Short on time, but still want to explore the ocean beyond a single Discover Scuba Dive? The PADI Scuba Diver Course is the perfect way to get started!
In just 2 days, you'll learn the essentials of scuba diving under the guidance of our experienced instructors & complete open water dives right here in Pondicherry. By the end of the course, you'll earn a lifetime certification that allows you to dive anywhere in the world up to 12 meters (40 feet) under the supervision of a PADI professional.
It's the ideal option if you're short on time, want a more relaxed pace, are unsure of your swimming skills or simply prefer to start small before going all the way with the PADI Open Water Diver Course. And the best part? You can upgrade to the full Open Water Diver certification whenever you've the time & feel ready - without repeating what you've already learned!
So, if you've ever dreamed of breathing underwater, making friends with the fish, & discovering a whole new world beneath the waves, this is your ticket in!
Minimum Age: 10 years
Duration: 2 days
No. of Dives: 2
Maximum Depth: 12 metres/40 feet
Prerequisites: Participants must be able to complete a 10-minute swim/float without using any swim aids, demonstrating comfort in water too deep to stand.
Minimum Age: 10 years
Duration: 2 days
No. of Dives: 2
Maximum Depth: 12 metres/40 feet
Prerequisites: Participants must be able to complete a 10-minute swim/float without using any swim aids, demonstrating comfort in water too deep to stand
The PADI Scuba Diver Course comprises 3 main components :
Knowledge development to learn the theoretical basics of diving with emphasis on safety procedures. Once a course is booked, we assign e-learning materials at the earliest to help you complete theory sections at your pace & convenience, prior to arrival at the dive centre. This is highly recommended to allow more time for in-water training.
Confined water sessions in small batches, in the controlled setting of a swimming pool to learn essential skills including use & assembly of equipment, underwater communication, etc.
Open water dives to apply & refine the skills you've learnt in the pool, while immersing yourself in the underwater world
At UNA, we typically conduct Scuba Diver Courses according to the following schedule :
Day 1 (7am-5pm) : Float test; theory review; pool training sessions.
Day 2 (7am-3pm) : Open water dives under the direct supervision of your instructor to explore beneath the waves, perform a few of the skills you've learnt in the pool & get certified!
The PADI Scuba Diver Course is designed to be completed in just 2 days, making it the shortest PADI certification course available. If your schedule is even tighter, check out the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program, which gives you a great introduction to the underwater world in just a few hours!
We highly recommend that you visit us at the dive center a day before starting your course to complete paperwork & get yourself fitted for the equipment you will be using for the next few fun-filled days!
We understand that everyone learns differently. Some take to the water like fish, while others need time, patience, & the right guidance. That's why we offer three different course options - each tailored to suit varying in-water comfort levels, swimming skills, & previous experience. No matter where you're starting from, we'll help you build confidence & become a certified diver at your own pace.
| Course Option | Days | Dives | Taught By | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scuba Diver Deluxe | 2 days | 2 course dives + 1 complimentary fun dive | Course Director: 10+ years' exp |
Nervous beginners, basic swimmers, anxious but eager to learn diving | ₹35,000 (*18% GST additional) |
| Scuba Diver Premium | 2 course dives | MSDT & Staff Instructors: 5-10 years' exp |
Moderate swimmers, moderate confidence, no prior experience | ₹25,000 (*18% GST additional) | |
| Scuba Diver Lite | Open Water Instructors 1-5 years' exp |
Confident in water, but short on time | ₹20,000 (*18% GST additional) |
Being comfortable in the water is important for scuba diving, but you don't need to be an advanced swimmer. To sign up for the PADI Scuba Diver Course, you need to be able float or tread water for 10 minutes without any swim aids.
If you don't know how to swim but would still like to try scuba diving, you can join the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program. This is a fully instructor-led experience designed for non-swimmers, giving you a safe & exciting introduction to the underwater world.
The PADI Scuba Diver course is a shorter, entry-level version of the Open Water Diver Course - essentially a halfway certification toward becoming an independent diver. With this certification, you can dive up to 12 meters (40 feet), always under the direct supervision of a PADI professional.
It's a great choice if you're short on time, prefer to build confidence gradually, or would like to experience scuba diving under professional supervision before committing to the full Open Water Diver Course. Your certification is valid for life & can be upgraded to Open Water anytime, anywhere in the world.
Yes! The PADI Scuba Diver course is essentially the first half of the PADI Open Water Diver course. You can upgrade at any time and at any PADI dive center worldwide - including UNA - by completing the remaining academics, confined water skills, and open water dives. You'll then be certified to 18 meters and able to dive with a certified buddy.
The minimum age to sign up for the PADI Scuba Diver Course in Pondicherry is 10 years. There is no upper age limit, as long as you are in general good health. Children, till the age of 14, earn a PADI Junior Scuba Diver certificate. The certification upgrades automatically once they turn 15.
While scuba diving does require some level of physical fitness, it is a relatively low-impact activity. You don't need to be extremely fit, but should be in general good health. However, it is recommended that individuals with underlying health issues & those over the age of 45 years consult a medical professional before going diving. We recommend reviewing the PADI Medical Questionnaire in advance so you know what to expect.
Still have questions? Click here to find answers to more FAQs about diving in Pondicherry. Or feel free to contact us & we'll guide you through every step of the process!