REVIEW · PHUKET
3 Fun Dives in Racha Yai and Racha Noi for Certified Divers
Book on Viator →Operated by Phuket Dive Provider · Bookable on Viator
Three mornings worth of ocean time.
This Phuket package takes you to Racha Yai and Racha Noi, with three guided scuba sessions planned for certified divers. I like that it’s run with tight group sizes and a clear time cap per session, so your day stays smooth. I also like the included food and the fact that you’re covered by scuba insurance while you’re out there.
I love the small-group setup: max 15 travelers overall, and each session is limited to about 3 to 4 divers for more direct attention. I also like that you get breakfast, lunch, snacks, and soft drinks on the boat, with dietary needs handled if you tell them in advance. That combination means less scrambling for food and more time focused on being in the water.
The main trade-off is the 7:00 am start and the full day (about 9 hours). If you’re not a morning person, you’ll feel it, even though the pacing is meant to be practical.
In This Review
- Key things that make this Phuket day work
- Racha Yai and Racha Noi: the underwater story you’re paying for
- Chalong Pier to open water: timing and transfers that matter
- The structure behind 3 sessions in one day
- What you’ll feel with small-group attention and guides by name
- Equipment and boat setup: comfort plus real logistics
- Value check: why $89.61 can make sense for a full day
- Safety and health requirements you should not ignore
- Should you book this Racha Yai and Noi package?
- FAQ
- How many underwater sessions are included?
- How long is each underwater session?
- Does the price include transfers from Phuket beaches?
- What’s included with the package besides the sessions?
- What’s not included?
- What if the weather is bad?
Key things that make this Phuket day work

- Racha Yai and Racha Noi, three separate sessions with expert guidance for certified divers
- Up to 50 minutes underwater or until 50 bars, whichever comes first
- Small groups (3 to 4 per session, max 15 total) for calmer, more personal support
- Meals on the boat: breakfast, snacks, lunch, and soft drinks, plus dietary accommodations
- Safety support beyond basics: scuba equipment + scuba insurance coverage
- Instructors with real names and real calm mentioned in reviews, including Sam, Saeed, and Johan
Racha Yai and Racha Noi: the underwater story you’re paying for

Racha Yai and Racha Noi are the kind of places that attract divers because the water usually delivers real marine life close to the sites. You’re set up for repeated time in that same area across the day, instead of hopping around to far-off locations.
From the reviews tied to this experience, the highlights are consistent: coral and colorful fish, plus the chance of memorable moments at sites with structure like a wreck. One guest specifically called out seeing stingrays near a sunken ship, which is exactly the sort of detail that makes these island trips feel worth the logistics.
You should also know the package is built for certified divers, so they’re not trying to teach you basics all day. That’s good for your time, because it leaves more of your schedule for actual underwater exploration rather than long classroom-style prep.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Phuket.
Chalong Pier to open water: timing and transfers that matter
The day begins at Chalong Pier (12 Sunrise Rd, Tambon Chalong). Start time is 7:00 am, and the activity returns you to the same meeting point at the end.
If you’re staying on the Phuket west coast, pickup may save you a lot of hassle. The tour offers transfers from Kamala, Patong, Karon, and Kata, plus select parts of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong. If you’re outside those zones, you’d need to arrange something else (the listing says private transfers are available for an extra cost).
Why this matters: that early start can feel easier when the transport is handled for you. Without pickup, you’re likely planning your own ride to Chalong by 7:00 am, which changes the vibe of the morning.
The structure behind 3 sessions in one day

You’re signed up for three underwater sessions at Racha Yai or Racha Noi. Each session is timed, with a clear cap of up to 50 minutes underwater or until your cylinder reaches 50 bars. That’s a big deal for experienced divers, because it reduces the guesswork on pacing and lets you plan your energy for the rest of the day.
Between sessions, expect time on the boat while the next group gear-up cycle happens. Since meals are included on board, that downtime tends to feel less painful than day trips where you’re stuck with snacks only.
A practical way to think about it: three sessions mean you get repetition. Instead of one long outing that can be affected by minor conditions, you get multiple chances for good visibility, good buoyancy moments, and repeat chances to spot life around coral formations.
What you’ll feel with small-group attention and guides by name

