How To Learn Scuba Diving In Singapore – Requirements, Certifications, & Diving Schools

Guide to scuba diving in Singapore

Image adapted from: RWSentosa

Ah, scuba diving. Pretty much the closest you’ll ever get to being a mermaid.

If you’re itching to experience what it’s like seeing marine life up close, scuba diving is probably one of the must-dos on your bucket list. But if you don’t know where to start, this guide will be your saving grace – with everything you need to know from prerequisites to a list of the diving schools in Singapore.

Prerequisites for scuba diving courses

A popular course for beginners is the Open Water Diver Course that lets you embark on independent dives when you travel abroad.

Here are the prerequisites:

• At least 10 years of age or older
• Able to swim 200m
• Able to float on or tread in water for 10 minutes without any swimming aid or floatation device

Scuba diving certifications offered in Singapore

Image credit: @sunycovellp

There are tons of scuba diving certifications out there, but the two main ones that are offered by most schools in Singapore are the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and SSI (Scuba Schools International) certifications.

Here’s a quick breakdown on the main similarities and differences between these two:

Similarities:

• Both offer the Open Water Diver Course
• Both are internationally recognised
• The equipment used and the skills and techniques taught are the same
• Courses offered include theory sessions, pool sessions and open water diving excursions
• Both have the same prerequisites

Differences:

Image credit: Dive Lab Singapore Facebook

Ultimately, both certifications will open up a myriad of diving opportunities and are widely recognised across the world. If anything, choose the certification you want based on the 15 scuba diving schools we’ve compiled below. Make sure to take into account factors like flexibility of class timings or the location of the dive centre to suit your preferences!

*Note: Prices provided are for the whole course, inclusive of theory lessons, pool sessions, the Open Water Dive trip and the certification itself. Diving equipment rental and insurance may come at an additional course. 

– PADI certified diving schools in Singapore –

1. The Dive Company 

On an Open Water Dive in Pulau Tioman
Image credit: @hadizahsarman

Out of this list, The Dive Company offers the most options when it comes to Open Water Dive locations. You can choose one out of four places – Manado, Batam, Tioman and Pulau Hantu to complete your dives.

Price: from $580
Theory lessons: Mon: 7PM-10PM at The Dive Company
Pool sessions: Tue & Thu: 6.30PM-10PM at Outram Secondary School Swimming Pool
Open Water Dive locations: Manado, Batam, Tioman, Pulau Hantu

The Dive Company
Address: 761A North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198729
Contact: 6396 0946
Website 

2. Orpheus Dive

Price: from $690
Theory lessons: Mon: 6.30PM-10PM at Orpheus Dive
Pool sessions: Tue: 6.30PM-10PM at Outram Secondary School Swimming Pool
Open Water Dive locations: Bali, Pulau Hantu

Image credit: @yeojohnny

Apart from the usual dive locations in Singapore and Malaysia, Orpheus Dive also conducts Open Water dives in Bali. The course fees are inclusive of theory materials and the necessary dive equipment as well.

Price: from $790
Theory lessons: Mon: 6.30PM-10PM at Orpheus Drive
Pool sessions: Tue & Wed: 6.30PM-10PM at Orpheus Drive
Open Water Dive locations: Bali, Tioman, Pulau Hantu

Orpheus Dive
Address: 16 Zion Rd, Singapore 247733
Contact: 6887 3631
Website 

3. Marlin Divers

Price: $620
Theory lessons: Mon-Thu: from 2PM onwards
Pool sessions: Mon-Thu: 6.30PM-10PM
Open Water Dive location: Pulau Hantu

Marlin Divers
Address: Blk 115A Commonwealth Dr, #02-21, Singapore 149596
Contact: 6479 7917
Website

4.  GS Diving 

Image credit: @gsdiving

If you’re looking to conquer more than just Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia after attaining your certification, you can sign up for GS Diving’s other dive trips that include exploring shipwrecks in the South China Sea and even diving in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Price: from $589
Theory lessons: self-study at home for 6-8 hours per week
Pool sessions: Fri at Batam (the day before Open Water Dive)
Open Water Dive location: Batam, Bintan & Nongsa Point Marina and Resort

GS Diving
Contact: 9800 0539

*Note: GS Diving does not have a centre – they operate via their website only. Alternatively, you can also visit their Facebook page to have a chat with them. 

 

5. Simply Scuba

Image credit: @simplyscubasg

If you’re not keen on attending pool sessions on weekdays, you’ll be glad to know that Simply Scuba holds pool lessons every Saturday morning.

