learning in thailand in late july

[DrJenn86]

Hello, I’m a total beginner and I’m hoping to learn to dive somewhere in Thailand this summer. Both my parents used to be amateur diving instructors (before I was born and ruined everything ), I’ve always had the idea that I’d learn one day and now I suppose I’d better hurry up and do it before I officially become a student and have no money.

I’m going to Thailand and Malaysia in July/August. On my own, cause my useless friends who were supposed to come all ditched me, but never mind.

I’m going on an organised young persons adventure travel tour kinda thing because I’m basically too wussy and clueless to go backpacking on my own, but I have a grand total of ten days to myself between one tour finishing in Krabi and having to be in Kuala Lumpur to start the Malaysia trip. I’m hoping to squish the PADI Open Water and PADI Advanced courses into this space of time.

I know late July is far from ideal diving time in that part of the world, but is it still worth bothering with? There must be people here who’ve done it. The dive schools I’ve contacted say it’d be fine, but they would wouldn’t they? I need some honest advice, especially with me being a useless beginner.

Where’s best for a learner to learn do you think, Krabi or Phuket? Or somewhere else in that general area? And does anyone know of any good dive schools you can particularly recommend?

Thanks,

Jenny.

 

[danno]

Aqua Vision in Krabi, they are on Ao Nang beach, easy to find. Nice boat and very friendly people. Google them for more info.

 

[noordin_m]

Drjenn
Malaysia is a good place to learn to dive. The water is sheltered during July/ August . In fact that is the best time to dive with good sunshine , warm waters ( 29-39 C) and the instructors are English speaking.No strong winds and calm seas. I have just come back from Pulau Perhentian with 6 Advanced students and 3 Open water students. It was just great for them. There were 2 instructors at Coral View Island Resort- Malaysia ( Google) - Check this place out. One instructor was german and the other English. Nice couple. You'll love it.
Noordin

 

[ssra30]

In Thailand, for the time that you are going to be around, I would suggest Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand side rather than Krabi just because the sea and weather will be preferable there.
Koh Tao is full of dive schools/operators, you can choose whatever you want, big school, small school, etc. Lots of English speaking instructors, German, French etc whatever major languages you want.
Here is a link to Bans: http://www.amazingkohtao.com/
I personally happen to like Bans and had good experience there but many people don't because they prefer a smaller operators. There are plenty of choices there.
From Krabi, you can take a bus to Chumporn or Surathani and catch a boat there to Koh Tao.

 

[Zippsy]

I'd also suggest doing the course on Tioman, Perhentian or Redang off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. It's easy to get there from KL (bus or taxi or hitch a ride with a dive shop to the coast, then a cheap ferry across). The reason that I suggest this is that the weather should be much better in this area compared to the west of Thailand. Contact any of the shops that are resident on the islands about the course and a place to stay - it should be about as inexpensive as Thailand. They would definitely be able to give you the two course in ten days or less, particularly if you get an Open Water book and do the reading first.

 

[rotipisang]

I'm not sure how related this post would be to your question, but if it's in any way helpful.. here's a couple of links for dive destinations in Asia (there are good and accurate divesite sketch maps for Perhentian island, Malaysia).

Dive Site Maps :
http://www.asiadivesite.com/

Fish Sighting Info & Dive Site :
http://www.divestart.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Divestart&file=index&cat=6

Hope that helps.

 

[thien]

Hi Jen,

Phuket is fine during the time you are traveling in Thailand. July/August are usually very good weather, and you probably will end up with a course where you'll have an instructor to yourself.

If you are dropping into Phuket, lmk maybe I can do your courses if my schedule permitted. Have fun and see lots!

 

[hapadiver]

I've been diving most everywhere in Thailand. While the west coast is wonderful, particularly the diving off of Koh Lanta (Hin Daeng, Hin Muang), summer IS NOT the time to dive here.

The waves are rough, the visibility is poor, and the tourists are elsewhere. Many dive shops close down for the season. My instructor and divemaster friends head over to Koh Tao or to other countries until late fall, when things calm down again. I have a friend with a Phuket-based liveaboard who just finished sailing around Singapore to get to the east coast for the rest of the monsoon season.

Koh tao is fine--lived there for a few months. It's a good place to learn. But if you want better acquatic life and coral, then head down to the Pherentian Islands. Pulau Kecil is lovely, and Long Beach has one of the nicest stretches of sand I've seen in the region.

SPICE DIVERS is an excellent operation. I've had a number of instructor friends who have worked there during the past four years. The owner is friendly, the equipment is good, and the staff is very helpful.

If you have ten days, you may consider heading down to Indonesia. What a great place for diving. Air Asia has a number of cheap flights. Try the Gili Islands or, if you're adventurous, head over to Komodo. It will blow your mind.

Best of luck!

Hapadiver

 

[Ringo]

Hapadiver[/QUOTE]

I've been diving most everywhere in Thailand. While the west coast is wonderful, particularly the diving off of Koh Lanta (Hin Daeng, Hin Muang), summer IS NOT the time to dive here.

The waves are rough, the visibility is poor, and the tourists are elsewhere. Many dive shops close down for the season.


Hi Hapadiver - apologies, with regards to the dive shops closed for the season - are you referring to Phuket?

 

[noordin_m]

I have just returned from Perhentian Island and the diving is graet . Calm sea and good visibility. If you have 10 days , no problem.
By the way , how do I get to GILI Islands in Indonesia?