Try Scuba Diving in Racha Yai/noi: 2 Dives for Non-Certified

First time under the waves, twice in one day. This Phuket package takes you to Racha Yai and Racha Noi for a beginner-friendly try scuba setup with two guided underwater sessions. I especially like the small group size and the patient instructor approach, plus the fact that you do not need a diving certificate or even strong swimming skills to join. The only real consideration is the schedule and rules, especially the medical screening and the flying restriction after your last session.

One more thing to note: the boat setup includes food, but if you get a big appetite, you may find the portions a bit tight. Still, the day is well paced, and you will have plenty of time on the surface between your two underwater sessions.

Key highlights to focus on before you book

• Two underwater sessions at Racha Yai and Racha Noi, each timed for first-timer comfort
• Max depth of 12 meters with a session length capped at 50 minutes or 50 bar, whichever comes first
• Small groups of 2 to 3 people, so the instructor can watch your comfort level
• All gear included, plus insurance coverage for the activity
• Non-swimmers can join, and you do not need a certificate to participate

Racha Yai and Racha Noi: a smart Phuket choice for first-timers

Racha Yai and Racha Noi are the kind of nearby islands that work well when you want an ocean day without a full-on travel headache. They give you a real chance to see the underwater world, while the tour keeps things structured for people who are new to scuba.

What I like about this pairing is the variety of conditions you can get in one day. Even though you only do two sessions, you are not stuck doing the exact same thing twice. That matters when you are learning buoyancy, breathing control, and how to stay relaxed underwater.

You also get the benefit of professional guidance from the start. Your day begins with time on the boat and a safety briefing before you go underwater, so you are not figuring everything out while wearing a tank.

Price and what you get for $157 in Phuket

At $157 per person, this is not a budget bargain, but it also is not overpriced for what is included. You are paying for the staff time, the guided instruction, the boat day, and the equipment and insurance that many cheaper add-ons would normally charge extra for.

Here is the value breakdown that matters for first-timers:

• Two underwater sessions with a guide, not just one short attempt
• Full scuba equipment included, so you do not need to rent gear separately
• Comprehensive scuba insurance is included in the package price
• Boat meals and drinks: breakfast, lunch, and snacks plus refreshments
• Return transfers are included from several popular Phuket areas

If you live in Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, or select parts of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong, you also avoid the extra hassle of organizing your own transport to the pier area. That can be a hidden cost on other experiences.

Pickup to island time: what the 10-hour schedule feels like

This tour runs about 10 hours, and the flow is pretty clear once you know what each block is for.

Stop 1 and Stop 2: Phuket pickup and transfer

You start with pickup in Phuket, then you ride in a van for about 30 minutes to the island area. For first-timers, that matters because you arrive without stress, and the morning does not feel rushed.

Stop 3: Racha Island, breakfast, and a real safety briefing

On arrival at Racha Island, you get breakfast and free time, plus a safety briefing that lasts about 1.5 hours. You also eat while you are onboard, with meal service included.

This is a good setup. That briefing time usually makes or breaks a first-timer experience. When you understand what to do with your gear and how the instructor will guide you, you feel calmer later when your underwater session starts.

Stops 4 to 7: two sessions plus breaks for food and recovery

After the first underwater session, you get break time and lunch, then you do the second session, followed by coffee, tea, dessert, and local snacks. Each break is long enough that you can cool down, catch your breath, and handle the practical stuff like drying off.

Stop 8 to Stop 10: back to Phuket

After the day on the island, you go back to Phuket, with about an hour of free time before you wrap up. Then it is back by van for about 30 minutes to finish.

The two underwater sessions: timing, depth, and instructor attention

This is the heart of the experience: two guided underwater sessions with an instructor next to you throughout the process.

Session length: 50 minutes or until pressure hits 50 bar

Each session runs for 50 minutes or until the scuba cylinder reaches 50 bar, whichever comes first. That is a practical rule for first-timers. It prevents your experience from turning into a rushed sprint at the end, and it helps you focus on breathing, body position, and enjoying the view.

Maximum depth: up to 12 meters

You can go to a maximum depth of 12 meters. That is a common training limit for beginner-friendly experiences, and it helps keep the day manageable while still giving you meaningful underwater perspective.

Equipment and support

You get a full set of scuba equipment, so you show up wearing swimwear and your basic comfort items, not a load of rentals. The instructors are described as patient and adaptable, which is exactly what you want when you are still learning how your body behaves underwater.

What if you cannot swim?

You do not need to know how to swim for this program. That does not mean you should ignore comfort, but it does mean the setup is designed to help non-swimmers participate safely. You still get instruction and guidance for how to handle yourself once you are in the water.

Stop by stop: what happens at Racha Yai and Racha Noi

The itinerary keeps most of the action on Racha Island, with the two underwater sessions happening there.

