New diver in Cambodia!

[into_the_wild_11]

Hey guys, I'm an American living in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I recently received my OWC in West Palm Beach, Florida last month. Now that I'm in SE Asia, are there any good recommendations for diving out here? I would like to get Nitrox and a few other specialties out of the way to becoming an instructor. Any recommendations on which specialties I should go for? I'm really interested in all of them, but want to move up as fast as possible and eventually find work at a dive shop anywhere in the world.

Thanks tons! Also, on a side note, can anyone out there vouch first-hand for GoPro's new dive housing unit? I have a GoPro and am debating buying a dive unit for it. Thanks!

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything.. they just make the best of everything"

 

[sierrakilo]

Hi there!

Can't help you with the GoPro question, as I have no first hand experience with it.

However, as for your other question you're lucky as you're near an airport, and surrounded by countries with awesome affordable diving. My personal favorite destinations are east coast Malaysian borneo, (All the islands off Semporna - try to go with scubajunkies, they're the most friendly and professional IMHO) The Philippines is good as well. Malapascua Island is great (Evolution is the best diveshop there) if you're into sharks etc. If you're looking to go tech, the guys running it are regular wiz-kids! You may also look at Dumaguete/Dauin, also in the Philippines. Awesome muck diving, turtles galore and some spectacular walls. If you're on a strict Budget go with Harold's Mansion, if not then Liquid in Dauin is the best bet IMO.

Have you tried the local diving in Cambodia yet? In a few months it'll be good. September is usually very nice, the vis is good, and the big crowds have not arrived yet. (Other than september, march-may is the best months I think) If you're not familiar with the local diving yet, I'd recommend going with either Ecosea or Scuba Nation. Both are very good companies, but rather different. Scuba Nation does everything off their boats, whereas Ecosea has bungalows on Koh Rung Sanloem.

As for specialties, I'd recommend nitrox and deep, possibly photography if you're into it and you can find a good instructor. Once you start your divemaster training, you will get so much hands-on training, that the other specialties will seem rather meh... Why do a special drift dive specialty, if you drift dive three dives every day? Why do peak performancy buoyancy, when you'll be practising your bouyancy skills every day for a weeks if not months? Why do boat diver specialty, when you'll be taught everything there is to know about boats when you do your DM? You know what I mean. Of course there's no harm in actually doing the specialties, you'll have fun for sure - but you can save money, and still learn everything you need to know on you way to becoming an instructor.


Any questions, shoot! =)

Cheers,
SK

 

[into_the_wild_11]

Thank you for your advice! I would've loved to have been able to go down to Malaysia or the over to the Philippines, but unfortunately I had to stick somewhat close to Siem Reap. I went with "Island Divers" in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. They're a great company with very friendly service (both foreign and local). I went through and got my AOW, and we actually got to stay out on Koh Rong Samloem overnight in bungalows. The viz wasn't the best, but I'm not complaining at all. I still hope to travel around gaining more experience, and eventually instructing. I know what you mean with the specialties - I'll keep that in mind. Have you done any diving in the Red Sea? I met a girl from Egypt recently and she swore by the Red Sea. Thank you again! Cheers

 

[sierrakilo]

Hi ITW

The Red Sea is certainly very nice - when I lived in Eeurope, I used to go there once or twice a year (because it's more or less in the backyard of Europe.) Considering where you are I'd say you have better diving locally (not in Cambodia, mind you - but in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Even west coast Thailand is pretty good, avoid east coast Thailand and Vietnam, you'll only be dissapointed. =)

Cheers,