Learn to Scuba Dive
Learning to scuba dive is an adventurous and rewarding journey that opens the door to the underwater world and connects you with a vibrant community of ocean enthusiasts. Whether you're curious about becoming a certified PADI diver or just want to learn the basics, this guide will equip you with all the knowledge you need—from essential skills and gear to expert tips for your first breath underwater.
Certifications and Getting Started
The lessons you learn in a scuba diving certification course—Open Water Diver or the equivalent—will help you master basic scuba skills so you feel comfortable and competent underwater. Here, we break down how to get certified for scuba diving and the scuba diving lessons you’ll learn throughout the process.
Essential Scuba Gear
Part of becoming a certified diver is learning how to use essential gear, but also choosing comfortable gear for yourself. Here, we break down the scuba gear you need to become a certified scuba diver, but also some tips and information on scuba gear for beginners.
Beginner Destinations
The best part about learning to scuba dive is taking your new-found skills and putting them to use. Many choose local diving to explore nearby lakes or quarries, while some choose popular scuba diving destinations for beginners—such as the Florida Keys, Hawaii, Cozumel and the Bahamas—for their first dive vacation. Here are our tips on selecting a destination to start diving.
Training
Learning to scuba dive involves mastering basic scuba training and skills so you can explore the underwater world in a safe, enjoyable manner. Use these basic scuba diving tips to see the types of scuba skills you’ll learn in an Open Water Diver course, or to freshen up on your dive knowledge.
Scuba Diving Tips from the Experts at DAN
Divers Alert Network offers travel and dive insurance for every level of diver. The experts at DAN contribute a monthly column to Scuba Diving where they educate divers on topics ranging from marine animal stings to diving while using certain medications.
