Maui Travel Forum

I found this company "Tropical Divers" that offers certification in as little as 3-4 days. It includes all equipment, materials, and instruction. They offer an internet special fee of $299 which is the best price I have found so far because a lot of places want you to do the whole classroom and pool thing.

Their link is:
http://www.scubamaui.com/certification.classes.htm

Has anyone heard of them and have any comments? Also, do you know of any better priced places where we can get certified and do the dive including the same things?

THANKS

That is a pretty good price for here especially if it includes diving off of a boat and not only shore dives. I would check on that. You will still have to do the "pool" session if you want to be certified, but many dive companies here in Hawaii do the "pool" session at the beach in the shallows. As far as the "classroom" part. Once again you do have to take the test to be certified. If they are skipping the "classroom" part, what they are likely doing is to give you all of the materials to study on your own and then at some point you will have to take the written test. It's not that difficult, but again, you can't be certified without it. There are of course many places that will dive with you if you are not certified, but you have to be accompanied by a guide. Just make sure that you are actually going to be certified at the end of your time. That being said, that is about the same price I paid to get certified with being given a Kama'aina (local) discount. That package included the "pool" session, which was actually at the beach and ended in a shore dive, 2 boat dives (each at about 35 ft.) and of course the written test. During the 2 boat dives, your instructor should work with you on your dive skills for at least part of the time. (i.e. you will practice shared breathing, controlled ascents, putting your BC and weight belt on while in the water etc.). If you are simply diving and not being instructed on these things while out in the water, you are not being certified properly and it would be dangerous for you to dive in the future without a guide. Give them a call or email and ask some questions, one of them being how many students per instructor. In my opinion the max would be 6 students per instructor, although I can see how a good instructor could handle 8. The short answer is yes this is a good price, but I couldn't tell from the website what exactly was included.

thanks alot! i'll give them a call and thanks for the helpful questions to ask =)