Scuba diving classes - is Singapore or nearby an option

[achilles_ath]

Learning to dive has been a long unfulfilled goal but haven't got around to it.  Thought I would see if I could pick up the basics in Singapore and then go for a more serious effort elsewhere in Indonesia, Malaysia etc.  Any suggestions?

[Jacques C]

No need to do it in Singapore. There are a few good Singaporean-run (and Malaysian-run) outfits on Tioman. They offer on-the-spot courses, including the ultimate qualification, in 3-4 days.

The advantage is that you get to do it all in one stretch, i.e. no need to break up the course into pool/theory sessions in Singapore and then the practical diving a few days/weeks later in Malaysia (or worse, Pulau Hantu, which is off Singapore and doesn't really have scuba-worthy visibility). When you do it in Malaysia, you do it all in one stretch.

The other benefit is that - located in Malaysia - they tend to be a fair bit cheaper than their Singapore-based brethren.

[true enough]

The above is true. Generally do theory and pool stuff here and dive tioman. Can do all in Malaysia if you want.

Tioman dive season nearly over though, maybe couple of weeks left, after that could go to phuket.

[lorgnette11]

Highly recommend you receive course certification in East Malaysia. 

Our family members enjoyed their certification sessions under Nitrox and PADI certified agency.  The dive professionals continuously invent spots and we are pleasantly surprised at results from their customized surveyed locations all over the islands. It is one of the few agencies to conduct intensive classroom and open water courses to match students’ schedules. 

[Like]

Highly recommend you receive course certification in East Malaysia. 

Our family members enjoyed their certification sessions under Nitrox and PADI certified agency.  The dive professionals continuously invent spots and we are pleasantly surprised at results from their customized surveyed locations all over the islands. It is one of the few agencies to conduct intensive classroom and open water courses to match students’ schedules. 

Agreed, the dive outfits there are not only very professional but diving there is a lot less hurried than with Singaporean dive operators. After diving with both kinds for years, I can say that generally, when you dive with a Malaysian operator, it's the quality of the dives that is essential, whereas when you dive with a Singapore-based dive company, you'll find you're being rushed through the day, because they whisk you off from one spot to the next in a blur, keeping up the chop-chop tempo all the while.

So if you're into padding up your logbook and ticking off dives, then go for a Singaporean outfit. If, on the other hand, you feel that diving should be a fun leisurely activity that you drink in at your own pace and you prefer to really relish each diving experience, then go with a Malaysian operator.

[jalanperak]

Learning to dive has been a long unfulfilled goal but haven't got around to it.  Thought I would see if I could pick up the basics in Singapore and then go for a more serious effort elsewhere in Indonesia, Malaysia etc.  Any suggestions?

How serious are you about diving? If you're just interested in being able to get wet and blow some bubbles, then pretty much any resort dive shop will be OK. You'll learn enough to keep you from killing yourself (usually) and you'll have a good time. Book a week long holiday in Phuket, Samui, Cebu, Bali, etc., and sign up for a open water or open water plus "advanced open water" certification course at what ever shop looks good.

If you think you're going to get a bit more serious about diving, such as doing wreck penetrations, cave diving, extended time/deco or rebreathers, then you'd probably be better off starting a relationship with one of the better technical shops here and get to know the instructors better. If I were starting out I would probably go for an open water cert followed by a GUE Fundamentals course (Living Seas). The only downside to GUE is that it's almost religiously fanatical about the way you dive. It's good, but it puts some people off.  The guys at Friendly Waters are also very good (SDI/TDI).