Scuba Diving in Doha??????

how long does it take to get a padi or one of the internationally recognised qualifications in qatar? what are the dive sites like, lots to see? approximate costs?

But if anyone is still out there reading this thread, I am also looking for a dive buddy and dive activities here in Qatar, since I'm relatively new here. Got my PADI Open Water license in 2008, and my last dive was in the Philippines just this May. I will still try the contacts above, though, so thanks for the info! Hope it hasn't changed!

which club is the best place and has the best price among all the existing clubs?

I go for two and a half weeks to Malaysia for some east-coast diving (including hopefully Sabah/Borneo (Sipadan, Mabul etc.). So I am not that interested in old club reef at the moment... but that will change, give me a few months out of the water in the Karakorum and I'll be eager again, so let me know how it is there anyways, whoever knows.

Absolutely right. read again: "nice, easy and relaxing" dive, and of course, not too long. just floating around the barrels at 3-6 meters depth. That's perfect for me. I may have to add, I currently live in Gilgit, all the way up North in the Karakorum in Pakistan, so a few barrels and floating in a soup is already a highlight for me. maybe next time. Give me a feedback on that divespot if you can

Maybe he's into a single dive only. Depends really on his timing and dive planning.

A PADI Dive Master with a 24 hour lay-over and wants to dive.....ever heard of "NO FLY"????? Glad you aren't my DM!!!

:)

Hi there,

I have a 24hr layover in Doha next Tuesday (December 22nd) and I'd love to take the chance to go for a nice, easy and relaxing dive that day. Could be Old Club Reef (that's what I read is the most famous and easily accessible dive site around there). I'm PADI Dive Master with around 350 logged dives, I don't have gear with me and I would be very grateful for any hints that would allow me to realize a scuba dive that day: dive centers you know could organize a guided dive, any of you who would knows the site and would have time and be into buddy up with me for a fun dive etc. let me know by email: [email protected] and I'm happy to get in contact with you.

Thank you!

Bit of advice please.....are people still diving now (december) and what is the water temperature like? Full wetsuit time? Have dived previously, but with someone who wants to learn....and is impatient! Thanks in advance.

Suddenly Expat...BSAC, stands for British Sub Aquatic Club, and is recognised worldwide (as far as I know).

Coralman...most divng happens at Old Club Reef, which is on the left of Sealine resort. Turn oo left before you reach sealine, and you will find lots of divers there on weekends.

There are a few divesites here, some well known and others a well kept secret. There is shore dives from Sealine, and area, and at Inland Sea area.

Pearl Divers, sell and rent equipment as well as Speed marine. Pearl Divers is located behind Al-Sadd str.

If you are ready to go diving, send me a PM, and we can make arrangements.

Hai all...I'm new here and I interested in dive. I got my open water with Naui sience 2004. Do any one have ideal where can I go for Dive in Doha, and also where can I rent or buy equipment for diving. With me, I have couple more click that really like to dive. Can some one help me in this.

Hi Lynx/Cj,

I'm new in town and am also thinking about getting a diving qualification while I'm here.

I've been asking at Pearl Divers (http://www.pearl-divers.com/) about getting my PADI and am waiting on more info.

Happy to trade info with you if you've found out more about the BSAC club. Contact me via the 'contact' tab in my profile.

To any other divers out there: Excuse my ignorance but I've not heard of BSAC before. Is it as well recognised as PADI, will I be able to use it everywhere else in the world? If so I might just get that instead of my PADI.

Cheers,

JB

Sorry. I misled you a little. The DSAC will honor your PADI and you can dive as much as you like. However, if you want to do more advanced stuff then you need to do the conversion course. So go ahead and dive with them and see how they handle it.

regards

Richard

Hi Richard, how come they don`t honor PADI??, i have also PADI Advanced Open Water License from KSA, from my previous work , do i really have to go under conversion course?? Could i go and try it out to dive??? to find out, like you say how they run it at the beach.

I have attended , once the DSAC or BSAC meeting , yes ,you are correct, they are friendly people.Thanks...glen

Hi Richard, that is a great help, definetely going to check it out.

Thank you

Cj

The membership secretary is Lisa Jones and you can contact her on [email protected]

Also I think there are some Irish members. There is at least one Irish woman. She is from Northern Ireland. Does that count?

I have just joined the BSAC club in Doha which is probably the one you are referring to. Its opposite the Oasis hotel (but hard to find). The people there seem really friendly and go diving twice a week.

They do complete courses for beginners on the British program. I have the Open Water PADI (American) which is not very highly rated by the BSAC or DSAC as it is here so I am doing a conversion course.

If you want to find out more go to the meetings every Tuesday at 7.30pm. They have a nice little bar so you can have a drink and chat to people before committing yourself.