DM on Madeira (Portugal) or Phi Phi (Thailand) ? Pros and Cons !

[Divethrough]

Hey folks,

I ve been reading in this forum for weeks but haven´t made any decision yet.
My aim is to do the divemaster free internship in September/October and therefore need to book flights soon. I have plenty of time as I quit my job, do not have a relationship and be in my 30´s.

I found one dive center with quite good recommendations on Madeira but there are some disadvantages:
- Low Season, smaller amount of dives
- Cold water, 23 degrees
- very quite, older (experienced) customers
- very good instructor
- less corals and fish

I found one dive center with quite good recommendations on Koh Phi Phi (which has been mentioned here before) but there are some disadvantages:
- Peak Season, time to learn?
- Party place (ok I am single), very loud
- Quality of diving?
- nothing to do than diving
- very expensive

In your opinion would you focus on the quality of dives?
Or would you concentrate on the amount of dives?

How is Phi Phi in reality - especially when you are not 20 years old?

Hope to get some replies as I need to book flights
Thanks and cheers
Steve

 

[Bubble Junky]

In your opinion would you focus on the quality of dives?
Or would you concentrate on the amount of dives?

I would focus on the quality of instruction...

Phi Phi is not that expensive. The accommodation is a little more expensive than most Thai islands, due to limited building space, but food etc. is pretty cheap. You do have to select your accommodation carefully tho', as it is a party island and you need somewhere quiet if you want to get any sleep...