Scuba Diving for Beginners
Your entry into the fascinating underwater world
From your first breaths underwater to the Open Water certification – here you find everything needed to start your diving adventure.
Your path to becoming a diver
Why learn to dive?
Diving opens an entirely new world: weightlessness, marine life encounters and a calm you rarely feel at the surface.
Unique experiences
- • Weightlessness
- • Marine life encounters
- • Discovering wrecks
- • Underwater mindfulness
- • New perspective on nature
Community & travel
- • Global dive community
- • Discover destinations
- • Shared adventures
- • Lifelong friendships
- • Environmental awareness
Get your first certification
PADI Open Water Diver
Globally recognized standard
Largest agency worldwide. Certification lets you dive to 18 m almost anywhere.
Course structure:
- • E‑Learning: theory online (5–8 h)
- • Pool/Confined: basic skills (5 sessions)
- • Open Water: 4 checkout dives
Costs:
- • Germany: 400–600€
- • Egypt/Thailand: 250–350€
- • Includes rental gear & card
Alternative: SSI Open Water
Flexible course approach
Similar recognition, often slightly cheaper and modular.
Differences vs PADI:
- • More flexibility
- • Often cheaper
- • Less standardized
- • Smaller schools
💡 Tip
Both are equivalent. Choose by availability, instructor & price.
Step‑by‑step to your card
Theory
Online / book study: physics, safety, equipment basics.
Pool skills
Mask clear, buoyancy, emergency drills & comfort.
Open Water
4 dives applying all skills in real conditions.
Certified
You can now dive globally to 18 m with a buddy.
Beginner dive equipment
✅ Buy early (basic set)
Mask
50–150€
Perfect fit matters – try before purchase.
Snorkel
20–50€
Simple classic tube – fewer valves = easier clearing.
Fins
40–120€
Open heel + boots or full‑foot for warm water.
Wetsuit
100–300€
3–5 mm tropical / 7 mm cooler seas.
Total: 200–600€ for a personal basic kit
⏳ Buy later (heavy gear)
Regulator
300–800€
Rent until ~20–30 dives to learn preferences.
BCD
200–500€
Test jacket vs backplate style before buying.
Dive computer
150–600€
Great safety tool; rental ok at start.
Cylinder
100–200€
Usually rented – buy only if diving locally often.
Rental: 20–40€ per dive for heavy gear
💡 Gear tips
When buying:
- • Always try on
- • Fit & safety over price
- • Used quality gear can save money
- • Ask a specialist shop
Save money:
- • Bundle deals
- • End‑of‑season sales
- • Compare online
- • Rent first, buy later
Top beginner dive destinations
Egypt
Red Sea
- • Hurghada: house reef dives
- • Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohammed
- • Marsa Alam: dugongs & turtles
- • 22–28°C year‑round water
- • Excellent viz (20–40 m)
Thailand
Koh Tao & Phuket
- • Koh Tao: certification hub
- • Phuket: varied sites
- • Koh Phi Phi: leopard sharks
- • Warm water (26–30°C)
- • Budget friendly courses
Maldives
Pristine reefs
- • South Malé Atoll: beginner friendly
- • Ari Atoll: whale sharks & mantas
- • Crystal clear water
- • 27–30°C year round
- • Upscale liveaboards & resorts
Philippines
Cebu & Dumaguete
- • Cebu: Malapascua & Moalboal
- • Dumaguete: Apo Island
- • Warm water (27–30°C)
- • Affordable diving
- • High biodiversity
Caribbean
Cuba & Dominican Rep.
- • Cuba: Varadero & Jardines de la Reina
- • Dominican Republic: Punta Cana
- • Warm water (26–29°C)
- • Colorful reefs & fish
- • Good beginner infrastructure
First dive experiences
After certification it's time to explore. Tips for early dives:
- Choose easy sites: Shallow, good viz, little current.
- Dive with guides: Gain confidence & safety.
- Practice core skills: Refine buoyancy & trim early.
- Respect rules & nature: Leave only bubbles.
Diving safety
Key safety basics for new divers:
- Always dive with a buddy: Never solo.
- Pre-dive checks: Verify your and your buddy’s gear.
- Know emergency drills: Practice ascent & air‑sharing.
After certification – progression
Next steps to grow skills:
- Advanced Open Water: extend depth & skills.
- Rescue Diver: emergency preparedness.
- Specialties: Nitrox, wreck, night, navigation.
- Divemaster: first professional level.
Have fun, stay within training limits and protect the oceans you explore.
Ready for your first dive adventure?
Getting certified is simpler than you think. With the right course, basic gear and a good beginner site you unlock a whole new world of weightless exploration.
Next step
Find a local dive school or book on your trip
Budget
300–500€ course, 200–600€ first gear
Best season
Tropics year‑round, Europe May–Oct