Cheap but good place to do Divemaster???

[TravellingTaylors]

Hi all.

After doing our Open Water in Rarotonga (AMAZING), and up tour Rescue Course in Ao Nang, Thailand (Whale Sharks and Mantas!!!)... we now want to head to Malyasia to do our Divemaster course.

Obviously everyone says SIPADAN... But I'm wondering if it is too expensive?

Am looking currently at Redang, Perhentian Islands or maybe try stay in Semporna and access Sipadan area...

Would like to stay for 2-3 months, so we need something on the more budget side of things.

Any help/tips/advise would be fantastic. Thanks so much.

 

[Zippsy]

You, my friend, are about to get an earful. Anyone who asks for "cheap but good" wi be used for target practice. Call the police a.s.a.p.

Consider Tioman. BTW, staying 2-3 months in Malaysia isn't all that easy.

 

[TravellingTaylors]

Will look at it thanks... We are able to get 3 months standard tourist visa with NZ passport. Already spent some time in Malaysia!

 

[DevonDiver]

Have a look at ScubaJunkies (Mabul/Semporna)... they have an active DM program and I know several DMs working in Malaysia, Thailand and Brazil who highly rated their courses there.

PROS
The DMTs there do a lot of diving and get very good with the 'dive guide' side of the course (more applicable to the new-style DM course). They get lots of fun dives also... so take a camera and housing

CONS
Less focus on the medical/rescue side of the training. Not the highest standard of dive briefings etc. Mainly because they are orientated to the 'fun' backpacker market.

 

[Ste Wart]

I'd probably go with Perhentians, but I'm biased as I used to work there. There's a lot of good dive shops there, lot of bad ones as well. Look at Watercolours or Flora Bay (Biggest IDC centre in Malaysia; great reputation) for doing your course.

Try not to think too much about cost, the compulsory materials will catch you out as Pro's are not allowed to share materials so you will each have to buy Divemaster packs and they don't come cheap.
See if you can find a shop that is teaching the 'new' DM course. No shop actually has to until July, but they have the option of doing so. The new course is a lot more comprehensive and will give you a much better idea of what a DM actually is.
Try and get all the training you can. Get them to show you how to fill tanks ( I think this should be compulsory for the course), maybe find out how to service regs. The're easily done and most dive shops tend to use the same pieces of equipment i.e Aqualung Titan/Calypso. It will make you more able to deal with problems that crop up when out on the boat.
Avoid any 'party' instructors. Yes they may have a good time, but are they focused on the course? A lot of instructors like to use their DM's as slaves so they don't have to work as hard, you do not want this. The instructor should be a mentor, someone who can deliver all of the information and more. So, here avoid new instructors. Some dive shops don't allow instructors to teach DM's until they reach the IDC Staff Instructor level as they have a better idea of mentoring. Basically speak to the instructor, if they have just done a zero to hero course in Thailand and have only been diving for 6 months, they are really not the type of person that should be teaching a DM course.
Also you are going to have to start getting your own equipment. Mask, fins and a computer. It doesn't have to be flashy, but if you are going to be doing a lot of diving you need to be tracking your nitrogen, you cannot rely on they guy in front to do it for you. A good entry level option is the Suunto Zoop, cheap and will do everything you will need at your current level.
Hope this helps.

 

[TravellingTaylors]

Great advise, thanks guys.

We have all our own gear already, so we're good to go. I saw on AsiaDiveSites.com the average dive cost was $40 for Mabul/Sipidan, as opposed to $25 at the Perhentians. Would this be accurate? And is the quality of diving THAT different around Sipidan/Mabul?

 

[DevonDiver]

Great advise, thanks guys.

We have all our own gear already, so we're good to go. I saw on AsiaDiveSites.com the average dive cost was $40 for Mabul/Sipidan, as opposed to $25 at the Perhentians. Would this be accurate? And is the quality of diving THAT different around Sipidan/Mabul?

IMHO, yes 100%

There are some good trip review threads here on scubaboard, with photos, which would be worth checking out.

 

[DownbelowDiver]

Hi hi TravellingTaylors - Dive Downbelow has a popular DM internship program in Kota Kinabalu from the Gaya island based dive station (office/shop in KK Times Square on the mainland).

The next IDC is 13 - 27 March 2011, but not sure if that fits your schedule.

There's a variety of sites to dive around the TAR Park, all just 10 - 15 minutes by boat from the city, and we host a diverse client base. Plus, being so close to the city you can have a balanced experience of course work and play - certainly no shortage of accommodation / food / activities.

Many divers slate the TAR Park as not that great, but have a look at our Facebook page and our website and see for yourself that the park is actually quite happening.

 

[Bubble Junky]

I'd give a shout for Scuba Junkies too.... they have some good instructors working there...

It's also maybe worth looking into Indonesia and the Philippines too, if you haven't got your heart set on Malaysia, that is.....

 

[mrdohc]

try Seaventures next to Mabul island. awesome setup and good instructors there. they are 5 stars IDC and i believe they offer DM internship and instructor internship.