Pattaya scuba diving

Pattaya scuba diving

PADI Courses in Pattaya

PADI stands for Professional Association of Diving Instructors, and it is the world’s leading scuba diving training organization. PADI courses range from beginner to professional levels, and they teach you the skills and knowledge you need to enjoy diving safely and responsibly. 

Pattaya is a popular destination for diving in Thailand, as it offers a variety of dive sites, including coral reefs, artificial reefs, and shipwrecks. Pattaya also has many PADI dive centers that can provide you with quality training, equipment, and guidance. 

According to my search results, here are some of the PADI dive centers in Pattaya that you can check out: 

Pattaya Dive Centre:

A PADI 5-Star IDC dive center that has been operating since 2007. They offer dive and snorkeling trips to the Pattaya coal islands, as well as all PADI certification courses from beginner to professional. They also have three exclusive dive boats for their customers. 

Seafari Dive Center:

A PADI 5-Star IDC dive center located in Soi 12, and just 2 minutes walk from the Pattaya beach road. They offer daily dive trips to the best dive sites in Pattaya, as well as a full range of PADI courses from beginner to instructor. They also have a large dive shop with a wide selection of diving equipment and accessories. 

Real Divers:

A British PADI 5-Star IDC dive center that specializes in wreck diving and technical diving. They offer dive trips to the most famous wrecks in Pattaya, such as the HTMS Khram and the HTMS Kut, as well as PADI courses from beginner to technical. They also have two large speedboats that can reach the dive sites in less than an hour. 

Jomtien Dive Center:

A PADI 5-Star IDC dive center that prides itself on giving the best customer experience. They offer dive and snorkeling trips to the Pattaya islands, as well as PADI courses from beginner to professional. They also have a friendly and professional staff that can cater to your needs and preferences. 

What is the cost of PADI courses?

PADI courses are scuba diving courses that offer different levels of certification and training for divers of various experience levels. The cost of PADI courses depends on the type of course, the location, the duration, and the dive shop that offers it. According to some web search results, here are some examples of PADI course prices: 

Open Water Diver:

This is the first scuba diving certification level that teaches you how to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment. The price ranges from $217 to £595 (about $800). 

Advanced Open Water Diver:

This is a course for novice divers who want to improve their skills and experience new adventures with an instructor by their side. The price ranges from $204 to £350 (about $470). 

Rescue Diver:

This is a course that improves your confidence and teaches you how to handle common problems and emergencies in diving. The price ranges from $211 to £400 (about $540). 

Divemaster:

This is the first professional level of scuba diving that prepares you to lead and supervise other divers. The price ranges from $270 to £2,995 (about $4,000). 

Instructor Development Course (IDC):

This is the course that trains you to become a PADI Instructor and teach scuba diving to others. The price ranges from $790 to £3,995 (about $5,400). 

These are just some of the PADI courses available, and the prices may vary depending on the dive shop, the location, the equipment, and the additional fees. You can find more information about PADI courses and their prices on the PADI website or by contacting a local dive shop near you. 

How long does it take to complete a PADI course?

The duration of a PADI course depends on the type of course, your experience level, and your learning pace. According to some web search results, here are some approximate time frames for some common PADI courses: 

Open Water Diver:

This is the first scuba diving certification level that teaches you how to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment. The course can take three or four days by completing the knowledge development portion online, or longer if you prefer a more flexible schedule 

Advanced Open Water Diver:

This is a course for novice divers who want to improve their skills and experience new adventures with an instructor by their side. The course can take two to three days and includes five dives: a deep dive, a navigation dive, and three specialty dives 

Rescue Diver:

This is a course that improves your confidence and teaches you how to handle common problems and emergencies in diving. The course can take three to four days and includes knowledge development, rescue exercises, and two open water scenarios 

Divemaster:

This is the first professional level of scuba diving that prepares you to lead and supervise other divers. The course can take anywhere between six weeks and six months to attain the certification, depending on the number of dives you have and the time you can dedicate 

Instructor Development Course (IDC):

This is the course that trains you to become a PADI Instructor and teach scuba diving to others. The course can take 10 to 12 days and includes two parts: the Assistant Instructor course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor course 

What is the difference between PADI and SSI?

PADI and SSI are two of the most popular scuba diving agencies in the world that offer different levels of certification and training for divers of various experience levels. Both are widely accepted and recognized by dive centers and resorts around the globe. However, there are some differences between them in terms of their content, costs, certification cards, and e-learning options. Here are some of the main differences: 

Content:

PADI and SSI have similar standards and curricula for their courses, but they may differ in the way they present and deliver the material. For example, PADI has more standardized and structured courses, while SSI allows more flexibility and customization for instructors and students. PADI also offers more specialty courses and certifications than SSI, such as Project AWARE, TecRec, and Rebreather 

Costs:

PADI and SSI have different pricing models for their courses and materials. PADI charges more for the course fees, but includes the certification card and the e-learning access in the price. SSI charges less for the course fees, but requires the students to pay extra for the certification card and the e-learning access. The total cost may vary depending on the dive shop, the location, the equipment, and the additional fees. 

Certification cards:

PADI and SSI issue different types of certification cards for their divers. PADI issues plastic cards that are valid for life, but can be upgraded to digital cards for an extra fee. SSI issues digital cards that are valid for life, but can be printed as plastic cards for an extra fee. Both cards can be accessed online or through mobile apps. 

E-learning:

PADI and SSI offer online learning platforms for their students to complete the theory part of their courses. PADI’s e-learning is more interactive and multimedia-rich, but requires a one-time payment and a download of the course material. SSI’s e-learning is more simple and text-based, but is free and can be accessed anytime and anywhere. Both platforms allow the students to track their progress and communicate with their instructors. 

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