i'm an inexperienced diver visiting malaysia at the end of march this year. would like to do my advanced open water there. does anyone have any good suggestions about where to go, who to go with, and is it advisable to prebook?
redang,tioman or perinthian??
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If you're going at the end of march, you may find that the most of the Perhentians is closed as it has a slightly longer monsoon season than Tioman.
However that said if there are dive shops open then at least you will have the dive sites to yourself!
Redang is a package-based island, so I wouldn't really know how they operate. My experience is only on Perhentian Besar and Tioman.
My advice is this:
Manuals are compulsory for PADI course, if a dive centre wants to 'lend' you a manual, then they are trying to cut corners and you need to ask yourself, where else are they cutting corner?
Check the Equipment. BCD's are fancy balloons yes, however if one dive shop had brown and torn BCD's and another refreshes their kit frequently, I know which one I'd dive with.
I'm probably going to cop it for this statement. Try and get an English instructor ( I see your in the UK) yes everyone speaks English, but that's not the point. Sometimes it's easier to get the point across to someone from your own country when you're doing a course. You want to ask a lot of questions. Sometimes a little piece of home can be reassuring. If all else fails get an Aussie!
(I did for my OW & AOW)
My preference is for the Tioman dive sites, they are better and at that time of year the Viz on Tioman is insane. However Perhentian has a better backpacker scene. Why only have fun during the day?
However that said if there are dive shops open then at least you will have the dive sites to yourself!
Redang is a package-based island, so I wouldn't really know how they operate. My experience is only on Perhentian Besar and Tioman.
My advice is this:
Manuals are compulsory for PADI course, if a dive centre wants to 'lend' you a manual, then they are trying to cut corners and you need to ask yourself, where else are they cutting corner?
Check the Equipment. BCD's are fancy balloons yes, however if one dive shop had brown and torn BCD's and another refreshes their kit frequently, I know which one I'd dive with.
I'm probably going to cop it for this statement. Try and get an English instructor ( I see your in the UK) yes everyone speaks English, but that's not the point. Sometimes it's easier to get the point across to someone from your own country when you're doing a course. You want to ask a lot of questions. Sometimes a little piece of home can be reassuring. If all else fails get an Aussie!
(I did for my OW & AOW)My preference is for the Tioman dive sites, they are better and at that time of year the Viz on Tioman is insane. However Perhentian has a better backpacker scene. Why only have fun during the day?
thanks for the advice bud.
are you australian per chance?
just curious as we're off there after 10 days in malaysia n were gonna head to cairns to dive the gbr.
back to original q.... having never been to asia, is it better to back pack it then? (have never back packed either!!!) would this be the better value for money option. ie is it generally cheaper to book when you get there?
are you australian per chance?
just curious as we're off there after 10 days in malaysia n were gonna head to cairns to dive the gbr.
back to original q.... having never been to asia, is it better to back pack it then? (have never back packed either!!!) would this be the better value for money option. ie is it generally cheaper to book when you get there?
No English I'm afraid.
That time of year it is easier to backpack as it is low season in Malaysia, I don't think you'll need a reason to book. Just be aware that the Perhentians have no cash machines. You can pay for dive courses by visa, but you will need cash for most everything else. If you want to withdraw cash on your cards while on the islands, most places will charge you 10%
There are cash machines on Tioman. You would need to stay at Air Batang or ABC as it is known (the backpacker area) and then go to Tekek; a 20 minute walk to get cash.
I would honestly not bother going to Cairns unless you can afford a really cool liveaboard. All the dayboat stuff is pretty smashed up and the cheaper Liveaboards don't hit anything worthwhile for your money.
I'd try and dive the SS Yongala if you're going to Oz. It's rated the best dive in the world, you can dive it either from Townsville or Ayr. It is well worth it.
