Diving courses in Europe

Para1

Howdy folks, anyone have any suggestions on beginner courses in Europe? I have no experience but im looking to combine a week in the sun and a diving course. Any help would be appreciated.

sesna

Malta has good diving, not much marine life though. It does have really good wreck diving and nice topography. None of that really matters if you are just learning though. Also island is nice but can be a bit sleepy unless youre staying near St Julians. Ryanair flies to the main airport Luga.

Some good diving in the Canary Islands also such as Tenerife. Best is in El Hierro but once again it's supposed to be quiet and also popular with hillwalkers.

locum-motion

sesna wrote: »

... Also island is nice ...

Malta? It's a ****ing ****hole!
Diving is good though!

sesna

locum-motion wrote: »

Malta? It's a ****ing ****hole!
Diving is good though!

Wouldn't agree, its not at all tacky/spoilt like alot of European resorts. Lots of nice restaurants and history. Not great if you're looking for some kind of nuts holiday.

I'm actually looking at flights to go back there in the next few months, but then again that is purely diving motivated.

who_am_I?

For a beginners course I would choose a well run shop with good instructors.

If you happen to be in Majorca, I would recommend Scuba Mallorca http://www.scubamallorca.com/, they are a well run 5 star IDC with a good staff and good rental gear, I did 6 dives with them this summer.

You should consider getting certified in Ireland, You get to enjoy the holiday then.

locum-motion

locum-motion wrote: »

Malta? It's a ****ing ****hole!
Diving is good though!

You know nothing.

It is if you stay in St Julians where you obviously stayed.

locum-motion

sesna wrote: »

Wouldn't agree, its not at all tacky/spoilt like alot of European resorts. Lots of nice restaurants and history. Not great if you're looking for some kind of nuts holiday.

I'm actually looking at flights to go back there in the next few months, but then again that is purely diving motivated.

Deleted User wrote: »

You know nothing.

It is if you stay in St Julians where you obviously stayed.

Admittedly I didn't visit Valetta which is supposed to be nice, but where we were staying (not St. Julian's, but can't remember what it was called) was like being in the crappiest part of England, but with nicer weather. We travelled the length of the island to get to dive sites (not difficult, it's only the size of Co. Louth), but it's so densely populated (nearly 500,000 people) that there's fcuk all countryside in between the towns, which are all mid-rise apartments blocks.
I really didn't like the place, but the Maltese themselves (when you could find one amongst all the expats who were all out of Eastenders central casting) were lovely people, and as I've said, the diving was very good.

Scubaboy

Some of the best diving ive done was on the west coast of ireland, particularly around my home county of Kerry, "Some of the best diving in the world is at the northern side of the Dingle Peninsula where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Brandon mountains"- Jacques Cousteau. If your looking for a good Dive Centre, with top class instructors, then look no further than Waterworld in Kerry

locum-motion

locum-motion wrote: »

Admittedly I didn't visit Valetta which is supposed to be nice, but where we were staying (not St. Julian's, but can't remember what it was called) was like being in the crappiest part of England, but with nicer weather. We travelled the length of the island to get to dive sites (not difficult, it's only the size of Co. Louth), but it's so densely populated (nearly 500,000 people) that there's fcuk all countryside in between the towns, which are all mid-rise apartments blocks.
I really didn't like the place, but the Maltese themselves (when you could find one amongst all the expats who were all out of Eastenders central casting) were lovely people, and as I've said, the diving was very good.

See this is something I've a problem with.

You don't know where you stayed, you didn't visit Valetta which I find impossible considering you say you travelled up and down Malta, I mean what did you do in Malta? Also, you either stayed in St Julians or Sliema and either/or you're grossly exaggerating.

Don't blast the entire island because you chose incorrectly. This **** gets broadcasted to the world. Don't hate on a country because you stayed in a sh*t hole part.

