i checked in scuba junkie website..open water dive course is RM700

Is that inclusive of the theory part?

What's the approx total cost if i want to take the whole thing in sipadan? And how many days will it take?

Would appreciate any input from anyone who knows...thank you

you should contact them and get the information from them
not likely you'll be doing the course in sipadan, mabul is more likely. As they have limited permits, not likely they'll waste it on OW students

* correction:- after contacting my friend there, you'll do it in sibuan

This post has been edited by kimseng: Nov 30 2009, 09:30 AM

anyone interested to join with me the HOPE (help our penyu)?? they are offering volunteer programme and you can get the diving certificate at the same time.

sound interested..when?

added: just browse. the application still not open..

This post has been edited by chae: Dec 1 2009, 12:02 PM

im interested too

Not open yet? i m wondering which one to join. should i join the HOPE or SEATRU. I went to SEATRU few months ago but that one does not include diving. i can get my diving licence if i join HOPE.

i doubt you can get free license by observing sea turtle or clean the environment. it needs rental for gear, registration fee, and boat rental fee to conduct, if a organisation can have such money, they might as well just use the money to use it on better side? as for the dive centre owner, i don't see a reason they want to spend their time and equipment for free. its not 2hrs thing to conduct/rent a gear out, its at least 4days at minimum..furthermore, most the time non-diver volunteer, they do some beach cleaning, observe sea turtle or gather tourist's signature..i never see them actually gear up...

the last time i heard was from SOS/releigh if not mistaken, you have to gather donation of 3k in order to participate in sabah. and that also i didn't heard the participant get free license at the end.

It is not free. The volunteer programme itself cost RM940. Add another RM1050, you can get the PADI.

can get a normal 950 + 450 4d3n in some east coast island then donate the rest to the society itself or use the remaining and participant in project AWARE

the different is you may experience the whole process of sea turtles lay eggs. provided you love volunteer job and sea turtles, otherwise, it is not a good choice. it is better to go for dive centre.

Dear all sifu,

I having a chance to head to Tawau next year. planning to take a few day off & travel to nearby island to take my open water cert. I have some doubt in my mind.

1. Which island recommended near Semporna? Heard of Mataking, Kapalai, Ligitan, Layang-Layang, pom-pom etc.
2. is better to take the course here in KL or take it on the island?

Thanks.

get in west malaysia at lower rate (include lodging n transport)

then practice here too until your buoyancy is good at cheaper rate.

then only pay higher price and enjoy beautiful scene in east malaysia or oversea.

just my suggestion.

thanks for the info kimseng

Dear all,

which the best
1. Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort
2. Mataking Reef Dive Resort
3. Sipadan water village resort

Thanks

Hi everyone in here.. I happen to come across this thread and somewhat feel intimidated and just to share with you all my water experience..

I went snorkeling before without life jacket and was swap away by the underwater current..lucky help came fast. But I never learn my lesson. another time I went to the water and lost my way back. along the way, I saw a giant garuppa about 10 - 13 feet long(others saw it as well) and I was about 11 hours at the sea. 9 hours alone..also other damn huge fishes! 2 weeks after, the star paper said a fisher man found a giant garuppa at somewhere else but it wasn't longer than the one I saw. water temperature was sometimes warm, but sometimes really cold & dark.

neeways, you divers no scare big fishes ? @.@


As much as I want (how I wish to dive/ swim with my love one), if it wasn't because of such experiences, I would have love the water. I'm recovering over time but when I think of swimming, I can think of that incident.

Diving and snorkeling aint the same experience dude.. With proper guide and training such things wont happen.. Try diving and you'll know what is heaven on earth

wow 11 hours at sea???? and with out any flotation aid???
who found you? the operator? coast guard? marine police?
why the snorkeling operator did not notice that you were missing?

you sure u saw a grouper? malaysian water they don't grow bigger than 1.5m (5ft)

or was it this?


This post has been edited by kimseng: Dec 9 2009, 09:33 AM

water magnifies objects.
so high chances are it wasn't as big as you think it was.

lots of people, including my instructor, have been telling me that diving is way safer than snorkeling.
one of the reasons is because we actually learn how to dive, the dangers of diving and how to practice safe diving while we don't really learn how to snorkel from professionals. so like Proclaimer said, with proper guide and training, it'll be a whole new different experience.

would love to..

This post has been edited by g r a p e k e y: Dec 9 2009, 01:42 PM

Any tips and advice on what to prepare before i go for a diving course?

First timer here, would like to know any important things that I need to bring as well as anything I shouldn't do.

thanks