Confused Beginner!!

[elusion]

Hello

First post on SB and I'm getting straight to business.

Want to get a PADI Open Water Diver Certification in the end of Jan. Really confused about the location though.

Somewhere in Asia..but Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/Phillipines/Vietnam/Maldives/India/Sri Lanka etc etc..so many options!!

Looking more towards the teaching quality and the quality of dive sites I'll be able to dive in the vicinity.

Also, where has the Tsunami not affected the reef's too much?

So far read up only on Thailand..Phuket seems too commercialised, Koh tao gets mixed responses.

Too too confused!!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[hallboy]

End of january is not te good season in Indonesia or the east cost of Thailand; Viet nam
india or Sri lanka are not so much great places for diving; Maldives would be extremely expensive for just a certification.
For Malaysia i' m not sure that it would be the right season neither ( one that one you should check the Perenthians islands if weather is ok )
If i were you i would limit my search to:
A/ Koh phiphi in thailand
B/ Moalbal in Philippines
Ps The Tsunami did not much affect the reef; but so much the people that it would be a good enough reason to spend your money inThailand

 

[davidlkh]

Two places come to mind, Phuket and Pulau Weh (Aceh, Indonesia). They are both roughly in the same area, the Andaman sea.

Pulau Weh is not very touristy or commercialised. Very virgin, but the shallow reefs are affected by the Tsunami. The deeper reefs should be OK. I have not been there for some time, but from those who have been since the Tsunami seem to confirm what I have read and heard. I think the only operator left is Lumba Lumba on Pulau Weh.

 

[elusion]

Thanks hallboy and davidlkh.

What would be a good time to go to say Koh Tao and Phuket then? i.e. Gulf of Thailand and Andaman side? Was thinking will get the certification done in Tao and visit some of the sites in Phuket as well.

How safe is it for a solo female to travel to Malaysia/Indonesia/Phillipines?

 

[hallboy]

Adamn side is ok from now to end of April.That solo thing could be an another reason to drive you to Thailand that is supposed to be pretty safe for single women. Supposed.

 

[Ringo]

Thanks hallboy and davidlkh.

What would be a good time to go to say Koh Tao and Phuket then? i.e. Gulf of Thailand and Andaman side? Was thinking will get the certification done in Tao and visit some of the sites in Phuket as well.

How safe is it for a solo female to travel to Malaysia/Indonesia/Phillipines?

Elusion
Versus koh Tao, Phuket/Phi Phi are the better places to go in Jan. Both islands are relatively busy during this period (you mentioned that Phuket may be too commericalized in your previous post) although as a solo traveller you might want to do some socializing or at least meet some fellow travellers? Just stay away from the busiest parts eg. Patong on Phuket. Karon, Kata, Kata Noi and Nai Harn beaches are busy yet less hectic during Jan. Quality of Instruction? There are so many dive operators who offer professional and excellent services. Best is to do some internet research and see what responses you will get - then check them out on arrival to see if they actually do offer what they say they do. Safety? It is safe in Thailand but like anywhere else in the world - don't go too far off the beaten track.
Good luck!

 

[davidlkh]

If you are keen on Pulau Weh, I think the safest way to get there is by plane.

You must somehow get to Medan. If you are trying to save money then I believe there are ferries from Penang to Medan, maybe Port Klang too. I am in Singapore so I fly to Medan.

From Medan fly into Aceh, stay in the Aceh airport and catch a flight in Sabang on Pulau Weh. Once in Pulau Weh, you are definately safe.

 

[xsynie]

The best place that I would recommend to dive in Dec - Feb within Malaysia is none other than Sipadan, where you can dive 365 days a year as it is not affected by any Monsoon Season. Furthermore it is also save for a solo female to travel around Malaysia. Please visit www.bahrmansipadan.com for furthe information on the said place, and may also get other related information from the sponsor's link.

 

[elusion]

hey guys just got an awesome offer to do a open water with a liveaboard to the Similans.

It's 2 days land training in Khao Lak followed by 4 days/nights with 13 dives on the liveaboard.

Sounds brilliant but I'm worried if I'll be able to handle the current, depth, have the confidence and stamina for 13 dives. As I'll be only OW certified will the dept of 18m be a limitation?

It seems too good and I really wanna do it but feeling wary about it. Is the Similans manageable for a beginner?

Thanks guys!!

 

[jiveturkey]

You're better off doing your open water and then if you like it, taking the liveaboard to either just dive or do your advanced. Some people get hooked by the dive bug and then want to dive like crazy but you won't know that until you do your first cert. If you don't like it or experience problems, you'll be stuck on a boat with nothing to do for 4 days.