That sort of attitude ties in nicely with the "eastenders" people you blasted.

seadeuce

Scubaboy wrote: »

"Some of the best diving in the world is at the northern side of the Dingle Peninsula where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Brandon mountains"- Jacques Cousteau. Kerry

Hmmm...

Some strong marketing rhetoric here. Source please.
The quote does not appear in any books of JC that I have, and I have quite a few.

Good diving, yes. Best in the world? Not by a looooonggg shot!


Seadeuce

Benny-c

seadeuce wrote: »

Hmmm...

Some strong marketing rhetoric here. Source please.
The quote does not appear in any books of JC that I have, and I have quite a few.

Good diving, yes. Best in the world? Not by a looooonggg shot!


Seadeuce

Perhaps the quote is from the Waterworld Website(near the end of the page):D

http://www.waterworld.ie/diving.html

seadeuce

Benny-c wrote: »

Perhaps the quote is from the Waterworld Website(near the end of the page):D

That figures.

JC never dived in Irish waters, more the pity.



Seadeuce

locum-motion

Deleted User wrote: »

See this is something I've a problem with.

You don't know where you stayed, you didn't visit Valetta which I find impossible considering you say you travelled up and down Malta, I mean what did you do in Malta? Also, you either stayed in St Julians or Sliema and either/or you're grossly exaggerating.

Don't blast the entire island because you chose incorrectly. This **** gets broadcasted to the world. Don't hate on a country because you stayed in a sh*t hole part.

That sort of attitude ties in nicely with the "eastenders" people you blasted.

Did I say I didn't know where I stayed? No. I said (or at least strongly implied) that I couldn't remember what it was called. Not the same thing at all. A quick look at google maps reminds me that it was St. Paul's Bay. It's way beyond presumptuous, in fact it's downright arrogant, for you to tell me not once, but twice, where I stayed, especially when you were wrong both times!

You asked what did I do there? I went diving. This is the diving forum after all. To get to our dive sites, we drove the island; Marsaxlokk, Wied iz Zurrieq, Cirkewwa etc. We also went to Gozo and Comino, but I don't include them in my assertion that the island is overcrowded and overdeveloped. Also, for clarification, I meant primarily the Northern/Eastern half of the island. The Southern/Western half is much more pristine. But then again, if you look at a map, all of the roads are there, so to get anywhere you have to drive through all the 'suburbs'. And sorry if this offends you, but they're ugly. Look at Malta on Google Earth or Maps. It's VERY over developed. Undoubtedly, this contributes to the overcrowded impression I got; a massive proportion of those half million or so people I mentioned live on that half of the island. Given that, as I mentioned, the island's about the size of Louth, which isn't much smaller than Co. Dublin, that means that that half of the island is not much less densely populated than Dublin. But as I said I didn't go to Valletta, so imagine that it's like trying to get from Howth to Sandycove without going through any of the nice bits, perhaps by going thru Coolock, Finglas, Blanch, Clondalkin and Tallaght (not that there's anything wrong with those places, but they're hardly the prettiest parts, are they?)

So, OK, maybe I unjustly painted the whole island with the brush of the parts I saw and disliked, but I'm certainly not in a rush to go back, and anyone who tries to portray it as some kind of Mediterranean paradise is further off the mark than I was.

locum-motion

locum-motion wrote: »

Did I say I didn't know where I stayed? No. I said (or at least strongly implied) that I couldn't remember what it was called. Not the same thing at all. A quick look at google maps reminds me that it was St. Paul's Bay. It's way beyond presumptuous, in fact it's downright arrogant, for you to tell me not once, but twice, where I stayed, especially when you were wrong both times!

St Pauls bay a **** hole? What a crock of ****. I don't believe you stayed there. I still think you're lying. Either that or blatantly trolling, surfing the forums at 2am also gives me the impression you've a lot of time on your hands so I'd say you're trolling.

