A friend of mine is looking for a good, reputable dive operator on the south east side of Bali. She will be staying in or near Pendang Bai. She has not dived since being certified in 2005. I will do her scuba tune up. She needs a dive shop that will take good care of novices. Please email me your recommendations to
jeff@sinbadscuba.com
Thanks
Hi there,
My name is Cedric and I am an instructor at a Padang Bai dive centre: Geko Dive.
Geko Dive is the longest-established 5 Star PADI resort in town and the Geko Dive Team can assist you with any dive trips that you'd like to join on. We operate our own boats, meaning more enjoyment and safety, our Divemasters have been diving in Bali for years and our instructors can teach many PADI courses, including TecRec and Sidemount. Please have a look at our
website or send us an
email for more info.
I'd also like to add that Padang Bai is a great location from where to dive. The boats are often just in front of the dive centres. The best dive sites of Eastern Bali are very close to the dive centres. Many dive operators from other towns acknowledge that and have their own boats moored in Padang Bai. It is also a nice village in which to stay. Local traditions are still strong here and it is not merely a touristic location. There is also a very nice beach called Bias Tugul (White Sand Beach) on which one can lazzy out after the dives...
Even if you decide not to dive with us or in Padang Bai, you may find the following advice useful:
1) Ask for how many years the business has been running. Many years means something experience-wise.
2) Ask to talk to the actual Divemaster that will guide you underwater. I wouldn't go diving with someone that I don't trust, like or respect. I agree with Zivva's advice: go there and have a look around. A website or emailexchange will give you only a rough idea of what a dive shop highlights. Being there talks for itself.
3) If you have special needs or desires, ask beforehand. Most dive centres in and around Padang Bai are happy to accommodate for special needs and request. You want to see that elusive critter? Once your dive guide knows what to you're looking for, he can put all his heart looking for it. You're a photographer and need a private guide? There might be an additional cost, but this can be done. You want to dive on a dive site with no one else on it? We can find that too, even during high season... Just ask for it!
4) Manage your hopes and expectations. There are many animals, like critters, sharks and mantas, that we can find for divers all year round. Others like mola-molas may be seasonal only. They might also only be seen on dive sites that are out of your certification and comfort level. Listen to the dive operators that tell you that you are not fit to dive a certain site. such operators have your safety in mind and that should matter as much to you as it does to them...
Lastly, remember to enjoy the dives ;-)