Dive Con in Thailand - Don't click if you're sick of this topic :)

[BackpackingScubaDiver]

Hello! I'm sure this topic has been covered many a times on here so feel free to move along if you're sick of talking about it (I'm sitting in Laos with a lot of time on my hands so thought I would get some other opinions...)

I'll be heading into Thailand shortly and thinking about doing my Dive Con Specialist there. I want to work my way up in the industry and taking this next step very seriously. I've heard many people say don't do your DMT in Thailand, it looks bad on a CV. I think what they mean is don't do it at a "factory school", but I could be wrong...any opinions?

If I decide to do the course in Thailand (might move on to Malaysia or Indonesia) I want to be on the Andaman Sea with a reputable SSI shop where I can get all around, hands on experience with everything (including shop work/details). I'll be travelling around so I'll make my decision when there so I'm just looking for some suggestions along the way.

I appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Lloyd

 

[stevenl]

SSI is not that big on the Andaman Coast, albeit growing slowly. That should make your choice relatively easy.

 

[BackpackingScubaDiver]

SSI is not that big on the Andaman Coast, albeit growing slowly. That should make your choice relatively easy.

I noticed that through shop locator on their site.

 

[Goodtime Adventures]

Hi there,

It really depends on where you wanted to be in the long run geographically, and how far in the industry you want to progress.

If there areas you are interested in are predominantly PADI or SSI, then that drives your choice. If you want to go on to instructor level, its generally better to do PADI first and cross over to SSI afterwards if you need to (we are a dive centre that teach both, and that's our honest opinion we give our students). Its much cheaper and easier to do it this way than go SSI first then switch to PADI.

Good luck in becoming a dive pro! Lots of fun ahead

 

[MichaelWallentin]

I can only agree with "Goodtime Adventure" about doing your PADI instructor first and then a cross over to SSI.

If you're coming to the west coast of Thailand you could try contacting Gary Hawkes, who is running SSI. He is based in Chalong.

Almost next door is Sea Bees, who is a SSI dive center and one of the island biggest and most respected dive companies. They have dive centers in Khao Lak, Phi Phi islands and near Trang in southern Thailand. Your contact person will be Volker Ross.

Good luck with it all!

 

[Bubble Junky]

Almost next door is Sea Bees, who is a SSI dive center and one of the island biggest and most respected dive companies. They have dive centers in Khao Lak, Phi Phi islands and near Trang in southern Thailand.

See Bees in Phi Phi ? Where ?

 

[MichaelWallentin]

See Bees in Phi Phi ? Where ?

According to their website at Holiday Inn Resort.

 

[BackpackingScubaDiver]

I'm looking to take my Dive Con first, then eventually instructor through PADI then cross over to SSI - is the plan. Because, like you've mentioned it's cheaper, and you also get more instructing for the money (from what I can tell).

I'll get a hold of those operators. Heading to Bangkok tonight, then on towards Phuket after <-- weather permitting. I see they and the surround areas have been hit pretty hard by weather.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Bubble Junky]

We had a freak storm blow in a few days ago, but the sun is back out in force now, and the damage is being cleaned up....

Koh Phi Phi is one of those areas in Thailand where both PADI and SSI certs are issued in big numbers. Island Divers offers SSI training and can also do the SSI Instructor crossover for you. I run PADI IDCs on Koh Phi Phi with Phi Phi Barakuda, if you'd like any further info about this, feel fee to drop me an e-mail - info@go-pro-in-paradise.com

 

[DL44585]

There are actually plenty of SSI shops around the Andaman Coast. Phi Phi Island has 6 out of 16 shops that are SSI shops.

---------- Post added December 16th, 2013 at 08:46 PM ----------

Dive Phi Phi Dan: November 2013