Learn Diving Online: Guide & Online Course Overview

The underwater world is fascinating and offers wonderful sights. It is not without reason that diving is one of many people’s favorite hobbies. But how does learning to dive work? Do you need a diving license to dive? Here you will find useful information on learning to dive and a comparison of online diving course providers.

Learning to dive online: Explore the underwater world on your own!

Impressive corals, colorful fish, and weightless gliding underwater – whether you’ve been diving before or the images from travel magazines are stuck in your head, learning to dive is worthwhile!

But not only holiday destinations like Egypt, the Maldives, or Australia offer an interesting underwater world. Our domestic seas and lakes also hold some undiscovered treasures.

If you want to explore the imposing landscapes underwater yourself, it’s worth learning to dive. In this post, we’ll show you how to best learn to dive and why an online diving course is the perfect complement to your underwater training.

When do you need a diving license?

In theory, you can dive at any time without a diving license because there is no legal obligation to show the so-called “brevet.” However, if you want to rent diving equipment or go on a diving vacation, you will be asked for your diving license – and for good reason!

Diving is only a safe sport if you learn all the basics, how to handle the equipment, and prepare for possible risks from scratch. Therefore, dive centers worldwide rightly do not allow anyone without a diving license to dive into the water.

When should you get a diving license?

You can learn to dive at any age as long as you are physically fit. Many courses require a minimum age of 10 to 15 years. Some dive schools also require a so-called diving fitness certificate, which your general practitioner can issue. Some dive courses only require this certificate from participants under 18 or over 40 years old.

Can you learn to dive at 50?

Even if you are already 50 or older, you can still learn to dive if there are no medical reasons against it. However, it is always advisable to discuss your plans with your general practitioner and get an appropriate certificate.

How is the best way to learn to dive?

If you want to learn to dive, you have various options:

        •     Diving course during a diving vacation

A diving vacation in Indonesia, the Maldives, or the Red Sea is one of the most popular ways to learn to dive. Often you can book the package directly with a diving course. The prerequisite, however, is that you can bear the high costs and invest the time. Furthermore, the instructions and lessons may be difficult to understand in a foreign language.

• Local diving course

You don’t have to hop on a plane for a diving course. There are also numerous dive schools in

Germany where you can prepare for your diving license. While you can only train the practical lessons in the water, you must always appear in person for the theoretical preparation – including travel costs and arrival!

• Learn to dive online

A good alternative to a local diving course can be an online diving course. Here you combine practical lessons and exercises in the dive pool of a dive school with an online course for theoretical preparation. This way, you can also prepare optimally for your planned diving vacation.

Why opt for an online diving course?

You can, of course, learn to dive not only online – after all, you need some practical knowledge that you can only train in the water. But since every diving course also includes some theoretical lessons, it’s worth completing them online:

• You can save money & time: Opting for an online diving course means you don’t have to attend theory classes at a local dive school, saving you time and travel costs.
• You can learn where & when you want: Furthermore, you can study all the lessons then and there, wherever it suits you and your daily life best – whether it’s on the train on your way to work or in the evening when your kids are in bed.
• You have the choice between PADI or SSI diving certification: PADI and SSI are the world’s most recognized diving organizations. Online, you can find diving courses for both systems, giving you the freedom to choose.
• You can pay for your diving course step-by-step: A diving course is an investment that requires careful consideration. By opting for a combination of practical lessons and online diving learning, you can pay for each stage as it becomes due with many providers.
• You can learn more than just diving: In many online diving courses, you can learn much more than just the basics of diving. There are modules on underwater photography, conservation, or special dive sites, for example.

How long does it take to learn to dive online?

How long your online diving course lasts mainly depends on how quickly you want to complete it. Most providers make all the lessons available to you, so you can work through the theory at your own pace. You should then plan several more days for the necessary dives.

Specifically, this means that you can learn to dive online within a few days, but you can also stretch the process over several months. This flexibility is one of the most important reasons many participants opt for an online diving course.

What do I need for an online diving course?

If you want to learn to dive online, you only need a minimum of equipment to complete the theoretical lessons. This includes:

• Stable internet connection via Wi-Fi or mobile data
• Internet-enabled device such as a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone
• Learning materials & textbooks, if required by the provider
• Notebook for your own notes about your course (if desired)

Ideally, you should also create a quiet time window in your daily life so you can internalize the diving theory undisturbed. Additionally, you need to coordinate the practical sessions with the online diving course.

How much does it cost to learn to dive online?

An online diving course from a certified diving organization such as PADI or SSI costs around 100 to 150 euros for the theoretical part, depending on the provider. Although these costs are roughly the same across the industry, it’s still worth comparing various providers.

While some online diving courses may be slightly more expensive, they may already include the required course materials or an annual membership fee for the diving organization. Additionally, you should always keep in mind that there may be additional costs for the practical lessons at a local diving center.

Are there any free online diving courses?

If diving is to become one of your new hobbies, you should be aware that a diving course always costs money. You may find free content about diving on platforms like YouTube or in blogs— however, these do not replace a certified diving course from an established diving organization.

While some providers may offer you a free online diving course, the requirement for this is usually that you purchase a complete diving course including the practical units. If you’re still not entirely sure if diving is right for you, you can also look for free trial courses.

Flying underwater: Strap on your fins with your online diving course & off you go!

Diving is a fascinating sport, but one that you should learn under professional guidance to avoid putting yourself in danger. If you don’t have the time or money to book a diving holiday including a course in the Maldives, you can also learn to dive in Germany at many locations.

Since every diving course consists of a combination of practical and theoretical lessons, it’s also a

good idea to complete the theoretical part as an online diving course. Learning to dive online not only allows you to do it at your own pace and convenience but also saves you the journey and lets you choose your own focus areas.

After just a few weeks or even days, you can then strap on your fins and dive into the impressive underwater world!