oic... PADI only got 5 chapter... ahaha... i got it... lol

wah... u also master in snorkel clearing ah?

Snorkel clearing done by 2 of my instructors.
PS: I'm not the student in the photo.

PADI OW Chapter 6: Snorkel Clearing Photo (Click at your own risk) :


This post has been edited by TAGreptiles: Jul 27 2011, 11:05 PM

the fact that you're wearing a mask makes this clearing all the more fun!!

since I just got back from OWC... my ears still feel discomfort, I still have to equalize ... should I go to a doctor for a check?

You have to wear a mask then only fun! haha.

It's better if you go for a checkup. Some people I know have some sort of problems after their first time diving (in sea) and have to visit the doctor. But shouldn't be anything serious.

hi..i am interested to take up diving...

can anybody point me where to look? Want to know how fast can i complete a dive course? 3 days 2 nights at tioman can? How much does it cost? 1k can settle?

many thanks.

I think you better budget more time and budget for it. The course in Tioman takes 4 days and at least 3 days meaning 3 solid days on the island. The trip itself to Mersing will almost take a day and return will be the same. As for pricing, the course could be 1K inclusive of lodgings but you still have to budget in your trip from Mersing to Tioman and maybe some duty free cigarettes and liquor.

This post has been edited by etigge: Aug 1 2011, 10:37 PM

Normally 4 Day 3 Night..will cost you around 1.5K minimum...(accommodation,food,boat,meals)

This post has been edited by Samurai: Aug 1 2011, 10:40 PM

Wah. So to be safe also need 2k la?

Do they conduct classes all year long? During monsoon season it's off limits right. Is February suitable?

Ahhh money money money.

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Added on August 2, 2011, 12:14 amAnd what licence do I get a? Is it open water diving licence? Thanks.

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Added on August 2, 2011, 12:45 amJust read through 9 pages of the thread. Will continue reading them all when I am free.

This post has been edited by zstan: Aug 2 2011, 12:45 AM

Hi guys, what is normal rate for 3D2N for Diver Package @ Tioman. I dont need a fancy hotel/resort... backpackers hostel enough for me. Planning to go after raya 7-9 sept.

Actually during monsoon, not all resorts are closed. The danger is the transit from Mersing or Tg.Gemuk to Tioman island. You can actually fly there as there is an airstrip there. I think Berjaya ir flies there. Once there, there are shielded areas on the island where you can dive or snorkel. Once underwater, there are no waves I think if you can make your way there it is even better, not much crowd or rather no crawd at all. A few instructors and staffs hangs around the island at that slow period. BTW, rates at resorts are way way cheaper at this time.

Hi zstan, I just did my PADI OWC last week in Mabul, since my accommodation included meal 3x daily (RM65/day).. I didn't spend extra money during the course.
Based on my experiences; to pass the OWC we have to do 4 open water dive which is enough for me so I don't have to take extra fun dive after I got my PADI certification. (usuall fun dive is RM100 per dive). Therefore my total damage during my OWC as per below :-

20th July - Dragon Inn - Dorm @ Semporna (RM20) + Airport to Semporna - shared taxi with China tourist (RM30)
21st July - Check out Dragon Inn go to Mabul Island. OWC class started (chapter 1 & 2) + Snorkeling trip in evening + OWC class (chapter 3). Sleep. No $ spend.
22nd July - Introduction to Equipment + Skills Test in 5-6m depth + OWC class (Chapter 4). Sleep. No $ spend.
23nd July - Skills Test in 5-6m depth + Open water dive 1 & 2 + Final Exam
24th July - Skills Test in 5-6m depth + Open water dive 3 & 4 (finished PADI OWC)
25th July - Check out, back to Semporna. Dragon Inn again (love this resort it cheap and cool)(RM20) + buy some souvenir + Eat Lamb Chop (revenge)(RM200)
26th July - Bus from Semporna to Tawau Airport (RM25)

Total Accommodation = RM20(Dragon Inn Semporna)+RM65x4night @ Mabul+RM20(Dragon Inn Semporna) = RM300
OWC Cost = RM950
Transport = RM100(return boat transfer) + RM30(taxi) + RM25(bus) = RM155
Foods @ Semporna & Souvenir = RM200

Total = RM1605. Please note I do not include return flight ticket bcoz may varies during promotion.

