Honestly it depends on you. You dont really need one unless your afraid of the cold. Night dives are generally cold when you come out of the water. So bring a towel to dry yourself.

In Tioman the water temperature will be roughly the same at night but...

1) air temp will be a few degrees cooler
2) the sun isn't out to warm you up
3) your night dive might be the third one for the day, with each previous dive chilling you further

If you can tolerate the cold, you probably don't need to buy anything. For me I would probably wear a light fleece jacket, to dry myself and block the wind chill on the boat ride back.

If you stay committed to diving, you'll need a wetsuit at some point... but I would say there's no urgency for you to decide on one right now. There's many wetsuits out there, take your time to find one

This post has been edited by wKkaY: Jun 5 2017, 09:41 PM

Morning guys...just a thought, do you guys check the phases of moon before planning for a diving trip?

So far most of the times that I've been diving have been around the full moon period so the underwater visibility is quite bad.

Dark moon = calmer seas/good visibility
Full moon = strong waves/so-so to bad visibility

Yea we do. I was told to generally avoid new moon or full moon if we don't want to encounter currents. But it's also said that you see more things on a full moon.

Anyways, for the technical and scientific side of it, maybe @wkkay can give you more info

I use to but mother nature can't be calculated that accurately.
But from my experience, new moon and few days after full moon the currents are stronger.
Diving is diving, good visibility might make it nicer but being able to be in the water is more than enough.

I use 3mm shortie from the dive center (part of the rented/included equipments) , it's sufficient.

This post has been edited by scchan107: Jun 6 2017, 03:42 PM

did anyone use the XS foldable bcd hanger? are they sturdy enough for all the heavy (and expensive) dive gears?

Depends where you go... in the open sea I won't factor in moon phase or tides at all where it comes to visibility or how rough the seas are. For these trips, I check the seasonal trends of the destination when I'm planning. But these are just trends; the prevailing weather system leading to your trip will have the greatest effect, and you can't forecast this more than a few days ahead...

For diving off the shore or in channels/inlets however, tide times (and to a lesser extent, moon phase) are important. In any case, you'd want a half moon for the smallest tidal range, not a dark (new) moon.

Thanks for the reply guys, super informative!

Now that @wKkaY mentioned it, it makes sense to go during the half moon - will definitely keep that into consideration. I'll be going diving this weekend and its a full moon...lets see how it goes

Enjoy your trip and dive safe!

I'll be off to dive with seals this weekend, then it's a 1-month surface interval for eye surgery

yep its up to you. i have a wetsuit but it's rarely used.

in Malaysian waters, night diving, is same temp, only thing is on the boat, with the wind chill factor. maybe a windbreaker and a towel will do. ii'd suggest you use the DC wetsuit before you invest in one, for your course. Later when you're really into diving then you can make the purchasing decision. The salesman of course will push it to you maaaa

Will be in Perhentian next week. Anyone? From the 13th onwards... (i didnt buy my return ticket! )

This post has been edited by ericcc: Jun 7 2017, 02:30 AM

I am pretty sure the sales man is trying to earn your bucks. lol.
I go diving with shorts and just Sharkskin top. It's not that cold.
The only thing about short is getting stung by unknown things in the water sometimes. lol. maybe some plankton.

This post has been edited by miyakochan89: Jun 7 2017, 02:22 PM

Went to Montague Island this weekend to dive with AU/NZ fur seals

The island...


When you arrive, you see seals basking on the rocks and on the surface of the water with one fin up (photo by my buddy)


When you jump in, you'll see lots of bubbles from beneath, not from divers but from seals - there are just that many of them. Once you're in the water, they swim up to you and all around you in 3 dimensions... they are very playful and love chasing your light beam (photo by my buddy)


A closer look at a NZ fur seal. The AU seals are much fatter and bigger, and they don't get close up. (photo by my buddy)

So nice man!! Jelesnye!

This cutie must've swam a long way to you.

Planning to go island somewhere in August (family trip). In this trip, 2 persons interested to get their OWD course (no time for theory + confine in KL).

Since family trip and most of them no planning for OWD, budget hotel basically out of choice. Looking around Tioman, and seems Paya Beach Resort is shortlisted (got swimming pool, although not sure why need swimming pool when got nice beach). Any idea which Dive Center can recommend nearby the resort?

I know there is one DC attached (Diver Cove), but seems not really good review from internet, and not 5 Star IDC.

No idea about Paya Diving but you don't need to care if it is a 5 star IDC or not. It makes no difference. You only need to pay money yearly and meet some requirements to be a 5 star IDC. The instructor comes and go.

Anybody heard of SDI certification? I did some brief googling it seems like it's almost the same as PADI?

Cheaper. It all depends on the instructor teaching.

Nice. Will take up the package once their dates are confirmed.