diving Phi PhiViewpoint Resort, 107, Phi Phi Island, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi 81210, Thailand.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately two days. The first full day is about five hours, and the second is about eight hours.

Which sites are included?

The stated sites are Ko Bida Nok on Day 1 and Ko Phi Phi Le on Day 2.

What maximum depth is included?

One session reaches a maximum depth of 30 metres.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. Scuba equipment and dive computer rental are included.

Are PADI e-learning and certification fees included?

Yes. The PADI e-learning course and certification fees are included in the price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, as well as coffee or tea at the dive center.

What extra fee must I pay?

The Phi Phi National Park fee is extra. For two days, the listed amount is 800 THB, paid directly to the rangers.

Is the course suitable for people with asthma?

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