REVIEW · PHI PHI ISLANDS
3 Fun Dives for Certified Diver Phi Phi islands &Shark Point
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by PDP · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Phi Phi has you under water fast. I love the small groups (just 3–4 in the water) and the chance to target Shark Point with a clear, instructor-led plan. One consideration: the Phi Phi National Marine Park fee is extra and paid in cash directly on the boat.
From Phuket, the day runs on rails: a pickup van, a comfortable scuba boat, and a schedule that gives you real breathing room between underwater time and meals. That balance is what makes it feel worth it, even if you have to factor in the park fee.
In This Review
- Key points worth your attention
- Phi Phi and Shark Point in one day: the vibe of this small-group plan
- Price and value at a glance: where your $167 goes
- Phuket pickup and boat schedule: why the timing feels workable
- Phi Phi time before your first underwater session
- Two sessions around Phi Phi, plus a third at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Dok Mai
- Shark Point stop: snacks, coffee, and a longer recharge
- Safety rules you should actually notice: 50 minutes, 50 bars, and insurance
- Marine park fee and photos: costs to expect and how to avoid surprises
- Should you book this Phi Phi and Shark Point package?
- FAQ
- Where does pickup happen?
- How long is the experience?
- Is this only for certified scuba participants?
- How many underwater sessions are included?
- Where are the sessions located?
- How long is each underwater session?
- What equipment is provided?
- Is there insurance included?
- Are Phi Phi National Marine Park fees included?
- Can I fly after this day?
Key points worth your attention

- Small-group water time (3–4 people) means less waiting around and more personal checks from your instructor
- Three underwater sessions total: two around Phi Phi, plus a third at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Dok Mai based on conditions
- 50 minutes or 50 bars per session keeps things consistent and reduces the guesswork for planning your air
- Meals and drinks on the boat (breakfast, lunch, snacks, fresh fruit, beverages) make the long day easier on your stomach
- Insurance included gives you confidence for your scheduled underwater time
- Phi Phi park fee is usually collected on arrival (600 Thai Baht in cash), so keep some on hand
Phi Phi and Shark Point in one day: the vibe of this small-group plan

This package is built for certified scuba participants who want an efficient, well-run day without feeling like a cattle call. The key detail is the limit of 3–4 participants per session, so your instructor can actually watch your buoyancy, your gear setup, and your entry/exit habits. That matters a lot when you’re stacking multiple sessions in one long day.
The route also keeps your expectations clear. You’re spending time on Phi Phi for two underwater sessions, then moving to Koh Phi Phi for Shark Point for the third. And if conditions steer things a different way, you might swap that third location to Anemone Reef or Koh Dok Mai—so you still get a meaningful third stop, rather than a throwaway change.
One nice detail from the feedback you’ll hear about this style of operator: the team tends to be patient and adaptable. One name that pops up is Arju, described as a great companion who kept things organized and comfortable. You can treat that as a sign of how they try to run the day: calm, not chaotic.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Phi Phi Islands.
Price and value at a glance: where your $167 goes

At $167 per person (for a total day around 10 hours), you’re paying for more than just the underwater time. The value comes from the combination:
- Equipment included (full scuba gear set)
- Three scheduled sessions
- Food and drinks on the boat: breakfast, lunch, snacks, fresh fruit, and refreshing beverages
- Instructor support, including multilingual options (English, Thai, Persian)
- Scuba insurance included for the tour
If you’ve ever done a day where you had to pay for equipment separately, buy a random snack, and hope the schedule works out, this format is the opposite. You get a plan, and you’re not constantly doing logistics math in your head.
Now, don’t ignore the one cost that sits outside the package: the Phi Phi National Marine Park fee. Right now it’s listed as 600 Thai Baht for all divers, paid in cash to the marine park police who usually board the boat when it arrives at Phi Phi. If you plan for that upfront, the rest of the day stays straightforward.
Phuket pickup and boat schedule: why the timing feels workable

