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🌏   Oxybulles Diving Rawai in Phuket    🇹🇭
" Alain Barrat - PADI Course Director "

Welcome to Oxybulles Diving Rawai's heart
Where passion meets professionalism


Meet Alain Barrat, better known as “Cacao” or “Chang Noi.” A native of Val-de-Travers in French-speaking Switzerland, Alain’s underwater journey began at age eight, and today, he has logged over 25'000 dives across the Andaman, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pacific, Atlantic, and Neuchâtel Lake.
 

A Lifelong Commitment to Diving Education
Alain started his diving career as a Divemaster in Utila in 1995, became an Open Water Scuba Instructor in Phuket by 1998, and achieved full PADI Course Director and EFR Instructor Trainer status in 2005. Since then, he’s trained more than 2'800 recreational divers and over 2'500 PADI professionals across Asia. 

Scuba diving in Phuket, Thailand, with Oxybulles Diving Rawai dive center and PADI Course Director Alain Barrat

Teaching with Experience & Empathy
His teaching style blends Swiss precision with a warm, personable approach. Trained in hyperbaric chamber operations since 2001, he incorporates exceptional safety and technical insights – particularly for decompression and rescue scenarios.

Fluent in
French and English, and able to connect in German, Thai, and even basic Italian and
 Spanish. Alain makes every course an engaging multicultural experience.

A Respected Mentor & Instructor Trainer
Across decades of teaching, he has earned numerous PADI Certificates of Recognition for Excellence. Testimonials from former IDC candidates highlight his professionalism, mentorship, patience, and ability to make complex concepts clear, supportive, and even fun.

 Testimonials from his former PADI IDC candidates and divers in Phuket

" Alain is an incredible instructor who goes above and beyond to ensure his students get the most out of their experience! His unique blend of seriousness in training and a delightful sense of humor makes every session engaging and enjoyable.
 
Alain's passion for teaching is contagious, inspiring us to embrace a lifelong love of learning. Wishing him all the success in the world in the job he loves – he deserves it! "

IDC candidate from Montreal, Canada. 
🥰
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.


" The course was incredibly intense, designed to prepare us to face the real world and IE confidently! It was a real challenge, but also an unparalleled source of motivation. At times, we had doubts, but thanks to Alain, who was exceptionally professional, we overcame them.

His clear, precise, and informative approach taught us how to apply our knowledge in concrete situations! "

IDC candidates from France and Belgium.  
👍🏻 😍
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.


" Alain is truly a source of inspiration! His passion for teaching at IDC is contagious, and his creativity in helping those with learning difficulties is incredible. Even if his Swiss perfectionism can sometimes make us groan, that makes him exceptional.

Don't miss his YouTube videos; he truly embodies genius at work! Watch his videos on YouTube! "

IDC Candidates from Switzerland.  
🫡 👍🏻
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.


" Discover an exceptional educator who embodies patience, compassion, and the ability to help many students succeed in the program! His impartiality, sense of humor, and radiant personality make him a real asset in the world of education. The IDC program, with IE at the end, spanning 16 days, perfectly combines study and leisure, making every moment memorable.
​​
In addition, his online and on-site preparation workshops, with his commitment to answering each question, make his courses an unforgettable experience.

He favors a reduced number of students to personalized support! "

IDC Candidates from France.  🫡
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.



" Discover exceptional IDC training with Alain Barrat, a passionate and experienced PADI instructor for 22 years in Phuket! Its comprehensive guarantee guarantees personalized support throughout your preparation, up to the final exam. Thanks to its PADI materials and specialized online preparation workshops, you will be well-prepared to succeed in your IDC.

More than just an instructor, Alain becomes your mentor and friend, preparing you not only for the exam but to excel in your future career as an instructor. I cannot highly recommend him as a Course Director; his method of instruction makes all the difference: " Difficult training, easy warfare "! "

IDC Candidate from France.
  👍🏻  ❤️
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.


" Alain is an exceptional professional! Not only does he master his field to perfection, but he is also recognized and respected by his peers and PADI. I highly recommend Alain, whether for professional training or an enriching recreational experience. Thank you, Alain, for everything you do! "
IDC Candidate from France.  
👍🏻
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.

" Our diving excursion transformed into a remarkable journey, all credit to Alain's exceptional skill and graciousness. Diving as a family, especially with two youngsters and doing so for the first time, brought its share of apprehensions. Yet, Alain's expertise and friendly approach instantly alleviated our fears. His amiability and incredible patience shone through as he meticulously explained the process to adults and children, making us feel secure and confident before the dives.

Alain's enthusiasm for diving was infectious. He eagerly showed us the wonders beneath the waves, from vibrant corals to lively fish, enchanting the children and captivating the adults alike. He took great care to outline and adhere to safety measures, solidifying our confidence in him.

From booking to the actual dive, everything proceeded seamlessly, a testament to Alain's professionalism and the inviting atmosphere of his team. This wasn't merely a dive but an enriching adventure filled with discovery, laughter, and the thrill of underwater exploration. We wholeheartedly endorse diving with Alain for anyone looking to make the most of their vacation. No matter your diving experience or if you're bringing children along, you're in superb hands. Our heartfelt thanks to Alain for enriching our day so profoundly! Fantastic! "

Family from Switzerland. 
👍🏻  ❤️  👍🏻  🤗
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.
​​

" Looking for an amazing dive experience? I just completed my Open Water Diver course with Alain Barrat in Rawai, and it was a fantastic thrill! The online theory made it easy to dive right in during my trip. Alain is incredibly structured and brings a wealth of experience to the table. His character shines through, and it’s a blast working with him, once you’re in the water!

I highly recommend Alain as your diving Instructor. Cheers, Alain! "

Student from Germany.  
👍🏻
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.


" Wow, what an incredible experience with Alain! His expertise made diving not only safe but also super exciting. I just completed my PADI Open Water Diver course, and I feel confident in my skills, thanks to Alain's amazing guidance.
 
A huge thank you for your professionalism and positive vibes! "

Student from Russia.  
🥰
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.


" Looking for an unforgettable diving experience? I can't recommend Alain enough! With his incredible expertise, He helped me earn my Open Water Diver license despite my back issues, and I was able to dive.
 
We explored the stunning Racha Noi and Phi Phi islands, and let me tell you, the underwater beauty was breathtaking! Alain’s training in the pool made me feel confident about our six dives at sea. Way more than the standard four! Thank you, Alain, for an amazing adventure! "

Student diver from Korea.  
❤️
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.
​​

" Today I had an extraordinary experience with Oxybulles Diving Rawai and Alain Barrat! With precise explanations and a dive in the pool, all in two hours, I learned the diving techniques that opened the doors to enchanting places the next day. I had the chance to swim among superb schools of fish and even met a magnificent turtle; one of my childhood dreams came true!
 
Alain manages everything perfectly, allowing us to focus on pleasure and wonder. A big thank you for this memorable day and for saving us from all these overcrowded boats! "

Student from Switzerland.  
👍🏻
PADI Certificate of Recognition for Excellence.
 

Sceneries during your PADI scuba training, offered by Oxybulles Diving Rawai and Alain Barrat on Phuket Island, Thailand.
© 2026 by Alain Barrat | PADI IDC Course Director & Instructor @ oxybullesdiving
@ Oxybulles Diving Rawai | Phuket | Thailand.
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