Stop 3: Racha Island, get settled

This is where you build your mental checklist: gear basics, rules, and what the day will feel like. You also get time to eat and relax onboard before anyone expects you to act like an underwater athlete.

Stop 4: first underwater session (about 50 minutes max)

This session is your first real encounter with scuba equipment and underwater buoyancy. Expect an instructor-led experience, with plenty of coaching and a pace designed for comfort. Since you are limited to 12 meters, you are not pressured to go deep to make the day feel worthwhile.

Stop 5: break time and lunch (about 1 hour)

This is your recharge block. Your body needs time to warm up and settle after you are out of the water. Lunch is included, and there is time to reset before the second session.

Stop 6: second underwater session (about 50 minutes max)

The second session is often where first-timers surprise themselves. Even if you felt a little awkward the first time, you usually get more confident once you know what to do with your breathing and posture.

Stop 7: coffee, tea, dessert, snacks, and more onboard time

This is a nice touch for a full day out. It helps the experience feel less like a rushed activity and more like an actual ocean trip with a couple of learning moments inside it.

Food on the boat: satisfying enough, but plan around smaller portions

Food is included: breakfast, lunch, snacks, refreshments, plus coffee, tea, dessert, and local snacks during the later break. That is a big plus, especially since you can spend most of the day on and off the boat.

Still, one downside that can matter for you is that the onboard food can feel a bit scarce compared with the number of people. If you know you eat a lot, I would pack extra snacks if that is allowed by the operator, or plan to eat well before pickup.

Transfers and where the van will pick you up

Return transfers are included from:

• Kamala
• Patong
• Karon
• Kata

Plus select parts of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Chalong

If you are staying farther out, you can still arrange pickup, but it may require an extra charge for locations beyond the included areas. This matters because many Phuket day tours advertise transfers, then charge you when you are not exactly on their route.

Medical rules you should not skip: who this is and is not for

This is the part you should treat like non-negotiable.

You must confirm medical fitness before you go. The program lists conditions where you should not participate, including:

• Asthma or wheezing
• Fainting, seizures, or blackouts
• Chronic bronchitis or persistent chest complaints
• Chronic sinus conditions
• Chest surgery
• Recurrent ear problems when flying
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes Mellitus (sugar diabetes)
• Tuberculosis or other long-term lung diseases
• Brain, spinal cord, or nervous disorders
• Heart disease of any kind
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
• Chronic ear discharge or infection
• High blood pressure
• Perforated eardrum
• Other illness or surgery within the last month

It is also not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with heart problems
• People with high blood pressure

If any of these apply to you, do not try to guess. Check with your doctor first, and then match that advice with the rules here.

The big rule about flying after scuba: wait until 11 AM the next day

There is a specific flight restriction: until the day after diving, you are not allowed to fly by airplane at 11 AM (the tour states 18 hours).

This is important for planning. If you have a flight the next morning, this rule can force you to change your schedule. Build your travel day so you are not racing the clock.

What to bring so your day feels easy

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Camera (if you have one)
• Sunscreen

Practical tip: wear the swimwear under your clothes if you can. It saves time in the awkward in-between moments on a boat.

Also, optional underwater photos and videos may be available from the dive staff. If you want those images, it is smart to remember they are not included.

Who this tour suits best

This experience is a strong match if:

• you are new to scuba and want a structured intro
• you do not have a diving certificate
• you cannot swim but still want to try the underwater experience
• you want small-group attention, not a crowd

It is not a good match if:

• you are pregnant
• you have back problems
• you have heart issues or high blood pressure
• you have any of the medical conditions listed above, or your doctor advises against it
• you have upcoming air travel that conflicts with the 18-hour flying restriction

Instructor style and language support

The instructor team supports English, Persian, and Thai. That matters when you are trying to learn new gear handling and underwater signals.

You are also not thrown into the deep end, because the tour includes a longer safety briefing and a structured format with short, capped sessions. For first-timers, that combination tends to create confidence instead of panic.

One more positive point from the experience: the instruction approach is described as patient and adaptable. In practice, that usually means you get time to understand what is happening and you do not feel rushed when you are adjusting.

Final call: should you book this Try scuba package?

Book it if you want a beginner-friendly, instructor-led ocean day with two underwater sessions, gear provided, insurance included, and small groups that can actually watch you as you learn.

Skip it or ask tough questions first if your schedule involves early flights, or if your health situation overlaps with the medical restrictions. This is not the place to wing it.

If you are a first-timer in Phuket and you want the most value for your money, the $157 price makes sense because you get a full day: transfers, meals onboard, equipment, safety briefing, and two guided underwater sessions. For many people, that is the best way to test the waters with scuba without turning the day into an endurance event.