I meant primarily the Northern/Eastern half of the island. The Southern/Western half is much more pristine. But then again, if you look at a map, all of the roads are there, so to get anywhere you have to drive through all the 'suburbs'. And sorry if this offends you, but they're ugly. Look at Malta on Google Earth or Maps. It's VERY over developed. Undoubtedly, this contributes to the overcrowded impression I got; a massive proportion of those half million or so people I mentioned live on that half of the island. Given that, as I mentioned, the island's about the size of Louth, which isn't much smaller than Co. Dublin, that means that that half of the island is not much less densely populated than Dublin. But as I said I didn't go to Valletta, so imagine that it's like trying to get from Howth to Sandycove without going through any of the nice bits, perhaps by going thru Coolock, Finglas, Blanch, Clondalkin and Tallaght (not that there's anything wrong with those places, but they're hardly the prettiest parts, are they?)

There is not one part of the island that looks anything like the above areas. St Julians and Sliema are party places for students etc and Ryanair contribute to that in a big way but as for the rest of the island, it's a typical Mediterranean island. It's not as picturesque as say Sicily or Sardinia but not many places in the middle of August look picturesque from a scenic point of view; Malta is steeped in culture and history and heritage which makes it such an intriguing place. Some excellent restaurants are in Malta that would put the majority over here to shame. Like most places in the Mediterranean really.

So, OK, maybe I unjustly painted the whole island with the brush of the parts is saw and disliked, but I'm certainly not in a rush to go back, and anyone who tries to portray it as some kind of Mediterranean paradise is further off the mark than I was.

Well you certainly did but that's because you're trolling and your "for clarity" comments prove that you were talking garbage to begin with. One thing that is for sure, the fact you are comparing anywhere in Malta to that of Tallagh/Blanch/Coolock shows you do know nothing and also shows how ignorant you are.

fozz10

Hmmm...

Some strong marketing rhetoric here. Source please.
The quote does not appear in any books of JC that I have, and I have quite a few.

Good diving, yes. Best in the world? Not by a looooonggg shot!


Seadeuce

yes he did and he also claimed middle rock in kilkee one the best scenic dives in europe. do a bit of research and you will see he has dived ireland and the above quotes are true

Para1

cheers for the advise folks, looking at lanzarote at the moment, flights are a bit expensive for when we can travel but there seems to be a few good deals to be had with the various dive schools.

who_am_I?

Lanzorote is pleasant for diving
I did my open water with Manta Diving 10 years ago.
http://www.manta-diving-lanzarote.com/

I did a few specialities with Centro de Buceo Atlantica When I stayed in In Faroienies Playa and a few dives with them when I stayed in Los Faroienies, This closes in the off peak season. and is attached to the Fariones hotels http://www.atlanticadiving.es/

I also dived with Safari diving on another trip, They Put a lot of people on the dive boat. Not sure if i would recommend them for a course.
http://www.safaridiving.com/

look out for Angel shark, Grouper, Rays, Bream, Moray Eels, Seahorse, Sea Snails, Barracuda, Octopus, Lava Caves and really look out for the Sea Urchins

Peace

locum-motion, TheEntrepreneur,

The thread is for a user who wants to learn to dive somewhere in Europe. It wasn't created for you two to have an argument.

TheEntrepreneur - calling people liars on here isn't welcome behaviour. If you have hard eveidence that locum-motion is lying then present it. Any further personal attacks will just result in a ban. The rule on boards it to attack the post but not the poster.

Please contribute in a positive way to the thread if you wish.

Benny-c

Just as this thread was getting interesting:D

Peace

Peace wrote: »

locum-motion, TheEntrepreneur,

The thread is for a user who wants to learn to dive somewhere in Europe. It wasn't created for you two to have an argument.

TheEntrepreneur - calling people liars on here isn't welcome behaviour. If you have hard eveidence that locum-motion is lying then present it. Any further personal attacks will just result in a ban. The rule on boards it to attack the post but not the poster.

Please contribute in a positive way to the thread if you wish.

Point taken on board.

