YTL Hotels Features PADI for Kids

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. July 20, 2010

July 19, 2010 - Tanjong Jara Resort on Peninsular Malaysia's east coast is home to one of the country's best-kept secrets, providing access to some of the finest diving and snorkelling in the world at Pulau Tenggol, one of Malaysia's most beautiful and serene islands in the South China Sea.

From March to October, the deep waters of the Terengganu Marine Park come to life, offering a perfect window onto untouched coral gardens and rare species of marine life. And with over 20 stunning dive sites surrounding Pulau Tenggol, the protected area provides both an unforgettable introduction for beginners and a wealth of underwater adventures for experienced divers, of all ages.

Tanjong Jara Resort offers the ideal family diving getaway where adults and children are able to partake in PADI courses the resort conducts at Tenggol Island. The Discover Scuba Diving course is suitable for children aged 10 and above. Experience the ease and thrill of diving with this starter programme. The resort's certified instructor teaches the basic theory and familiarise the junior guest with the equipment before accompanying him on a beautiful, controlled dive to a limited depth. The Open Water Diver course is also popular with the curious and active minors. The first two days of the course are devoted to diving theory and practice, with five academic modules, four short quizzes, the final exam, five pool sessions and a 200-metre swim test. The theory book can even be sent to the guest to study prior to his arrival at the resort. The remaining two days conclude with four open water training dives, under the supervision of the instructor, that allow him to enjoy the tropical reefs of Tenggol Island. After completion of the course, the guest will become certified as an internationally recognised PADI Open Water Diver.

For the more adventurous youngster, he can take on the challenge of the Advanced Open Water Diver course suitable for children aged 12 and above. Here, one will have the chance to expand and continue his diving knowledge and experience. The guest will complete two 'core' dives - underwater navigation and deep diving - after receiving academic training in these areas. He will select and complete three 'elective' dives in areas such as multilevel diving, wreck diving, drift diving, photography, underwater naturalist, boat diving and search and recovery. The Advanced course can be combined with beach dives and day trips.

The trip to Tenggol Island is not complete without a family-style picnic which includes freshly made gourmet sandwiches, crisp salads, fresh tropical fruits, refreshing beverages and more.

Depths of up to 30 metres guarantee sightings of some of the world's most spectacular sea creatures; giant trevallies coming in to feed, schools of jacks and barracudas hunting and from March to April and August to October, one can sometimes see the biggest fish in the sea - the Whale Shark. Whether it be 'Moonraker's' remarkable coral formations, climbing 10 metres tall from the seabed, or the spectacular fish life at 'Tokong Talang', 'Tanjong Api' or 'Tokong Timur', the resort's experienced dive instructors will lead guests on a journey of discovery with each unique site offering up a new hidden gem. The beauty of Pulau Tenggol is easily reached in just a 50-minute ride by the resort's speedboat. Diving equipment is available to hire from the Water Sports Centre.

A family diving holiday at Tanjong Jara Resort offers something for everyone, from a relaxed glimpse at Malaysia's stunning marine life through a snorkel mask, to an exciting, reinvigorating and educational diving adventure.