qs on divemaster course in galapagos

[mt2]

Howdi,

I'm lucky enough to be heading off to south america for a few months in september - first stop the galapagos to do my padi divemaster!! I've done about 80 dives, 60 in Ireland and 20 in warm water. I've got CFT Rescue qualification (should be able to cross over directly to Padi divemaster). I want to stay in Galapagos for approx 3 weeks and do as much diving as I can. I want to do the divemaster to get as many dives in as possible at a cheaper per rate dive, as much as to improve my dive skills and cover the course well.

With that in mind I'd appreciate feedback on a few queries:
1) What length of time (or how many dives) diving every day, would people recommend to do the Divemaster course in? Divemaster courses advertised in the galapagos vary from 7 days to 3 weeks.
2) I'm going to do the course being land based. Is Peurto Ayora the best option as a land base? The can't find much on the other islands on the internet
3) Is there anyway to get to Wolf and Darwin Islands for a 2 day trip as part of my course?! I'm not interested and don't have the mula for a week liveaboard.
4) From what I've read so far scubaiguana seems to be the best operator to do the course with at Peurto Ayora. Should I book now or suss things out when I get there?
5) I'm looking for the best basic but clean accomodation available ideally for under $10 a day. Travelling on my own. Any ideas??

Looking forward to your feedback.

Most of my diving has been on the west coast of Ireland which i'd really recommend if you don't mind cold water. Other than than i've dived the gilis in Indonesia, Hvar in Croatia, Vancouver in Canada, Maria la Gorda in Cuba and an island off Hoi An in Vietnam.... if ye're heading to any of those feel free to ask for feedback.

Go raibh maith agaibh!
mt

 

[Jason Ooi]

Welcome to Scuba Board

 

[mt2]

Thanks! I pass through Hong Kong twice a year for work. Any dives worth doing that you could do in one day going from and returning to Hong Kong city?
Thanks,
Mt

PS - I know I probably shouldn't be writing these msgs in the Intros and Greets section but i'm not sure how to put them into specific forums... please don't give out - i'm new!!

 

[cleung]

Good luck on you Dive master course. What an amazing place to do it too.

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy and welcome to SB!

I think you'll get better feedback if you discuss this on the South American forum and others...

Good to have you here. Click here to PM me if I can help you get started in our various forums.

:bandit_2: don

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[SubMariner]

Moved from Introductions & Greets forum.

 

[Doc]

I want to stay in Galapagos for approx 3 weeks and do as much diving as I can. I want to do the divemaster to get as many dives in as possible at a cheaper per rate dive, as much as to improve my dive skills and cover the course well.

Doing the DM course and diving are largely mutually exclusive activities. Do all of the pre-study, take all of the quizzes, master the encyclopedia of diving. Why waste time in paradise?

1) What length of time (or how many dives) diving every day, would people recommend

I did my DM & Rescue in 10 days. I had the books in memory, 100%, and the classroom (for me) was a done deal. It was a real hard week. PADI describes the process for diving, your biggest challenge there may be mapping a dive site as they might not take the groups to the same site every day. Either map the site from one visit, or ask to present a very detailed map and briefing from a site that you know elsewhere.

2) I'm going to do the course being land based. Is Peurto Ayora the best option as a land base? The can't find much on the other islands on the internet

And that would be why. Yes, PA is about it. The owner of Scuba Iguana is currently on other islands frequented by mini-cruise ships converting fisherman to dive guides.

3) Is there anyway to get to Wolf and Darwin Islands for a 2 day trip as part of my course?!

No, not that I know of. You are pretty well guaranteed Hammerheads in one of the Puerto Ayorra dive sites called Gordon Rocks.

4) From what I've read so far scubaiguana seems to be the best operator to do the course with at Peurto Ayora. Should I book now or suss things out when I get there?

E mail them and advise them of your intentions. Mention that "we" had this conversation- they will Be sure to meet my last DM, "Pepo"... I am told he is still there- a good man to pattern yourself after!

This is an impeccable operation with great standing in the professional community. The owner, Mathias Espinosa is also the Galapagos Darwin Station's SCUBA Guia (Guide) who has responsibility for the Stations stance on diving. He also is one of the two people who appeared in GALAPAGOS IMAX 3d by Al Giddings. His staff is excellent, and instead of catering to the day-diver from the cruise ships, they concentrate on the multi-day visitor to the Galapagos. Their rental gear is quite adequate and servicable.

Go raibh maith agaibh!

Even in the Galapagos, I think you could get arrested for that kind of thing
mt

Post your experiences here! Take a look at this recent thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=150117

 

[mt2]

Thanks a mil for all the helpful advice. I think you're right on the studying part. I hadn't really looked into the course curriculum. Scuba Iguana came back and said they'd do it over 3 weeks including only 10-12 dives which must mean a lot of study!
I won't have time to do the study before I go so I might just ask them for a deal for 30 dives over 3 weeks or something.
Thanks again mt

 

[mt2]

FYI Scuba Iguana have quoted $1800 for 30 dives (15 day trips) out of Peurto Ayora ($60 a dive including gear and lunch). My last experience of foreign diving was the Gili Islands in Indonesia at $25 a dive including gear for very nice diving, so this is much more than I expected. Will have to cut the number of dives down drastically to match the budget!

 

[Roman76]

Hi there

I also want to go to pass my Divemaster on the Galapogos Islands, in late December or January 2010. Could you please inform me about your news from Puerto Aroyo?
I have about 80 dives and are now doing my Rescue Diver in the Lake of Geneva in Switzerland. I made my Open Water 4 years ago on the Philippines, it was just great!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Bye, Roman