Taking OWC in Peninsular Malaysia is more cheaper and RM2000 enough... my dive operator allow to pay 30% first and another 70% at their office so that I have time to save money every month... February u still alot of time to save money... furthermore peninsular malaysia is cheaper u not compulsory to take a flight..

p/s: different instructor may use different approach and depend on your time... we completed OWC in 4 days is just nice and no stress at all. my operator dont have confined water (swimming pool) so all the skill we did in the ocean.



This post has been edited by zaff1984: Aug 2 2011, 12:04 PM

I'm going to tioman during the raya break. How long and how bad is the drive from KL to mersing? because berjaya air is damn expensive la....

Usually crash course on island takes around 4D3N. However, I would recommend that you do your course over a period of time with a local dive center in the city instead of heading to the island for a crash course. This recommendation is based on experience as I've mention here earlier on this thread.

The course itself is usually around 1k plus minus but you'll have to set aside some budget for the certification dives and accommodation plus all the other extras that you will be spending on while you are on the island. Also, some might want to get their own mask, booties, fins and maybe a rashguard which are all optional but some may find it more comfortable to use their own equipments. From what I see, it's average around RM1.5k for the whole course.

You can do the course anytime. Over at East Malaysia, they are open all year long. Monsoon season can be quite bad from what I've experienced but the island can be quiet and peaceful as well because it's not peak season. It's the boat rides to the island that makes it really bad.

I can intro my dive instructor to you, if you want.

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Added on August 2, 2011, 6:55 pmThe drive is nothing. Lol. Mersing is much nearer compared to driving to Terengganu to go Redang.
You can leave at night around 3am or so and reach there in the morning.

This post has been edited by munkeyflo: Aug 2 2011, 06:55 PM

takut mampus only when reach the island half dead zombie mode

Haha. Won't be that bad la. I've drove to Mersing to visit Tioman few times already. I take car to Terengganu to go for Redang as well. Overall, I prefer to drive than take the plane.
Make sure you sleep early the day before if you're gonna drive overnight, and also make sure that there's a backup driver (preferably not sleeping, cause if everyone in the car is sleeping then you will be sleepy as well). Get some snacks like wasabi peas to keep you awake, a bottle of ice cold honey in the ice box. When you reach the jetty, wash up and you'll be fine. Once you reach the island you'll be filled with energy. Rest for a while andden go for late afternoon dive. At least that's what I go do la. Lol.

After Negeri Sembilan the road is quite empty, not much traffic especially at night. Depends on which route too. Once I took the Kluang route, longer NS highway but nearer Faderal roads and a few times via Kuala Pilah and Muadzam Shah. Roads are quite lonely, make sure your car is in tip top condition though and petrol filled up. Generally, I think faster via the Kuala Pilah. Once I even drove all the way to Gambang before turning right to Pekan and all the way down again to Rompin. On the way back, you can try the best 'freshwater prawns' before reaching Muadzam Shah. A rickety old shack by the road.

Thank you all so much for the advice.

Budget still remains my biggest obstacle at the moment.

@munkeyflo
I have a lecturer who's a dive master, hope can consult with him first. Thanks a lot for your offer.

Thanks for the tips guys. One more thing would be how long and how much $$ would the boat ride from mainland to the island take? Trying to budget here. This trip quite budget. Kao tim with Sealantis anak boss who is also a good friend of mine for many years. We both play snake together gether...

I agree with munkeyflo, you should try to not rush it all there. I did my confined course in KL before going to the island for the open water course.

This way is a lot easier on you and you tend to relax a bit. Anyhow I treated my course as part holiday part certification trip so in the end it was worth it.