New to diving
Learn to Dive in the BVI From First Breath to Certified
If you want to learn to dive in the BVI, you have picked a good place. Warm water, sheltered bays and shallow reefs full of fish make the first breaths underwater easy to enjoy.
Your options
Three ways to start
Half a day
Try dive
An introductory dive with an instructor, such as PADI Discover Scuba Diving. A short briefing, practice in shallow water, then a guided dive on a shallow reef. No certification at the end, but a real taste of diving.
3-4 days
Open water course
The full entry-level certification from an agency such as PADI or SSI. You learn the theory, practise skills in shallow water and finish with four open water dives. It lets you dive anywhere in the world with a buddy.
2 days in the BVI
Referral
Do the theory and pool work at home, then finish your four open water dives in the BVI. It saves holiday time and you finish your training in warm, clear water.
How an open water course works
Whichever agency you choose, an open water course has three parts.
1. Knowledge
You learn how pressure affects your body and your gear, how to plan a dive and how to deal with problems. Most agencies offer this as eLearning, which you can finish at home before you travel, leaving more of your trip for the water.
2. Confined water
In a pool or calm, shallow water, you practise the core skills: clearing your mask, recovering your regulator, sharing air and controlling your buoyancy. In the BVI, many of these sessions happen in a sheltered bay rather than a pool.
3. Open water dives
Four dives at real dive sites, where you repeat the skills and start to explore. BVI instructors often use shallow, sheltered sites such as the reefs near Norman Island and the Indians for these dives. Read about Norman Island diving to see what is waiting.
Medical form. Before any course you will fill in a diver medical questionnaire. Some conditions, such as certain heart or lung problems, need a doctor's sign-off before you can dive. Check the form before you travel, so there are no surprises.
Age limits
Most agencies allow children from 10 years old to earn a junior open water certification, with depth limits and adult supervision. Younger children can sometimes try shallow programmes in a pool or very calm water. Ask the dive operator what they offer.
After you certify
Once you are certified, the BVI is a great place to keep learning. An advanced open water course takes you deeper and introduces navigation and night diving. Nitrox gives you more time on the deeper wrecks. A wreck course prepares you for the BVI wreck dives, from the RMS Rhone to Wreck Alley.
Before you go
Book your course ahead in busy months, finish the eLearning at home, and leave the last day of your trip free of diving so you can fly safely. If you are travelling with friends who will not dive, see our BVI snorkeling guide for places you can all enjoy.
For when to go, see the best time to dive the BVI.
Learn to dive FAQ
How long does it take to learn to dive in the BVI?
A full open water course usually takes three to four days. If you do the theory and pool sessions at home, the open water dives take about two days.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
You need basic water skills. Open water courses include a short swim and a float or tread-water test.
Can I learn to dive if I wear glasses?
Yes. Many divers use contact lenses under the mask, and prescription masks are available.
Choosing a dive school
The BVI has several dive operators that teach courses, mostly based on Tortola and Virgin Gorda. When you compare them, ask a few simple questions:
- Group size. How many students does each instructor take? Smaller groups mean more attention.
- Training sites. Where will your confined and open water sessions take place, and how far is the boat ride?
- Agency and paperwork. Which agency certifies you, and is the eLearning included in the price?
- Equipment. Is all the gear included, and is it in good condition and the right size?
- Pick-ups. Can they collect you from your hotel, villa or yacht?
Reading recent reviews and talking to the shop before you book will tell you a lot about how they look after new divers. A good instructor never rushes you.
Where will your first dives be?
See the sheltered, shallow BVI dive sites that suit new divers.