Diving at the Perhentian Islands

So the it started, I arrived at 8:30am. I had read some of the book that they gave me, they asked me to read 5 chapters (i.e. the whole thing) I managed 1.

I met my instructors Rory and Trisha, Trisha was doing her Dive Master (one of the hardest amateur qualifications) and Rory had been diving some 20 years or so. I felt as though I was in safe hands!

I was stuck in front of a TV and watched DVDs which were to reenforce the reading that I had done (*cough*). The DVDs were amazing so cheesy they were funny, for example one of the jokes they made was that "Divers can handle pressure" (geddit - they can handle the water+air pressure - yep that good).

Afterwards I had a couple of tests and then in the afternoon we went out for our first dive. There was actually another person who I was diving with Fanny from France (yeah I chuckled to myself too), quite interesting girl though working in Singapore for 2 years on a placement that is setup by the French government - nice!

So the first dive is called a confined dive in that you are diving in waters waist height in order to try and keep you calm. The first time I put my head underwater I did freak out a bit but then told myself to keep calm and breathe. The most important rule in diving "Always breathe" and so I did and that settled me down.

We had to do various skills, like take your mask off and on and flush out the water, remove your scuba gear and put it back on. Use your buddies alternative air supply as yours has run out. I did think it went a bit quick but it was pretty clearly guided so you could follow.

The next day we went out and did a proper open water dive. I was a bit hungover from the night before as once again I needed help to sleep in the hut (thats the only reason honest!). This time it was a bit more scary and they had us do some tasks at the start which I messed up a bit and took three times as long as Fanny (still makes me chuckle). When ever I cant do something I do wind myself up about it - but I kept myself relatively calm and finished the skills. And so we were off. The first time you start going down its incredible, I guess the same awe might not be obtained if I was diving in the North Sea (UK) but in Malaysia as you look down you see hundreds of fish, not boring coloured fish, proper "Finding Nemo" fish and the coral is incredible too.

We swam about following Rory and saw such amazing things, including a Hornbilled Turtle, sharks, trigger fish just all these crazy colourful fish - fantastic.

In the afternoon we went to another spot called D'Lagoon and the amazement continued.

I dont want to go on about Diving too much but it feels so incredible to see all these wildlife in its natural habitat, plus you learn things about how the wildlife lives. For example we saw a school of squid, I never knew that they swam around in schools.
I then had to do my theory exam, I had no idea what the pass mark was and I dont think its very difficult to pass but I got two wrong which meant that I passed. All I had to do was a couple more skills the next day and it was done.


The following day we continued on - however Fanny had to go back to Singapore as it was Monday. So I then had one to one tuition.
The highlight of the diving however was Temple of the Sea which is supposed to be the best dive site and was just incredible. Its like having your very own aquarium, Giant Moray Eels, more rays - amazing.

In the afternoon we popped down to Mullet Point and saw an Eagle Ray which annoyed all the others we were diving with as they are pretty rare and no-one else saw it! Its looked pretty magistical flapping through the sea - a fantastic site!

And That was that I filled out some paperwork when we got back thanked the instructors and I was done. I totally recommend that people give it a go, maybe do a introduction dive first just to see if you would like it - but I think any normal person would. There isnt too much danger as long as you keep an eye on your air and follow the procedures - you'll be fine.

Anyway the Perhentian Islands were amazing place to do it and would recommend the Coral Sky Divers