I'm the same.. i think they are more then willing to bring us super newbies..
can't wait for my diving life to begin..

searching for XS wetsuit... hahaa.. my 1st confine water training today didnt have size for me..

Question.. Do you need a wet suit actually? Would rash guard be sufficient for OW?

Also.. what is the first item that we should buy? what would be the 2nd and how do we determine which brand is better?

Should be 1 pax for me..


Perhentian sounds great! Cant wait

actually dive center will include the wetsuit with other equipment.. unfortunately, depeend on luck if u can get ur size there.. as for me, they dont have xs size for men wetsuit.

nah.. just asking in general if we actually need to get one in the future..
and the place i am going to get my OW actually don't provide it for confined dive..

thought i would chip in to look for a place in perhentian..

http://www.tunabay.com.my/2013_Perhentian_...ng_Package.html

Question no2: I heard mask and fin will turn hard if we don dive frequently. True? How to fix harden fin??

Hey guys if I do the padi scuba dive course how much roughly it would take to upgrade to open water diving certified? Planning to take this during my semester break but kinda financial constraint to rent da hotel for 4 nights in phi phi island for the open water diving course.

I think taking open water @ thailand is bit expensive than in Malaysia... instead of staying in nice resort.. try dorm which is around RM40 to RM60 per night @ Phi Phi...

EvanSoon,

my pov and limited experience...
wet suit or rash guard is personal preference and understanding of ur own body! I am 179cm but get cold easily thus i wear long sleeve wet suit other reasons for wearing wet suit are thermocline (temperature drops by a few degree at certain area) and jeli fish

i dove with lady divers with bikini oni til 18-20m... no issue

i oso dove with another lady divers with rash guard at 25-26m... shivering blue colored lips


goggle and mask

fins - recommended open heels type... thus u need oso xtra budget for booties ***Get the lowcut / low top.. EXAMPLE!! I spend xtra time and effort wearing my present booties which s the High Top Booties

Advantages of the booties, secure u while at the boat with wet and slippery floor, walk with more comfort thru stones and rough sands between dive centre and boat, HEAT on the sands, floor....

normally they hav XS.... but.... lady wet suit *just joking*


Store those gears in a well ventilated area

I took my Open Water in Phi Phi last august. I think it is cheaper than in malaysia, especially if you online book if before, you can even get discount. I went with a great dive shop, and they have the best boat in Phi phi island. As all the dive shop in phi phi have the same price, its best to find the one with good equipment, instructor and service/facilities.

And that dive shop also have a really basic room for only 100 baht (around 10rm only). For that price I can't complain ^^. It have bed and fan only, and also standing towel hanger. But it's really hot because of no AC.

I'm wondering is it ok to publish the name of that dive shop? If not, you can pm me if interested.

yeah was considering that too but i cant withstand heat much. hehe.

hell yeah i would like to know man, especially anything related to diving in phi phi. why would they forbid to tell the name of any place in your suggestion.

so do u take open water from zero or from scuba dive certified?

how much do you spend for the whole course including lodging?

is it raining in august? cz i read across the forum said it was monsoon season in between august till november. or it is sunny in the morning and heavy rain in the evening.

and do you take flight from kl to krabi or by the bus?

1 more thing is it safely assume that SSI certified course are highly recognized to PADI? i see a lot of PADI dive shop around but not SSI. btw some site give the best offer for SSI open water diving course which is cheaper by 300 bucks includes everything. if i book everything early i wonder they would reschedule it or refund if the weather arent on my side.

there is one diveshop that offer padi open water course which include accommodation in Phi Phi Palmtree Resort for RM4340 for 2 pax for 4 nights. do you think it worth the deal?


This post has been edited by hexion: Mar 4 2013, 12:58 AM

I've never seen XS size wetsuit for men, smallest also S size. Try female or children wetsuit.

Like b5n111 said, some female divers just jump down in their bikinis. I've seen divers with a tshirt and surf pants on. Most of them would prefer a long or short sleeve rash guard with surf pants. Seldom see divers buy their own shortie here in our country. It all depends on your own body, some of us can tahan cold more than others. Then there's the expose skin to jellyfishes and other corals that burn. Wetsuit will give some protection to those underwater creatures. If you go to colder waters, then yes, a wetsuit or dry suit is needed, plus a hood, gloves and all that to keep you warm.

First equipment to buy, I would say mask, fins, and booties.
After that, a dive comp.

Destination: Perhentian
Purpose: Diving
Date: May / Sept

1. imran85 (1 pax)
2. munkeyflo (2 pax)
3. b5n111 (1 pax) - confirm upon date s finalised
4. numblink (1 pax) - if date ngam
5. tantalus
6. EvanSoon

First off, I would prefer Perhentian Besar. Can take a watertaxi over to Kecil for those who want to party.
It's a public holiday + weekend, so there will be some surcharges. Here are some hotels. I was thinking Flora Bay, can always makan at other restaurants.

Bubbles Dive Resort http://www.bubblesdc.com/
High Season (Apr-Aug) 3D2N - RM430 AC Room, Triple
Dive Package Add On - RM450 for 5 dives with eq
Surcharge - RM60/room/night
*est. RM920/pax (Triple)

Arwana Resort http://www.arwanaperhentian.com.my/2012/main.php
3D2N Diving Package - RM678 AC Room, Quad for 4 dives
Surcharge - RM30/person
*est. RM708/pax (Quad)

Bayu Dive Logde http://www.bayudivelodge.com/
3D2N Diving Package - RM625 AC Room (Triple) for 4 dives with eq
3D2N Diving Package - RM590 Fan Room (Twin) for 4 dives with eq
*no surcharge
**Review says bad food but quite clean rooms. Fully booked for May according to their online reservation thingy.

