Dive Shops in Trawangan Gili Islands Bali
Travel | Rex | July 31, 2011 at 18:13
The diving is apparently very good here on the island with several dive shops all with identical prices. It was explained to me that they all decided on a set price to keep compeitition between the shops friendly and prevent a pricewar from breaking out.
So their main focus now is to provide the best service to attract customers. It is 2,700,000 or about $315 all inclusive for the advanced padi, which is cheaper than most places I could find in Bali where it was about $375. Also if you are already certified, the dive trips themslves are very cheap and you get discounts if you book multiple dives with one shop, making it even cheaper.
Some Swiss girls I met at the bar said they just finished their open water and are getting an even better deal on their advanced, something that BaliScuba where I got mine done failed to do. I first stopped at the Blue Marlin Dive which has a really nice building and pool and looks fancy. I went in and asked for information. The staff was friendly, but services very basic.
Deciding to price shop, I found a much smaller place called Manta Dive — just two small, beachy-looking huts really, with outdoor tables. As I walked up the path, someone immediately approached me and asked if they could help. I said I was interested in Advanced Open Water. He sat me down at one of the tables and gave me a 1-on-1 interview. He explained all the prices were the same at
the shops and gave me detailed information on their upcoming dive schedules and places he personally recommended for each type of dive. I also had questions about getting my Nitrox certification as well, and he suggested that I pick Nitrox as one of my 3 optional dives and they would be able to give me a discount on my certifcation should I choose to pursue it. I really like the personal touch this
place had and have decided to go with them. More info to come as I complete my course.
Tags: Advanced Open Water, advanced padi, Bali, certification, dive schools, dive shops, Gili Islands, Manta Dive, Nitrox, Trawangen
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Bali has some pretty decent diving, not the best from other experienced divers I’ve been talking to while doing my courses but the Gili’s were pretty good with about 12 sites all within a 10 minute or less boatride. Several of them are 30m+ dive areas along with some good 12m to 18m sites. The dives also offer a wide variety of topography to keep it interesting, as well as a good price… fun dives were about $35 US which is much much cheaper than the 50 to 75 you pay in Bali. As far as Nitrox I liked it because I’ve found it tends to make me alot less tired after returning from dives and several shops in Bali offer free Nitrox tanks if your certified so figured other places in the world must offer the same sort of deals.
When I was in Bali, I wasn’t certified yet (hadn’t even thought of it) so I haven’t tried the diving there. I’m interested to hear how you like the diving. I think you’re right to go with a shop with a personal touch. I used to work at a shop in Barbados where that was a big part of the appeal and I think people had a better experience. We got a lot of return business.
Personally, I’m not that big of a nitrox fan. But, it does seem to be everywhere these days so I can see why you’d be interested.