OW cert. in exotic place?

[redsky]

Hi...I came on this site hoping to get some help....I need to make a destination decision quickly, and this is such a huge site that for a newcomer it's a little overwhelming. I've tried to use the search feature, but have had no luck when I try to find specific locations... "Koh Tao" for instance....maybe the search feature works only if the search words are in the title of the post? Anyway, until I get the hang of it, maybe some of you kind souls will help me out.

Here are my parameters:
Objective: finish up my PADI OW Certification at a reputable dive center, and be able to do some easy AND spectacular dives. I'm particularly interested in seeing rays or dolphins.
Time Frame: 3 weeks sometime between early November to mid-December.
Location: This is the big question. Since I will be spending 7 days or so diving and the other two weeks seeing the sights, I would like a location that is culturally interesting (a country with some Buddhist influence is appealing). I am travelling with frequent flyer miles and I can "afford' to go to many countries in Asia, South America, Hawaii, some of Central America, Mexico, and some of the Caribbean (although there are no flights available to Honduras, Bonaire or Curacao, which were on my original list).
Budget: I like to stay in places that are clean and comfortable, but I don't need an air conditioner if I have a ceiling fan, and prefer to eat local food.

I have been focusing on Thailand, but some of the posts I have read lead me to believe that this may not be the best place for truly spectacular beginner dives. Malaysia, Maldives, and Phillipines are also interesting. I'd prefer not to spend more than a day travelling from the main airport to the dive site.

Suggestions? Thanks!!!

Any suggestions?

 

[IslandHopper]

In Guam, there are several dozen dive sites within 30 minutes of the airport
(come to think of it, the entire island is within 30 minutes of the airport.)

A couple of Buddhists here as well !!

Other than that, it's not really "exotic" though ... very tropical, lots of good diving, but not so exotic.

 

[DORSETBOY]

no probs, I know Koh Tao well so can help you with that one!

Try Asia Divers, they're not too big and have a great reputation, the manager is Guy Corsellis. I stayed at JP reosrt in chalok ban kao which is 5 mins by open top taxi from mae hadd where most of the dive centres are... try to get an appartment on the side of the hill, the views at sunset are fantastic!

There's a fantastic Budhist Monastery there too. Foods very good and lots of different choices either local or western. Nice walks up in the centre of the island through the jungle and if you like rock climbing thats kinda taken off there too!

As for dive sites, I consider chumpon pinnacle on koh tao to be spectacular, ask the dive guide to show you the fish traps around barracuda rock (next to chumpon pinnacle) where you are guaranteed to see sharks - bull sharks, grey reefs and white tips. Occasionally also see whale sharks at this site although that is the exception rather than the rule.

Southwest pinnacle again is very similar to chumpon pinnacle.

At red rock there is a big pinnacle between koh tao ad the nearby island of nagyuan, here there's some beautiful swim throughs and loads of triggers! Other side of nangyuan is green rock, again spectacular swim throughs and you guessed it trigger fish lol.

A good night dive is white rock, we always saw 6 foot barracuda hunting there and sometimes saw turtles feeding at night.

message me if you need any other details.

Greg

 

[zilch]

Off to Singapore this weekend..was originally arriving friday, so was looking to maybe fill my time in over the weekend by doing some diving whilst i am there.. found http://www.minang-cove.co.uk/index2.html the tioman Islands.. Not sure what they are like, looks ok from the brochure and maybe worth a trawl through some search engines.. Now arriving saturday night, so no time to dive before monday worktime

 

[ae3753]

From the title of the thread, I immediately thought of Thailand. Thailand has many spectacular dive locations: Koh Tao, Similan & Surin, and Phuket & Phi Phi Island to name major areas.

And if you're going to be at the location for 3 weeks, 2 of it travelling, then Thailand is a great place to be. Culturally rich (spectacular temples and palaces, fantastic art) and amazing food. It's one country that you can spend 2 weeks travelling and not be close to seeing everything.

Can't compare Thailand to Malaysia, Maldives, or Phillipines, but it's heads and shoulders above Hawaii and Roatan (the 'exotic' places I've been for dive trips). Especially since you're not only going diving.

As for searching on the site, I think that the search word has to be at least 4 letters. However, putting quotes around Koh Tao, should've work, but obviously doesn't. If you search on Similan, you'll get hits on titles and message body text.

Have a great time! And Novembeer-December is a great time to be in southeast asia. It's their "cool season".