Is Big Blue Diving Khao Lak Good? What Beginners & Advanced Divers Should Know

Is Big Blue Diving Khao Lak Good? What Beginners & Advanced Divers Should Know

Big Blue Diving Khao Lak is a legitimate choice for both beginner and advanced divers. The shop carries a 4.9 out of 5 Google rating from 192+ verified reviews, which signals consistency over time — not a one-off good month. They're SSI certified, teach in English, and operate in Khao Lak, a destination known for calm, accessible reef dives near shore plus deeper wall dives further out. If you're a beginner, they're a safe choice; if you're experienced and want to explore Similan Islands or Andaman walls, they have the infrastructure. Before you book, though, there are specific details you should confirm: whether they run confined-water training (not all shops do, and it shows), instructor continuity, exact pricing breakdown, and what's included in your course. Khao Lak's dive market is professional but competitive, so a 4.9 rating tells you Big Blue clears the bar — but it doesn't mean it's the only good shop there, or that it's automatically right for your timeline and budget.

Why Khao Lak Is a Good Dive Destination

Khao Lak sits on Thailand's Andaman coast, about 90km north of Phuket. The geography works in divers' favour: shallow, sheltered reef dives near the shore (5–18 metres), plus deeper sites at Similan Islands (20 minutes by speedboat, average depth 15–25 metres, some walls to 40m+). Viz is typically 15–30 metres depending on season; it's best November to April. For beginners, the local shallow reefs mean you can practice buoyancy control in calm water. For advanced divers, the Similan drop-offs and pinnacles offer real terrain. Khao Lak doesn't have the giant pelagics of Koh Tao or the technical grit of Koh Samui's reefs — it's more about precision buoyancy and site knowledge. The water temperature sits 26–29°C year-round, so a 3mm wetsuit is fine. Bottom line: Khao Lak is intermediate-friendly, not a party town like Koh Tao and not a technical hotspot. It rewards divers who want to practice and explore at their own pace.

Beginner Courses at Big Blue Diving Khao Lak

If you're learning to dive, Big Blue offers entry-level SSI certifications. SSI Open Water (OW) typically takes 3–4 days and covers confined-water training (usually a pool or lagoon) plus open-water dives on reefs. Pricing in Khao Lak for OW courses runs $300–$450 depending on the shop and season; Big Blue should be within that range, possibly lower in shoulder seasons (May–August). What you should confirm: (1) Do they run confined-water training? Some budget shops skip the pool and go straight to the reef, which accelerates learning but creates gaps in foundational skills. Ask to see their pool or confined-water area. (2) What's the instructor-to-student ratio? 4:1 is standard; 6:1 gets thin. (3) Are all four open-water dives at the same site, or do they move around? Moving sites teaches adaptability; staying put is easier on the student. Big Blue's rating suggests they run structured courses, but ask anyway. (4) Does the price include wetsuit rental and gear? If not, budget an extra $30–50.