jaystars
New
Hello Everyone!
I'm new to diving (and ScubaBoard) and hoping to learn more so I thought this would be a good place to start. I did my PADI Open Water Course in the Red Sea, Dahab in September 08 that a friend of mine who already dives "made" me do and really enjoyed it. As a bit of a sun lover I haven't yet dived in the UK even though I live 20 minutes away from a dive centre as it is far too cold in my opinion!
I have now decided I would like to do my AOW so will be doing that in Thailand off Ko Tao in about 3 weeks. I am going to Hong Kong for 5 nights before heading to Bangkok and then the Gulf Coast and would appreciate some advice on various subjects.
Firstly I would like to get a shortie wetsuit and a mask, snorkel and fins for the trip as it appears that not every dive centre in Thailand includes those items when hiring equipment. I have seen a couple of wetsuits I like, the main differences being the thickness; one is a Mares 2.2mm and the other is a BodyGlove 5mm. I tend to be a bit on the cold side both in the water and out, for example in the Red Sea I was wearing a full arm and short leg wetsuit and when I was there most of the time the water temperature was around 27°C.
This was fine but I found that on the second dive of the day I was a bit chilly and starting to get cold towards the end of the dive, mainly on the top half of my body even though I had full arms. My friend let me wear her thermal rash vest which helped a lot. So I don't know whether it would be better to get a 2mm and wear a rash vest if I am cold or whether I should be going for 5mm even in warmer water.
As for masks etc I have no idea what to look for really! Only ever bought these for snorkelling when I was a kid so any advice on that front would be appreciated
Also anybody who has been to either Hong Kong, Bangkok or Ko Tao before and knows whether I should wait until I get there to purchase these items as they will be cheaper and easy to find or whether I should get them before I go as there may not be much to choose from.
Secondly I will be taking a camera with underwater housing with me to play about with on dives. I got a FinePix F50 for Christmas and have been playing with the shutter/aperture/ISO settings but have never done any underwater photography before. I know that there is a lot less light underwater and am planning on taking it snorkelling when I get there to play with the settings but would be good to get a few tips if anyone has any
Thirdly I am hoping my paltry excuse for a travel budget may allow me to not only do my Advanced course but could also fund a liveaboard or two. I have been researching dive sites on the Andaman Coast after reading my Lonely Planet guide and have decided I need to dive too many places!
My list includes The Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang and Ko Phi Phi. I know that I can get liveaboards from Phuket and Patong for these but the prices I have seen online are stretching the budget somewhat. I know that there will probably be cheaper options when I get there but I was wondering whether anybody has any recommendations of where to get good deals from. Also, if the worst happens and I can't afford to dive all the above sites what does everybody recommend as a must see above all else? I will be in Thailand from 20 January to 22 February so don't know if that will make a difference as to the marine life I am likely to see.
I know I have asked so many questions but really don't know what to expect when I get out there. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated, whether to do with diving or just general travel tips. I also love my wildlife so if anyone knows what I should be looking out for (either above or below the surface) that would be great too. Thanks for taking the time to read this and a Happy New Year to all!
Jay
I'm new to diving (and ScubaBoard) and hoping to learn more so I thought this would be a good place to start. I did my PADI Open Water Course in the Red Sea, Dahab in September 08 that a friend of mine who already dives "made" me do and really enjoyed it. As a bit of a sun lover I haven't yet dived in the UK even though I live 20 minutes away from a dive centre as it is far too cold in my opinion!
I have now decided I would like to do my AOW so will be doing that in Thailand off Ko Tao in about 3 weeks. I am going to Hong Kong for 5 nights before heading to Bangkok and then the Gulf Coast and would appreciate some advice on various subjects.
Firstly I would like to get a shortie wetsuit and a mask, snorkel and fins for the trip as it appears that not every dive centre in Thailand includes those items when hiring equipment. I have seen a couple of wetsuits I like, the main differences being the thickness; one is a Mares 2.2mm and the other is a BodyGlove 5mm. I tend to be a bit on the cold side both in the water and out, for example in the Red Sea I was wearing a full arm and short leg wetsuit and when I was there most of the time the water temperature was around 27°C.
This was fine but I found that on the second dive of the day I was a bit chilly and starting to get cold towards the end of the dive, mainly on the top half of my body even though I had full arms. My friend let me wear her thermal rash vest which helped a lot. So I don't know whether it would be better to get a 2mm and wear a rash vest if I am cold or whether I should be going for 5mm even in warmer water.
As for masks etc I have no idea what to look for really! Only ever bought these for snorkelling when I was a kid so any advice on that front would be appreciated
Also anybody who has been to either Hong Kong, Bangkok or Ko Tao before and knows whether I should wait until I get there to purchase these items as they will be cheaper and easy to find or whether I should get them before I go as there may not be much to choose from.
Secondly I will be taking a camera with underwater housing with me to play about with on dives. I got a FinePix F50 for Christmas and have been playing with the shutter/aperture/ISO settings but have never done any underwater photography before. I know that there is a lot less light underwater and am planning on taking it snorkelling when I get there to play with the settings but would be good to get a few tips if anyone has any
Thirdly I am hoping my paltry excuse for a travel budget may allow me to not only do my Advanced course but could also fund a liveaboard or two. I have been researching dive sites on the Andaman Coast after reading my Lonely Planet guide and have decided I need to dive too many places!
My list includes The Similan Islands, Richelieu Rock, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang and Ko Phi Phi. I know that I can get liveaboards from Phuket and Patong for these but the prices I have seen online are stretching the budget somewhat. I know that there will probably be cheaper options when I get there but I was wondering whether anybody has any recommendations of where to get good deals from. Also, if the worst happens and I can't afford to dive all the above sites what does everybody recommend as a must see above all else? I will be in Thailand from 20 January to 22 February so don't know if that will make a difference as to the marine life I am likely to see.
I know I have asked so many questions but really don't know what to expect when I get out there. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated, whether to do with diving or just general travel tips. I also love my wildlife so if anyone knows what I should be looking out for (either above or below the surface) that would be great too. Thanks for taking the time to read this and a Happy New Year to all!
Jay