Op, if you go to Malta enjoy it, it's not a "****ing ****hole", like most holidays, you get out of it what you put into it, if you go to malta with a tenner in your pocket expecting to stay in the Ritz, it's not going to happen - like anywhere really.

The diving in Malta is brilliant, it's not comparable to say Barrier Reef in terms of the amount of fish and their size etc, however it's got some brilliant caves, wrecks and underwater features that will make your diving a pleasure. If you're an advanced diver, you'll be able to go to most places and enjoy yourself immensely. Plus with Ryanair, it's cheap to get to and immediately after landing, you're within 30 minutes from anywhere else on the island basically.

locum-motion

Thank you, Peace.

Now, if The Entrepreneur will just publicly apologise to me for calling me a liar, then we can get on with it!

Before s/he does so, though, perhaps a re-read of my post is in order.
I didn't say that any part of the island "looks like" any part of Dublin. I was merely pointing out that it's possible to drive the length of the island without visiting (reportedly pretty) Valetta, just as it's possible to drive the length of Dublin without going into the prettier parts of the city.

DeVore

Just as it's possible you are badly wrong.

I learned to dive in Malta. I liked it so much, I bought an apartment there. Parts of the island are grotty and from your description I knew before you said that you had stayed in St Pauls Bay, which is horrible IMHO. But to tar an entire island and then come back and admit you haven't even been to it's capital , which is fabulous, or out into the countryside (my best mate there runs a farm) or it seems, to The ancient but still functioning Silent City, built by the knights en route to and from the crusades, or or or .... You are not a liar but what you have been saying is not true either.

It's not paradise, it's a fully functioning society, not a holiday island like Ibiza. That in itself makes it more attractive to me. The diving is great and the people are mad friendly OP.

DeV.

Fratton Fred

not wishing to wade into the "Is Malta a **** hole" arguement, but as far as Diving goes, Gozo is the Puppies Privates.

I personally put it on a par with Sharm. OK, the fish aren't as exotic, but the scenary is amazing.

I'd recommend Atlantis Diving in Marselforn as well.

DeVore

DeVore wrote: »

Just as it's possible you are badly wrong.

I learned to dive in Malta. I liked it so much, I bought an apartment there. Parts of the island are grotty and from your description I knew before you said that you had stayed in St Pauls Bay, which is horrible IMHO. But to tar an entire island and then come back and admit you haven't even been to it's capital , which is fabulous, or out into the countryside (my best mate there runs a farm) or it seems, to The ancient but still functioning Silent City, built by the knights en route to and from the crusades, or or or .... You are not a liar but what you have been saying is not true either.

It's not paradise, it's a fully functioning society, not a holiday island like Ibiza. That in itself makes it more attractive to me. The diving is great and the people are mad friendly OP.

DeV.

Now you're talking, painted a dream picture for me there.

locum-motion

DeV, TheE,

OK, so you guys think that Malta's a lovely place, and that's fine by me. You're entitled to your opinions.

I think it's a dump (I'll avoid using the more inflammatory language I used before). That's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. Also, in my opinion, I've seen enough of the island to form that opinion. Valetta and Mdina might be beautiful, but in my opinion, the rest of it is enough of a dump that it wouldn't matter how beautiful they are, it wouldn't change my overall opinion. (BTW, DeV, I never said I hadn't been to the countryside, did I?)

Let's just agree to disagree on the whole "dump vs. paradise" issue.


HOWEVER:
TheEntrepreneur; I know where I stayed when I was in Malta (even if I couldn't remember its name the other day). So do the dozen or so others who were with me at the time. On the other hand, you have absolutely no way of knowing where I stayed. Based solely on our differing opinions of the place, you decided that I must have lied.
As has been pointed out, you're not allowed call people liars around here. If you have any evidence that I lied (which you don't!) then present it. If you don't, then it shouldn't be a problem for you to withdraw the accusation and apologise for it.
As I said before, then we can all get on with it.