Recommend where to do PADI in Thailand?

Big Nelly

Hey Guys

I was in Thailand around 2006, we said at the time we must do PADI but never done it. Anyway heading back this year and want to do it. Last time we done the following: Bangkok-Chang Mai-Phuket-Phi Phi-Rawai-Bangkok.

Not sure what route we are doing this time. At the moment we are looking at Bangkok-Chang Mai-?????????????-Bangkok

We have been recommended to go to Koh Tao to do the PADI but not sure what is best. When we where in Phi Phi last time loads of people where doing it there.

Also have heard Phi Phi has turned very commercial and not any good any more? any idea's would be welcome. Thanks

Koh Tao is where everyone gets it these days.. Thinkin of doin it in January.

Big Nelly

Deleted User wrote: »

Koh Tao is where everyone gets it these days.. Thinkin of doin it in January.

Yeah going to Koh Tao to do the diving, seems to be the best

MadsL

Try to do at least your classroom portion and perhaps your first OW dive in Ireland before you go, this allows a lot more dive time and less time watching "vid-jos" in a hot classroom.

It also lets you ask questions without any pressure or language barrier, you will also have a few dive buds for when you come back. Diving out on the west coast of Ireland can be magical.

Consider these guys http://www.oceandivers.ie/ I recommend them highly.

Big Nelly

MadsL wrote: »

Try to do at least your classroom portion and perhaps your first OW dive in Ireland before you go, this allows a lot more dive time and less time watching "vid-jos" in a hot classroom.

It also lets you ask questions without any pressure or language barrier, you will also have a few dive buds for when you come back. Diving out on the west coast of Ireland can be magical.

Consider these guys http://www.oceandivers.ie/ I recommend them highly.

Have already dived in Australia and Maldives so done a good bit of divinf already, just never done certification

Is there any place to get the classroom part beforehand? not in the mood to pay in Ireland as they are very very expensive. Can you download it?

Language barrier in Thailand? Eh the instructors are western. I dont see how diving in Ireland could be magical.. Seems the exact opposite.

Big Nelly

Deleted User wrote: »

Language barrier in Thailand? Eh the instructors are western. I dont see how diving in Ireland could be magical.. Seems the exact opposite.

Would agree, from my diving all of the instructors where English/German/Dutch/US etc and had better English than I did.

Wouldn't mind doing the paperwork in Ireland first or getting a look so don't have to spend loads of time sitting in class room. Checked the PADI website and it is 130 doller to download which is robbery when you think of the total cost of the course and free accommodation I have been quoted.

In Ireland I seen 500 euro somewhere just for paperwork

stephenmario

I'm just back from doing my padi in Kao Tao with Master Divers, they were really good. It cost about 9,500 baht for the course which is 3 1/2 days first day is video watching for 2 hours, then the follow 3 are dives in the morning and videos in the evening (we did 2 days of videos and did the test on the 2nd day so got the 3rd evening off). From talking to the Dive Master I think your probably better off doing the SSI. Its cheaper, recognised everywhere that padi is and you don't have to sit through as much of the videos... other plces in Kao Tao had PADI diving courses for 8,000 baht. Trip advisor had Master Divers rated as the bast place to do it in Kao Tao

stephenmario

Big Nelly wrote: »

Would agree, from my diving all of the instructors where English/German/Dutch/US etc and had better English than I did.

Wouldn't mind doing the paperwork in Ireland first or getting a look so don't have to spend loads of time sitting in class room. Checked the PADI website and it is 130 doller to download which is robbery when you think of the total cost of the course and free accommodation I have been quoted.

In Ireland I seen 500 euro somewhere just for paperwork

You have to buy the book with padi from padi and that costs like 100 quid even if you just opt for the online version of the book

MadsL

Deleted User wrote: »

I dont see how diving in Ireland could be magical.. Seems the exact opposite.

Go post that on the diving forum.

PADI also do the classroom portion online...

http://www.padi.com/scuba/scuba-diving-guide/start-scuba-diving/scuba-certification-faq/default.aspx

Think it is $120.

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

Ive posted this a couple of times so far so no harm posting again, I did my PADI OW about a month ago in Koh phangan, did it with a crowd there called phangan international diving school (PIDS) they have a facebook page check it out, the best guy there is a guy from newcastle luke is his name id recommend him or james from manchester two professionals but dead nice guys a lot of irish went with Luke when I was there, including myself. It cost us about €249 (we had to upgrade to do ocean diving though but wasnt much about €30 or 40 id say but well worth it) we did one day pool diving with classroom work then the next two days diving at a place called sail rock (only about 40-50 mins by boat) sail rock was cool notorious for whale sharks but we didnt see any unfortunately. check out the FB page anyway and message me if you want any other details. it was one of the best things I did in thailand by the way!

MadsL

I didn't see any reference there to those guys being a PADI Dive Centre.

Here's the levels of certification you are looking out for with these centres.

http://www.padi.com/scuba/call-to-actions/locate-a-scuba-dive-shop/dive-shop-and-resort-levels/default.aspx

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

MadsL wrote: »

I didn't see any reference there to those guys being a PADI Dive Centre.

Here's the levels of certification you are looking out for with these centres.

http://www.padi.com/scuba/call-to-actions/locate-a-scuba-dive-shop/dive-shop-and-resort-levels/default.aspx

Yeah just checked that, it's odd because me and my friend have both received our hard copy licences from PADI headquarters? Must check into it!

Sappa

Ads by google if your still in Vietnam,check out doing your Padi in Nah Trang.
Really great place to do it,cheap and no pool or class work it's straight out to the ocean for a heck of a lot of dives.
Good companies and value for money,Nah Trang while not being as stunning as koh Tao is a good spot to chill out after the course.

MadsL

TEMPLAR KNIGHT wrote: »

Yeah just checked that, it's odd because me and my friend have both received our hard copy licences from PADI headquarters? Must check into it!

I think as long as the instructor is a PADI Instructor, PADI will issue certs. Must check that, though. I had to quit diving just as I was about to do Rescue Diver.

Awesome-O

Koh Tao, I did it there during our summer, although I have heard (from my divemaster) that the Andaman coast is better around December/ January, he lived half the year on each coast. If you go to the Andaman coast I think going on a liveaboard boat for a few days is the best idea.