Korean Job Discussion Forums

altoid · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Location: sk

Going to Thailand/ Cambodia and I plan on getting a four day PADI certification. Can any one suggest a good place to go. Maybe even at least a suggestion on whether to go for the Andaman coast or the Gulf of Thailand? I've been looking at Koh Tao near Samui? What do you think. . . ?

Also, Cambodia. . definitely going to do Angkor Watt but not sure if we should take the time to go down to Phnom Penh? I know the killing fields are close and easy to reach but not sure if the added day of travel down there is worth taking from other things planned. Again. . any opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Al

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Andaman Sea all the way. I never made it to the Similian(s) (islands), but I've heard really good things about them (they're off of Phuket); Don't know if there is an outfit there through which you can do your course check out dives though, but there are plenty of places on Phuket to do that.

"Real men join NAUI."
- Me

Zyzyfer · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 2:16 pm Post subject:

If you're unsure of your abilities as a diver(never tried it, scared of being underwater, et cetera), you might want to go to Koh Tao?

There's a million different dive resorts there. If you want a relatively quiet and kind of cool resort, look into Buddha Dive. Otherwise, pretty much every other dive resort is on the main beach, which is pretty damn busy.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Professional Association of Dive Instructors=PADI
http://www.padi.com/

National Association of Underwater Instructors=NAUI
http://www.nauiww.org/index-side.html
Thank you for visiting NAUI Online, the Internet arm of the world's oldest and most respected international Scuba Training Agency.

At one time (around 20 years ago) PADI had an extremely bad reputation and there were countries/diveshops that refused to recognize a PADI licence. Times have changed and PADI is now the largest Diving organization in the world. You can't go wrong with either one, and PADI is certainly much more ubiquitous.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

So are you looking for an intro licence or an instructors' licence?

There was an intro course available on the Perhentian Islands (Malaysia) when I was there in September. It was 3 or 4 days. Is this standard in most SE Asian diving areas?

wormholes101 · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

Andaman or Ko Tao?

Neither. Perhentian Islands in Malaysia.

wormholes101 · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Phnom penh definitely left an impression on me. A desperately crazy, sad, abused, wild, poverty-stricken, soulful, tropical, warm, friendly, anarchic,happening place......Every nightmarish, potholed, road leads to the kingdom's capital.
My heart bleeds for the khmer people. But i'm never going back.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

The Perhentian Islands were great but I think you may be waliking into the rainy season about now. I believe everything shuts down there until early March.

jacktar · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Location: ��

I haven't personally dived KO Tao. I do know that it is very cheap. I've talked to new divers who said it was awesome. Every experienced diver who I've chatted to was majorly disappointed. I'm sure you'll love it if you go there. If you do, pick a shop that's smaller but has good facilities and experienced instructors. You don't want some guy with 101 dives teaching you your open water. Yes, this is possible. Try asking about shopts on the diving forum on the lonely planet website.

Andaman kicks ass. Phuket or Phi Phi are where you want to be. You're not going to want to blow your wad (of cash) on a liveaboard just yet. The diving is excellent there especially when you consider the number of divers who go there. It is not cheap however. Phi Phi especially. High season starts in January. The dives sites are beautiful even when you surface. Amazin scenery. I spent 5 weeks diving there last year. I loved it. Go with Moskito if you go there. Best boats on the island.

Both Redang and the Perhentians are comparable to to PP but Redang is a little better for corals. Redang = expensive, Perhentians = cheap.

I'm off it Sipadan in 1 week baby. My dream comes true. Whoopeeeeee!!!!!!!!1

jacktar · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Location: ��

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

i've done a bit of research cause i'm wanting the same thing.
I'm gonna be going at the start of march when the peak season ends.

I've looked into Phuket (and the day trips) and koh Samui. Both have ways to get PADI (ALSO what i want).

ALSO, sadly, i can only go for about 9 days. Which means VERY little time for PADI AND other dives.

Unfortunately, and this is BIG, i may not be able to go and may just go down to Namhae or Gujae Or Tongyung and try to get my PADI there.
HOW crappy would that be when you're "this close" to thailand.

i'm REALLY appreciating the advice thus far. Keep it up!

jacktar · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Location: ��

If I were you Khyber, I'd start the course here. Sounds like you have 2 weekends and a 5 days for vacation. Minus your travel time. Do you really want to spend part of taht time in a class room or reading diving materials? Do your class and pool stuff here, get a referal and do your open water dives in Thailand. It's not as easy to find instructors here as SEA but I know a few.

You're also more than welcome to come freeze your ass off with me any weekend you want this fall and coming winter. I'll still be in the water. Always looking for new buddies.