diving in singapore

[agentmonkey]

hello, just curious, how much would it cost to dive in singapore? like say, 3 dive trips...and is there much to see? i've heard from a friend that if you can dive in singapore, you can dive anywhere else in the world because the water here is so murky...

[mud77man]

Originally Posted by agentmonkey hello, just curious, how much would it cost to dive in singapore? like say, 3 dive trips...and is there much to see? i've heard from a friend that if you can dive in singapore, you can dive anywhere else in the world because the water here is so murky...

Hi there, couldn't help but comment on your uh.. comments. Here's a breakdown:-

1. How much to dive in Sgp?
- Depends on the operator. Or you can drive your own boat and eqpment and dive and its free. If go by dive shops can range on 60 - 120 when I last checked for a day's dive. (think its 2-4 dives depending on depth)

2. Is there much to see?
- The singapore dive scene is described as 1*, whereas tioman is 3*. True that murky waters take away most of vision, but I have seen interesting things in Sgp waters at less than 3 feet away. Really, it depends on what you wanna look for.

3. Quote fr friend
- You can't compare diving in Sgp with say... maldives, so I'm afraid I think that statement may be a tad presumptuous. So many factors come into play when scuba diving is concerned, so you can never tell which is tougher or easier. The best way is to try it out for yourself and see if you prefer diving locally. More importantly, you should expose yourself to different diving conditions to experience what they're like and what you should do to enjoy this hobby safely.

Hope this helps.

[agentmonkey]

thanks mud77man.... price sounds reasonable..so probably will try it out soon myself

[cityofangels]

Not many dive operators organize local dives but these are couple of dive operators who do organize them:

51 Scuba - Pulau Hantu

Diventures - Pulau Hantu

Dolphin Scuba - Hantu, Salu, Sudong Wreck, Raffles, Jong

I have not dived in local waters before but eventually I will.

[cat64fish]

You should check out these sites to see what critters can be found on Singapore reefs:

The Blue Tempeh http://thebluetempeh.blogspot.com/
The Hantu Blog http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/news/pulauhantu/
Blue Water Volunteers www.bluewatervolunteers.org
Wild Singapore www.wildsingapore.com

Just to name a few

Cheers, Jeff

[agentmonkey]

hey catfish! thanks for those links! especially the blog one...quite informative..

[lovells19]

hantu blog runs trip to hantu every month, and it beats joining the dive centers anytime.

[agentmonkey]

do they cater for equipment rental? i'm only a poor nsf, can't afford my own gear yet

[lovells19]

yup yup

everything u need for a dive in hantu with a MUCH better guide to diver ratio

[cat64fish]

Originally Posted by lovells19 yup yup everything u need for a dive in hantu with a MUCH better guide to diver ratio

Doesn't say much for the dive industry does it, when conservationists give more value ? Hahaha.

[lovells19]

Originally Posted by cat64fish Doesn't say much for the dive industry does it, when conservationists give more value ? Hahaha.

Sad to say but Dive shop usually only runs courses there, damaging the habitat only.

And i don't really like how the way some dive operator runs the trip there.
Personally, its safer and more informative to join the hantu blog

[antacid]

uh, not entirely true..i've been on leisure trips there with a dive shop before...lots of stuff to see! of course, the experience varies depending on who you go with..

and yeah, we dive the same way we do in dayang/lembeh/sipadan/<<your favourite dive spot here>>, which means no pointers, gloves, etc and grabbing stuff!

have yet to go with the hantublog people, but i'm sure it'll be a great way to dive our local waters.

((=

[lovells19]

Originally Posted by antacid uh, not entirely true..i've been on leisure trips there with a dive shop before...lots of stuff to see! of course, the experience varies depending on who you go with.. and yeah, we dive the same way we do in dayang/lembeh/sipadan/<<your favourite dive spot here>>, which means no pointers, gloves, etc and grabbing stuff! have yet to go with the hantublog people, but i'm sure it'll be a great way to dive our local waters. ((=

Whats the guide ratio?

of cos there's lots of stuff to see... its Hantu!!

What i mean is how they run trips, packing the boat to the brim with divers, and throwing litters over board.. anchoring on the reefs..

no gloves use fins or wetsuit lor.. or dive guide

Anyway good for you Wait till you see how some unethical one run trips...

[antacid]

ratio is usually 1-1 or 1-2...cos not many people go for leisure at hantu! haha was just there this morning and saw lots of nudis, crabs, fish, and a little eel with very attractive patterns. but couldnt get close enough to ID it or snap a photo.

ok throwing litter overboard is abit too much...which reminds me of something that happened last weekend at dayang. [rantStart] can't stand it when people throw things like banana skins, orange peel, groundnut shells overboard. when you tell them not to, they give you this "you dunno meh???!?!?!?!" smirk and say " it's bio-degradable, whaaaat". what's worse, i've seen dive pros and DM trainees do+say that.

so is smelly underwear that hasn't been changed for 7 days also 100% cotton with organic material! do you want to dive in an environment littered with oranges peel and groundnut shells? later during the dive you slip and fall on the banana skin how? [endRant]

which again reminds me...some dive pros are seriously, seriously, deficient in braincells. they probably have like 2 brain cells, and the cells probably quarreled and reside in opposite corners of their brains.

evidence (from dayang last weekend):


the other end of the rope was tied to a rock festooned with soft coral, and the rope was all over the soft coral. the same dive instructor had 3 students kneeling on the line (in sand, at least). he then picked up a nudibranch and passed it to the students to handle. i was just hovering there beside him, and he gave me that "see what see" look. too bad i couldnt get his picture...if not sure send to PADI QA him.

sigh.

[lovells19]

yeah i agree...

some people are meant to be coach potatoes.. not instructors...

[pluto]

the last i dived local waters was just me and buddy, there are no DMs on trip at all.
not that I dont want, its they dont have!

but oh well, i survived, so did my buddy. LOL

Visibility is bad, yesh.

Personal opinion.. Value for money?
If diving point of view, NO.
If gaining another kind of experience, YES.

[lovells19]

Originally Posted by pluto Personal opinion.. Value for money? If diving point of view, NO. If gaining another kind of experience, YES.

Value for Money? yes of cos
where can u get 2 dives for $80 and see so much things

Why you cannot enjoy it?
Cos you went with the wrong people

[pluto]

oh! nonono!!!

I super enjoyed it!!! one of my best dive so far!!!

I highlighted it becos it really depends on one's motive in diving local waters.

I love the wreck soooooooooooooo much!!!!!

[agentmonkey]

hello pluto, what wreck are you talking about?

[pluto]

Originally Posted by agentmonkey hello pluto, what wreck are you talking about?

sudong