SCUBA diving in Singapore?

[yuji]

that is cheap, back to malaysia full kit atleast RM3500k plus. Can you tell me where you bougth it?

[jpatokal]

I bought my gear from Richmond Scuba http://web.singnet.com.sg/~rmond/ , but they do only wholesale now. You can try these guys, they're friendly and I now use them to service my gear:

Orpheus Dive http://www.orpheusdive.com/
TheSCUBAshop
363 Beach Road.
Tel: (65) 6292-0096.
Opening Hours:
11 AM to 8 PM (Mondays to Fridays)
11 AM to 5 PM (Saturdays and Sundays)

[nahmar]

Hi,

I've never tried Scuba. Looks like I have to have some courses to get licence but wondering which is better, to start the basic here in Singapore (lecture and pool lesson?) and go to the beach for weekend or to go to island for 3 or 4 days and complete all of them there? I think it's cheaper in Singapore but sounds also nice to go to the beach and stay there for a while. Any advise? Sorry for this novice, silly question...

Thank you.

[yuji]

hi nahmar, both is feasible. But I ll suggest you take ur written exam & pool lesson in singapore, then go to beach complete ur final practical exam. Once you get you OW certificate then you can go for fun dive, enjoy the scenery and have fun. Instead of rush out to complete ur exam in the beach within the 3-4 day

[zjules]

Its best to take a package from one of the shops. Can either go to classes or self study for the theory, then do swimming test and pool training here in SG, then go to Tionman or somewhere for sea dives. You dont want to do your first dives in SG water

[nahmar]

Thank you for the info. Shops are dive shop? interesting shops offer the school but sounds easier. Then they can arrange the sea dive (final step?) in tioman or other location? Yeah, I don't want to do my first dive in SG beach... Will try google first!

[jerms]

Hi all,

This coming weekend is Adex at suntec! why not come down and get good offers for trips and courses!

For all those who are keen on Openwater, you can look for me! I have a promotion going on for Openwater course at Puala Dayang, Full board + transport + Gear + course materials and transport, all going for SGD$390.

Do drop me a PM if your interested!

[jerms]

Hi all the promo is still on at $388 NETT price for Openwater under SSI at Adex.

The package includes
Original course materials
Pool lesson
Theory lesson
Equipment rental
Meal on Dayang
Ferry to Dayang from Mersing
Coach from Singapore to Mersing

Pls come and look for me at RENscuba booth at Adex!

[gcw33]

Anyone interested in going to Perhentian in Malaysia for some diving from May 1 - May 4?

email me for the details

[email protected]

[dappy]

hi germangirl

am keen on finding a dive shop that would let me do my Nitrox dives concurrent with another padi speciality like peak performance bouyancy.
any ideas on dive shops?

cheers,

I pmed you details for a good dive shop for Nitrox n Tech Diving ;o)

hiya!

i'm interested in taking up an openwater course!

could you email me the address of a good dive school pls?

[email protected]

[Angiezz]

Hi,

I've never tried Scuba. Looks like I have to have some courses to get licence but wondering which is better, to start the basic here in Singapore (lecture and pool lesson?) and go to the beach for weekend or to go to island for 3 or 4 days and complete all of them there? I think it's cheaper in Singapore but sounds also nice to go to the beach and stay there for a while. Any advise? Sorry for this novice, silly question...

Thank you.

Heya nahmar,
Like yuji said, both are possible. Theories are usually done in Singapore first coz it's best ensure that new divers understand the basics of diving as well as the risks involved. Your pool session can be done either in Singapore at an arranged timing you can make it at, or you can also do it on the island where you'll dive at. I feel that having the pool session together with your open water dives are not bad a choice coz you'll remember the procedures fresh in your mind, hours before your 1st open water.

Although it can be convenient to take the course in local waters, I wouldn't recommend it. Visibility might be too bad and some currents might be present. All those don't help coz you'll be performing skills for your instructor and have them assessed.

Many dive centres offer weekend trips for your open water dives. Some are more overpriced than others so it's a good thing you intend to research online to find some gd schools.

