Reference

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Supporting source

Thailand Dive Industry IRR by Format

18-58% unlevered IRR; ultra-luxury private dive top, premium liveaboard base

As ofFY2026-FY2027 project IRR·Sources5·Supporting

IRR by format for Thai premium dive industry projects 2026 to 2027: Koh Tao certification dive shop (land-based, 2 boat operation) targets 28 to 38 percent unlevered IRR at THB 35 to 95 million all-in capex; premium liveaboard vessel targets 18 to 24 percent unlevered IRR at USD 1.8 to 4.5 million capex covering vessel and refit; ultra-luxury private-dive resort programming (Six Senses, Amanpuri, Soneva model) targets 42 to 58 percent on incremental capex of USD 0.4 to 1.2 million because the resort base absorbs land, hospitality and front-of-house cost; tech-dive specialty school (Pro Tec model) targets 32 to 42 percent on capex of THB 22 to 55 million; conservation-dive programme with BCRC biodiversity credit bundling targets 28 to 38 percent at modest capex of THB 8 to 18 million for credentialed reef-restoration certification. The IRR ranking inverts cost basis: ultra-luxury private-dive runs highest margin on incremental capex, premium liveaboard vessels carry highest absolute capex and longest payback.

Figure in context

IRR by format for Thai premium dive industry projects 2026 to 2027: Koh Tao certification dive shop (land-based, 2 boat operation) targets 28 to 38 percent unlevered IRR at THB 35 to 95 million all-in capex; premium liveaboard vessel targets 18 to 24 percent unlevered IRR at USD 1.8 to 4.5 million capex covering vessel and refit; ultra-luxury private-dive resort programming (Six Senses, Amanpuri, Soneva model) targets 42 to 58 percent on incremental capex of USD 0.4 to 1.2 million because the resort base absorbs land, hospitality and front-of-house cost; tech-dive specialty school (Pro Tec model) targets 32 to 42 percent on capex of THB 22 to 55 million; conservation-dive programme with BCRC biodiversity credit bundling targets 28 to 38 percent at modest capex of THB 8 to 18 million for credentialed reef-restoration certification. The IRR ranking inverts cost basis: ultra-luxury private-dive runs highest margin on incremental capex, premium liveaboard vessels carry highest absolute capex and longest payback.

IRR by format for Thai premium dive industry projects 2026 to 2027: Koh Tao certification dive shop (land-based, 2 boat operation) targets 28 to 38 percent unlevered IRR at THB 35 to 95 million all-in capex; premium liveaboard vessel targets 18 to 24 percent unlevered IRR at USD 1.8 to 4.5 million capex covering vessel and refit; ultra-luxury private-dive resort programming (Six Senses, Amanpuri, Soneva model) targets 42 to 58 percent on incremental capex of USD 0.4 to 1.2 million because the resort base absorbs land, hospitality and front-of-house cost; tech-dive specialty school (Pro Tec model) targets 32 to 42 percent on capex of THB 22 to 55 million; conservation-dive programme with BCRC biodiversity credit bundling targets 28 to 38 percent at modest capex of THB 8 to 18 million for credentialed reef-restoration certification. The IRR ranking inverts cost basis: ultra-luxury private-dive runs highest margin on incremental capex, premium liveaboard vessels carry highest absolute capex and longest payback.

Time scope

FY2026-FY2027 project IRR

Source basis

Supporting source

Interpretation notes

What this tells you

IRR by format for Thai premium dive industry projects 2026 to 2027: Koh Tao certification dive shop (land-based, 2 boat operation) targets 28 to 38 percent unlevered IRR at THB 35 to 95 million all-in capex; premium liveaboard vessel targets 18 to 24 percent unlevered IRR at USD 1.8 to 4.5 million capex covering vessel and refit; ultra-luxury private-dive resort programming (Six Senses, Amanpuri, Soneva model) targets 42 to 58 percent on incremental capex of USD 0.4 to 1.2 million because the resort base absorbs land, hospitality and front-of-house cost; tech-dive specialty school (Pro Tec model) targets 32 to 42 percent on capex of THB 22 to 55 million; conservation-dive programme with BCRC biodiversity credit bundling targets 28 to 38 percent at modest capex of THB 8 to 18 million for credentialed reef-restoration certification. The IRR ranking inverts cost basis: ultra-luxury private-dive runs highest margin on incremental capex, premium liveaboard vessels carry highest absolute capex and longest payback.

What not to do with it

Use the linked report for interpretation and keep basis differences explicit.

Related figures

Adjacent numbers that add context without drowning the value.

2027 forecast
USD 0.8-1.4B by 2027 (vs USD 280-460M 2024)

Thailand Premium Diving, Scuba and Liveaboard Expedition Market Size

Insight derivation from PADI cert data, operator catalogue disclosures, AOT Phuket throughput, IMARC Asia Pacific outlook 2024

FY2024-FY2025 PADI volume
95,000-140,000 certifications per year (vs Indonesia 38K-45K, Philippines 55K-65K)

Thailand PADI Certification Volume: Asia Pacific Number One

PADI Asia Pacific certification data 2024, Big Blue Koh Tao course catalogue, Crystal Dive Koh Tao tariff, operator disclosures

FY2025-FY2026 published tariff
THB 9,500-12,800 per diver (Master Divers top, volume shops bottom)

Koh Tao PADI Open Water Certification Average Selling Price

Big Blue Koh Tao Dec 2025, Crystal Dive Koh Tao Oct 2025, Master Divers Koh Tao Nov 2025, Davy Jones Locker Dec 2025

FY2026-FY2027 published schedule
USD 1,650-6,200 per diver per trip; full charter USD 18,000-65,000 per week

Thailand Similan Liveaboard Cabin and Full-Charter Average Selling Price

Master Liveaboards Thailand Nov 2025, Aggressor Adventures Thailand Dec 2025, Worldwide Dive and Sail Nov 2025, Soneva Kiri Nov 2025

Effective Q3 2025
THB 800-1,500 per diver per day; visitor cap 4,800 per day (vs prior 8,500+)

DNP Marine Premium Tier Programme: Visitor Cap and Fee Schedule

DNP Marine Premium Tier programme Aug 2025

Effective Q1 2026
35-50 credentialed vessels by 2027 (vs 80-110 grey-tier 2023)

Marine Department Liveaboard Licensing Reform: Fleet Consolidation

Marine Department liveaboard licensing framework Jan 2026, DAN Thailand 2024 safety report

Report context

Atlas actors in this figure's reports

Profiles covered in the report that cite this number.

Thailand Dive Industry IRR by Format · Insight