Scuba Discovery

Your first step into Vancouver Island’s underwater world

SDI Scuba Discovery In Nanaimo

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to breathe underwater, explore ocean life up close, or see what diving in British Columbia is all about, the SDI Scuba Discovery program is the perfect place to start. This introductory experience lets you try scuba in a safe, controlled environment at a local pool with one of our certified instructors guiding you every step of the way.

You’ll get a taste of what it’s like to train as a diver, learn essential skills, and experience breathing underwater for the first time.

Who is the scuba discovery program for?

Scuba Discovery is designed for anyone who wants to:

- Try scuba diving before committing to a full certification
- Experience the underwater world in a fun, low-pressure environment
- Learn basic scuba skills under an instructor’s direct supervision

No previous experience is needed.
Minimum age is 13, and participants must be comfortable in the water.

Start Your Adventure

What you’ll learn in scuba discovery program

Your instructor will introduce you to the skills and concepts needed to make your first scuba experience enjoyable and safe. You’ll cover:

- How pressure and buoyancy work underwater
- Equalizing techniques
- Basic finning and buoyancy control
- Underwater communication
- Safe buddy checks and equipment use
- What to expect from Vancouver Island’s marine environment

You’ll also learn how to set up your scuba gear before heading into the pool.

In-water skills you’ll practice

During the Scuba Discovery session, you’ll try out essential beginner skills such as:

- Predive safety checks
- Regulator breathing, clearing, and recovery
- Mask clearing
- Proper fin use and underwater swimming
- BCD use, including inflation and deflation
- Basic depth changes and controlled ascents/descents
- Reading your gauges or dive computer
- Simple buoyancy control

All skills are introduced gradually, with your instructor right beside you.

What you’ll experience underwater

Once you’re comfortable, we’ll take you on a guided underwater tour where you can:

- Feel what it’s like to hover underwater
- Try basic movement and buoyancy skills
- Experience the calm, peaceful environment that scuba diving is famous for
- Get a preview of the training you’ll take in a full Open Water course

If conditions allow, you’ll also get an introduction to the kinds of marine life that make Vancouver Island diving so unique.

What’s included with the scuba discovery course

Everything you're going to need to see if scuba is a sport you'd like to explore further!

- Professional instruction from an SDI-certified divemaster or instructor
- Use of all required scuba equipment during the experience
- A safe, structured introduction to scuba skills and concepts
- A memorable underwater experience that prepares you for full certification

If you enjoy Scuba Discovery, your next step is the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course, where you’ll complete your full certification and start exploring Vancouver Island’s world-class dive sites.

Ready to start?

Scuba Discovery includes online learning to help you understand the basics before your session. Once you register, you can begin SDI eLearning anytime.