Key takeaways 

Getting certified for scuba diving 

Scuba diving for beginners usually starts with a course or a guided dive. Most dive operators ask for proof of a scuba diving certification before taking you on a recreational dive. If you're new to diving, there are typically two options:

• An open water course: the most common entry-level certification. It usually combines theory, pool or confined water training and several open water dives, and sets the depth you're qualified to dive to. 

• A guided introductory dive: a shallow dive with a licensed instructor, without a full course. It's a good way to see whether you enjoy diving before committing to certification.

Wondering how to get scuba certified before your trip? Many Aussies complete the theory and pool training at home and finish their open water dives on holiday. Check that your course provider is recognised and that your certification card goes with you.

Getting certified also matters for travel insurance. With Fast Cover, cover for scuba diving depends on you holding an open water diving licence recognised in Australia, or diving with an instructor licensed for these activities. Without either, a claim arising from your dive may not be covered.*

Best places to scuba dive 

Some of the best places to scuba dive are a short flight from Australia. Here are some favourite dive holidays for Aussie divers: 

• Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Great Barrier Reef diving ranges from day trips out of Cairns and Port Douglas to liveaboards on the outer reef. Our Australia travel guide has more ideas for your trip. 

• Bali, Indonesia: Bali scuba diving includes the USS Liberty wreck at Tulamben and manta rays around Nusa Penida. See our Bali travel guide. 

• Thailand: Thailand scuba diving is popular around Koh Tao for training courses and the Similan Islands for more experienced divers. See our Thailand travel guide. 

• The Philippines: islands such as Cebu and Palawan offer coral walls, wrecks and plenty of marine life. See our Philippines travel guide.

• Fiji: known for its soft corals and reef diving close to resorts. See our Fiji travel guide.

• The Red Sea, Egypt: Red Sea scuba diving is known for wrecks, warm water and coral reefs. See Egypt travel insurance.

• Hawaii: volcanic reefs, turtles and manta ray night dives.

• Liveaboard diving: several days on a dive boat, reaching remote reefs with multiple dives a day. If your liveaboard is a cruise ship, check whether you need cruise cover.

Conditions, visibility and marine life change with the seasons, so it's worth checking the best time to visit before you book.

Choosing a dive operator 

A licensed, well-reviewed operator makes a big difference to your dive. When comparing operators, consider: 

• Licensing and reviews: check that the operator and instructors are licensed and look at recent reviews.

• Safety briefing: a good operator explains the dive plan, signals and emergency procedures before you enter the water.

• Equipment: check that rental gear is well maintained and that it fits.

• Group size and guides: smaller groups and experienced guides are easier for beginners.

• Dives that match your certification: choose dives within your training and experience, including the dive depth.

Health and safety for divers 

Diving puts extra pressure on your body, so your health and fitness matter before and during your trip. 

With Fast Cover, it is a condition of cover for all activities that you act in a reasonable way to protect yourself. The best way that you can do this is to enjoy your activities with a properly licensed outdoor pursuits or sports organisation and to follow their instructions.* 

Medical requirements 

Scuba diving medical requirements vary, but dive operators usually ask you to complete a medical questionnaire before diving, and some conditions need a doctor's clearance. If you have an existing medical condition, speak to your doctor before you go. With Fast Cover, you may be able to apply to include cover for existing medical conditions through a medical screening.* Read about travel insurance for medical conditions. 

Flying after diving 

Flying too soon after diving may increase the risk of decompression sickness. Follow your dive operator's and training agency's guidance on how long to wait between your last dive and your flight, and plan your itinerary around it.

What to pack for a dive trip 

Many operators provide rental gear, but bringing some of your own can make dives more comfortable. Consider packing: 

• your certification card and logbook

• a well-fitting mask and snorkel

• a wetsuit or rash vest suited to the water temperature

• reef-safe sunscreen and a hat

• a dive computer, if you own one

• seasickness tablets for boat dives

• a dry bag for your phone and valuables

Scuba diving tips for beginners 

Here are some scuba diving tips for beginners:

• Never dive alone: use the buddy system and stay close to your guide. If you don't hold an open water diving licence recognised in Australia, cover with Fast Cover depends on you diving with an instructor licensed for these activities.*

• Equalise early and often as you descend. 

• Ascend slowly and complete safety stops.

• Stay within the depth you're trained for. Travel insurance can have depth limits too, so check your insurer's PDS before you dive, as claims arising from dives beyond its depth limits may not be covered. With Fast Cover, dives up to 10 metres are included in Covered Sports and Leisure Activities, dives from 10 to 30 metres need the Adventure Pack, and there's no cover for dives deeper than 30 metres.*

• Don't touch coral or marine life.

• Stay hydrated and well rested between dives.

• Tell your guide if you feel unwell or uncomfortable.

Travel insurance for scuba diving 

Scuba diving isn't always automatically covered by travel insurance. With Fast Cover, cover for scuba diving depends on how deep you dive, and on you:* 

• holding an open water diving licence recognised in Australia, or diving with an instructor licensed for these activities

• diving to no more than 10 metres under our Covered Sports and Leisure Activities, or from 10 to 30 metres with the Adventure Pack

• specifying cruise cover if you're diving during a cruise of 1 or more overnight stays in Australia, or 4 or more nights overseas.

The Adventure Pack is available to Aussie travellers aged 74 and under at the date of policy issue, and isn't available with the Basics policy. There's no cover for diving deeper than 30 metres, or for free diving.*

If you're injured or unwell while diving overseas, Fast Cover's international policies may be able to help with overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses, in circumstances covered under your policy.*

Find out more about travel insurance for scuba diving. 

Expert tip

"We get a lot of calls that start with 'is this activity covered?' It's the right question, but the answer often comes down to the detail rather than the activity itself. Individual activities have their own participation limitations and conditions in the PDS - things like maximum altitudes, depths or distances - so the same activity can sit inside or outside those limits depending on how you're doing it. It's worth checking those against what you're actually planning before you book. If you're unsure how it applies to your trip, give us a call before you go rather than working it out at the counter." — Chaithanya Pai, Fast Cover's Customer Service Team Leader

General advice only, and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to making a decision.