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Dive Center Karon Phuket Thailand

Team Sharkey, Phuket

Greetings from Iain, Oui, Max and Abbie. We are three highly enthusiastic dive instructors (plus Abbie) who together are Sharkey Scuba, a BSAC and PADI dive center in Karon and Kata, Phuket that is dedicated to personal service and customer satisfaction.

Iain, the Boss

That's me on the right ruining a perfectly good photo as always! I am 42 years old and an ex-IT consultant originally from the UK. I have always been a keen swimmer and snorkeller but for various reasons never got around to diving until I reached my early thirties. However, within seconds of taking my first breaths underwater I decided to quit my career and become a diving instructor. I came to dive in Phuket almost eight years ago for a Similan liveaboard and never left!

All my friends and family thought I had gone mad but, having worked for a long time in banking, I'm sure you can understand why I chose the alternative career, deciding to live in the beautiful area of Karon, Phuket. Eight years on I still can't get enough diving and love sharing my passion with beginners and experienced divers alike. Becoming a dive instructor in Phuket was undoubtedly the second best decision I ever made (the best was to marry my wife, of course!).

Oui, the Real Boss

My wife (age unavailable although she swears she's 21!) is originally from Bangkok. At the age of 15 she then moved to northern Sweden, quite a change in both culture and temperature. After completing her education there she worked in a variety of positions including teaching children and young adults.

Oui got badly bitten by the diving bug whilst on holiday in Kata, Phuket seven years ago visiting friends and family. She decided to move back to Phuket, Thailand to work in diving. As well as being well known as a fantastic and enthusiastic dive instructor (and for her love of food!) she is also fluent in Swedish, English and Thai making her the linguist in our family.

Introducing Max

Ahoy hoy, my name is Max. Some call me the Doctor but that's another story. I too, like Iain, am an ex-IT professional, but am considerably younger than he! Frustrated at not being able to stay down with the fishes while snorkeling on holiday, I started my diving with BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) in the refreshingly cool waters of the UK . Since then I have been lucky enough to dive in many different countries and environments. In 2006 at the age of 37 I decided to leave the rat race and pursue the life of a dive instructor and where better than here in sunny Phuket, Thailand.

Why diving? We all have passions in life right? For some it's chocolate, others shopping, or train spotting, bungee jumping, buying women's shoes (enough about Iain), or collecting beer labels (I like this one too). Mine just happens to be scuba diving. Honestly, I still get excited at jumping in the swimming pool at the start of another course. Iain, once my instructor, now my mentor and great friend, invited me to join Sharkey Scuba in Karon, Phuket. Now as a PADI diving instructor I get to live that passion every day in the Land of Smiles. Come and try it for yourself. You won't regret it.

Abbie, the New Boss

The most recent introduction to the Sharkey team in Phuket is our beautiful daughter, Abbie. As the title suggests she has now taken over the show! With her mixture of energetic enthusiasm and sweet smile she manages to charm everyone who crosses her path.

Just turned three (January 2010) she is becoming a budding dive instructor. Already able to swim without any aids she loves watching the divers putting on their equipment and shouts "bubbles" as they descend under water. The problem is going to be keeping her from going under until she is eight as we recently found on a liveaboard trip. Frustrated by not being able to join the divers in the dinghy she stripped off her clothes on the dive deck and jumped in after them. Luckily "Papa" was right there by her side!

Why Phuket?

We all came to Phuket at different times and for different reasons but all individually fell in love with the place. With its mix of traditional Thai culture and modern infrastructure, secluded beaches and state-of-the-art shopping centres, Phuket is a place full of variety. Of course the main attraction is the diving. With fantastic sites around Phuket itself, superb reefs at Phi Phi and further south, plus the world famous Similan islands to the north, the choice is tremendous.

Why Sharkey?

Initially Iain and Oui both worked for various PADI dive centers in Kata and Karon in Phuket which is how we met. Eventually we decided to do our own thing so that we can offer the type of service and quality that we feel people on holiday deserve. Later on we met Max and immediately knew that he was perfect for Sharkey Scuba. All of us are completely passionate about scuba diving and are probably the only dive company owners in Phuket that teach and dive on an almost daily basis. We love to share our enthusiasm and dive experiences on to students and certified scuba divers alike. Between us we have taught diving courses to, and guided thousands of, people from all different backgrounds, nationalities, ages and experience levels.

After Hours in Karon

What better way to share those wonderful dive experiences than over a meal or drink after your dive trip. Being very sociable people we love the "after hours' gatherings with guests from all over the world. A visit to our local Thai restaurant in Karon is a popular night out where our guests get to experience real Thai food at real Thai prices. The look of shock on their faces when the bill arrives isn't due to the expense but because it is so cheap!

There are always complimentary cold drinks in the fridge awaiting our guests visits for evening slide shows at our dive center, Karon. When guiding we always try to carry a camera to get some shots of the more interesting marine life and the smiles of our guests too! With safety obviously our first priority on all dives the photos are offered as a complimentary service i.e. we give you a CD full of memories absolutely "free of charge". Come join us soon and become part of Sharkey's "extended family"!

Dive Courses Discount Up to 15% discount off all courses for online bookings. More >>

Phi Phi Overnight Only 9,900 baht until further notice. More >>

Liveaboards Special Up to 15% discount for Thailand liveaboard bookings a month or more in advance! More >>

Liveaboards 2010/11 Schedules and prices for the coming season:- • Similan Islands >> • Hin Daeng/Muang >> • Phi Phi >>