Best places for beginner divers

So, you're tempted to give scuba diving a go. Maybe you've already done a try dive or are simply fascinated to take a peek at the wonderful world beneath the blue. But where do you start?

The diving in South-east Asia is simply superb and we can't recommend it highly enough, but before we get into the best destinations to get your diving certification, let's get to grips with the options available for you to learn to dive in terms of courses and training bodies.

The Open Water course, and other options

The very first option on the ladder of dive courses is the Discover Scuba Diver or Basic Diver course. You may have already given this ago, but for those that have not, this is the most basic option. You'll have one session in the classroom to get familiar with some basic diving ideas and terms, a confined water or pool session to get used to the equipment, and then a dive to a maximum depth of 12 meters under the guidance of a qualified dive instructor. This option is a taster only, and does not result in a qualification to take home.

Moving on up, you have the Scuba Diver course. This course consists of two or three classroom and pool sessions, followed by two dives with an instructor. It results in a qualification, but only to dive to 12 meters. This is an option if you are short on time as it can be completed in a couple of days, but most people opt to do the full Open Water Course which is the best option to take and the first full step into the world of diving.

The Open Water course takes three to four days in total, and qualifies you to dive up to 18 meters. It represents a much more thorough grounding in the basics of scuba diving, and you'll feel much more confident as a result of taking the time to complete this course. Again, it consists of a series of classroom and pool or confined open water sessions to learn the theory behind diving and really grasp the safety aspects, skills and so on. You also receive four open water dives under professional instruction. You finish with a little exam (it's not difficult, don't worry!) and then you have the keys to a new, wonderful world with your Open Water diving licence.

PADI, SSI, What?

No doubt you've already noticed dive operators offering PADI Open Water Courses or SSI Open Water Courses. As someone entirely new to the world of diving, it is tough to know what to make of this, to understand if there is a difference, and appreciate if it is important or not.

PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. It is probably the best known dive certification agency in the world. SSI stands for Scuba Schools International. Like PADI, they are a diving certification agency, with courses offered by dive centers the world over. Both teach courses that are almost identical, so much so, in fact, that courses are interchangeable. You could start by doing your Open Water certification with SSI, then take a PADI Advanced Open Water course next. No problem! What's more, if you have an SSI Open Water certification you'll be fine to dive at a PADI dive center, and vice versa.

If you do begin a course in your home country however, such as the PADI e-learning or referal options, it is important to ensure you can continue that exact course when finishing the certification overseas.

In fact, PADI and SSI are not the only certification agencies. There are others you may come across such as NAUI, BSAC or CMAS. Especially when diving in Asia, you are most likely to come across PADI and SSI though. Both offer excellent courses to get you started in diving.

You may be wondering what makes a great destination for learning to learn to dive. Why is one destination better than another? There are a few factors to consider to ensure the diving destination you choose is suitable for a beginner, whether you are taking your Open Water course or looking to enjoy some fun dives to build up your experience.

Suitability of the dive sites

There are many different types of dive sites, from gentle fringing reefs to plunging walls, current swept channels or deep wreck dives. Not all are suitable for those learning how to dive or for beginner divers. Many of the most famous dive sites and destinations you read about may be better suited for more experienced divers either due to depth, current, or simply the technical difficulty of the dive site. As a beginner, a gentle sloping reef where the seabed is always in sight and current is minimal creates the most ideal dive site. Ideally a spot where visibility or water clarity is generally pretty good is also a positive for learning to dive, but not essential.

Excellent dive centre choice and tuition

As with anything you are looking to learn, the standard of tuition is important. There are good standards as a whole across the diving industry, but there will be some dive stores you speak to that clearly know their stuff and are on the ball. It is not a given that a wide choice of dive centres mean better quality - there are many excellent dive resorts in more isolated places - however choice is always a positive thing in life and allows you to get a better feel for the most professional operator.

As well as the actual tuition, a good dive center for learning how to dive will have a good range of well maintained dive equipment to use or rent, access to a swimming pool that is good for teaching skills, and a boat or a set up that lends itself well to teaching students. These are all good questions to ask when speaking to a dive shop that you are thinking of learning to dive with.

Cost and convenience

Another key factor is cost and convenience. This depends a little on your situation. Scuba diving can be an expensive hobby and there are a multitude of luxury options that are excellent for learning to dive if you are looking to splurge. As a general rule, those that are new to any hobby probably wish to dip their toe in the water and spend a bit of time finding out if it is for them before spending a lot of money. Diving is no different, so for many beginners getting the right blend of cost and quality is important.

There are certainly other factors that play into any individual decision and situation, and our rundown of top diving destinations for beginners only scratches the surface. There are many other good options, but these are some of the destinations that are ideal for getting your certifcation and offer the right environment to get your diving adventure off on the right fin.

How to book

We recommend using Dive Booker to find the best dive center for you dive adventure. Dive Booker is a global marketplace for dive centers and courses allowing you to compare a wide range of options, plan and instantly book online. What's more, you receive comprehensive 24/7 customer support, the best prices and terms, and help to give back to the oceans with Dive Booker's ethical diving pledge.

Vietnam is sometimes a little off people's radar when it comes to diving, but those wishing to take their first breaths' underwater should not overlook its merits. Nha Trang is currently the country's most popular dive spot and is great for students. The popular seaside city has quite a few good dive centres and very nice diving, including easy dive sites, plenty of interesting things to see and a relaxed atmosphere.

Search for your Nha Trang dive center

Have you recently had a great diving experience for your Open Water course or some of your first dives? Why not head over to our Facebook page and tell us all about it? We’d love to see a photo or two of you taking the plunge as well.