Diving & Snorkelling

We are a couple in our 60's looking into a snorkeling trip to the Semporna area in March 2009, with the intention of staying on Mabul at one of the budget options. I have read some of the previous posts but there was one thing I could not find out. Do any of the budget places on Mabul have air conditioning? The only website that mentions it is the Arung Hayat one, but I am not sure if it applies to the place on Mabul. What about fans? What can I expect in the way of temperature and do sea…

For confirmed divers who want to discover the Amirantes there's a cruise heading to the Amirantes from the 12th till 24th october 2008. Départing from MAHE (SEYCHELLES) on the catamaran KingBambo

E.mail : kingbmbo@seychelles.net

LR

Hi,

I have 9 days in Thailand from 8th to 17 December and really want to do some great diving.

Where is the best place to go? And is 9 days enough time to get there and back from Bangkok in time to catch an Int'l flight out? Any tips on getting there would be really appreciated.

Thanks

MM

Hello,

I just got back from a month in Cuba, spent a week diving the spectacular Jardines de la Reina. I asked a couple of questions about it before we went, and a couple of people asked me to post when I got back as there wasn't much about it on the Thorn Tree.

I looked into a few booking options, but the cheapest and simplest was to go direct. Jardines de la Reina diving is only possible through Avalon, (bizarrely) an Italian company. They have room for about 14 divers at a time (though we…

Hello.

I have tried searching the site but couldn't find the answer.
I want to learn how to dive and am going to both Mabul Island (inc Sipadan) and the Perhentians in March. For a first timer which one would you recommend for an Open Water Padi Dive Course. Well maintained equipment and good instructors being my priority followed by price.

Thanks in advance

Muddy

I'm going to be in Thailand in December and really want to do a liveaboard to the Similans. Can anyone tell me - is it necessary to book far in advance for that time of year? I would prefer to arrive in Khao Lak and ask around a bit. I can be pretty flexible with dates but I know this will be peak season.

I'd also like to know how people have found liveaboards with Sea Dragon and West Coast Divers. Or can anyone recommend anything else in this price range (around 22,000 baht) that will…

Hi All,

Has anyone done any of the liveaboards in Sudan? Is it worth the money & the trek getting there for one week? Is mid November ok?
I have on and off looked at the option for years and alway ended up in Egypt, I only have 1 week in the next year to go diving would like to make it a great one.

Thanks

Edited by: smagnus

I will be on Egypt's Red Sea Coast in a couple of weeks. I have never been diving but would like to go for 1 or 2 days. I understand there are different types of certifications, but is that necessary for diving one day? Is there a course that can be taken in a few hours to learn the basics? A local dive shop quoted me at $500 for a week long certification. Which I don't have time for anyway. It seems to me if you can breathe in and out the respirator you should be golden. Are there possibly less…

I am heading to a wedding in Capetown in march 2009. I hope to do some diving around CT or Natal area..Has anyone been here recently..any suggestions...I will only have about 10 days.

I was thinking of heading out to French Polynesia next year, in particular because of all the lovely sharks. I haven't done much diving (20 dives) and I will be going with my boyfriend who has only just qualified. I have heard the diving on Rangoria can be difficult, but this is a great place to dive with reef sharks. Would we be able to cope? Or do we need much more practice with currents?

What kind of depth is the best diving around this area?

Any info on the sharkyest places, would be…