beginner Diving Course

Basic Diver

Try Scuba Diving in Bali


Try scuba diving in Bali, even if you donā€™t have time to get certified. You can experience the sensation of breathing underwater for the first time during our one-day SSI Basic Diver program in Bali! An SSI Instructor will guide you through the basic principles of scuba diving and practice a few important skills with you underwater to ensure your safety, followed by two (2) closely supervised open water (ocean) dives. Your Basic Diver experience can be credited toward the SSI entry-level certification courses (Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver) if you decide to get certified within the next six months. If you want to enjoy some additional dives at another SSI dive centre within the next six months, you do not have to redo the theory portion of the Basic Diver experience.

What to Expect During the Basic Diver Program?


Your Basic Diver experience begins once you arrive at our dive centre in Sanur at 07:00. Weā€™ll settle the administrative details and ensure you meet the participation requirements, after which the excitement begins! Your experienced SSI Instructor will introduce you to the scuba diving equipment and teach you what you need to understand to scuba dive safely. Once you are ready, you will put on the equipment and your Instructor will help you to practice some skills to get comfortable breathing underwater and swimming with the scuba gear in a confined water environment (a pool may be available for skills practice in Amed and Tulamben, but skills must be completed in the ocean at Padang Bai). Upon completion of the required skills, you will have the opportunity to try diving at two of Baliā€™s popular dive sites under the close supervision of your Instructor. In between dives, you will have a nice break to enjoy lunch while discussing all the things youā€™ve experienced so far!

What You Need to Know


While the Basic Diver program is intended for all those wishing to experience scuba diving in Bali, it is required that all participants:

  • Be at least 10 years old
  • Able to swim comfortably
  • Complete the SSI Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire or submit a valid medical statement or Physicianā€™s Approval to Dive form

What is Included?


  • Transfers to/from our Sanur Dive Centre and your hotel in South Bali (Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, and Jimbaran); a surcharge applies outside these areas
  • Transport to the dive sites by car and/or boat
  • Lunch and refreshments between the dives
  • Two dives under the supervision of an experienced SSI Instructor
  • Full scuba diving equipment rental
  • All taxes and fees
  • SSI Basic Diver digital recognition card

Bali Dive Sites / Locations

There are plenty of Bali scuba diving sites with conditions suitable for beginners! Your Basic Diver open water dives will not exceed a depth of 12 meters, and we choose the dive sites that provide the safest and most comfortable environment for your experience.


Basic Diver in Padang Bai


Padang Bai is a village located one hour north of Sanur and offers several dive sites with bright white sandy bottoms and beautiful corals. Known for great visibility and calm conditions, dive sites such as Blue Lagoon, Turtleneck, and Jepun are reached by a small jukung (local boat). You will see a variety of tropical marine life which may include turtles, lionfish, anemone fish, and more! After your dives, youā€™ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before relaxing in the air-conditioned car for the drive back to Sanur.

Basic Diver in Amed


Amed is a quiet fishing village situated on a volcanic black sand bay at the foot of Baliā€™s tallest volcano, Gunung Agung. Enjoy our premium hospitality during a scenic 2.5-hour drive from Sanur, then enter the water directly from the beach for your two dives. You will see a variety of fish and small critters which may include pufferfish, turtles, nudibranchs, starfish, and more! Enjoy a snack and take some photos of the unique scenery during the break between dives, and after diving you will have lunch at a local restaurant before enjoying a restful drive back to Sanur.

Basic Diver in Tulamben


A small village located a scenic 2.5-hour drive from Sanur on the east coast, Tulamben is home to Baliā€™s largest shipwreck: the USAT Liberty. The wreck is in shallow water and is accessed by walking in directly from the shore, making it the perfect location for the Basic Diver experience in Bali. In between dives, youā€™ll have a break for a snack and once both dives are complete, lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy our premium hospitality while you take in the rice fields and volcanoes during the drive back to Sanur.

Try Scuba ā€“ Pool Only (ages 8+)


The SSI Try Scuba program is perfect for those who wish to start out slow or only have a half-day to try scuba diving in Bali. An experienced SSI Instructor will guide you through a basic introduction to scuba diving and the equipment before heading into the pool to try breathing underwater for the first time. This program allows you to get comfortable with the sensation of breathing underwater and will get you excited to enroll in a Basic Diver or certification course to try scuba diving in Baliā€™s Ocean! If youā€™d like to enjoy the Try Scuba program without leaving the comfort of your private villa, we may be able to bring the required equipment to complete the Pool Only experience in your villaā€™s pool! Contact our team to discuss the possibility of bringing the adventure to your door.

The Try Scuba and Basic Diver programs do not result in certification and are the perfect options for those who do not have time to complete the Open Water course, or those who want to try scuba diving in Bali before committing to a certification course. Completing the SSI Open Water Diver course will award you a lifetime certification to use for scuba diving in Bali and worldwide, without the need for instructor supervision.

Ready to go Diving in Bali?

Contact our team to book your Bali scuba diving and snorkeling adventures today!
If you have additional questions, please read our FAQ section.