Mermaid's Dive Center
Overview
Mermaid's Dive Centre is the most established PADI dive operation in Pattaya — running continuously since 1990 and the first dive center in Pattaya to be awarded PADI CDC (Career Development Centre) status, the highest tier of PADI affiliation. The operation now spans three locations: the original Jomtien Beach branch on Soi White House, a Pattaya Beach Road branch in central Pattaya, and a Bangkok branch at Amarin Plaza — making it the only multi-location dive operation between Bangkok and the Cambodian border.
For travellers wanting the most institutionally credentialed Pattaya dive operation with 35+ years of operational history, Mermaid's is the consensus top choice. Its CDC status puts it ahead of even Pattaya Dive Centre (CDC) and Seafari (IDC) in PADI tiering historically — though all three are now CDC or top-tier credentialed.
Heritage — 35+ Years of Pattaya Diving
Founded 1990
Mermaid's opened in 1990, putting it among the oldest continuously operating PADI dive centers in Thailand. By 1990:
- PADI was established globally but still expanding into Asia
- Pattaya tourism was beginning its modern boom
- Most Thai diving was happening in Phuket, Krabi, or the Andaman side
- Mermaid's helped pioneer Gulf of Thailand diving from the Pattaya side as a viable destination
First PADI CDC in Pattaya
The Career Development Centre (CDC) designation is the top tier of PADI affiliation:
- PADI Dive Resort (basic)
- PADI 5-Star Dive Center
- PADI 5-Star IDC (Instructor Development Centre)
- PADI 5-Star CDC (Career Development Centre) — top tier
CDC status authorizes the center to run long-form career-development internship programs alongside the standard PADI progression. Mermaid's was the first Pattaya dive center to achieve this rank.
Multi-Location Network
Mermaid's now operates three locations:
- Jomtien Beach (Soi White House) — the original
- Pattaya Beach Road — central Pattaya
- Bangkok (Amarin Plaza) — Bangkok presence for retail, theory training, dry sales
This multi-location footprint is unique among Pattaya dive operators.
Pricing
Indicative based on Mermaid's published rates and recent customer reports:
Day-Trip Diving
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) — first-time experience: ~฿4,000/day including instructor, dive equipment, 2 supervised dives, lunch, hotel pickup
- Certified diver day trip: ~฿2,200-3,200 (varies by destination)
- Fun dive single: ~$70 (~฿2,400) including equipment
PADI Courses
- PADI Open Water Course (4 days): ~฿16,700 (~$300 / £220) including equipment + 4 open water dives + theory + pool
- Advanced Open Water (2-day, 5 dives): ~฿15,000
- PADI Open Water (alt rate): starting $330
- Specialty courses: variable
- Divemaster: professional-tier pricing
- Instructor / IDC programs available (CDC tier)
Equipment & Add-Ons
- Equipment rental included in most packages
- Underwater photo / video packages available
- Hotel pickup included for Pattaya-area hotels
Pattaya Dive Site Access
As one of the longest-running operators, Mermaid's has deepest knowledge of all Pattaya dive sites including:
Near Islands
- Koh Larn (Coral Island)
- Koh Sak
- Koh Khrok
Wreck Sites (Pattaya = Thailand's wreck capital)
- HTMS Khram, HTMS Kut, HTMS Mataphon, HTMS Sattakut, Hardeep Wreck
Reviews & Reputation
Reviews consistently highlight:
- Long-tenured staff with deep institutional knowledge
- Excellent equipment maintained to PADI CDC standards
- Professional course delivery
- Reliable boat operations — safety-focused
- English-language instruction
- Multi-day course continuity — same instructor across multi-day certifications
The 35-year operational history shows in the mature operation, well-trained crew, and consistent customer experience.
Pros
- Founded 1990 — longest-running PADI dive center in Pattaya
- First PADI CDC in Pattaya — top-tier institutional credential
- Three locations — Jomtien + Beach Road + Bangkok
- Most established between Bangkok and Cambodia
- Full PADI course progression — DSD through Instructor + Tec
- 35+ years of Pattaya dive site knowledge
- Reliable boats and equipment
- English-language instruction
- Multi-location network for traveling clients
- Hotel pickup included in most packages
Cons
- Pricing is mid-to-premium tier — cheaper independent operators exist
- Pattaya water visibility generally 5-15m vs. Andaman 20-30m
- Tourism focus — peak season can mean larger group sizes
- Boat-based diving only
Best For
- First-time divers wanting Discover Scuba in Pattaya
- PADI course students at any level (CDC tier supports the whole pathway)
- Travellers staying in Jomtien (closest of the three locations to Mermaid's)
- Heritage-conscious divers wanting Pattaya's longest-running operator
- Multi-location travellers moving between Pattaya and Bangkok
- PADI internship / professional track candidates
Not Best For
- Andaman-coast quality visibility seekers (Phuket / Krabi / Similan)
- Pure budget divers (cheaper non-CDC operators exist)
- Travellers wanting walking access from central Pattaya without multi-location confusion (use Pattaya Dive Centre on Beach Road for walk-in)
Quick Reference Card
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Address (main) | Soi White House, Jomtien Beach Road |
| Phone | +66 38 303 333 |
| Website | mermaidsdivecenter.com |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Status | First PADI CDC in Pattaya (35+ yrs operating) |
| Locations | Jomtien + Pattaya Beach Rd + Bangkok Amarin Plaza |
| DSD (1 day) | ~฿4,000 (incl. equipment, lunch, transfer) |
| Open Water 4-day | ~฿16,700 |
| Advanced Open Water 2-day | ~฿15,000 |
| Verified | 2026-04-2 |