Start Learning. Start Diving.
Learn to Dive with Oceans Alive
Start your dive journey with confidence — and at your own pace.
Learning to dive has never been more accessible. With SSI’s digital learning system, you can complete the theory component of your training online, wherever and whenever it suits you. It’s flexible, interactive, and built to help you feel prepared long before you enter the water.
Once you're ready, we’ll take you through hands-on training sessions in both confined water and open ocean environments — starting in our heated indoor saltwater pool and finishing with real dives along the Taranaki coast.
How It Works
- Step 1: Register online through the MySSI platform or app
- Step 2: Study your digital training materials at your own pace
- Step 3: Join us for practical, in-water training in the pool and ocean
Your practical training is split into two key parts:
- Confined Water Dives: Pool-based training to build core skills in a controlled environment
- Open Water Dives: Real-world dives along the Taranaki coastline (or other locations for select specialties)
From beginner courses like Try Scuba, Open Water Diver, and Basic Freediving, to advanced and specialty programs like Stress & Rescue, Boat Diver, and Perfect Buoyancy — every course is built on this flexible, digital-first approach.
What You’ll Need
For all courses, you’ll need to supply your own personal gear:
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Boots
- Gloves
- Wetsuit
For beginner-level courses, we provide all technical equipment (BCD, regulator, weights, dive cylinders). As you move into advanced and specialty training, you’ll start using your own full setup — but we offer gear hire and expert advice if you’re looking to buy the right equipment.
Get Started
- Download the MySSI app (Android or iOS) or visit www.divessi.com
- Create your profile and register with MySSI
- Come in to Oceans Alive to choose your course and complete your booking
- Download your digital course material to your device
You’ll have unlimited access to your course content — even when you’re offline. When you register through the MySSI app, you’ll also unlock free access to several entry-level programs to help you get started.
Need Help?
If you have any trouble setting up your profile or accessing your training, just give us a call or come by the shop. We’ll walk you through the setup and make sure everything’s good to go.
Interested?
Ready to Start?
SCUBA SKILLS UPDATE
$349.00
Haven’t dived for a while? Need to practice before your open water training dives? Boost your dive confidence and practice your skills with an SSI Scuba Skills Update. This scuba refresher course is a safe and fun way to practice dive skills with an SSI professional and is often required to continue your diving training after time away from the sport.
SSI OPEN WATER = $749
If you want to dive anywhere you want, with anyone you want, the Open Water Diver course is for you.
This is your international certification to become part of an exclusive group of underwater explorers that most people only dream about joining.
This globally recognised certification program is the best way to begin your life-long adventure as a certified scuba diver.
SSI TRY SCUBA
$175.00
Learning to dive is much easier than you think and the best way to experience this amazing new sport is the SSI Try Scuba program. Simply register in store for the mini course and download the MySSI App on your smart device. The best part, your materials are FREE! The digital materials will help prepare you for this first taste of a great underwater experience.
SSI BASIC FREEDIVING
$300.00
Freediving is the most incredible journey of your life and it begins here! Join us on one of our SSI Basic Freediving course and become a certified freediver. You will soon discover the freedom and tranquility of the silent world.
SSI ADVANCED ADVENTURER PROGRAM = $599.00
If you want to increase your confidence, explore more of the underwater world, and develop your scuba diving capabilities then the SSI Advanced Adventurer is the course for you!
Most people assume that the SSI Advanced Adventurer program is for ‘advanced’ divers and that they need vast amounts of dive experience to take part. This course is aimed at the not just the experienced diver but also aimed at the new diver wishing to expand their dive experience.
SSI BOAT DIVER PROGRAM = $399
COURSE OVERVIEW
- The ocean is filled with dive sites, but many of the best ones can only be accessed by boat. If you want to discover these incredible dive sites, become an SSI boat diver. It is the best way to learn how to dive from different types of boats safely and with confidence.
- As an SSI Boat Diver, you will be able to explore offshore dive sites that attract schooling pelagic and marine megafauna not found closer to shore.
- You can experience the excitement of liveaboard diving anywhere in the world, fill your day with diving away from the crowds, and cruise along as the sun goes down.
SSI SEARCH AND RECOVERY PROGRAM = $349
COURSE OVERVIEW
- During the Search and Recovery program, you will learn all the skills you need to safely and confidently conduct search and recovery dives.
- You will be taught how to use search patterns, specialised dive plans and equipment such as lift bags, lines and reels.
- By developing your search and communication techniques and practicing searches in a dive team, you will become a confident search and rescue diver in no time.
SSI STRESS AND RESCUE
$599.00
COURSE OVERVIEW
- Self-rescue
- Recognizing and managing stress in other divers
- Emergency management and equipment
- Rescuing panicked divers
- Rescuing unresponsive divers
- Dive accident situations
SSI PERFECT BUOYANCY PROGRAM
$349.00
COURSE OVERVIEW
- The SSI Perfect Buoyancy specialty will teach you advanced buoyancy skills and advanced finning techniques so you can enjoy more relaxed dive adventures looking good.
- With improved body position in the water and better buoyancy control and finning techniques, you will reduce your air consumption and increase your bottom times.
- With better buoyancy skills, you will soon be able to hover with ease, take the underwater photographs you dream of and explore the ocean effortlessly. Learning more advanced finning techniques will reduce effort whilst diving. Get more from your diving!
