Education.

Swahili Divers is a PADI resort, this means that we are able to offer a wide variety of PADI diving courses. PADI stands for the Professional Association of Dive Instructors. They are based in Santa Ana California, but our local office is in Bristol , UK. We have a series of stringent standards that are laid down for every PADI course.

SWAHILI  DIVERS DIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM

PADI RESORT COURSE - This is the course to take you from snorkeling into the realm of SCUBA diving. A simple yet comprehensive one-day class to show you the ease of diving under the guidance of one of our professional diving instructors. A short lecture to cover the basic principles of diving is followed by a shallow water practice session to practice your new skills. Next, your instructor will guide you on a single tank dive to see one of Pemba 's breathtaking reefs. All materials and equipment are provided, and should you wish, tuition can be applied to a full certification course should you choose to continue.

PADI OPEN WATER DIVER CERTIFICATION COURSE - A full four day course taught by one of our certified PADI Instructors. This is the most widely recognized diver certification agency worldwide. The course includes five lectures and four shallow water skill sessions, followed by four open water certification dives. A comprehensive beginning to your diving. Covers all aspects of SCUBA, which will open the wonderful world of diving to you for a lifetime. All materials and equipment are supplied.

PADI ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVER - This is our most popular course. Our instructors will introduce you to advanced diving techniques applicable to diving worldwide. The course consists of five dives with your instructor covering two "core" dives and three elective dives covering areas that interest you most. The core dives are a deep dive and navigation dive. The three elective dives may be chosen from our specialties list and include topics from boat diving techniques to underwater videographer. Little classroom work is involved as the course is designed around practical experience under expert guidance. All books and materials and instruction are included.

PADI RESCUE DIVER - An intensive course designed to give you an in-depth knowledge of common diver maladies and emergency procedures. A full three days of lectures, shallow water practice, and two afternoons of scenario simulations. A PADI Emergeny Response and CPR certification are included, as well as rescue diver certification. This one may test you a bit, but you'll come out with a feeling of accomplishment, and the knowledge to handle any diving related emergency. All books and materials are included.

PADI DIVEMASTER - The name says it all. Divemaster is the first step to becoming a diving professional. A six-day course covering first aid, equipment, environments, navigation, physics and physiology of diving. Includes six lecture sessions, two shallow water sessions, and eight dives guiding divers in an apprentice role with the staff of Swahili Divers. Let our professionals set you on the road to your own career in diving. Prices vary…

SWAHILI  DIVERS offers the following PADI SPECIALTIES

All PADI specialties include a lecture session to cover specific considerations for each type of diving environment. Most cover three dives, although you may have already completed one dive in your advanced training course and this will apply to the three-dive total if you wish to shorten total time. All certification materials are supplied, diving is on your pre-paid package or a la carte.

DRIFT DIVER - A must to get the most from drift diving in East Africa . Learn proper techniques for the reef hook, moored drifts, and "live drift" procedures. Become acquainted with the joys of one way diving and never having to find your way back to the boat.

UNDERWATER NATURALIST - Learn all about the marine environment covering topics from large pelagic life to the smallest nudibranchs and invertebrate life. This course will teach you what all the creatures eat, where they live and how they depend on one another for survival. A marine biology introduction in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. After traveling this far you really should learn more about it.

BOAT DIVER - A course designed to give you the knowledge and insight to conduct yourself like a seasoned pro on any type of boat. Learn terminology, entry and egress techniques, equipment preparation, and logistical concerns. Also includes a section on boat diving etiquette.

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER - A must for the photographer visiting Pemba for the first time. Learn all the special tricks for shooting breathtaking still images in the particulate filled waters of the Indian Ocean . You'll learn special strobe placement techniques, back lighting, natural light, and film concerns for the challenging opportunities you will surely encounter during your Indian ocean dive travels. A comprehensive course designed to advance your photography to the next level. We can teach anyone how to capture the beauty and excitement of Pemba's teeming reefs and stunning macro life. Take home memories of your diving experience. Course covers exposure, focus, composition, natural light, and strobe techniques, in three lectures and three dives for standard, wide angle, and macro photography. All materials and film processing are included, cameras are available for rent, or bring your own Nikonos or housed camera.