This is where the reviews lean hard, and it’s not just fluffy praise. The experience is designed for 3 to 4 divers per session, which makes it easier for guides to stay close and adjust to your comfort level.
Several guide names show up in the feedback:
- Sam is mentioned as a standout instructor who helped a solo diver feel taken care of, with calm, attentive support.
- Saeed (spelled as Saeed / Mr. Saed in comments) is described as very careful and patient, including for divers doing their first underwater experience in Thailand after certification.
- Johan appears in reviews tied to preparation and a smooth, well-supported trip.
What you should take from that: you’re not just getting a leader who points and waves. You’re likely getting hands-on coaching and reassurance when needed, especially for divers who might be used to their certification materials but not the local site conditions.
If you’re someone who benefits from clear signals, steady pacing, and quick help with minor issues underwater, this group size is a smart match. If you prefer a totally hands-off experience, you might find the extra guidance more than you want—but for most certified divers, it’s a real advantage.
Equipment and boat setup: comfort plus real logistics

The price includes use of scuba equipment, which removes a common pain point in Phuket. You don’t have to rent at the last minute or track down compatible gear.
The boat is described as modern, with an emphasis on comfort and safety, and the schedule is built around that same idea: you’re out for about 9 hours, and you’ll be fed while you’re there.
Meals matter more than people think on a sea day. This package serves:
- Breakfast on the boat
- Snacks and refreshments on the boat
- Lunch on the boat
- Soft drinks
Dietary restrictions are accommodated (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more), as long as you indicate them when booking.
In plain terms: it’s easier to stay hydrated and calm when food isn’t an afterthought. For an all-day water plan, that’s not “nice to have.” It helps your day go better.
Value check: why $89.61 can make sense for a full day

At $89.61 per person, the value mainly comes from what’s bundled, not from the base rate alone.
Here’s what you’re getting included:
- Three underwater sessions
- Scuba equipment
- Scuba insurance coverage
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and soft drinks
- Transfers from multiple Phuket areas (select zones)
So you’re not only paying for the ocean time. You’re also paying for a package that covers the stuff divers typically end up spending on anyway: gear, insurance, and at least one full meal plan for a full-day outing.
Also, this is often booked about 8 days in advance on average. That’s a useful hint: if your dates are tight, waiting can shrink your options.
One more angle: the tour caps group size (max 15 travelers, and about 3–4 divers per session). Many cheaper options either feel crowded or add fees for what you thought was included. Here, the structure is part of the value.
Safety and health requirements you should not ignore

This is for certified divers, but it still comes with serious health reminders. The activity lists a range of conditions where you should avoid participation or get medical clearance first, including (not limited to) asthma or wheezing, chronic bronchitis or persistent chest complaints, chronic sinus issues, heart disease, high blood pressure, perforated eardrum, ear surgery, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, and other long-term lung disease.
It also flags the need to be honest about anything that could affect safe diving. The listing specifically warns that concealing any incompatible condition can put your health or life at risk.
Then there’s the timing rule for air travel: you should not go to altitude (fly) within 18 hours of completing your last underwater session when doing multiple sessions, and it suggests waiting 24 hours if possible.
If any of those health items apply to you, this is a moment to pause and ask questions before you book. A guided day is only “fun” when it’s also safe and realistic for your body.
Should you book this Racha Yai and Noi package?

Book it if you want:
- Three underwater sessions in one day without adding extra planning for gear
- Small-group attention (max 15 overall, about 3–4 per session)
- Meals and soft drinks included on the boat, plus dietary flexibility
- A guide team that shows up in reviews as calm, prepared, and supportive, including Sam, Saeed, and Johan
Skip it or rethink if:
- You’re sensitive to early starts and prefer not to be at Chalong Pier at 7:00 am
- You need a pickup outside the stated transfer zone (private transfers cost extra)
- You want underwater photos and videos included by default (they’re optional here)
- You already rely on a dive computer you’re used to using (this one isn’t included)
If you’re a certified diver who likes structure, good food, and personal guidance, this is the kind of Phuket day that tends to feel efficient. You get repeated chances at Racha’s marine life without turning the schedule into a full-time logistics project.
FAQ
How many underwater sessions are included?
You get three underwater sessions at Racha Yai or Racha Noi.
How long is each underwater session?
Each session is planned for up to 50 minutes underwater, or until your cylinder pressure reaches 50 bars, whichever comes first.
Does the price include transfers from Phuket beaches?
Yes, pickup is offered from Kamala, Patong, Karon, and Kata, plus select parts of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong. If you’re outside the pickup zone, you’d need other transportation (private transfers are available for a cost).
What’s included with the package besides the sessions?
The package includes scuba equipment and scuba insurance coverage, plus breakfast, snacks, lunch, and soft drinks served on the boat. Dietary restrictions are accommodated if you indicate them when booking.
What’s not included?
Alcoholic beverages are not included. Underwater photos and videos are optional. A dive computer is also not included.
What if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

























