Asia - Dive School in Koh Samui

Anyone have any experiences (good or bad) with dive schools / operators on Koh Samui (ahh, the interchangeability of 'in' and 'on' when referring to an island - discuss.) ?

We're going in September, and my other half will need to finish her PADI OW course (4 teaching dives), while I would like to do something a little more interesting.
Just re-read that, and realised that it might seem a little dodgy, given Thailand's reputation - I mean interesting in a sub-aquatic sense http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Many thanks in advance
Stewie

Diving in Samui sucks. The water is murky and shallow and there just isn't that much too see, even if you could. When I was there last year, during most the month of Sept, most of the dive operations were closed down due to the extreme shallowness like it had something to do with the season? There is a little island off Samui that has great snorkeling but even that, I was told, had been murky all year up to the day we got there.

The good news. You won't care about diving when you get there. $20 a nite air-conditioned bungalows on the beach, hour massages for less than $5, cheap motorbike rentals that will take you to deserted beaches, and the sunsets! Incredible.

I would go back in a hot second - have a wonderful time!

http://igougo.com/planning/journal.asp?JournalID=7912

Unforturnately, I agree with the bad diving conditions around Samui or Koh Tao. If you want good diving in the region, I suggest Perhentian, Redang in Malaysia or Moalboal, Puerto Galera (easy access from Manila), Bohol (via Cebu) in the Phlippines.

In Perhentian, Moalboal, PG, you can also get a hut for US$10-20. If you buy a package, it costs only US$10 on PG or US$15 in Perhetnian, Moalboal or Bohol.

Puerto Galera
http://www.about-scuba-diving.com/countries/philippines/puerto-galera/index.htm

Bohol (then dive around Apo, Balicasag, Cabilao)
http://www.bohol.ph

Moalboal: http://www.moalboal.ws

Once you fly to Manila or Cebu, you can take the bus or ferry to the destination or the dive shops will pick you up at the airport for extra fees.

Perhentian:
http://www.coralskydiver.com
http://www.www.florabaydivers.com




[This message has been edited by travelem (edited 10-25-2003).]