Divers Lodge

The boat, including the bathroom, was very clean, and the food was good. We were first-time divers and felt everything was handled safely and professionally. The photographer also took really nice photos and videos of the experience. These guys know what they're doing.

Momen was a wonderful instructor, looked after us well, and took underwater photos. We chose Divers Lodge for our scuba courses and PADI Open Water Diver certification, and Mohamed Elbaarwilli arranged everything perfectly. The staff were professional and friendly, and they dealt with every question or request promptly. The dive boat and its equipment and food were good, too. We added two more days of diving at different sites for a reasonable price, and we're sure we'll come back.

Reem, our dive master, was caring and very competent. The food and the boat crew were helpful as well. Without Reem, I would already have given this dive shop 2 stars. The organization was chaotic, though, and nobody seemed to know the plan. One diver paid for three dives but got to do only two, at sites that hadn't been agreed on. We had to pay everything upfront, as we usually do when traveling, but maybe that isn't a good idea here. On the first day we waited two hours for the island day tripper, then were told to get off when we boarded the island boat. After speaking with their boss on day two, we were allowed to go to the island and could choose our dive sites in advance. I guess going to the island was better than sitting on a shaky boat for two hours. I came with high expectations after they sold me on diving at one of the world's top ten sites. I'm Indonesian, so I know what good dive sites are. They do listen when you complain :)

I paid extra, €40, for super deluxe equipment and food, diving until the tanks were empty, and one-to-one support underwater. But I was sent to another diving school, which did a great job, while none of those promised extras came through. They promised a lot, charged a lot, and I got very little.