Price: from $590
Theory lessons: Tue: 7PM-10PM at Simply Scuba
Pool sessions: Sat: 9.30AM at Orchid Country Club
Open Water Dive location: Tioman

Simply Scuba
Address: Orchid Country Club. Spore, 1 Orchid Club Rd, Singapore 769162
Contact: 9387 6383
Website

6. Blue Reef Scuba 

Price: from $599
Theory lessons: Tue: 7PM-10PM at Blue Reef Scuba
Pool session: Wed & Thu: 6.30PM-10.30PM at Outram Secondary School Swimming Pool
Open Water Dive locations: Dayang, Tioman

Blue Reef Scuba
Address: 12 Bussorah St, Singapore 199433
Contact: 6635 8422
Website

7. S.E.A. Aquarium 

Image credit: RWS 

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to dive in the deep blue tanks in the S.E.A. Aquarium, here’s your chance. Signing up for their Open Water Diver Course means your pool sessions will take place at Adventure Cove Waterpark, and you’ll get to swim alongside over 1,000 species of marine life in the S.E.A. Aquarium Open Ocean Habitat.

The pool and Open Water Dive sessions are all on weekends too, so you won’t have to worry about being too tired to function at work or school the next day.

Price: $548 (RWS Invites members enjoy a 3% rebate)
Theory lessons: self study at home over 4 weeks
Pool sessions: Sat & Sun: 8.30AM – 6PM at Adventure Cove Waterpark
Open Water Dive location: S.E.A. Aquarium Open Ocean Habitat

S.E.A. Aquarium
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore 098269
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10AM-7PM
Contact: 6577 8888
Website

– SSI certified diving schools – 

8. Eko Divers

Price: from $459
Theory lessons: e-learning + 1 theory session on Tue: 7.30PM-10.30PM at Eko Divers
Pool sessions: Sun: 9AM-4PM at Outram Secondary School
Open Water Dive locations: Pulau Hantu, Tioman

Eko Divers
Address: Blk 13 York Hill #01-44, Singapore 162013
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 11AM-9PM | Sat-Sun: 11AM-7PM
Contact: 6327 4408
Website

9. Deep Blue Scuba

Image credit: @deepbluescuba

After attaining your Open Water Diver certification, you can opt to join Deep Blue Scuba’s diving tours to places like the Philippines and even Maldives.

Price: from $599
Theory lessons: e-learning + 1 theory session on Tue: 7PM-10.30PM at Deep Blue
Pool sessions: Sun: 9AM-4PM
Open Water Dive locations: Pulau Hantu, Tioman

Deep Blue Scuba
Address: South Bridge Rd, 74b, Singapore 058704
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 11AM-9PM | Sat-Sun: 11AM-7PM
Contact: 6557 2705
Website

10. Amazing Dive

Amazing Dive offers you the alternative of customising your own Open Water Dive trip, if you’re not too keen on diving at Bintan or Tioman. Just contact the school and they’ll help you to arrange for your own trip!

Price: from $499
Theory lessons: e-learning + 1 theory session on Tue
Pool sessions: only scheduled upon completing theory class
Open Water Dive locations: Pulau Hantu, Tioman, or customise your own trip by contacting the school

Amazing Dive
Address: 37B Hong Kong Street, Singapore 059676
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 11AM-9PM  | Sat – Sun: 11AM – 7PM
Website 

11. Fishermen Scuba Studio

Image credit: @eric.ong

Join Fishermen Scuba Studio’s other diving trips to places like Phuket and Bali after you’ve gotten your SSI certification with them!

Price: from $550
Theory lessons: e-learning + 1 theory session
Pool sessions: only scheduled upon completing theory class
Open Water Dive location: Tioman

Fishermen Scuba Studio
Address: Blk 1013 Geylang East Ave 3, #06-122 Singapore 389728
Contact: 6747 3456
Website 

12. Gill Divers

Price: from $599
Theory lessons: e-learning + 1 theory session on Tue: 7PM-10.30PM
Pool sessions: Sun: 9AM-4PM at Outram Secondary School Swimming Pool
Open Water Dive locations: Pulau Hantu, Tioman (or customise your own trip by contacting the school)

Gill Divers
Address: 37 Hongkong Street, Singapore 059676
Contact: 6734 9373
Website

13. Ren Scubaworx

Image credit: @renscubaworx

Price: $650
Theory lessons: e-learning + 1 theory session
Pool sessions: only scheduled upon completing theory class
Open Water Dive locations: Tioman

Ren Scubaworx
Address: 163 Bukit Merah Central, Singapore 150163
Opening hours: open via appointment
Contact: 9144 9549
Website

14. Dive Lab

Price: from $560
Theory lessons: e-learning + 1 theory session Sat: 9.30AM
Pool sessions: Sat: 12.30PM
Open Water Dive locations: Tioman

Dive Lab
Address: 12 York Hill, #01-84, Singapore
Opening hours: Daily: 10AM-5.30PM (appointment is needed)
Contact: 8608 0582

*Note: Dive Lab does not have a website but you can visit their Facebook page to have a chat with them.

Scuba diving classes and schools in Singapore

Image credit: @ongzhongkai 

Remember, when it comes to diving, safety always comes first. So while price may be a consideration, rest assured that the sum you’ll be paying guarantees professional instructors with expertise to make sure you master the basics.

Now that we’ve done the homework for you, you can pick a diving school that suits you, dive right in and begin your underwater journey right away!