- 1). Locate a dive center. Tioman has a number of dive centers on it. A list of dive centers operating on Tioman Island can be found on the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) website (see "Resources"). Enter Tioman Island in the location field and click on the "Submit" button. A list of dive centers on Tioman Island with contact and website details will be displayed.
- 2). Contact the dive center. This can be done either when you are already on Tioman or prior to your arrival. Discuss with the dive center your diving requirements and options.
- 3). Learn to dive. If you have not dived before then Tioman is an ideal place to learn with sheltered reefs, and a large amount of marine life. The clear waters give reassurance to the beginner and the water temperature of around 28 degrees Celsius keeps you comfortable. You can either just try diving by taking a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience in one day, which does not result in certification but lets you see what it is all about. If you want your license then you can take the PADI Open Water Diver course, which lasts three to four days and means you can use your license to dive around the world. For those of you who want to save time and enjoy more free time in the Malaysian paradise, then PADI offer an eLearning option where the classroom and theory work can be completed prior to arrival, meaning that you are straight into the water and learning to dive.
- 4). Go on a dive trip. Tioman features over 20 dive sites including reefs pinnacles and wrecks. Certified divers or those on a course can see massive coral gardens on the granite rock structures, swim-through formations and marine life, including turtles, barracudas, cuttlefish, blue ribbon eels, reef sharks, turkey fish, bumphead parrotfish, moray eels, scorpion fish, jackfish and napoleon wrasse. Dive trips are organized by the local dive centers including a boat ride, two dives and lunch on the boat. Some dive trips also include a third dive or a night dive on request.
- 5). Continue your diving education. The dive centers on Tioman offer a wide range of course both on the PADI ladder up to the level of instructor and also PADI TecRec and IANTD technical diving courses for those who want to learn to push the boundaries of diving. Ask the dive center about the course options durations and pre-requisites before signing up for a course. Some courses are really worth doing here such as the Digital Underwater Photographer specialty, where you can take advantage of the plethora of marine life, and Deep Diver on some of the deeper sights around the island.
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