best place (country/shop) to get dive master certification?

[mawooshen]

Hi there,

I'm new to these forums and pretty new to diving but last night after a 5 year hiatus I suddenly got the irresistible urge to flee the city, get back to the water and start getting some proper diving qualifications with a view to going pro...! (my current job teaching English in Tokyo is getting me down )

My experience is limited to the Padi OW and AOW courses + a few dives in between some 5 years ago.

The plan is to take 2 months off from work this summer and get some refresher dives + rescue + divemaster in Thailand.

I'll be spending quite a lot of money in one go, so I'd like to go to a dive shop that I can trust, does anyone have anywhere they can recommend?

I was thinking Phuket would be the all around cheapest place to go diving (travel costs + instruction + living expenses) but if there are any other good places, please let me know!

Any suggestions or advice would be really welcome!

Thanks a lot in advance.

M.

 

[rawls]

Phuket...Yep...I would say Phuket...

 

[dive_lover88]

i think that you should take your DM in a place that you will be diving in alot...
Cheers
Darren

 

[Bowmouth]

Thailand is a GREAT place to do your DM course. GREAT people, GREAT (and cheap) food, GREAT weather, GREAT diving and a wide range of accomodation from basic and cheap to superdeluxe and incredibly expensive.

Phuket, Krabi (Ao Nang), Ko Lanta and Phi-Phi are the better places to do your DM course.

 

[El Orans]

Well, there's this guy I know... jagfish.
Apparently he has this thing going he calls DiscoveryDiversTokyo.com.

For local info and/or (future) buddies, just follow the path or have fun along the way by clicking on any of the given links: ScubaBoard > Regional Travel & Dive Clubs > Asia > Zen Divers.

 

[Halthron]

Thailand or the Philippines would be at the top of my list in your situation.

 

[Smokegrey]

Could look at these guys too:
Tioman Dive Centre http://www.tioman-dive-centre.com/index.htm

I've not been there myself, but I've heard good things about them. The 3-month DM internship sounds cool, and I'm actually contemplating it.

The DM internship page is here: http://www.tioman-dive-centre.com/dminternship.htm

 

[Bowmouth]

Could look at these guys too:
Tioman Dive Centre http://www.tioman-dive-centre.com/index.htm

I've not been there myself, but I've heard good things about them. The 3-month DM internship sounds cool, and I'm actually contemplating it.

Had a look at their website and it looks like Tioman Dive Centre is offering a professional DM course indeed. I've been several times at Tioman and the diving around Pulau Chebeh is spectacular. Tioman itself has a great jungle trail, beautiful beaches and lots of shallow training sites. General atmosphere is quite laid back and except for the odd bar there isn't much nightlife.
There is a small airport and there's an immigration office as well to help you with your visa etc.
I'm not sure about accomodation prices but food in the local restaurants was quite cheap.
Good choice!

 

[spectrum]

i think that you should take your DM in a place that you will be diving in alot...
Cheers
Darren

Agreed, second choice would be someplace with more adverse conditions.

Pete

 

[divad]

Hi there,

I'm new to these forums and pretty new to diving but last night after a 5 year hiatus I suddenly got the irresistible urge to flee the city, get back to the water and start getting some proper diving qualifications with a view to going pro...! (my current job teaching English in Tokyo is getting me down )

My experience is limited to the Padi OW and AOW courses + a few dives in between some 5 years ago.

The plan is to take 2 months off from work this summer and get some refresher dives + rescue + divemaster in Thailand.

I'll be spending quite a lot of money in one go, so I'd like to go to a dive shop that I can trust, does anyone have anywhere they can recommend?

I was thinking Phuket would be the all around cheapest place to go diving (travel costs + instruction + living expenses) but if there are any other good places, please let me know!

Any suggestions or advice would be really welcome!

Thanks a lot in advance.

M.

You have a trust-fund, right?