Petteri Airanne, the man behind thousands of diving stories!
Petteri started diving in 1984, and already in 1986 the young man was on the Finnish Navy Divers training, so diving became a profession. 26 years of service in the special forces, of which 21 years as an instructor at the Finnish Navy Divers unit guarantee outstanding professionalism.
A few years after retiring from the navy, Petteri found himself in Thailand and started working as a PADI diving instructor in the tropics.
"These trips left such nice and warm memories and it is part of the reason we are here", Petteri comments.
Petteri guides diving guests mainly on liveaboards departing from Khao Lak. These boat trips lasting 5-11 days are unique and the main theme is of ourse diving itself! Atmosphere is relaxed and that's the best part. Groups arrive to the best spots already early in the morning and diving can be enjoyed up to four times a day!
Liveaboards are suitable for divers of all levels, and during the trips you have the opportunity to complete the Advanced Open Water course (AOWD) or Enriched Air Specialty (EANx) to gain more experience in diving under the guidance of a true professional. Petteri recommends taking other courses along with daytrips from Phuket or Khao Lak.
The best part of Petteri's job is to spend time with people: "The fact that you have time to talk to guests more when you spend several days on a trip gives a nice spice to your work."
Best in Thailand?
- "Food and beautiful nature."
What do you do when you're not at work?
- "Golf, gym and nature trips."
Do you live permanently in Thailand?
- "I live half the year in Finland and half in Thailand. In Finland, I go golfing, go to my summer house and exercise."
Most memorable experience?
- "At Similan, at a site called Eagle Rock, I was diving with two guests, and at the same time a whale shark, two manta rays and two blacktip sharks and a turtle came up against me! What made the experience unique was that I did not expect anything like this from this destination. This shows how diverse the aquatic life is in Similan and that's why I'm never bored of diving there. It surprises every time!"
Why go to a liveaboard with Raya Divers?
"There is always a guide who knows the destinations, group sizes are kept comfortably small, dive buddies are divided based on experience and air consumption. On liveaboards you can customize the dives so that the interests also meet the expectations, for example depending on whether you want to see and photograph macro or larger pelagics. In addition, the ground support is absolutely invaluable in organizing things, not forgetting that in the unlikely event of an incident the actions are taken care effectively and professionally.
Read more about Raya Liveaboards
