Divemaster Courses?

[Helen H]

I have got more or less the same question as your girlfriend and have been looking into a months internship somewhere hot from mid-April.

So far I have come up with the Philippines, Mexico and Egypt.  As I have travelled all over on my own I might not be as worried about being a female on my own as she is.

I had a quote with Asia Divers for a months B&B in a reasonable hotel in Puerto Galera, Philippines including flight and course, transfers and a night in Singapore on the way back for £1700.  Today I phoned Diving World and spoke to a knowledgeable sounding instructor who is going to come back to me with a cheaper quote using Auquanaut (i think) divers in the same area.  She also made the point that it is best to do the course where there are a lot of students passing through doing various courses so you get to help out in a variety of situations - something I hadnt thought of before - Egypt and Thailand would be excellent for that.

One of the people who answered your query said to avoid muslim countries.  I would completely disagree.  As long as you take heed of local custom when away from the dive resort areas you will be fine.  ie dont stroll around town wearing short shorts and a singlet.  I spent 3 months in Malaysia in 2003 on my own doing some of the best diving of my life.

I can reccomend the Perhentian Islands or Tioman Island, Malaysia for diver training in a cheap living environment (not as cheap as Thailand though better diving I thought) am not sure which schools do the divemaster course.

I did my Rescue in 1999 at SIDS-Planet Scuba on Ko Tao (Thailand) and had a great time - I thought the level of tuition was good and it was an excellent divers island with enough nightlife.  I was on my own (as usual) and found it really easy to meet people as the dive school put me up for about £2 a night in my own big room with bathroom and a balcony (and mossie nets) with all the others doing courses.

tell your girlfriend good luck and sorry I cant comment about the motorbike - I presume that was what everyone was going on about!