Apart from the after sales service and professionalism of the dive centre you go with, you may wish to ask for a comparison of afew dive sites you have in mind.
Tioman, Aur, Dayang, Tinggi & Perhentian are amongst the most visited sites if you're seeking for somewhere near Singapore. But do bear in mind the journey duration as some could be horrid...lol Do ask abt their accomodation and food to see which suits you better. And of course, the visibility and marine life too.

A long time back, I was just as eager as you but couldn't decide on where to dive or which dive operator to go with. A friend recommended a dive centre which had outstanding warmth and customer service, not forgetting the lowest prices I could find.

I learned under their guidance and have since been attached there as part of the crew. Feel free to check out www.sunnycove.com.sg or call the hotline to have any enquiries answered. I recommend speaking to Thomas, who will warmly clarify all your doubts with his many yrs of experience.

Apart from Sunny Cove, there are also many other options you can explore. Jerms's dayang deal really isn't bad at all.
Some established dive centres like waikiki, orpheus and countless others might offer what you seek too. Hope you find what you're looking for soon, coz diving can be a breathtakingly wonderful activity that can get you hooked!
After trying some dive sites, you'll always want to explore further horizons for better sightings and experience...

Hello everyone,
I am currently living in the US and will be moving to Singapore by the end of this year. I am also a certified scuba diver.

Question to those scuba divers who moved to Singapore - did you bring your favorite gear (regulator, bcd) with you when you moved? I am still thinking if I should sell them here in the US and then purchase such gear when I am over there in Singapore. Are scuba gear more expensive in Singapore?

Thanks!

TavelCt, I know many divers who prefer to buy their equipment thru ebay and have it shipped over. Heard that the amount they pay is still quite abit lower than the local prices, possibly because many dive centres mark the selling price up. You may wish to search for more purchasing alternatives online, apart from just the retail stores here.

Some understated shops sell similar quality items at much lower prices too, as compared to most commercialised dive shops.
I was accompanying a friend to buy some dive gloves and dive rod/pointer. I bought my rod for only $9 from Lavender's Sports Center (beside army market), yet rods of similar length and quality were retailing at $35-$55 at other stores near Lavender, no kidding.

You might find some good buys here in Sg but it wouldn't hurt to compare prices of different stores, or those from ebay etc. At least it'll help you make a better purchase and stretch your dollar. Good luck!

[MandarinFish]

Hi all,

I'm due to relocate to Singapore in the next few weeks so look forward to diving in and around Singapore and it's neighbouring countries.

I dived Sipadan in Feb for two weeks on holiday from the UK and that was great, so I'm very excited to see the other areas.

The information posted here about dive centres will prove to be very useful too I'm sure.

Many thanks to all contributors.

I look forward to meeting Singapore divers

[shutterprincess]

Hello there peeps,

I did my pool and theory last November. Am looking to complete my open water during my long weekend of offdays which is on the 22nd to the 25th May. I am okay with any dive sites or dive centres. Anyone interested? Buzz me at 96687336.

Cheers!

[taxico]

this might come as a bit of a late post...

but most scuba equipment work in the same manner to ensure the diver's safety.

i use a lot of oceanic products both in the states and in singapore and i think their price point is awesome.

the crew at oceanic singapore are also friendly and worth a look at. i understand they weren't too accomodating during this adex, but they had some staffing problems to tend with.

i think they've moved to parkmall, so do take a look. they have some cutting edge products too (HUD dive mask, which i tested for them during the conversion stage from military to consumer product) and they various 2nd stages many u/w photographers swear by (eg, omega) - but i love the delta 3.

i don't think it's worth paying for the brand so long as you service your gear regularly and know what to look out for during dives.

from what i observe, the asia-pacific distributor of oceanic is an "old bird" NAUI CD (from the 70s?) who doesn't mind using his own old oceanic gear either. saw that in person during his CD re-qualification some years back...

[fuNkz]

hey all,

I am planning to get a diving suit but i am not sure which suit is good. I am thinking of getting a full wetsuit or just a thermal guard(e.g GUL Evotherm LS Top). Anyone can give me advice on this? i will really appreciate it!