Most frequently asked questions and answers about learning to Scuba Dive!

If you have an appetite for excitement and adventure, odds are you can become an avid PADI scuba diver. You’ll also want to keep in mind these prerequisites:

– Minimum Age: 10 years old

– Physical: For safety, all students complete a brief scuba Medical Questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive. In some areas, local laws require all scuba students to consult with a physician before entering the course.

Download PADI Medical Questionnaire Here

Waterskills: Before completing the PADI Open Water Diver course, your instructor will have you demonstrate basic waterskill comfort by having you: swim 200 metres/yards. There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want. You will also need to float or tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods that you want.

About Physical Challenges: Any individual who can meet the performance requirements of the course qualifies for certification. There are many adaptive techniques that allow individuals with physical challenges to meet these requirements. Individuals with paraplegia, amputations and other challenges commonly earn the PADI Open Water Diver certification. Even individuals with more significant physical challenges participate in diving. Contact us for more information.

You can complete your certification in as little as 3 days, or as long as 1 year. We offer four different options to fit everybody’s schedule!

Continuous Evening Open Water Course: 4 evenings of class/pool and one weekend in the ocean. This option is great for those who work shift-work, or who have a very chaotic schedule. The schedule is incredibly flexible and can be completed in as little as 1 week or as long as 1 year.

Weekend Semi Private course: This course takes place over 2 weekends, the first being class/pool and the second weekend is your ocean dives. This option is a faster paced course in a more intimate setting (usually 4 students per class).

Weekday Semi Private Course: Similar to the Weekend Semi-Private, but this will take place over Monday/Tuesday, 2 weeks in a row.

Private Fast Track: This option works well for people who are visiting from out of town, or those who are on a tight time frame. The course is completed privately with an instructor over just three days, one day of class/pool and two days in the ocean.

We have some of the worlds most beautiful diving, and it’s right on our back door step!

Our water temperature ranges from 4°C – 9°C. In the summer months it is very comfortable to dive in a wetsuit (7mm John/Jacket), and during winter most people make the transition over to a dry suit. We dive all year round, and the visibility can vary quite a bit depending on the time of year. During the summer months we usually experience run off and plankton/algae blooms which can affect the visibility, so typically the fall-winter months are the best time to dive.

Choosing and using your scuba gear is part of the fun of diving. We are happy to help you the right gear for you. Each piece of scuba equipment has a different function so that together, it adapts you to the underwater world.When you start learning to scuba dive, as a minimum, you’ll want your own:

Mask
Snorkel
Fins

These have a personal fit, we will help you choose gear with the best fit and features for you.

During your PADI Open Water Diver course, you’ll learn to use a regulator, buoyancy control device (BCD), dive computer or dive planner, scuba tank, wetsuit or dry suit and weight system. Consider investing in all your own scuba equipment when you start your course because:

You’re more comfortable learning to scuba dive using gear you’ve chosen.
You’re more comfortable using scuba gear fitted for you.
Scuba divers who own their scuba diving equipment find it more convenient to go diving.
Having your own scuba diving gear is part of the fun of diving.
The kind of gear you’ll need depends on the conditions where you dive most.

Many locals have no idea the beauty that lay beneath the surface! Vancouver is an excellent place for scuba diving, and has one of the largest dive communities in Western Canada! Fortunately many of the dive sites are accessible by shore, which makes it easy to get up and go for a dive, with very little planning.

Most of the shore diving sites in Vancouver are between Horseshoe Bay and Sqaumish. The most popular sites are: Whytecliff Park, Porteau Cove, Kelvin Grove, and Ansell Point.

We run dive trips several times a month, all year round! Join us for a Local Safari or even a Sunshine Coast Safari

Although there are several great dive sites accessible by shore, it is also possible to join a dive charter from Horseshoe Bay. There are at least a dozen great dive sites within 30-40 mins of the marina, and more that have yet to be explored!

We run Howe Sound Boat Trips and wreck dives on the HMCS Annapolis throughout the month

The marine life in Vancouver is plentiful and each dive is completely different! There are things that you are almost guaranteed to see on every dive, such as Rockfish, Lingcod, Nudibranchs, Crabs, Sea Cucumbers, and a variety of other Invertebrates. For those with a keen eye, Giant Pacfic Octopus are also very common at most of our dive sites, but you have to know where to look! Some other rare but non uncommon marine life are Ratfish, Sixgill Shark, Dogfish, Seals and Sea Lions!

Check Out Our Gallery For a Sneak Peak at Some of Our Locals!