Can I try scuba diving before signing up for the course?
You certainly can! If you don’t know if diving is really for you, you can also simply start with a Discover / Intro Dive. In effect, your introduction to diving is the same as the first part of the Open Water Course. We will teach you some theory, jump into the swimming pool to practice some skills and top off the adventure with a visit to Nemo & Co. If you liked the Discover Scuba Diving program and your first Open Water Dive, you can simply continue with the Open Water Course with no financial disadvantage. You will be charged the Open Water Course only (minus the 10% discount for the Intro Dive should you have prebooked it)
Can I do the theory online before I arrive on the island?
Yes! Once you have paid for the course and you would like to already start with your diving course, we can help you to get access to the theory online. With SSI you simply download the app, create an account and register with our dive center. Once this is done, we will send you the theory package and you can already do all theory including all knowledge reviews and most exams in the app.
PADI does not include the eLearning automatically into the package. Nevertheless, we will be able to send you the digital book which you can read before your arrival. Should you be interested in PADI eLearning it is best to get in touch with us beforehand.
Is the theory difficult?
VERY! 🙂 Kidding! The theory is divided into different chapters and each chapter is accompanied by videos, knowledge reviews and/or quizzes. At the same time your instructor will explain the dive theory during classroom sessions. He/she will prepare you well for the final exam so you will just cruise through it. In the unlikely event of you failing the exam, your instructor will review the theory with you again and work on your weaknesses and you will redo the exam (a different one).
What is confined water and what will I do there?
We conduct our training in our own training pool which classifies as confined water. You and your instructor will practice all required exercises together. Your instructor will explain the skills on the surface and demonstrates them before you will perform them yourself.
What will I learn on the open water dives?
The fun part are the open water dives. You will experience different dive sites at different depths and also repeat a certain skill set that you have already learned during the confined sessions. The skills will take up five to ten minutes of your dive time but most of your time underwater will be spend exploring. The first two open water dives are limited to a depth of 12 meters and the final two dives will take you to a maximum of 18 meters. After the dives we will take some time to log your dives and learn about the fish you have met.
How long will my certification last?
Your entire life! There is no expiry date to the certification itself but it’s highly recommended that you keep in practice by just going diving. There are certainly worse things in life.. If you haven’t dived in a while, it might be wise to refresh your skills on a Refresher or Scuba Tune Up Dive with an instructor. Continuing your scuba education is also a great way to keep your skills fresh and up to date.
Do I need to change a junior certification?
No, once you or your child turns 15 the certification automatically counts as a “normal” adult certification. However, if you wish to change it, just contact the diving agency and they will be able to remove the “junior” part of it.
What if I have health issues?
There are some serious conditions such as epilepsy, active asthma, emphysema, heart disease or haemophilia that could prohibit any diving activity. Please check out the attached medical form. If you answer any of the questions with “yes”, then you need to see a doctor to get a fit for diving certificate. There are also doctors on the Gili Islands that can examine you and issue this certificate, so don’t worry if you didn’t check the medical form beforehand.
What’s the difference between PADI and SSI?
If you are interested in getting your scuba diving certification, you’ve probably come across PADI and SSI, the two major training agencies in the world. But is there a big difference or is one better than the other?
Instructors of both agencies will teach you how to be a skilled diver, as there is a certain skill set that every diver needs to have. Therefore, all diving agencies follow a legal framework laid down by the World Recreational Scuba Diving Council. The training agencies also accept each other; hence you could do an Open Water Course with the one and an Advanced Course with the other agency.
The main difference is in the theoretical education, requirements and certification costs. And of course, much comes down to personal preferences and other factors such as the teaching skills of your instructor and the conditions of the water.
SSI allows more flexibility in teaching methods and allows a more personalized approach in teaching. Also, SSI is app-based and slightly more digitalized than PADI. Therefor we have chosen SSI as our primary teaching agency. Should you prefer a PADI course, just let us know in the booking – this is also absolutely no problem.
Why should I do a diving course on the Gilis?
Postcard-like white sandy beaches, azure and year-round warm waters (28 to 29 degrees), the reef on your doorstep and a great lifestyle – does this sound like paradise to you? To us it does! The Gilis are known as the turtle capital in the world – rightfully so, because both green and hawksbill turtles are abundant. Reef sharks are also frequently spotted and there is a broad range of marine life to be met on all dives. The dive sites are rarely more than a 15-minute boat ride away and diving is great all year round. The dry season is running from May to October and the rainy season from November to April. Rainy season sounds more extreme than it actually is because it hardly ever rains an entire day – expect showers at different severity but therefore less people.
Why should I choose Divine Divers?
We love what we do and we do it well! We have been in the game for over 10 years as Divine Divers on Gili Meno but our love for diving didn’t start there. Being passionate divers ourself, we have dived all over the world. Sometimes you come to dive centers that just have the little extra. A place you enter and you just feel at home. Being surrounded by likeminded people in a chill yet professional atmosphere. This is exactly what we had in mind when setting up Divine Divers – and we are proud that we still call this special place on this wonderful island our home. Overall, our main differentiator is our personal approach – and of course our location at the most perfect sunset point on the island. What better way is there to end a perfect diving day than watching the sun kissing the ocean.
Apart from that our groups are small and our instructors hand chosen for their personality and excellent teaching records. Safety is our primary concern; our equipment is in excellent order and of course regularly maintained. We are committed to offering first-class service and quality dive courses.
