Seychelles offers year round diving experiences in waters mainly outside the cyclone belt and dive centers around the country cater for novice and experienced divers alike, offering a number of specialised courses.
Divers should bring proof of certification and medical clearance for any medical problem.
Most dive centres offer modern dive equipment rental and service facilities. However, repair facilities for divers’ own gear may be limited, subject to availability of specific spare parts.
Air Seychelles offers a free sporting equipment allowance of 10kg, which applies to the equipment of diving, golf, fishing and surfboards. The equipment is weighed separately and if the weight is less than 10kg no supplement will be payable. If the weight exceeds 10kg, the equipment is added with the other checked luggage and any excess weight above the specified baggage allowance will be payable. To profit from the sporting equipment allowance on connecting flights to Praslin, visitors must travel exclusively with Air Seychelles and the Praslin sector must be reproduced on the same ticket as your international sector.
It is recommended there be a 24-hour safety window between the divers’ last dives and their next flight.
Please click on the e-brochure icon above to download a summarized and/or full version e-brochure for the Diving section.
Certification & Medical Divers need to bring proof of certification to be allowed to dive. However, those who have lost or forgotten their certification cards or log-books may be allowed to dive with a Dive master to a maximum depth of 12 metres, at the discretion of the dive centre.
Those planning to take a diving course who have had a previous medical problem, should obtain and bring with them a certificate from their doctor indicating that they are fit to dive. Local physicians in Seychelles are able to perform a diving medical if required.
Education & Courses Any medically fit person over the age of 10 and able to swim can learn to dive. Diver training is conducted by internationally qualified and insured instructors most of whom are members of PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the world's largest diver training organisation.
A non-certification "Discover Scuba Diving" introductory course for first timers is available leading either to the basic "Scuba Diver" qualification or a full certification as "Open Water” Diver.
Experienced diver courses are available to instructor level with specialty certifications available from certain centres, such as underwater photography, wreck and night diving.
Equipment Rental & Purchase For visitors not wishing to bring their own, all licensed dive centres rent out properly maintained, modern diving equipment which is inspected on a regular basis.
The centres also have a range of other beach accessories available, including snorkelling equipment.
Flying after diving To minimise the possibility of a decompression incident at the end of a diving vacation, the current recommendation is that divers should leave a minimum of 12 hours after their last dive before flying and, where possible, a 24-hour period is recommended.
The centres will not allow divers to dive on the morning of departure or prior to an inter-island or helicopter flight!
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