The day starts with a pickup van in Phuket. The itinerary lists a 30-minute van ride before you reach the Phi Phi area. This is helpful because it means you’re not spending your entire morning stuck in traffic with no clear timeline.
Once you’re at Phi Phi, you get a longer block before your first underwater session—about 2.5 hours that includes breakfast, free time, onboard meals, and a safety briefing. That’s a good thing. Even if you’re experienced, safety checks and gear prep go smoother when you’re not rushing.
Then the day follows a repeatable rhythm:
- Underwater session (up to 50 minutes)
- Break and lunch
- Another underwater session (up to 50 minutes)
- A longer recharge period at Shark Point with coffee, tea, and local snacks
- Final underwater session (again up to 50 minutes)
- Return to Phuket with about 1.5 hours for coffee/tea and snacks
That structure is why this feels doable. You’re still out for roughly 10 hours, but you’re not living on adrenaline the whole time.
Phi Phi time before your first underwater session

Phi Phi is your warm-up day—two sessions here means you have a chance to settle into the area rather than treating it like a one-hit stop.
Right after arrival, you’ll have breakfast and some free time, plus onboard food and a safety briefing. This is where the operator’s “patient and adaptable” style shows up in real life. For certified scuba participants, the difference between a good and average day is often simple: does someone help you set your gear confidently, check your plan, and keep the group organized?
You’ll also benefit from the small-group setup. With fewer people per session, it’s easier for your instructor to track who’s ready, who needs a quick fix, and who benefits from extra reminders. That can reduce the stress that sometimes builds when boats run with large groups.
One small practical tip: use the pre-session time to double-check your comfort items—sunscreen, towel, and your camera setup—because once you’re in the water, the day moves fast. The boat provides a lot of what you need, but you still control how prepared you feel.
Two sessions around Phi Phi, plus a third at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Dok Mai

Here’s the core of the underwater plan:
- Two underwater sessions around Phi Phi
- One third session at Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Dok Mai
- The third location depends on what conditions the tour leaders choose
That condition-based decision is smart. The ocean is never the same twice, and operators who plan only one fixed spot can end up giving you a weaker experience if visibility or currents aren’t favorable. This package explicitly allows for switching the third location to keep your day on-track.
When you’re choosing between likely options, here’s how to think about it:
- Shark Point is the headline stop for many people, and it’s scheduled as the “destination” for the third session at Koh Phi Phi.
- Anemone Reef is a good alternative when conditions don’t line up for Shark Point.
- Koh Dok Mai is the other named backup, again used when leaders decide it’s best for the day.
In all cases, each session is designed with a predictable structure: up to 50 minutes in the water, or until your cylinder pressure reaches 50 bars. That’s important for planning your effort and for keeping the group moving on schedule.
Also, you’re not doing this solo. The instructor is there to guide the plan, and the operator notes instructor availability in English, Thai, and Persian, so you’re less likely to feel lost at briefing time.
Shark Point stop: snacks, coffee, and a longer recharge

After your second underwater session, the day builds in a longer buffer at Shark Point. The itinerary lists about 80 minutes for the break area, including:
- coffee and tea
- local snacks
- onboard meal time
- time to regroup before the final session
That break is more than comfort. It gives your body time to settle between sessions, drink water, and refuel before the last time you go underwater. If you’re the type who feels “rushed” on multi-session days, this is the part that usually makes the difference between a good day and a tired one.
It also helps you mentally. By the time you reach the third session, you’ve already done the routine once. You know what your air consumption feels like and how your gear performs. Then your last session is more about observation and enjoying the marine life rather than re-learning your setup.
If the third location shifts away from Shark Point due to conditions, the same idea still applies: the day includes a meaningful break with food and drinks before the final water time.
Safety rules you should actually notice: 50 minutes, 50 bars, and insurance

