Where to do my DM internship in Asia?

[Scuba gnome]

I'm planning on doing my DM intern sometime this year or early next year and i've been shopping around. I am based in Bangkok but I would prefer to do my DM outside Thailand in a place with a nice variety and great local diving. I have pretty much narrowed it down to Sipidan and possibly PG Phillipines. I haven't discounted Indonesia yet but it seems like every dive shop I e-mail there is slow to respond if at all which isn't exactly encouraging.


For Sipidan/Mabul i'm looking at these options:

Scuba Junkies

Seaventures.

Out of both of these seaventures responded to my initial query but their spambot seems to have malfunctioned and started bouncing all e-mails. I am probably the most interested with seaventures because of their rep as an IDC facility/location. Anyone ever do any coursework with them and can attest to their cost and professionalism?


For Phillipines:

For Puerto Galera i'm currently looking at Dive Dojo which seems to be highly recommended on this forum.


Other possibilities or suggestions for dive centers in East Timor, Komodo Island, etc..?


Then of course there's operators in Thailand i'm also looking at. The better dive operations in Khao Lak (Wicked) or Phuket (Scubacat) seem to be solid but pricey. My whole intention was to get some regional experience with my DM internship and then come back to Thailand to do my IDC in the future.

If you guys have any helpful suggestions it'd be much appreciated. The primary thing i'm concerned with is plenty of daily diving and internship experience with customers.

 

[Mucksavage]

Scuba Junkies is a rags to riches success shop that has built up its business dealing with backpackers so you can expect volume for sure. But it will be professional for sure.

Seaventures is obviously an oil platform so you might find 'excursions' hard as you'll be stuck for 6 weeks on it!

Dive Dojo kin PG is undergoing a complete management (and perhaps staff) change.

Have you considered Malapascua? Its definitely the most complete dive destination in The Philippines with big stuff - sharks and manta rays, incredible macro, WWII wrecks, tech diving and an amazing beach.

 

[Bubble Junky]

Malapascua is a good choice to, as mentioned above... Check out Thresher Shark Divers.

For Indonesia, check out Lumba Lumba on the northern tip of Sumatra...

 

[Scuba gnome]

Have you considered Malapascua? Its definitely the most complete dive destination in The Philippines with big stuff - sharks and manta rays, incredible macro, WWII wrecks, tech diving and an amazing beach.

I am open to anything really. I was just going by the most often mentioned places with decent regional tourism and good variety of diving within close proximity of those centers.

I don't plan on doing my DM right away, probably early next year at best. My only concerns are professionalism and good diving.

Everything else..ie. nightlife and all the other assorted distractions is totally irrelevant.

I'll definitely check out Malapascua.

 

[Mucksavage]

There are a few places on Malapascua that would offer DM options - some specialise in large groups of DMs which can often mean less personalised attention and often DMTs left on dry land, others keep their DMT numbers low which means plenty of diving and responsibility and often plenty of hard work.

Have a chat with the various operators before you decide.

 

[Bubble Junky]

There are also huge advantages to completing a DM course at a bigger shop. For example bigger shops have more instructors, and as a DM candidate you will have the opportunity to work alongside all of them, and benefit immensely from seeing their different teaching styles and different ways of explaining things first hand. Also having more instructors around means that the argument of receiving less personalised attention is a myth.

Also bigger shops tend to have more students, and hence more courses, affording more opportunity to assist, above and beyond the minimum course performance requirements. In smaller shops you may end up sitting around waiting for students to come in so you can assist on their course – if you have limited time, this could prove problematic for you finishing your own course.

Also it’s a bonus to have a group of DM candidates to talk with and bounce ideas off, practise skills with, buddy with to complete mapping assigments, in addition to the higher number of instructors that will be around.

 

[DevonDiver]

Scubajunkies is as described. A very busy operation, that has decent standards and a social, thriving atmosphere. It is a busy outfit, but that pays dividents to the DMT, as there is never a shortage of customers to work with. The recently qualified DMs there also have the opportunity to get good experience leading dives. I never heard any complaints from the DMs who had trained there.

Not sure about Seaventures. It is a good resort, but I don't know how they would structure a DM program, given their location and facilities?

Malapascua is another great option.

 

[Nudie Dreamer]

Hi Scuba gnome,

Just so you know I work for a dive operator, Borneo Dream based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. KK city is a small city by the coast with the marine parks just 20 minutes easy cruise.

There are plenty of dive operator that runs DMT here. KK city is fast becoming a good place to do DMT as you're not cast away on an island an hour away from civilization. There are plenty of backpackers and nice lodges you can choose to stay in with decent prices. Getting around KK is easy too as the pier where dive boats depart from for daily diving is some 15-20 minutes walk from the city center. Night life is how you like it. If you prefer quiet night then head out to the quiet part of the city.

The divemaster internship we offer goes for 6 weeks and you get hands on experience as you will be working closely with a lead instructor during your internship. You will also work with diving customers (assisting dives) where you gain the confidence and competency once you are out and about working as a Divemaster.

You can find out more about us on our facebook page

 

[Zippsy]

Do Malapascua dive shops offer insurance for DMT's against dynamite fishing injuries? Just curious.