How scuba diving started in Phuket
Back Then –
Phuket 53 Years Ago
In 1972, Dino Klaus set foot on Thai soil for the very first time. At the time, he was running the Poseidon dive center in Benidorm and spent his winters traveling with two groups of regular guests to explore new destinations. The Canary Islands, East Africa, and Egypt were among the favorites — but eventually, the young “old-timers,” as they jokingly called themselves, longed for something completely different.
Why Phuket as a Dive Destination?
In the early 1970s, the choice of exotic dive destinations in Asia was still very limited. The Caribbean was already well developed, but the “American way of diving” didn’t appeal to the group. Asia wasn’t much better: Bangkok was popular, but not for diving, and Pattaya was known mainly as a party spot for Vietnam GIs — hardly attractive for serious divers in Thailand.
How Did Divers Get to Phuket Back Then?
Thailand’s nature and culture had a special kind of magic. Dino studied marine biology papers, nautical charts, and reports – and that’s how he discovered Thailand’s west coast. But how to get there? At the time, there was only one airport along the entire west coast: Phuket. Twice a week, a small Fokker Friendship with just 30 seats landed there.
First Adventures in Thailand
To make sure that Phuket was suitable as a diving destination, Dino and Bobby Geldner – the man behind the Poseidon logo – decided to travel there themselves. Even their stopover in Bangkok turned into an adventure: in a bar, they got caught right in the middle of curfew. When the police smashed down the door, they had to crawl through a hole in the wall into a tailor’s shop. Later, they learned that student uprisings had led to the state of emergency.
The First Accommodations for Divers
When they arrived in Phuket, they rented a longtail boat and explored the surrounding islands — and were thrilled: Phuket was perfect for diving.
Places to stay were scarce. In Phuket Town, there were only simple Chinese guesthouses or a plain business hotel — all far away from the sea. Luckily, the “Phuket Island Resort” had just opened on Rawai Beach: Phuket’s first and, for many years, best hotel for holidaymakers and divers. Back then, it consisted of just a dozen wooden bungalows — but still, it was a base for the winter.
Diving in Phuket in 1972
There wasn’t a single dive shop in Phuket back then – not even a mask or a pair of fins could be found. So Dino and his group brought all their equipment from Europe: twelve full sets, including weights and a small compressor. In total, 480 kilos of luggage! Thai Airways transported it all free of charge, hoping to promote its new Frankfurt–Bangkok route to attract more dive tourists to Thailand. From there, they continued by minibus over rough, adventurous roads to Phuket – complete with the occasional roadside bandit.
The First Dive Center in Phuket
Two groups spent that winter in Phuket — both were thrilled and eager to return. Soon, demand began to grow, and Dino decided to spend his future winters in Thailand. This marked the beginning of the first dive center in Phuket — a true milestone for diving in Thailand.
Diving in Phuket in the Early 1970s
Back then, the journey took at least two, sometimes even three days. Phuket itself was untouched by tourism: to reach Karon or Patong, you had to go by boat or cut your way through the jungle with a machete. The road ended in Kata, and on the beach there was just a single open-air restaurant run by local fishermen.
But the fascination outweighed all the hardships. When the diving seasons in Benidorm and Phuket began to overlap, Dino had to make a choice — and he chose Phuket. It’s where he has remained ever since.
And if he hasn’t passed away, he’s probably still diving there today.
