course prices

gmt

Hi,

why are diving courses in Ireland so expensive?

Evil Phil

Because the cost of living here is so high. All the instructors have to be paid a decent wage.

Everything in Ireland is expensive.

Mick L

I also assume it has something to do with turnover compared to lower cost areas such as Australia and Thailand. I'm sure if thousands of people were doing courses there would be more dive schools, more competition and lower prices, etc. The fact is that Ireland is cold and the others are not and the amount of divers in Ireland is relatively low compared to warmer countries. The diving industry in Ireland is small enough that pretty much everyone knows everyone.

Oh yeah and of course there's this little nationwide problem as Phil pointed out

"Everything in Ireland is expensive."

Peace

But don't let that put you off....the benefits outweigh the cost.

Mick L

Originally posted by Peace
the benefits outweigh the cost.

If you need an example just check out this thread. Basically it's better to learn here then dive abroad as opposed to the other way around IMO.

Evil Phil

Mick's right. Learning here is more expensive but you get what you pay for, which is a quality service. Plus if you like diving here you're going to love is abroad. If you love it abroad you might not like the cold murky water of Ireland

Cromwelly

The fact that a number of diving schools in Ireland have gone bust would tend to indicate that they're not overcharging.

There are plenty of examples of excellent tuition available overseas. The instructors tend to be paid peanuts though. Given what you're risking and how easy it is to get into trouble on your first few dives I'd have to say as a minimum that you should only learn with an instructor who is fluent in your spoken language. That seems obvious but the last thing you want to have is a lesson in equalising from someone you cannot fully understand.

I did my basic training in Ireland where I could stop proceedings to ask those obvious questions and learn to dive at my own pace.
I went to the Red Sea for my advanced course which was great but I noticed six people on their second ever open water dive being led by one instructor. I think that's dangerous.

AL][EN

Hi GMT
As the guys have said its there is a very high cost of living here in ireland hence the high prices to learn how to scuba dive however i will say it is SO worth it to learn to dive here the courses are very well presented and the level of safety here is 2nd to none ive seen courses abroad that have made me cringe 1 DM or an instructor for 10 to 12 people (thats on the dive too!!)

trust me when i say this gmt even do the open water course here in ireland learn to dive then you could go and do the advanced courses abroad if you dont want to spend the cash here.