Whats different between PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, 5 Star Dive Resort and 5 star instructor development centre?

all the 5 star is just an extra rating a resort gets by paying extra to PADI.
While Dive Centre vs Resort = Availability of accommodation, or island based operator.
Instructor Development Centre (IDC) is a resort/dive centre that offers instructor level courses.

as a general idea, those with 5 star ratings are usually a bit more posh... but expect to pay posh level prices as well

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Added on March 15, 2010, 2:55 pmdon't worry too much about the agency which you opt for. PADI, NAUI, SSI, SDI, BSAC, CMAS are famous international organisations. you won't go wrong with these. no dive centre will refuse you if you have a certification from the above agencies.
more importantly get the right instructor

This post has been edited by kimseng: Mar 15 2010, 02:55 PM

Got it. By other means, search for non 5 star rating for bargain price? Any recommendation?

depends on where you want to go or what you want to do?
i can give you recommendations based on my personal experiences only.

I want to take Open water course either at Perhentian or Tioman. I can spend whole 1 week there and if possible straight to advance. Give me recommendation based on your experience and I'll do my homework on that.

when u wanna take ur diving licence? I planning to get it with a friend early May.. Havent got any instructors yet(still looking) but prices found mostly around RM1400 without pool training.. we want to stay by the beach longer.. lol..

Here's the list of dive centres I have dived with and would endorse based on the service i got.

Perhentian
Steffen Sea Sports - Teluk Aur - Ricky
Flora Bay Divers - Teluk Dalam - Azman Sulaiman
Spice Divers - Pasir Panjang - Muski

Tioman
Tioman Reef Divers - Kg Tekek - Reno
Zai ( Don't recall his Dive Centre's name) - Kg Paya ; obviously Zai
Fisherman Divers - Kg Salang - Alfian (don't know if he did his instructorship yet)

I know the guys listed up there personally and they basically run the show and teach. Though i doubt they'll allow you to do the Advance Open Water Diver course right after completing the Open Water Diver. Unless you are THAT GOOD in the water!

My advice take it slow. Do the OW first and just do fun dives for the remaining days. Your instructor should be able to advice on when you'll be ready for the AOW.

Anymore dive centers to recommend? I've email all those in Perhentian as intro by kimseng.
anyone have contact for those in Redang? trying to make comparison as soon as possible. 1 more month left only..

You can try Seahorse DC in Perhentian Besar, I did my OW there (but my instructor is no longer there, Austrian lady, very very strict).

Most places can prob do your OW for 900.

hi all , interested to join Marine / Salvage / Offshore Support industry as a diver, anyone already in the industry can guide me through the steps from a zero experience newbie to become certified for joining the workforce

detail reply by someone in the industry is appreciated

p/s:not just looking for recreational diving,but able to perform of diving/salvage works at sea: such as inspections and repair/construction work to ships, ship wrecks and such like.

its gonna cost you quite a sum to get certified as a commercial diver.
pm me if you are really interested.

Lol the price you guys quote are dahsyat hehe
i did my PADI open water for Rm 650 gonna do advance soon in a few month for RM 650 in sabah
hahaha ~_~ i went for leisure diving for a few times free too lol just have to be real friendly with the instructor lol.
We did one day in class room and 2 days at pulau the ones infront of KK.
I saw marble ray(as big as a table), lion fish, Hold a turtle(which you shoudnt) all on my first few dive.. haha maybe abit lucky. All this infront of KK unbelievable..

My instructor wasnt so strict, once he saw i was comfortable jumping from the boat like monkeys he went into fast forward mode with me and a friend.
Being a diver so bergaya, sit on the boat in the middle of sea, simply jumping hahaha got so tan. Seriously made me think of being a divemaster

This post has been edited by thahirah: Apr 15 2010, 12:08 AM

thahirah,

I've been looking around as well, and yes the prices are really in that range, is there any way I could contact your instructor and get that wonderful price ?

taking a wild guess - do you dive with Borneo Dream ? i dive with them for DSD to test my 'manliness' last year

they're super friendly and being european, they're meticulous about safety and very encouraging too, soi find it very good for first timers to build up confidence

This post has been edited by zaurus: Apr 15 2010, 10:24 PM

Search ewave scuba or
tulasi ramachandran
or rudy matt in facebook
ask for RM 650

If you dont mind taking SSI license rather then PAdi the price for open water is 488 lol
go to this link http://www.sabahdivers.com/

This post has been edited by thahirah: Apr 16 2010, 10:34 PM

Hey,

Anyone been on a dive at Pulau Kapas or Gemia? I'm heading there 1st week of May. Wanna know if there are good spots.

I would love to try diving~!! I love the sea, the wind, the guitar & all those beach stuff under the stars


Any reasonable package for me plus accommodation for 2? *I've already started checking out the prices and all few months ago, but now lost track*

brief me k, thanks. I'm planning to go this year before October if possible.

Need help..for all divers..I want to buy Mares fins and Mask,please recommend dive shops with good price.

visit www.rainbowrunner.net

Flora Bay Divers - Teluk Dalam - Azman Sulaiman
azman besar or azman kecil ?=)

DIve master rite ?

hi, im an open water diver by SSI. got it on 2008 june.

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Added on May 8, 2010, 5:45 pmPerhentian East Marine (Arwana Perhentian , Pulau Besar )- Low Eng Chin.

I got my license from him... Not bad. A very friendly dive master.. cincai too~~

This post has been edited by vasalis: May 8 2010, 05:45 PM