Scuba Diving

[Will]

I've been looking to take up Scuba diving. Anybody know a good, competent instructor that is reasonably priced to say, get an open water certification in the Cebu-Mactan area?

[OldUgly&Cranky]

i dont know any there in cebu-mactan ? but if you were in putero galera Mindoro i could point you to stay and get that open water course at Big Apple Resort Sabang there very good there and from what i hear from all the divers at the resort there great there !!

 

O-U-C :thumbsup:

[Bruce]

I've been looking to take up Scuba diving. Anybody know a good, competent instructor that is reasonably priced to say, get an open water certification in the Cebu-Mactan area?

 

Well, If I remember, forum member Jake, a retired navy guy often (very very often) reminds us all he is a 'certified PADI muff diver'. :mocking:

 

Perhaps he can offer some pointers??? :dance:

 

AND! On the subject of diving (no Jake, not muff diving) here in Ft. Lauderdale is the home of Brownines Third Lung which is a verying interesting set up for shallow water dives.

 

 

 

As a business venture, IF you can find a way to import one of these, you could use it every day at a resort setup for $$$$$

Edited March 1, 2013 by Jollygoodfellow

[OnMyWay]

i dont know any there in cebu-mactan ? but if you were in putero galera Mindoro i could point you to stay and get that open water course at Big Apple Resort Sabang there very good there and from what i hear from all the divers at the resort there great there !!

 

O-U-C :thumbsup:

 

I have not been diving in Mactan but just look for a PADI 5 star outfit and you should be fine.  Google Mactan PADI and you will see plenty of outfits.  Another option would be to find a deal at one of the resorts and do a "staycation" to get your open water.  That would save you the commuting and you can get it done fast.

 

When I went to Puerta Galera I was too sick to dive so I can't recommend any one place, but PG might be an option if you find that the cost is high in Mactan.  You might be able to justify the trip to PG based on the cost and getting some time away, but if might be boring for your partner because you will be tied up with the dive class for a few days.

 

I had a few drinks at the Big Apple and met some nice people working there.  It would be a good option.  If you book a room and a dive class together, you can probably get a good deal.  Call the dive shops there and I think you can negotiate the price.  The dive hotels that are cheap probably don't have the best rooms, so if you want a nice room, get a nicer hotel and book the dive class separately.  Almost all the hotels are associated with a dive outfit so they may offer packages as well.

 

Just do it!  You will love it!

[Geoff Thomas]

Hi!, just asked a good friend of mine who's daughter learnt with Scotty's dive center in Mactan, this is what he said, Scotty in mactan enjoy high reputation.. tanks are filled with clean air, good maintainance of material, and the guys are up to the beat.. Not the cheapest for sure, but quality comes with a price tag, as we all know.. mind you there price is ok.. Jade learned diving there.

http://www.divescotty.com/contact/

Edited February 16, 2013 by Geoff Thomas

[GregZ]

http://www.cebudivecentre.com/ is the place I will eventually take open water training at, unless something better comes along.  They are near Moalboal (resort on West side of Cebu Island, 2 hours of so from Cebu City) so beautiful dive sites.  No discount, but a free reef dive was offered when I asked.  Very cheap on the rooms. 

 

Training 15,250 with everything included.  I did verify that price as ALL INCLUDED; some places like to charge for the course and separate for manuals, etc.  That is why some divers think PADI means Put Another Dollar In. :hystery:

 

I looked at the Dive Scotty site and don't see prices??? Somebody else see them?

Edited February 16, 2013 by GregZ

[Geoff Thomas]

Lived in Moalboal for two years, know the better dive centers there but too far away for the original post (Will) but here is my insight as to the best outfits in Moalboal both of whom have been operating for a long tried and tested time.

http://www.neptunediving.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neptune-Diving-Adventure-Moalboal-SantanderCebu-Philippines/114868232934 great food also.

http://www.savedra.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SavedraDiveCenter?fref=ts

Both places I would highly recommend and some great diving down there also.

[Will]

Scotty's at shangri la sent me an email for pp22,000 +12%vat for owc. That seemed a little high to me, but what do I know ('cept I'm a cheap basstid) Got steered to a guy with Mactan scuba center from a scuba forum (prolly from the guy at Mactan scuba center!) Website says 14,000 for owc. That sounds gooder to me. So I'm awaiting return email to verify that price includes everything. Thanks for all the good info, guys.

[Old55]

Scotty's at shangri la sent me an email for pp22,000 +12%vat for owc. That seemed a little high to me, but what do I know ('cept I'm a cheap basstid) Got steered to a guy with Mactan scuba center from a scuba forum (prolly from the guy at Mactan scuba center!) Website says 14,000 for owc. That sounds gooder to me. So I'm awaiting return email to verify that price includes everything. Thanks for all the good info, guys.

I dived Scotty's about ten years ago they have a great reputation however Mactan Cebu City area waters are so polluted I said I would never dive there again.

[Old55]

Lived in Moalboal for two years, know the better dive centers there but too far away for the original post (Will) but here is my insight as to the best outfits in Moalboal both of whom have been operating for a long tried and tested time.

http://www.neptunediving.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neptune-Diving-Adventure-Moalboal-SantanderCebu-Philippines/114868232934 great food also.

http://www.savedra.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SavedraDiveCenter?fref=ts

Both places I would highly recommend and some great diving down there also.

I agree that Moalboal would be a much better place to learn.

Nepune Dive Center is good I liked the divemaster who was my partner.

Nelson's Dive Center Moalboal is great. I've gone there for over ten years its the only Filipino owned Dive Center on Cebu. I trust them enough to have my oldest son get his open water there when he was 16. Had to keep a close eye on him those pesky girls were on him like stink on.............

Edited February 16, 2013 by Old55