Flora Bay Divers http://www.florabayresort.com/
AC Room - RM130 per room per night, stays up to 4 pax
Fan Room - RM60 per room per night, stays up to 4 pax *no hot shower*
Dives - RM85/dive with eq (min. 4-5 dives), RM75/dive without eq
Surcharge - 20%
Speedboat Transfer on our own - RM70/return
*est. RM573/pax for AC Room (Quad) 5 dives with eq; RM517/pax for Fan Room (Twin) 5 dives without eq
**Meals on our own**

Tuna Bay Resort http://www.tunabay.com.my/
3D2N Diving Package - RM729 AC Room, Triple for 4 dives without eq
Surcharge - RM100 per person
*est. RM829/pax (Triple)

New Cocohut Chalet (Dive with Universal Diver) http://www.perhentianislandcocohut.com/perhentianisland.html
3D2N Snorkeling Package - RM449 AC Room, Quad
Universal Divers (with eq) - RM85/dive (2-4 dives); RM80/dive (>4 dives)
Universal Divers (without eq) - RM65/dive
*est. RM849/pax (Quad) with 5 dives with eq

Coral View Island Resort http://www.coralviewislandresort.com/
3D2N Snorkeling Package - RM459 AC Room (Triple); RM454 Fan Room (Twin)
Diving Add On (min. 4 dives) - RM80/dive with eq; RM65/dive without eq
*est. RM859/pax AC Room (Triple), 5 dives with eq

Thanks guys. I'll go in that direction. Don't really know if i can stand the cold underwater.. I guess i'll go with rash guard first.

I would say first item - mask. Don't wanna be caught with a rental mask that doesn't fit your face properly and have flooding or equalizing problems down there.

Second item - booties (and as an extension, fins, since not many DCs offer open heel fins for rental). Supremely useful to prevent slipping and falling in the (usually) wet dive center with your tank on. Also helps grip the ladder better when you're climbing back onto the boat after a dive.

Third item - full-length wetsuit, although this is just in my case. Shorties don't keep me warm enough. Also helps if you encounter an unexpected swarm of jellyfishes during a dive.

A pointer will also come in very handy to signal/alert people around you, although I would not suggest for a totally new diver to get one. They tend to poke and prod with reckless abandon, not being able to differentiate between what's pokable and what's not.

Also, if you plan to stick to scuba in the long-haul, consider getting a dive computer early on. I feel that frequent, proper use of a dive comp inculcates good scuba habits. Don't have to go OTT for one - my Zoop cost me RM7**, and it's plenty good enough for me.



numblink

I think that only happens if you keep it under sunlight frequently. Rubber tends to have that habit. Same applies to the rubber seals and wipers on your car. Dive equipment should be stored in a cool, dry area away from sunlight when not in use.

planning to organize a trip to Kaleebso LOB, tioman on June 29-30.. anyone interested??

I'm Just wondering if its ok like to tell the name of the shop, because it's like promoting. But ok, here is my recommendation dive shop in phi phi island:

Moskito Diving http://www.moskitodiving.com/ - They have the list price there, if you book online before, you can get discount, just contact them first.

If it's only the course, it's around 1300rm for PADI Open water. + accomodation of 100baht (10rm) per day (basic fan room on 2nd floor of the dive shop). So it's around 1350rm. But there are lots of other accomodation like for 40-60rm (dorm or room with fan), it depends on your budget.

I was lucky, my first 5 day there was sunny and no rain at all, but the last 2 day was raining a bit but scattered during the day.

I took the flight to phuket, then have ferry to phi phi.

My recommendation, just take PADI as it's globally recognized and they can also check your certification online if you dont bring it with you (maybe SSI also can, but idk)


For the Palmtree resort, it depend on your budget and liking. Do you want to save on accomodation? or do you want to pamper yourself in the vacation also? or just want to learn to dive, and get the cheapest accomodation. For me, usually i just use my room to sleep at night and was out the whole day. So I don't really prefer to pay for a fancy room. Just basic accomodation suffice.

Thanks for looking for the info munkeyflo, Me too prefer flora bay based on the list, as it is cheaper also ^^. (cheaper means: more chance to dive more)


I'm interested if it's only for weekend, 750 for the LOB? what does it include? as I never been in LOB. Do we need to arrive the day before?

BTW I'm living in KL and don't have a car, so it's even better if there is someone also from KL. I won't mind to share for the gas and toll road, or even going together by bus. As long as there is enough time to join the LOB before it get off. Is it possible to join?

Sounds good for Flora Bay.. yeah we can find our own food after..

alright man thanks for da tips and mosquito kinda in my list . yeah i think im gonna go solely for the diving certified trip instead of paying for da hotel. and when did u do the open water diving cert again, 100 baht per day sound to good to be true for nowadays. if you had any of da room pic do inbox me. is it come with own bathroom?

This post has been edited by hexion: Mar 4 2013, 12:46 PM

Just realized Flora Bay is actually on the other side of the island, so maybe a bit hard to get food other than their own restaurant.
I'll try Abdul Chalet to see whether they still have rooms or not. Abdul Chalet is next to Tuna Bay.

Abdul Chalet is slightly more expensive. But the rooms look way better than Flora Bay, especially the toilets.
Family Garden View AC (Triple) - RM195/night
Standard Garden Fan (Twin) - RM80/night
Speedboat by the hotel is RM70/return
Trying to find out which dive centers are nearby Abdul Chalet.

Edit: Ok, there are not much more expensive anyways.
Nearest dive center is Universal Diver:
Universal Divers (with eq) - RM85/dive (2-4 dives); RM80/dive (>4 dives)
Universal Divers (without eq) - RM65/dive
It's cheaper than Flora Bay Diver. 5 star dive center too.

This post has been edited by munkeyflo: Mar 4 2013, 02:23 PM