A dream so old that I had almost forgotten how much it was desired. 19 years ago, I had planned on pursuing Marine Microbiology which would have required me to learn diving. But life took a different direction, and I ended up playing with numbers instead of micro-organisms. Since then, life happened – work, family, and other responsibilities kept me from pursuing this dream.
Every time I would watch the underwater world or marine life on screen, that desire to dive would spark but fizz out as soon as the screen stopped playing it. But a conversation with a dear friend and colleague – Riyanka gave me the strength to take that very first step – registering for the course. Not a lengthy conversation that had followed, only shared what she believes in “I don't believe in keeping things for later. There’s nothing as later. I do it now or I do it never.”
The next day I was on the laptop; ready to research where I could learn scuba diving and how much would the fees be.
I analyzed my options and zeroed in on Goa – closer to home and flight tickets wouldn’t have burnt a hole in my pocket.
And here I am sharing my experience with those who wish to pursue the same. I am also going to answer some frequently raised questions so that doubts get cleared.
Is there a difference between PADI and SSI?
I NEED to bust the myth – THERE IS NONE. Absolutely no difference. While everyone knows about PADI (thanks to their marketing!), SSI still needs a better PR agency!
Where Did I Pursue My Course?
I completed my Open Water Scuba Dive (which is Level 1) under SSI certification with Dive Goa.
Cost Of the Course
The total cost of the course is INR 30,000 for SSI. This includes:
• Access to online courses materials.
• Equipment.
• Boat ride to and from the dive site on Day 3 and 4.
What I Spent For the Course + Stay + Meals + Travel
Course: INR 30,000
Airport to Stay: INR 1,400 (pre-paid from MOPA Airport)
Stay: INR 3,424.88 - I stayed for 6 night in GoStops (Hostel). I reached a day early and stayed a day extra to avoid travelling by air.
Everyday Commute to the Centre: INR 250*4 = INR 1,000 (since I do not ride)
On the way back I used to take the local bus: INR 20*4 = INR 80
Meals: You can get fish thali for INR 150 to INR 200 bucks (I ordered from Swiggy). Approximately INR 3,000 for food
Misc Expenses: INR 2000 (just in case consider a higher amount)
Travel from Stay to Airport: INR 1,200
Total: INR 42,105 (rounding it off) - This cost will considerably reduce depending on you travel, stay and food preferences.
Duration: 4 Days
Day 1
• It was completion of 1st three modules and also taking all the tests online for each module.
• Pool session – where they checked if we could swim for 200 metres and float for 10 minutes.
• Then we were explained about the equipment that is carried for diving and how to use it.
• Some skills underwater in case something goes wrong and then how to fin-pivot (basically being buoyant).
Day 2
• It was completion of 2nd set of three modules and also taking all the tests online for each module.
• Apart from that another exam had to be taken with 50 multiple choice questions in order to clear the diving course. You need to secure 80% to clear the exam.
• We were asked to set up the equipment on our own and get in the water.
• Another set of underwater skills were introduced and the continuation of the fin-pivot skills.
Day 3
• This was the day everyone was excited about because it was time to get into the larger water body – the sea!
• We headed to an island called Grande Island which is an hour’s ride by boat and anchored there.
• Once we anchored, we geared up and then half back-flip boat-dive. For this one I was anxious despite knowing that I would fall into the sea and float. Sigh!! Some petty fears to say of the least.
• We did 2 dives on Day 3 with an interval of 30 minutes (a lot of science and calculations go behind it – you gotta do the course to understand the nuances).
• Both the dives included displaying skills we had learnt and also practiced fin-pivot and moving ahead using fins.
• Log your dives in the SSI app.
P.S. – I usually don’t get sick but perhaps it was either inadequate sleep or the anticipation of the dive or the adrenaline high that I was feeling slightly nauseated on the way to Grande Island.
What can you do?
Half an hour before you board the boat, take a pill that prevents seasickness (and not Avomin, that alleviates nausea). And then you are good to go.
Get a good night’s sleep before a dive.
Day 4
• Followed the same routine - prepped the diving equipment, then boat-dive.
• Same as Day 3 - two dives but this time it was different. How? We actually explored a shipwreck and watched fishies curiously swim past us!! It was a delight watching them that close. We spotted puffer, cornet, lionfish, shoal of mackerel and many more.
• The best bit of the trip on our way back was spotting dolphins! Yes, you read that right. We spotted dolphins and I even spotted one taking a complete leap in the air and diving back into the sea!! Actually felt like Hrithik Roshan from ZNMD - kept smiling and shedding happy tears (just did not let anyone see that 😊).
• Log your dives in the SSI app.
• Then comes the point when your dives are verified, the certification is approved and you see yourself as a Certified Open Water Diver!
What Can You Do Post Completion of the Course?
If interested, you can pursue Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4.
Level 2
Specialty Diver – Completion of 2 Specialty Programs including Deep Dive which is a mandatory course + 12 dives.
Level 3
Advanced Open Water Diver – Completion of 4 Specialty Programs including Deep Dive which is a mandatory course + 24 dives.
Level 4
Master Diver - Completion of 5 Specialty Programs including Deep Dive which is a mandatory course + 50 dives.
One IMP Thing to Remember
You CANNOT FLY 18-24 hrs post Diving – I would leave the explanation to the instructors, but this is the norm. You can travel by train or bus, just not by flight.
Other Genuine Places Offering Scuba Diving Courses (PADI/ SSI or Both)
Temple Adventures in Pondicherry
As and when I get to know of other places I will keep updating the list.
Was it a bucket list thing?
No, it was a long-lost dream that needed to be realized and it was time I did!
What did I achieve by doing this?
A sense of fulfilment that sets in once you know that what you have yearned for so long finally comes true!
If you are looking to pursue a diving course and do not fly as far as the Andaman, then Dive Goa is the place for you. The instructors are patient, resilient and assist you at every step of this remarkable journey.
The first step to realizing your dream is perhaps the most unnerving until taken. Once it is, it only gives you a reason to undertake the journey and bring it to completion. And the beauty of that journey is all you will remember once you have lived it.
A solo trip (not my first rodeo) only to complete the diving course, a stay in a hostel, connecting with people who could drop me off to the Dive office, a choppy boat ride, a bloody nose, an ear squeeze that left me in pain, backache from carrying a 20-litre cylinder and the cherry of top – spotting dolphins; every moment of this trip has been an incredible and enriching experience, something so surreal that I have no words to express my gratitude.
The only takeaway I have is “seize the moment”.
I am going to. Are you?
This article was previously published on my travel site - wanderalone.
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