That time of year it is easier to backpack as it is low season in Malaysia, I don't think you'll need a reason to book. Just be aware that the Perhentians have no cash machines. You can pay for dive courses by visa, but you will need cash for most everything else. If you want to withdraw cash on your cards while on the islands, most places will charge you 10%
There are cash machines on Tioman. You would need to stay at Air Batang or ABC as it is known (the backpacker area) and then go to Tekek; a 20 minute walk to get cash.
I would honestly not bother going to Cairns unless you can afford a really cool liveaboard. All the dayboat stuff is pretty smashed up and the cheaper Liveaboards don't hit anything worthwhile for your money.
I'd try and dive the SS Yongala if you're going to Oz. It's rated the best dive in the world, you can dive it either from Townsville or Ayr. It is well worth it.
Hi,
having been both at Tioman and Perhentian, I prefer Perhentian Kecil. At least some of the shops there try to open around CNY, and definitely by the end of march it is possible to go diving there.
We've been diving with Steffen Sea Sports on Coral Bay, and can strongly recommend them.
End of march no prebooking is necessary. As the wart said, no cash machines on Perhentian, so remember to take enough cash with you.
Don't hesitate to PM me if you have other questions.
having been both at Tioman and Perhentian, I prefer Perhentian Kecil. At least some of the shops there try to open around CNY, and definitely by the end of march it is possible to go diving there.
We've been diving with Steffen Sea Sports on Coral Bay, and can strongly recommend them.
End of march no prebooking is necessary. As the wart said, no cash machines on Perhentian, so remember to take enough cash with you.
Don't hesitate to PM me if you have other questions.
hi zuiphof,thanks for the input but we think were gonna go the tioman route simply because its closer to singapore and we can gain an extra day or two's diving by not having to take the train or bus to prthn,however your's and wart's ideas of decent dive centre's and any other info on the tioman's that's particularly useful would be helpfull.we've heard b&j dc is pretty good,some english instuctors(wart).also could either of you give us some idea how much it is to eat out etc,in advance thanks guy's
I used to work for B&J. Would I recommend them? Depends on which instructor you get I know them all.
Tioman is duty free so beer is cheap. Accomodation should run you around Rm 40 -70 a night, depending how much you want in the room. Food between Rm 6 - 15 depending on what you want to eat.
The other options on Tioman would be EcoDivers, Bali Hai (I recommend these guys; Jurgen is a V'good instructor). This assumes that you stay on ABC; where most backpackers do.
Tioman is duty free so beer is cheap. Accomodation should run you around Rm 40 -70 a night, depending how much you want in the room. Food between Rm 6 - 15 depending on what you want to eat.
The other options on Tioman would be EcoDivers, Bali Hai (I recommend these guys; Jurgen is a V'good instructor). This assumes that you stay on ABC; where most backpackers do.
Hie,
Are you travelling from Singapore? Because if you are then you jus need to book yr package with any dive centres in Sing. It will include everything, that is yr transport, dives, accomodation and meals. I would say pretty much all the dive centres here have trips to tioman every week so its really easy and convenient. A typical 3 day 2 night package over the weekend costs around SGD350-370. So call in or email to them if you want a longer package.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jac
Just catching up on this part of the site.
Not dived Tioman yet, but I have visited Redang several times and have used Redang Bay Resort since 1992 when it was really basic but now with AC in the accommodation REDANG BAY RESORT - Best Resort in Redang Island | Pulau Redang | Redang Island | Resort | Accomodation | Snorkelling | Diving
Dive sites are good and a neat house reef where you just walk in off the beach excellent for night dives
Very reasonably priced too
Some more info from my site here Redang Revisited
Not dived Tioman yet, but I have visited Redang several times and have used Redang Bay Resort since 1992 when it was really basic but now with AC in the accommodation REDANG BAY RESORT - Best Resort in Redang Island | Pulau Redang | Redang Island | Resort | Accomodation | Snorkelling | Diving
Dive sites are good and a neat house reef where you just walk in off the beach excellent for night dives
Very reasonably priced too
Some more info from my site here Redang Revisited
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