A few rules define how smooth the day will be underwater.
First, the session cap:
- Each session promises up to 50 minutes of time in the water
- Or you end the session when your cylinder hits 50 bars
Second, you’re covered by scuba insurance included with the tour. That doesn’t remove risk (water is water), but it does mean the operator is thinking beyond logistics and into accountability.
Third, you have a realistic flight restriction afterward. The tour notes that until 1 PM the day after diving, you are not allowed to fly by airplane (about 18 hours). If your Thailand itinerary includes an early departure or internal flight, build your schedule so you’re not cutting it too close.
One more practical point: this experience is only for certified scuba participants. If you’re not currently certified at the scuba level, this won’t be the right day for you. And it’s also listed as not suitable for:
- children under 10
- pregnant women
- people with back problems
- people with heart problems
If any of those apply, it’s worth choosing a different activity that matches your needs.
Marine park fee and photos: costs to expect and how to avoid surprises

This is where I’d tell you to be prepared.
The Phi Phi National Marine Park fee is listed as 600 Thai Baht for all divers. It’s not included, and it needs to be paid in cash directly to the marine park police. The note says this usually happens 90% of the time, when the police visit the dive boat after arriving at Phi Phi.
So do yourself a favor: bring cash you can hand over quickly. Having to scramble at the dock or after the boat has already moved is the kind of stress you can easily avoid.
On top of that, there’s an optional add-on for underwater memories. Underwater photos and videos may be offered by the staff on the boat, but it’s not provided by the main Phuket dive operator—so treat it as a vendor add-on rather than part of your included package. If you want them, ask on the day and confirm prices early.
Also, after you’re done, you’ll return to Phuket with about 1.5 hours for coffee/tea and snacks, which is a small but welcome buffer if you’re heading straight back to your hotel.
Should you book this Phi Phi and Shark Point package?

Book it if you want a structured day: small group, real coaching, three underwater sessions across Phi Phi plus a major Koh Phi Phi stop. The included gear and onboard meals are a strong value blend, especially if you’d otherwise pay separately for equipment and food.
You should also book if you like the idea of flexibility. The third stop can switch among Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Dok Mai based on conditions, and that’s usually a sign the leaders are trying to protect the experience rather than force a single plan.
Skip it (or choose something else) if the extra costs or restrictions would bother you. The park fee is cash-only and separate. And if you have back or heart issues, you’re listed as not suitable. If you’re pregnant or under 10, this isn’t for you either.
One last decision-helper: check your schedule for the no-fly window afterward. If you have flights the same day or early the next morning, this tour may collide with your travel plans.
If that all fits, this is the kind of Phuket-area scuba day that feels efficient, guided, and comfortable—especially because the group size stays small and the boat day keeps feeding you while you wait.
FAQ
Where does pickup happen?
The package includes complimentary return transfers from selected Phuket areas, including Kamala, Patong, Karon, and Kata, plus select parts of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong. Other areas may require an additional charge.
How long is the experience?
It runs about 10 hours total. Starting times vary, so you’ll need to check availability.
Is this only for certified scuba participants?
Yes. It is only for certified scuba divers.
How many underwater sessions are included?
You get three total underwater sessions.
Where are the sessions located?
Usually two sessions are around the Phi Phi Islands, and the third session is at either Shark Point, Anemone Reef, or Koh Dok Mai depending on the best conditions.
How long is each underwater session?
Each session offers up to 50 minutes of underwater exploration, or until your cylinder pressure reaches 50 bars.
What equipment is provided?
A full set of scuba diving equipment is included.
Is there insurance included?
Yes. The tour includes scuba diving insurance that covers you throughout the activity.
Are Phi Phi National Marine Park fees included?
No. The fee is listed at 600 Thai Baht and must be paid in cash directly to the marine park police when they visit the boat (usually when the boat arrives at Phi Phi).
Can I fly after this day?
You are not allowed to fly by airplane until 1 PM the day after your underwater sessions, which the tour notes is about an 18-hour window.





