Visa Diving Center

Visa Diving Center main street shop (S6624) is located just 25 meters from the main pier in Tonsai Bay.

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As you come off of the pier turn right and walk about 25 meters to find us.

In 1998 Visa Diving Center was established by Horst Forster and Khun Jeerasak Klongsamut. We began with our main street shop, just eight sets of dive equipment, and our custom built liveaboard, the Visa 1.

Visa 1 is now a daytrip boat, as explained below.

In 2000 we became a PADI Dive Center. We opened our second shop in the Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel. Here we have an air-conditioned classroom, access to the hotels private pier and a spacious patio outside of the shop for socializing and logging dives.

This same year we were awarded the PADI 5 Star Rating in our Main Street Dive Center, and the PADI Gold Palm Resort rating in the Cabana Hotel Dive Center.











In 2003 we renovated our main street shop adding a classroom and balcony upstairs. We built our third dive speedboat, Visa 7, also fitted with twin 200hp engines, radio, GPS, oxygen, first aid, toilet and shower.

Tsunami 26 Dec 2004,

We were affected by the tsunami and lost a valuable member of our staff and dear dear friend, Matthew McComish. Geoff Colmer, another valuable member of our staff and dear dear friend also a victim of the tsunami. We will never forget you. All our respect and thoughts to everyone affected by the tsunamin.

Our Cabana office went right into the sea and our shop on the main street got badly hit as well, although the building is standing. We have now done some rebuilding and are operating as before. We would like to thank you all for your messages of sympathy via email and telephone during this time.

 2005 we started off small but expanded into the shop next door. 

Our Philosophy
Visa Diving Center

Because safety is important to us, our boats are all insured and equipped with oxygen, radios and first aid. We are an affiliated member of HST - Hyperbaric Services Thailand, whom operate the Phuket Re-Compression Chamber in Patong Beach.

Visa Diving Center is a member of PIRA (PADI International Resort Association); a PADI Gold Palm Resort and a PADI 5 Star Dive Center. This means we meet and exceed the highest PADI quality and safety standards. We focus on safe diving practices, first aid and safety equipment on all dives. You will be guided or trained by reliable staff, all of whom make you feel comfortable and safe at all times. Underwater we all speak the same language but above the waterline you can converse with our multi-lingual staff in your own language.

We have Scubapro BCDs and regulators, all of which is well maintained, serviced and regularly renewed. We have sizes to suit all, from fins to tanks - extra large to extra small. If you are bringing your own equipment then you can leave it with us during your stay.

Because customer service is important to us, we limit our group sizes to 4 guests per dive guide or instructor. Our staff shall take your equipment to the boat, all you need take is your weight belt and yourself.

We have 1 big boat, Visa 1 for our marine park dives, and 3 custom built dive speedboats for the further field trips such as the wreck of the King Cruiser ferry, the caverns of Koh Haa and the world class dives sites of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. All the boats are equipped with toilet and hand shower. So you can shower yourself and your still camera or video. All boats have drinking water and Visa 1 also has tea and coffee freely available.

We aim to be flexible so if you have a specific request we shall try and cater to your special needs and requirements.

Project AWARE
Visa Diving Center

31 October 2006

Visa Diving Center goes ECO with the Project AWARE Go ECO Operator Campaign

Visa Diving Center is the latest PADI dive centre to be awarded with Project AWARE Go ECO Operator status in 2006.

Joanne Marston, Coordinator, of Project AWARE Asia Pacific added, "We are pleased to recognise Visa Diving Center as a Go ECO Operator. We look forward to working with them to implement environmental best practices and educate tourists about how they can travel responsibly."

Go ECO Operators also demonstrate a commitment to conservation and pledge to follow the Go ECO Operator guidelines.   

For further information about the Go ECO campaign visit the EcoTourism section of the Project AWARE website www.projectaware.org or email info@projectaware.org.au

About Project AWARE:

Project AWARE is the dive industry’s leading non-profit environmental organisation dedicated to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Project AWARE Foundation offices located in Australia, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland combine efforts to conserve aquatic resources in 175 countries of the world. www.projectaware.org info@projectaware.org.au

Special Thanks
Visa Diving Center

Thanks to Peter and Hannes of DubDivers. To Kirsten Andersen, Monique Nerman, Steve Rubin and Chris Witty for the text or photos.