The Dive School
The dive school is recognised as one of the country’s leading scuba centres and home to a number of the industry’s top instructors and course directors. Perfectly placed in Port Elizabeth, divers not only get to discover the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, but you are right next door to South Africa’s stunning Garden Route.
The dive school is supported by a selection of PADI and NAUI qualified dive instructors with a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge on diving in the Indian Ocean. The instructor team will ensure you make the most of your time in South Africa in a safe and friendly environment, allowing you to discover some of the finest dive sites around.
Although scuba diving requires some theory and technical ability, don’t be put off! Scuba diving is open to everybody, and this course will give you the skills needed to enjoy the sport in a safe, fun and rewarding environment.
Open Water Course – 1 week
The Open Water Course is one of the most popular courses in the world and has introduced millions of people to the wonderful underwater world of a scuba diver. This course will give you all the essential training, both theory and practical to be able to dive to a maximum depth of 18 metres safely with qualified dive instructors. Once you have completed your course you will be able to go to any PADI accredited dive centre in the world and hire their equipment. This course is just the start to a great scuba diving adventure with many more courses available to take your skills further.
Beginner to Rescue Diver – 5 weeks
This beginner's course will take you as far as the Rescue Diver certification. It is ideal for those who have never dived before but want more than just an Open Water qualification. The course will ask more of you as a diver, taking you through the Open Water course, Advanced Open Water Course and the Recue Diver course. As part of the advanced course you will do at least one deep water dive (18-30 metres,) learn underwater navigation as well as three other adventure dives of your choice (these may depend on the dives being run at the time.) The Recue diver course will be challenging and rewarding, teaching you the skills to help prevent problems during a dive and how to manage any should they happen.
Rescue Diver to Divemaster – 5 weeks
Perfect for those divers that have already qualified as far as Advanced Open Water and are thinking of taking up diving as a profession. You will first do the Rescue Diver course as detailed above before starting the Divemaster course. The Divemaster course is the first stage towards becoming a professional dive instructor. You will be working closely with a qualified dive instructor who will help you improve your skills and expand your knowledge of all areas of diving. Once qualified you will be able to supervise dive activities and assist instructors with student divers. Once qualified as a Divemaster you will have started your introduction into an industry that covers most of the world, making it possible to work and dive in some amazing places.
Beginner to Divemaster – 7 weeks
This course will take you all the way from a beginner to as far as the Divemaster certification, it includes all the parts of the courses above. This is the final stage in your recreational dive training, and the first stage towards becoming a professional instructor.
Course Inclusions
Although our dive courses vary in terms of logable dives and course content, the below components are included depending on the course you choose.
Included in all courses where you start as a beginner:
- All dive equipment i.e. tanks, wetsuits, BCDs, regulators, etc
- Professional dive tuition
- Dive course registration
- PADI Open Water
- PADI course materials
- PADI logbook
- Course certificates
Included in all courses except 1 week Open Water course:
- PADI Advanced Course
- PADI Rescue Course
- PADI Naturalist Speciality
- PADI Emergency First Response
- PADI Nitrox Speciality
- PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy
Included in all courses where you finish with the Divemaster qualification:
The Qualifications – PADI
All the qualifications you receive during the course are accredited by PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors). PADI was founded in the 1960’s and is now the world’s largest diver training organisation. PADI offers the most respected and sought after scuba credentials in the world so, no matter where you choose to dive, the certification card is recognized and accepted.
Outlined below is the hierarchy of PADI qualifications that take you from a beginner up to the final level in scuba training – Course Director.
- Open Water
- Advanced Open Water
- Rescue Diver (Emergency First Response)
- Divemaster
- Instructor
- Trainer
- Course Director
Weather Conditions
Please note that the exact number of dives is dependant on the weather conditions. The dive school will not take unnecessary risks in allowing people to scuba dive if the climate or sea conditions are unsuitable. Therefore, the number of logable dives may vary slightly from the figures quoted above.
What's Included
- A warm welcome at the overseas airport
- Transfers to/from the airport from/to the activity site
- Food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as stated in the meals section
- All accommodation as stated in the accommodation section
- Full co-ordination of your programme activities
- All required equipment for the scuba courses
- 24-hour support from the in-country staff and 24-hour emergency support from our UK team
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Vaccinations
- Additional Transportation
- Personal spending money
- A free laundry service
- Soft drinks and alcohol
Prices and Durations
South Africa Scuba Diving Courses: Open Water Course - 1 week £499
South Africa Scuba Diving Courses: Beginner to Rescue Diver - 5 weeks £2,099
South Africa Scuba Diving Courses: Rescue Diver to Divemaster - 5 weeks £2,259
South Africa Scuba Diving Courses: Beginner to Divemaster - 7 weeks £3,259
