bali or phuket

[amelium]

I am planning to go for about 4 months to get training to instrcutor level. So I will be divig a lot and I wanted to know whcih would be the best place to spend all this time, or if you have any other suggestions for not expensive, excellent and interesting not in america or south or central america or europe

 

[gabyne]

I prefer the diving around Bali - they have great spots there. Drawback is that the best diving is scattered all around the island so the distances are quite long... On the other side, the best diving around Phuket is even a longer way because you have to go to the Similans and this is expensive... So you might change your position on Bali every few weeks to minimize the distances to the diving spots (some time in the south east to dive Nusa Penida, Amed, east to dive Tulamben, northwest for Menjangan and Secret Bay etc...).

Other alternative might be the Philippines: the diving there is also cheap and very nice (I was on Cebu - Moalboal a few years ago).

 

[davidlkh]

Bali is a great place to dive.

Manado is a great place too with an IDC center.

 

[stevenl]

I would say in Bali you are more flexible. More divesites all around the island, so that would be a good choice.
And I agree, simply move a bit around the island, so you get to stay and dive everywhere.

 

[ninjamuzo]

In Thailand Phuket season is just finishing up and the Ko Tao side of the isthmus is ramping up. Four months diving in that area could get a little boring.

I've also dives Bali and the diving there is excellent but again it is a fairly small place and after a while you will run out of dive sites. Yuo mightr want to think about moving around a little.

If you are diving in Bali around August you may get to see the Sunfish that appear for a couple of days around the New Moon for a bout 4 months. I was lucky enough to see 7 of them lined up at the cleaning station (and have the video footage to prove it Just this sight alone is worth the trip because these creatures are not easy to find.

 

[Oceanlovers]

Consider diving throughout the region - it has never been so cheap to fly and it would be a shame just to base yourself in one place such as Bali or Phuket.
Depending on your budget Airasia offers silly prices throughout the region - Bangkok to Sipadan (Kota Kinabalu) from a 1000 Thai Baht ($U.S.25)
Here is link for you http://www.airasia.com/indexen.htm
Probably will be worth seeing as they are thinking of closing the resorts down for a while.
As mentioned in previous threads its not the season in Phuket, although less crowded boats and fewer divers can make your experience more enjoyable.
Many of us residents of Phuket finally can get wet too!!!!

 

[frogfish]

I think that's excellent advise actually. You could also spend some time hoping on East coast Malaysia.

Lucky you

 

[calypsonick]

Consider diving throughout the region - it has never been so cheap to fly and it would be a shame just to base yourself in one place such as Bali or Phuket.

No IDC here in Timor, but great diving!! Throw in an extra week to come over to Timor to check out the 25+ shore dive sites within 45km driving distance from Dili on the North shore. Merpati can get you here for ~$260 r/t or less depending on time of travel. They have one flight per day from Bali.

Come dive Timor, you'll love it!!

Nick

 

[scubashooter]

Since I spend my time on both locations, the diving in Bali is definitely better but the instruction in Phuket is more structured. Phuket now churns up the most instructors in Asia and I think in the world. It's a livestyle thing, Phuket has the night life (albeit sleazy and less sophisticated), great food and interesting culture, big rainforests and plenty of activities. Bali has a certain mystique, not attached to the mainland and generally a different crowd depending on which town you stay in. The nightlife in Seminyak is legendary and more sophisticated.
I'm assuming you are already above rescue diver etc. going from zero -120 dives for instructor certification is also done around thailand.