PADI certification in honduras or thailand

[grizzly]

greetings all,
I am new and looking for advice with regard to obtaining a padi cert. in either honduras (utila) or thailand. money is an issue but i also want to make sure i get quality instruction. any recommendations would be appreciated.
thanks.

 

[baitedstorm]

Not sure about where to go for classes, but from what I've been told Honduras sounds amazing... I'm sure someone will give you better info. Anyways, welcome to The ScubaBoard. You'll find a ton of information here and if there's any questions you might have, post them, someone will find you an answer..

Keep us posted on your progress, best wishes and safe diving!

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue Look around our various forums - everything from New-To-Scuba to Instructors-Only to Dive Medicine.

Are you in the US? If so, I'd rather see you start here, but - I know we have some good instructors in both locales.

don

BTW - Did you set up your Profile? Some ideas for your Profle might be taken from looking at mine. Click on my Username to the upper left, then click on my Profile, and see what I've done. For your's, click the [CP] in the upper left of the screen, then click [Edit Profile]. If you need any more help, PM me direct.

 

[LeFlaneur]

I've heard that Utila is the least expensive place to get certified but I doubt Thailand can be that far off.

More important are the other factors. From where will you be flying, and how long are you going to be at your destination?

I mean, you have to take the travel into consideration too. It is probably cheaper to get to Utila. Jet lag is non-existant (if you're coming from the US) and the culture shock is less too, especially if you know a little Spanish.

Thailand is a loooong flight and completely turns your day and night on its head. It takes a little adjusment. I had more stomach trouble there than I had in Central America. (though it was all minor). That said, if you're going to stay a while and do some land adventure in addition to diving...man, Thailand is tough to beat.

 

[wallyaussi]

I think that if money is an issue, then Utila is the logical choice.Besides the ticket to Bangkok you will most like fly to Samui, and then ferry to Koh Tao (where they say they train more divers than anywhere else in Asia). Room and food can be quite inexpensive. Total ticket costs will be about $1000. Utila is a pain to get to but the air now to La Ceiba is only $370 from Boston. So the entire package might cost the same as an air ticket to BKK. Also Samui and Phuket are time of the year sensitive(monsoons).PS- I am familiar with this info as I am a travel agent and dive travel specialist, and I was in both Samui and Phuket recently. Also thinking about Utila.

 

[LeFlaneur]

La Ceiba is only $370 from Boston.

Damn that's good... what airline?

Yeah... I forgot to mention that in Thailand you'd have to Fly to BKK then catch a flight to Surat Thani and the out to Ko Tao. (Or fly to Krabi or Trang if you're going to the Andaman side).

I hear La Ceiba can get a bit rough, though many divers pass through there.

 

[robrob]

I can't speak for Thailand but got certified last year in Utila...I went with Captain Morgans Dive shop which has its lodging on out the key (cayes) which really made for a good time and a great way to meet folks as all you are doing is diving and relaxing.

My instuctor was Kellie an aussie that I really enjoyed working with for my Open Water...I went with Adam (kind of the lead guy) for my advanced. I am not sure I would recomend them so close together but for both certs and deep cert for like 12 to 14 days it was around 500 more or less.

PM me if you want specifics. I think they run a pretty good shop and the fact that the lodging is pretty much only for Captain Morgans you really get to know folks.

 

[wallyaussi]

RE air fare to Honduras- San Pedro is $340 and then one can fly to Utila. More choices than to La Ceiba, and probably a bit faster. You can email me at wallyaussi@vacation.com. I think I will go to Utila in Sept. In another post I am trying to put a group together for PNG, Indonesia, or Thailand for spring of 05 .If anyone is interested, pls let me know.

 

[bebo]

Welcome...I guess Honduras is better shot: closer, amazing walls, etc...

 

[murphdivers286]

Welcome Aboard!!!

It's addictive, but who cares?!?!?

Good friends and good info. What could be better???

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