Korean Job Discussion Forums

Enigma · Joined: 20 Mar 2008

I've been living here on the coast in Gangwondo for the last 2 years but I still haven't gotten around to diving yet. I know there are diving spots here, but I'm not aware of any places that take people out with full gear rental. I've got my PADI Advanced with a little over 30 logged dives.
Have any of you gone diving here, and can any of you recommend a place anywhere on the Gangwondo coast that'll rent you equipment and take you out? I'd prefer a place that can communicate a little in English because my Korean is crap.

Thanks

McGenghis · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Gangneung

Where do you live? There are quite a few shops in Jumunjin. I haven't gone out here either but I did some windsurfing at one of the marine places and the ajushi spoke English passably well.

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

Forget about rental, you'll need to buy your own gear. January- July, you'll need a dry suit, rest of the year a thick wetsuit. Don't expect to see much, the Korean divers kill and eat everything they see. You'll need to spend about 3,000,000 won to gear up.

Ruthdes · Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul

Russ at Deep Blue Quest does weekend tours out near Sokcho. If you didn't need transport for Seoul I would presume he would discount his rate. He hires out all gear except for mask and snorkel. https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5711248485&ref=ts

The area isn't the best place to go diving, but occasionally you see something good. I did my certification with Russ just over two years ago, and on my final training dive I saw a huge octopus. Unfortunately GoldMember is right though. Within 20 minutes, it was dead in a sack. The big mother was 60kg! Russ said you could dive your whole life and never see another like it. It certainly made for a memorable dive.

kardisa · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Location: Masan

If you PM me your email address, I'll put you in touch with the shop I work with out of Busan. The owner should be able to help you with your question.

GoldMember - I really don't think it's necessary to buy your own gear, although it does (of course) make things easier. Also, I've been diving in a 5mm wetsuit with hood/gloves/boots since late March. Not always comfortable, but completely doable.

thelad · Joined: 11 Oct 2008

Russ doesn't require that his students need to own any equipment any more. I was talking with him the other day - he said that he is doing the PADI Open Water course for 650,000. Everything is included in the price.

I tried a few other operations in Korea and they all seem to quote a lower price, but then hit you with added fees for pool training and other stuff. Never had any of that kind of thing with Russ. He also runs tours to Jeju, Philippines and Okinawa. Always had fun with the guy.