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SCUBA / Diving / Diving license

:bump

Thought I'd bump this thread, as it's been a while. I finished my Advanced Open Water at The Great Barrier Reef a few days ago and am already signed up for a Nitrox, and Rescue Course back here in Sydney. Wayyyy too much fun.

I do have some gear questions. I always travel with my mask + fins, but I want to buy a nice computer watch. What do ya'll wear? I was looking at a Suunto D6.


Planned Trips include:

14 days at the Gili Islands USAT Liberty Wreck and Manta Point (Bali, Indonesia. August 1st-15th)
4 day/3 night Liveaboard - Ribbon Reefs & Potato Cod Hole (Cairns, Australia. September 24th-30th)
7 days at Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia. Mid-October)
7 days in the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Tao, Thailand. November 7th-15th)


Green Sea Turtle 1
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Green Sea Turtle 1
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Green Sea Turtle 2
283192_10150245427711239_605121238_7564522_5687474_n.jpg


Anenomefish (aka: Nemo)
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Indo-Pacific Dolphins (They circled us for about 2 mins)
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Indo-Pacific Dolphins (Playing about)
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The Beauty of The Reef
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White-Tip Reef Shark
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Giant Clam
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Photos don't do these colours justice
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View more pics here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150225302236239.316057.605121238&l=af2539be7d&type=1
 
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Is anyone in San Rafael going to get PADI cert in the near future?
 
Some were with my GoPro and I touched up the white balance using Lightroom, but most were taking with a Sony Powershot S95. Soo much fun! I can't wait to see what Bali has in store. I'm going to try to get some good video of Giant Manta Rays.
 
Man, awesome pics. Are you using natural light only? Any filters?

Oh, you are doing something wrong, I can see skin in some of the pictures. You have to cover that with 9 mm of neoprene.
 
Yup. No flash, No filters.

1st pic was shot at around 25m, the rest of the wreck range from 8-18m ; so light wasn't an issue. It's always sunny and around 23-25° in Bali during Winter.

I was diving in a shorty 5mm suit in the northern end of Bali, but quickly shifted to a full 5mm when I dove around Crystal Bay, Blue Corner, and Tepekong. Nice down-currents and thermoclines.

http://www.absolute-scuba-indonesia.com/dive-sites/tepekong.html
 
wow I didn't know you were on . I deleted the post because it said my pictures didn't load. Those shots were from the Cairns area.
 
You linked the url not the images, that's why they didn't show. I've only done about 4 night dives and have yet to see any squid :(

I did get to see Mola Mola's and Manta's on my last trip though. I'm waiting for the right season next year to go to Ningaloo Reef to see THE BIG 3 (Giant Mantas, Humpbacks, Whale Sharks).
 
Where can you dive with Humpbacks, I thought that was illegal. In Hawaii if you are studying them you can get special permits though.
On the night dive, they had big lights off the back of the boat that attracted the squid, that was great.
 
I've heard of people doing it all the time over here.
http://www.dive-world.com.au/

Awww ok. We attracted lots of reef sharks that way.


Picked up a new BCD and Reg Set while I was in Bali. Next time I'll buy all my gear in Europe (way cheaper over there)

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I'll be in Thailand - November 5-18th in case anyone is keen to dive!

Here's a deal for Accommodation:
http://www.scoopon.com.au/sydney

Exotic SEVEN NIGHT Thailand Escape for TWO! Just $398 to Stay in a Deluxe Room + Hot Buffet Breakfast Daily + Full Day Phi Phi Island Adventure (Inc Snorkelling, Lunch, Return Boat Trip & More) + Beginner Discovery Diving Course + Use of Sparkling Pools & Jacuzzi + Welcome Drinks + Internet + MORE! Valid for an Entire Year! $1032 Value!
Click to expand...
 
I am new soon-to-be certified diver. And I will be taking a trip down to Australia/New Zealand in a couple weeks.

Should I get certified here in the states or wait till I get down there?

And what are the top must-dive spots to explore the great barrier reef?
 
Get certified out here. It'll cost a little more but you'll get you be certified while diving in AMAZING conditions (nearly 18m visibility) with stunning coral life. My advice would be to do a 4-5 day liveaboard in Cairns and get your certification done in one swoop. You won't be let down.

http://www.prodivecairns.com/5daylearntodive.html
 
Volcomism said:
Get certified out here. It'll cost a little more but you'll get you be certified while diving in AMAZING conditions (nearly 18m visibility) with stunning coral life. My advice would be to do a 4-5 day liveaboard in Cairns and get your certification done in one swoop. You won't be let down.

http://www.prodivecairns.com/5daylearntodive.html
Click to expand...

Nice, my buddy recommended that exact same link/trip! Yeah I think after landing in Sydney, Gold Coast and Cairns are my next destinations.

Any specific trips/dive locations you recommend out there for a beginner diver?
 
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Sydney is awesome. You'll need 2-3 days to see most of it. (Totally worth it, and I'll show ya around if I'm not working).

Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) during Summer (November-February) is like a mini-Vegas. Everyone just gets piss drunk and parties all day/all night.

Cairns is where you'll want to do all your diving. You can dive in places like Whitsundays , but it's not going to have the conditions of Cairns. And if you're going to do your Open Water Cert... 11 dives in 5 days will be enough for ya.
 
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