Got Questions?
The questions we hear most from new divers — about training, gear, safety and getting started.
PADI training has three phases: Knowledge Development (online, classroom or home study), Confined Water Dives (around 5 pool-style dives to practise skills), and Open Water Dives (4 dives at a real dive site to put it all together).
As few as two or three days once you're in the water, especially if you complete the online eLearning beforehand. It's performance-based and self-paced, so some divers take a little longer — there's no rush.
See our course pricing page for current member and non-member rates — pricing depends on which Open Water route you choose (3-Day Self-Study, 7-Day Guided, or Private One-on-One) and whether you're a club member.
At minimum, your own mask, snorkel, boots and fins fit and feel best when they're yours. Course packages typically include the regulator, BCD, dive computer, tank, wetsuit and weights, so you don't need to buy everything up front.
There's no single 'best' gear — there's the best gear for you. Our team helps match equipment to your preferences, fit and budget in our on-site showroom.
Minimum age 12 (13 for eLearning), a short medical questionnaire, basic swim skills (roughly a 200–300m swim and a 10-minute tread or float), and the relevant learning materials.
Almost anywhere there's water, depending on your experience, the site, and accessibility. All you need is the right training and a buddy.
Yes, that's a normal pressure effect and your body adjusts with a little practice (assuming no underlying ear or sinus issues). We teach proper equalising technique from your very first pool session.
Not necessarily disqualifying — only a physician can properly assess your individual risk. The standard medical questionnaire will flag if you need sign-off before diving.
Sunburn and seasickness are the most common, and both are easily prevented with the right over-the-counter products. Minor marine-life scrapes or stings are avoidable with gloves, an exposure suit, and good buoyancy control.
Shark incidents involving divers are very, very rare, and most involve spear fishing or feeding activity, not recreational diving. For most divers, a shark sighting is a rare and exciting treat, not a danger.
Aside from pregnancy, no. We recommend avoiding diving while pregnant; menstruation isn't normally a concern for diving.
The recreational training limit is 40m with the right certification. Beginners stay shallower than 18m (12m for junior divers) — and 12m is often the 'sweet spot' for warmth and colour anyway.
Unlikely, since we teach constant gauge monitoring throughout training. Buddy-breathing via a spare mouthpiece (your buddy's alternate air source) is also taught as a backup.
Most divers find it the opposite — the weightlessness is freeing, not confining. Translucent masks are available if that helps, and our instructors work at your individual pace in small classes.