Course overview

Go beyond a single try dive with the SSI Basic Diver programme at Kovalam, learning the core scuba skills over two days in the warm Arabian Sea. You practise in sheltered shallows before making guided dives on the Kovalam reef, leaving with a solid foundation that credits toward full Open Water certification. It suits beginners who want more than a one-off taster.

What you’ll learn

• Assemble and use basic scuba equipment
• Breathe steadily and equalise on descent
• Clear your mask and recover your regulator underwater
• Maintain simple buoyancy and move efficiently
• Follow core safety procedures and dive signals

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 10
• No prior certification required
• No swimming certification required
• Reasonable health; a short medical questionnaire is completed beforehand

What's included · What's not

Not included? Sort the rest of your trip

Flights and accommodation aren’t part of the course price, here’s how to book them around your dates.

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Theory and confined skills

   Cover the basics and practise key scuba skills in sheltered shallow water.
2. Day2
   Open-water dives

   Make guided dives to around 12 metres over the Kovalam reef and complete the Basic Diver rating.

Verified through iDive

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Frequently asked questions