Not interested to open my own dive center heheh.

Sealantis is the official dealer for scubapro. They should have the fins you are looking for.
If not mistaken, someone also mentioned scuba symphony carry scubapro jet fins. Try search this thread and see.

For beginner, just get any compact and the ori housing. You'll have to have good buoyancy to take nice pictures. Don't think about taking the DSLR underwater, it's too much of a hassle. Damn heavy also. Unless you really into it next time, then invest in it. You can try borrow other ppl camera if they have and try it out.

My first camera was Canon G9 with Canon housing. Now using Canon S95 with Canon housing. Planning to get G15, maybe Ikelite housing.
No strobe yet but might get one for better photo quality.

Sorry, don't know much about regulators. My partner has replied to you either though.
Guess it's a good buy hehe.

Scubatex, as ericcc has already mentioned, is a good place to get scuba equipments at pretty reasonable prices. There are lots of shops in Klang Valley selling scuba equipments. 1Utama has 2, Mid Valley also got. I don't know about the one in Sungei Wang so can't help you out there. There are quite a few in PJ, Subang and Cheras area. Some even operate from their house, so ask around, there are a lot of them.

Take up the course first, make more friends, try out different type of equipments first before you decide on investing into your own set. Most of us will get the mask, booties and fins first. Wetsuit not really necessary in our Malaysian water. Get a rashguard and a few beach pants and you're good to go.

Next to Ogival shop - Sun Paradise. They carry quite a range of swimming wear and accessories. Try checking out their prices.
You can also go to Jusco or Parkson swimming/sports section.

Remember to get slightly lower than your specs power, or you'll be floating and dizzy when you wear it.

I bought my full suit from Global Scuba. So far it's the only dive shop that brings the Sharkskin range into Malaysia. Got it for RM1000 as well, around August last year. That time already they told me promo price haha.

Have to admit, it is super comfy. A little cold in the water sometimes but it's windproof, damn chun. After night dive come out, wind blow also not cold lol.

Most guys will prefer to get 2 pieces instead of the full suit. Can wear with surf pants if water not very cold. I check the prices if I buy online from Australia and get someone to bring or ship it back, it's not that much cheaper, maybe like RM30-50 like that cheaper for the full suit. If you do find someone that is able to get Sharkskin at lower price, let me know. I'm thinking of getting their booties.

Sharkskin is my 4th wetsuit lol. I have tons of rashguard but usually just wear my short sleeve Ripcurl under my wetsuit. Scubapro rashguard quite thin, you can wear it under your sharkskin if you afraid of cold.

Why not get the top piece first, I doubt you'll need to wear the bottom piece unless you can't stand the cold. Most people just wear rashguard and shorts go dive anyway.

Tioman is most KL divers choice for a weekend getaway.
You can also try out pulau Sembilan. Nearer than Tioman but visibility not so good. I've done day trip to Pulau Sembilan before but very tiring.

You can fly then dive, no rules about that.
But you can't dive then fly before 24 hours has pass.

Usually by end Feb or beginning March already open to tourist.
Weather might not be as good as May though. But sometimes the weather may be very good.

Check with the hotel for the exact opening dates.

Yup. Most dive centers will make it 18-24 hours just to be safe.

I think everyone should do it at least once in their lifetime.
It's a really awesome experience. Quite a number of girl divers these days edi haha.

Have fun!

Yea I wear contacts but I have my own prescription mask also. You don't have to open eyes actually. Just have to remove and put back the mask. Can do it with your eyes close. I'm not sure if discovery will require you to remove mask underwater or not.

I do not dare to open eyes underwater when I'm wearing contacts. Usually if close eyes very tight also eyes will sting a little but it wouldn't affect my contacts. I use daily contacts when I dive for more moisture and easy to handle. Anything wrong just open another pair. Few dives a day in contacts can make the eyes very dry.

Best is to inform your instructor/dive master that you are wearing contacts when he briefs you about what you will be doing underwater. Tell him you are not comfortable with opening eyes underwater, they'll understand.

I didn't receive anything either

Going redang end of march with some friends. I wouldn't mind organizing perhentian trip. anyone else interested?

Has been so long since I went to perhentian.

How bout September 14-16. 16th Malaysia day is a Monday. Perhentian, I'll try to find out which hotels to go to and get a quote. Or anyone has any recommendations? Who else interested to go?

1. imran85 (1 pax?)
2. munkeyflo (2 pax)

Dates confirm yet? If free can join also

24th wesak day you mean.
Fine with me. Make it 24-26 may then.

I'll be going from klang/shah alam. If confirm, we should meet up few months before, get details and try arrange to carpool.

Since imram85 suggested it first, which dates would you prefer more?

Hahaha. If I lose my contacts half way, confirm blind lol. That's why I always try to wake up earlier and put on my contacts before breakfast.

Newbies are fine. It's good for newbies to mix around and gain more experience, you'll learn lots. Some just take up the course then never go diving again, don't be like that.

May 24-26 will be the start of school holidays. Gonna have a hard time with booking the rooms lol. Any hotel recommendations from you all? The last I went to perhentian was for my OW course, don't remember a thing.

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

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