Help! Dive Center in Koh tao? or there's better for beginners?

[Vehje]

Hi All, I am an Italian guy living in Belfast atm and in 3 or 4 months I would like to take a 2 months Divemaster Internship from beginner. I find out that searching on Internet is not that easy, there are so many Dive Center around that my brain is smoking trying to figure out which one is the best for me, so that's why I am writing this here, hopefully I will get some nice advice.
So what I am searching for is a CHEAP place, Good Diving, Nice and committed Teachers, Best DM packages including accomodation, best gear, maybe food? and... well... a place where the parties are not an option
I have seen something in Koh tao, but they are all similar and I dunnow what to choose, maybe if you have experienced some of those can you give me some advice? also if there's another place in Asia with cheap flight, (consider I am from Italy, so I will take a flight from Rome) would be welcome.

the thing is that I spend the last 6 months raising the money for this, and I barely arrive at the budget I need :depressed: so that's why I need to pick the best best place, so I can say that this months of saving and sacrifices are worth it

thank you all in advance!

 

[currier]

I hope you get some response to your message ... there are loads of instructors here who will recommend many places to assist you ...

IMHO Tao would be great to complete DM - I'd like to do mine there! It's affordable, lively, quiet enough, and the diving is quite impressive.

I visited Koh Tao a few times last year, and I decided to dive with Scuba Junction, a medium-sized shop/school on Sairee Beach. The staff there maintain max. 4 divers in groups, provide all divers with computers, and treat you like you're part of the family during your stay.

My duration on the island allowed me to complete approx. 45 dives with Scuba J, but I enrolled in only one course - Enriched Air. My instructor was great, but he has long since moved on somewhere new. However my return visits diving with the shop afforded me the opportunity to witness a dozen instructors conducting courses from beginner to pro. Based on their professionalism, courtesy, and true LOVE for introducing someone new into their salt-water world, I would rate their collective performance as outstanding.

Don't know if he's still there, but there was a great instructor there at the time by the name of Alex who happened to be Italian (you might prefer to have instruction in your own language?)

Also - check out this forum from a few weeks ago ... some helpful advice there
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/thailand/381948-divemaster-koh-tao.html

Best of luck!

 

[torbenator]

Hi there,

I'm working for Crystal Dive on Koh Tao, we are offering complete Divemaster packages that I think might suite you, take a look here on our web site Crystal Dive Resort | Pro Level PADI Diving Courses

You will not only get a very thorough training, where you will get plenty of opportunity to assist the instructors, but you can also do all the diving you have time for and we give you a special FREE DIVING FOR LIFE, so that you can always come back and dive for free.

As you are from Italy, you will probably enjoy to work together with our Italian instructor Luca, who will help you during your Divemaster training.

Should you have any questions fell free to post them here or write and email to our manager matt@crystaldive.com.

Hope to see you on Koh Tao.

Cheers,
Torben