Learn to Dive

Satirist Dave Barry once said ‘staying on top of the water is like standing outside the circus tent,’ and with two-thirds of our planet covered in water, there’s a lot of truth to the line. Recreational diving is a relatively new sport, only really available since the 1960s, and then only for the adventurous. Indeed, even fifteen years ago, the image was of a small band of hardcore enthusiasts clad in unflattering neoprene, living in barrack-like accommodation and engaged in what was seen as an extreme and uncomfortable sport.

 
Today diving has changed beyond recognition, with over 20 million enthusiasts worldwide and nearly a million newcomers each year, it’s now one of the fastest growing pastimes on earth. No matter what your age or what you want to achieve, there’s something for everyone in diving. Come on in, the water’s lovely...

---

 

It’s easier than you think

Gone are the day of having to spend weeks doing theory and pool sessions before jumping in a deserted quarry to finish your training. Today, learning to dive couldn’t be easier and you can go from being someone who has never dived to being a fully qualified diver in as little as four days. It’s easy and what’s more it’s safe. There are a number of options available to suit all ages and abilities from eight years to 80 years.

Taking those first steps

The first certification you will need is the Open Water Diver which will allow you to dive with a buddy to a depth of 18 metres. There are a number of certification bodies out there but by far the most popular is PADI (the Professional Association of Dive Instructors), with SSI (Scuba Schools International) and BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) also well-known organisations. The Open Water certification has three main components:

• Theory – you will need to complete a number of theory training modules to understand the fundamentals of diving. Don’t worry, this is extremely straightforward.
• Closed water training – before getting into the ocean, you will need to complete several sessions in the pool to get used to basic diving techniques.
• Open water training – To complete the Open Water certification, you will need to complete four dives in the open water. This is designed to allow you to put into practice what you have learned in the theory and closed water sessions.

Once you have made the decision to learn to dive, there are two main options available to you. Firstly, and an increasingly popular option, is to do all of the theory and pool work before heading off on your holiday. This is called a referral course and will allow you to get straight into the water once on holiday, as you will complete the rest at an accredited dive centre in the UK. We can recommend some good options.
 
The next option is to take the entire Open Water certification while on holiday. This takes up to four days during which you will complete the theory, pool and open water work. This is a fun way to learn as you will likely be part of a small group and will have the same instructor throughout your training but does mean that you will spend some of your holiday time reading text books and sitting at the bottom of a pool!
 

Continuing your education

Why stop at Open Water? There are a number of courses available on our holidays that can take you from Open Water all the way to instructor should you decide that a career change is in order. We would recommend that you at least get your Advanced certificate as this will allow you to dive to 30 metres. Many of the dives on our trips will require an Advanced certification. Should you decide to take it even further, the possibilities are vast. You could become a Rescue Diver or Divemaster if you want to continue to learn more about the theory and practice of diving, or you might decide to take some speciality courses in an area that interests you such as underwater photography or wreck diving.


How we can help

We are all for more people learning to dive. And we would be delighted to assist you should this be something you want to do. We will arrange all training for you on any of our trips and will tailor this to your schedule and learning needs. If you want to complete the theory and pool work in the UK before heading off on your trip, we can also arrange this for you. Contact us to discuss your scuba training in more detail.

Top of Page

Best Holidays for Learning to Dive
	Dive the Caribbean - Amanyara, Turks and Caicos Located to the southeast of the Bahamas, the Turks & Caicos Islands are made up of eight major islands and are consistently rated among the top ten diving locations in the world.
	Dive Mexico - Hotel Maroma Resort and Spa, Yucatán Peninsula The Yucatán Peninsula in south-east Mexico separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. On the Caribbean side, the coastline offers pure white-sand beaches, calm blue waters and excellent diving.
	Dive the Maldives - Soneva Fushi by Six Senses Soneva Fushi is set on the privately owned tropical island paradise of Kunfunadhoo in the Northern Maldives, one of the 1,190 islands and atolls which make up this far-flung  nation, and surely one of the most idyllic of a pretty idyllic bunch.
	Dive Egypt - Four Seasons Sharm el-Sheikh, Sinai Peninsula At the tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el-Sheikh still offers some of the best diving to be had in the Red Sea.

Top of Page