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Learn how to Scuba Dive for Adventure Travel which can open up a whole new world. Most of all, find tranquility and peace while diving underwater. Swim with amazing sea life, take amazing photos and this is the ultimate travel adventure!
I did not start out adventurous, but found how exhilarating and liberating it is to scuba dive. There are a few different ways to learn to scuba dive and a few different types of programs. My goal is to give you the in’s and out’s and what to expect while learning to scuba dive plus some great tips.
Rare sighting of a Mandarin Fish in Indonesia diving with Wakatobi Dive Resort
Different Programs – Scuba Dive
- PADI – Professional Association of Diving Instructors
Based in the US and is the most recognized dive certification agency in the world. There are many PADI centers in the world located at one of the dive destinations.
- NAUI – National Association of Underwater Instructors
Based in the US and one of the oldest scuba certification agencies. Courses are very similar to PADI and SSI.
- BSAC – British Sub Aqua Club
Based in the United Kingdom is the largest dive club in the world.
- CMAS – Confederation Mondiale des Activities Subaquatiques/ The World Underwater Federation.
Based in France reflects the full range of European and world diving standards.
- SSI – Scuba Schools International
Based in the US with centers around the globe. SSI is a retail based organization.
- I used PADI programs and it is accepted worldwide at all resorts. In order to dive you must are either take a course, or have passed a training program and must show your dive card. Otherwise they will not let you dive.
Nudibranch in the waters of Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines.
How to Learn to Scuba Dive
- Online
The online training program lets you study at your own pace. You can study when its convenient for you. Once you have finished and passed the exams your ready for the next step.
- Dive Shop
You will sit in a classroom with a book with others. Lectures and reading the manual from the Instructor. Taking tests and in between finishing your course in the water with bench mark requirements to pass. You are also paired up with a buddy.
Nudibranch in the waters of Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines.
Learn the Equipment – Scuba Dive
With the PADI Open water course you will learn how to use basic scuba gear. This includes; mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device and a tank. Equipment is different depending if your diving in cold water or warm tropical waters.
My personal Diving Equipment on the Mermaid Boat at Puerto Galera , Sabah Philippines
Equipment is usually provided or rented from the resort or facility. Some equipment is good to purchase on your own. A good place to start is to have your own mask and dry snorkel. Then go from there.
Kissable fish startled in the coral. Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines
Pool Training – Learn to Scuba Dive
Once you know your equipment now it is time for pool, ocean or lake training. Usually in a shallow area you will practice the techniques you learned while studying. All your training dives will be logged and approved by your instructor. Once that is done you can move on to Open Water.
Mermaid Dive Sites in Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines.
This can be a little intimidating especially clearing the mask. It is hard when the mask comes off and the cold water hits your face. Keep practicing and you will get through it.
Mermaid Dive Boat at Puerto Galera, Sabah Philippines.
Open Water Training – Learn to Scuba Dive
Here comes the fun of open water diving. Here you will dive with a buddy, doing buddy checks before your dives and experience a whole new world. Once your open water training dives are approved by your dive instructor you will be a certified Scuba Diver. You will have an PADI Open Water Diver Certification and can dive anywhere in the world.
Clown Fish in Indonesia with the Wakatobi Dive Resort
Other – Scuba Dive
I learned how to Scuba Dive at the Utila Dive Resort in the Bay Islands in the Caribbean close to Roatan. My underwater skills were done in the shallow ocean therefore was only was able to open water dive once the requirements have all be completed.
Diving in a school of fish. Light Stobes were not working so sorry for the blue color. Water also a little murky.
With the opportunity to learn to scuba dive I was so scarred and afraid to remove my mask underwater in the ocean. Salt water stings when the eyes are open. I remember just the instructor and myself in the shallow ocean and all other divers on the boat. He said you have to do this one skill of removing my mask or you well not dive. I did not want to look weak, I stepped up to the plate, did my requirement as Mr. 1AdventureTraveler and other divers watched on. Yea! I did this now I am ready to dive and I am fearless.
Gobi Fish on a whip in Indonesia with the Wakatobi Dive Resort
I logged lots of dives in the Caribbean on the Island of Roatan with friends. Many days of shore diving to the 2nd largest ocean reef in the world. I bought a dive computer and learned so much and my fear melted away. Eventually, Mr 1AdventureTraveler and I did an online class for Diving with Nitrox. This was great for having a longer bottom time and no after effects of diving with O2. Worked well diving with Nitrox at Wakatobi while diving 3-4 dives a day for 14 days and had no feeling of exhaustion just euphoria. The reef at Wakatobi is so pristine and worth the extra time underwater.
Clown Fish in Indonesia with Wakatobi Dive Resort
More Underwater Adventures – Scuba dive
Now I have dived many wonderful place. To see some great photos take a look at the articles at: Puerta Galera Sabang Phillipines, Wakatobi Indonesia, Sipidan Boreno Malaysia, and Roatan in the Carribean. My bucket list includes many dive locations. Plus learning how to take photos underwater which Mr. 1Adventure Traveler and I took classes in Wakatobi, for 1 week with Blue Water Photo. Tried out our new skill on the Live Aboard, Pegasus!
