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.
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:
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:
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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!
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