Of course. Can join the same trip to get the Advance OWD certification.bmwF1 said:got any course for advance?
jaskin;176180 said:for the OWD participants would there be any pool sessions before the actual dive at Aur?
TheNew7;178718 said:Anyway, have been diving there since Dec 06... not bad.... got wrecks, big fish, good marine life.... viz is getting better.... in fact, going back there again this weekend.....
TheNew7;178718 said:Don't you guys find the 8hr travelling a little too tiring?
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We will. First, location is very important - places like Pulau Hantu has so poor visibility that do not bode well for beginners. Any mishaps will result in slow rescue & recovery as well. Second, dive operators must be credible and trustworthy. There are many dive enthusiasts out there, and many are part-timers. So you might come across many small fly-by-night operators which has many years of dive experience on individual basis, but has few organising and managing experience. This is important when it comes to training, briefing, and monitoring. So I only stick to the big guns, although I am aware of many new operators who claimed fame and glory.teckheng said:Read the papers recently a diver, with cert, makes his last dive 2 days ago.. Do take extra pre-caution. Safety First.
Please enlighten.TheNew7 said:Anyway, have been diving there since Dec 06... not bad.... got wrecks, big fish, good marine life.... viz is getting better.... in fact, going back there again this weekend.....
Yes, still onz. Waiting for monsoon to be over......Orh LuLu said:Pui hia Ken, trip still on?
Ahbengdriver;178892 said:Wah ... why u all want to go dive at Pulau Hantu....there the water really literally see F/O one. Better go Pulau Aur, can play play with dolphin also. Crystal clear water, like ah seng of ah seng aquarium say...got seabass, grouper, but no killer whale, SMLC also got....seafood dinner guaranteed.
of cos nowadays I retire liao!
TheNew7;178894 said:I was worried that would be no interest....
But anyway, we found this new divesite in BATAM, yes, BATAM.... Diving is not too bad plus the transportation is under 4hrs, one way......Since Dec 06, I've been back there 6 times..... The place used to be run by an outfit called Dive Riau but that has closed down since.....
In Dec, viz was as good as Hantu but it has since cleared up....
Nice retreat to an almost back to nature surrounding.... don't expect 5 star accommdation though.... place is pitched as a Fisherman's Lodge.... pricing not too bad but the most attractive part is the travel time....
Dayang/Tioman/Aur is a b*tch to travel to and that's my only complaint..... but the diving there is pretty good.....
Just for your info, I am just another diver, not trying to 'promote' diving in Batam etc.....