Beautiful Sunset on Roatan in the Caribbean.
Tips – Scuba Dive
- Find a reputable dive school or resort to learn how to scuba dive.
- PADI is known world wide and is a good program I recommend.
- See the link provided to find an authorized location.
- The underwater skills can be a little intimating, persevere and practice you will do well.
- Therefore good to buy your own mask and snorkel since fit is important.
- Finally, when diving at resorts expect to do an introductory dive with a Dive Master to demonstrate your skills.
- DAN Insurance – is a good inexpensive medical insurance to have if you go on scuba diving trips. Since an evacuation in case of an emergency is extremely costly DAN is good to have.
- Take the time, learn to scuba dive and you will be at peace and see the most wonderful sea creatures underwater.
Life is short go out and have an adventure.
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This is a great post! Very helpful to newbies like us. Bookmarked it for the future. A little confused though. How does an online course help? Is it the theory part of it that you can learn ahead of time? So that you can do the course and then just learn the practical once you are there.
Thanks Siddharth and Shruti
The online helps when done before you go to a resort gives you more time at the resort and more chances for open water dives. You are not stuck in a classroom which eats up your days there. If the online course is done before a local dive center it beats going sitting in a classroom reading the book and taking tests. This way you do the online in your own time and leaves more time at a dive center.
The online course is the theory part. Yes, you learn the basic principles then apply them with the instructor in class.
I also did this type of method in learning to dive with compressed air (Nitrox). I was going to a resort and didn’t want to sit in classroom spending time while the ocean and sun was calling my name. The day I arrived to the resort, meet with the owner who is an instructor and passed. Then it was off to the ocean.
Happy Travels 🙂
I didn’t realize there were so many different programs when it came to getting a scuba diving certification, I will use PADI as you recommend when the day comes for me to get my certification.
Hi Only By Land,
PADI is wonderful but it depends on where you live if that is offered. I have heard of people using SSI which is similar to PADI. At least you have an overview on what is expected to obtain an open water certificate. It is a whole new world underwater.
Happy Travels 🙂
Your photos would make anyone want to scuba dive. Excellent info for anyone looking at beginning.
Thanks Shona,
It is a whole new wonderful peaceful world underwater. I am happy to share with others the different ways to obtain an open water certificate. That way adventurers can make great choices.
Happy Travels 🙂
What an amazing experience, lots of useful tips and info in your post! I tried diving years ago and loved it! Water brings tranquility and it´s such an adventure at the same time!
Thanks Anna,
I agree diving does bring on tranquility and then when you look around it is so amazing. Such wonderful fish and coral swimming peacefully around. I was happy to give an insight to how to learn to scuba dive.
Happy Travels 🙂
I love scuba diving, but have never gotten certified. Its on my to-do list.
Hi Albert,
Happy to hear scuba diving is on your to do list. It is a whole new adventure to see some amazing sea life underwater. Look forward to reading your article when you obtain your certificate and which resort you go to.
Happy Travels 🙂
The more I keep reading about scuba diving, the more I realise I need to try it again, and try conquer my fears, as you say it would open up a whole new world that must be fascinating. Sadly snorkelling is my limit at the moment!
Hi Garth,
It is scary for some like me to scuba dive. When you go to the right resorts the Dive Masters know your limits and are very helpful. I always make friends with the DM and let them know my limits. I had one hold my hand on my first night dive.lol. I still love to snorkel too. It is all very relaxing. Hope you try diving again. Go slow and it will be fun.
Happy Travels 🙂
This is a really useful post for those thinking of starting to scuba dive. Thanks for sharing! #feetdotravel
Thanks Paul and Carole,
Yes, scuba dive is a fun adventure and happy to share some insight on how to learn to dive.
Happy Travels 🙂
This is a really informative post and super useful, bringing all information in one place. I have my PADI Open Water but the different sources used here will come in handy as I would love to start diving again! Thanks for putting this together
Thanks Alexei,
Scuba Diving is so my fun and opens up a whole new world. Happy to hear you are going to start diving again.
Happy Travels 🙂
This is a great guide for anyone who is interested in Scuba Diving and knowing their options. We pick our dive shops from reviews on Trip Advisor because in the past, we just used to use the dive shop next to the resort where we were staying and were becoming dis-illusioned with diving as there are some operators who aren’t as good as others and we almost gave up! So glad we changed tactic, as this has meant Sy has now gone all the way from Open Water to Dive Master – it’s a wonderful world in the ocean isn’t it, so much beauty to be seen! #feetdotravel
Thanks Angie,
Reviews on Trip Advisor is a good way to pick your dive shops and I also like to make sure they are PADI certified. So happy Sy is now a dive master 🙂 Happy diving to you both and glad you like my guide for people looking to dive.
Happy Travels 🙂
Love your photographs! I don’t think scuba diving is for me but I can imagine just how fantastic it must be (I am just too chicken and I really don’t like fish at all!) Well done on taking that mask off – no way could i do that!!
Thanks Tracy,
lol you don’t like fish, way to cute. That is so you do not have to snorkel or scuba dive. Taking the mask off was so traumatic that I still hate doing the skill every time I go to a new dive resort. ugh! lol.
Happy Travels 🙂