Turn your passion into a profession with Sea Bees Diving
Pro dive courses in Phuket, Thailand — with 30+ years of real dive center experience behind you
The Sea Bees Diving Academy is the professional training arm of Sea Bees Diving Thailand, one of Phuket's most established dive operations with over 30 years of experience in the industry.
Based at our dive center in Chalong, our Academy programs are designed for divers who want to go beyond recreational diving and build a real career underwater, whether that means completing your Divemaster internship, earning your SSI Instructor certification, or starting from scratch with our Zero to Hero program.
Unlike many training-focused dive schools, Sea Bees is first and foremost a working dive operation with day trips, liveaboards, resort partnerships, and an international guest base meaning every candidate trains in a real professional environment from day one.
Here's what we offer at Sea Bees Diving Academy
What's Included in Every Academy Program
Regardless of which program you choose, every Sea Bees Academy candidate receives the same core experience.
Accommodation at Loft 67
Your own private en-suite room, one minute from the dive center in Chalong.
Unlimited Diving
Dive as much as your program allows — no counting tanks, no extra costs.
Meals on Board
All meals during dive excursions are included throughout your training.
Professional Mentorship
Learn directly from experienced SSI professionals with decades of real-world dive operations behind them.
Real Guest Interaction
Work alongside international guests on live dive trips not just training exercises.
Path to Employment
For the right candidates, the Academy is a direct pathway into the Sea Bees team with full work permit support included.
Why Train With Sea Bees in Phuket?
Every professional diver remembers where they trained. Make sure it counts.
30 Years of Real-World Dive Operations
When you train in the Sea Bees Diving Academy, you are not learning in a classroom simulation — you are stepping into a dive operation that has been running daily trips, managing international guests, and operating professional dive programs since 1993. That accumulated experience is in the water every single day, and as an Academy candidate, you learn directly from it.
Our Own Boats, Centers, Resorts — and Your Own Room
Sea Bees operates its own dive boats, dive centers, and resort partnerships across multiple locations in Thailand, including Phuket, Phi Phi Island, and Khao Lak. As an Academy candidate based in Chalong, you train at the heart of this network. Accommodation is included for all Divemaster and Instructor trainees at Loft 67, our dedicated training residence located one minute from the dive center.
Quality Over Quantity — Always
Sea Bees Academy accepts only a limited number of candidates each year. This is a deliberate decision. We are a dive operation first, and our Academy candidates are integrated directly into that operation — joining real trips, working alongside experienced instructors, and interacting with genuine guests. That level of immersion is only possible when numbers are kept small.
A Real Dive Industry Hub
Phuket is one of Southeast Asia's largest and most established diving destinations. The island is home to a thriving dive industry with international operators, liveaboard fleets, resort-based dive centers, and a year-round stream of guests from every corner of the world. Training here means you are immersed in a genuine, functioning dive market — not a training bubble.
International Guests from Day One
At Sea Bees, our guests come from across Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond. As an Academy candidate integrated into our daily operations, you interact with this international clientele from the very beginning of your training. Learning to communicate, guide, and deliver exceptional service across cultures and languages is a skill that sets candidates apart in the global dive industry.
Diverse Dive Sites and Conditions
Phuket gives you access to an exceptional range of dive environments. From the reefs and marine life around the local islands to the world-famous Similan Islands on our liveaboard trips, the variety of sites, conditions, and marine species you encounter during your training is far broader than what a single small island can offer. Diverse conditions make better divers — and better dive professionals.
From Divemaster to Team Member
For some Academy candidates, the program is a chapter. For others, it becomes a career. Sea Bees is continuously looking for motivated, reliable, and guest-focused individuals to join our team long-term. Many of our current instructors, divemasters, and front office staff began exactly where you are starting. For those who do join the team full-time, we handle everything — work permits, legal requirements, and all formalities of living and working in Thailand. Most people arrive planning to stay six months. Many are still here years later.
Why Phuket — and Not Koh Tao?
Koh Tao is well known for dive training. But there is a significant difference between learning to dive professionally and training inside a real dive operation.
| Koh Tao | Sea Bees Phuket |
|---|---|
| Training-focused island | Working dive operation since 1993 |
| Certification volume | Real guest experience from day one |
| Saturated candidate market | Limited Academy intake — quality over quantity |
| Limited dive site variety | Similans, Phi Phi, Khao Lak and beyond |
| Training school environment | Liveaboards, resorts, day trips, international guests |
What our Academy candidates say about us
“Had an amazing experience with Sea Bees Diving during my time as a Divemaster trainee! The entire team is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and always ready to help, which made learning and diving so enjoyable. A special shoutout to George, my instructor, for his patience, guidance, and support throughout the journey. I’m really grateful for the experience and the memories made. Looking forward to coming back and diving with Sea Bees Diving again soon! Cheers!”
Wilson Tan
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous diving experience to join Sea Bees Academy?
It depends on the program. Our Zero to Hero program is designed for complete beginners — you do not need any prior diving experience whatsoever. For the Divemaster Internship, you will need an Open Water certification and a minimum of 40 logged dives, along with a Rescue Diver certification. For the SSI Instructor Course, you must already hold an active Divemaster certification. If you are missing any prerequisites, many of these can be completed with us before or during your program.
What is the difference between the Divemaster Internship and Zero to Hero?
The Divemaster Internship is designed for already-certified divers who want to take the next step into professional diving. Zero to Hero is a complete three-month journey from your very first dive all the way through to SSI Divemaster certification — built for people with no diving background who want to immerse themselves fully in the experience. Both programs include accommodation at Loft 67 and integration into our daily dive operations.
Is accommodation included?
Yes. All Academy programs include a private en-suite room with air conditioning at Loft 67, our dedicated trainee residence located one minute from the dive center in Chalong. A duplex room upgrade is available for an additional surcharge if you prefer more space.
Can I work in Thailand after completing my certification?
Potentially, yes. Sea Bees is always looking for motivated, reliable, and guest-focused individuals to join our team, and the Academy is a natural pathway into that conversation. While a position cannot be guaranteed, candidates who demonstrate the right attitude throughout their program will be considered for available roles. For those who do join us full-time, we handle all work permit and legal requirements for living and working in Thailand properly and professionally.
Can I combine programs or upgrade during my training?
Yes. If you begin with a Divemaster Internship and want to continue toward your SSI Instructor certification, this can be arranged. Similarly, if you are missing prerequisites such as Rescue Diver or React Right certifications before starting, these can be added to your package. Speak to our team and we will build the right pathway for you.
How many candidates do you accept per year?
We deliberately keep numbers small. Sea Bees Academy candidates are integrated directly into our live dive operations, which means we can only accept a limited number of participants each year to maintain the quality of training and the genuine real-world experience we promise. We recommend enquiring early to secure your preferred start date.
What is included in the program fee?
All programs include accommodation at Loft 67, rental scuba diving equipment, SSI certification and instructor fees, meals during dive excursions, and unlimited diving throughout your training. Items not included are national park fees, meals when not on the boat, and personal dive equipment such as computers or compasses.