Your First Scuba Dive (Try Dive)

This is a try dive for anyone who's curious about scuba but has never done it. You don't need any experience or certification, just basic swimming ability and to feel at ease in the water. It isn't a certification course: the idea is to find out what breathing underwater feels like, in controlled conditions and under an instructor's close supervision. The minimum age varies by operator, so if you're bringing children, check before you book.

The day starts with a short health questionnaire. Answering yes to certain questions may mean you need a doctor's sign-off before diving, so fill it in carefully and accurately. Your instructor then introduces the equipment and explains how to breathe, how to equalise your ears and the basic hand signals. The dive itself takes place in a calm, shallow spot, with the instructor beside you one-to-one or in a very small group: you get used to the gear at the surface first, then descend slowly together once you feel ready.

As general dive-safety advice, avoid flying for 24 hours after diving, and don't dive straight off a long flight, when you may be tired and dehydrated. Booking your dive for the middle of your holiday makes both easy. If you have a cold or blocked ears or sinuses, you'll need to postpone. Extras such as underwater photos or a second dive vary by operator.