Hi to everybody,
At the moment I am travelling around the world, now in the south east asian region.
Would like to get the PADI certification and following these forums I have seen three options that fit my itinerary: Bali, Koh Tao and the Perhentians.
Which of these would you recommend me? Where's the best price and the best snorkelling? Is final october a good time to visit Koh Tao and the Perhentians?
Thanks a lot.
human_inside
1
mucksavage
Koh Tao is a PADI factory, churning out OW Divers by the truck load. Worth a visit but I wouldn't fancy getting any instruction there. Bali is a possibility but a good place (diving is not world class but will suffice ) is Gili Trawangan, an island off Lombok, near Bali. Its well worth a visit anyway as its a great place to hang out but there are Western run dive shops where you can get decent intruction which will help you become a more confident diver.
Havng said all that - waiting for the 'perfect place' might mean you will miss out on diving opportunities on the way. If you catch the bug its something you will want to do in every location you get to so get on with it!
Enjoy!
2
landofsingha
Koh tao is one of the better places to get certified, there are courses starting everyday, good experienced instructors(at most schools), the monsoon is not until nov, you can get good package deals(9000 baht incl.acc. 4 nights and materials needed). Try the guys at simple life divers, they have a great location on the beach, small courses with english inst, They also do afternoon dives at chumphon for ow dives 3+4, (plenty of sharks). Don't book ahead because then you are locked in to it and you might not like it. There is plenty of choice!!!
Email the guys, info@simplelifedivers.com and see what they offer you
enjoy your diving!!!
3
scubapigforever
Perhentian would be perfect with better snorkelling than anywhere else mentioned only between April and September. I agree with #1 about Ko Tao and anyway the weather would be risky. Best bet would be around Bali.
4
boerloy
October can be dodgy in Koh Tao, but the last 2 years it has been great diving for me, however with any place in the tropics you never know, go where it offers you you as much as you want from a place (not just diving) and hope for the best - you never can tell.....
5
kuri
Go Bali.
Its cheaper and theres lots of dive sites around the island. Check out the wreck on the northern coast.
Ko Tao was factory line style teaching.
I did a dive there and they were so dishonest. Bullshit to you to get you sighned on then do nothing they said they would do or anything like they explained. I know they cant all be bad but it would be bloody hard to work out which ones are honest and run a good operation.
6
dutchpickle
it's always nice to have your own mask and snorkle
Padang Bai on Bali would be an option for dive lessons. There is a nice sand beach nearby for swimming and relaxing in the sun. The diving can be suprisingly good. Mola mola can be seen in season. There are things to do besides diving as well.
7
qlittlestar
I am a big fan of Koh Tao last October the viz was great and there is good snorkeling and diving off of Sairee Beach. Bans is a factory and apparently certify more people than any other shop in the world. It's a great place to party but not a fan of their teaching techniques. I went with Big Blue and not only are the instructors great, my instructor was sensitive enough to arrange for us to be alone on the boat just to show me around and allow me to set up and practise things without the embarassment of being in a crowd of people (I'm a full figured woman). I really learned to be comfortable in the water and did my Advanced which prepared me for manta season in the Similans.
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