SDI Drift Diver Course
Learn how to dive current sensitive dive sites with control and confidence
SDI Drift Diver Certification in Nanaimo
Learn to dive with the current, conserve energy, and explore more ocean in less time.
Drift diving is one of the most relaxing and exciting ways to explore the underwater world. Instead of swimming against the water, you move with it, letting the current carry you along as the landscape unfolds beneath you. The SDI Drift Diver course teaches you how to enter, exit, and navigate drift environments safely while maintaining control and awareness throughout the dive.
Training with Nanaimo Dive Outfitters allows you to build these skills in the dynamic waters of Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island, where tides, currents, and surge offer real-world conditions perfect for learning drift techniques.
Who is the Drift Diver course for?
The SDI Drift Diver course is designed for certified divers who want to:
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- Learn how to conduct safe, controlled drift dives
- Understand how tides, currents, and surge affect underwater movement
- Improve buoyancy, navigation, and buddy communication in moving water
- Expand their skill set for future dives in high-current regions around the world
Minimum age for participation is 18, or 10–17 with parental consent depending on agency standards. Students must already hold an SDI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.
Drift Diver course structure at Nanaimo Dive Outfitters
We run this specialty throughout the year, choosing locations around Nanaimo and the surrounding area with predictable currents and suitable conditions. Training includes both classroom learning and two open water dives.
A typical schedule includes:
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- Classroom session on currents, tides, equipment, and drift procedures
- Pre-dive briefing at the dock covering site conditions and entry strategy
- Guided drift dive with instructor demonstration
- Second drift dive where you plan and execute the dive under supervision
This format gives you the time and practice you need to feel confident controlling your movement in moving water.
Skills you’ll build in the Drift Diver course
The Drift Diver course has three main phases:
#1. Knowledge development
You’ll complete SDI eLearning and review key topics, including:
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- How tides, currents, surge, and waves affect diver movement
- Recognizing drift patterns and predicting water flow
- Equipment used for drift diving such as floats, lines, reels, and compasses
- Drift dive planning and safe buddy procedures
- Hazards, communication methods, and safety stop considerations
#2. In-water training
In the water, you’ll learn and practice:
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- Controlled entries and exits in moving water
- Using floats, reels, and lines safely
- Maintaining neutral buoyancy while drifting
- Effective buddy positioning and communication
- Problem-solving in shifting current conditions
- Smooth safety stops while remaining stable in current
#3. Open-water drift dives
You’ll complete two drift dives at local sites chosen for their safe, predictable currents:
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- Drift Dive 1: Your instructor will demonstrate how to use floats, reels, and lines, along with proper buddy positioning and current awareness.
- Drift Dive 2: You will plan and execute your own drift dive under supervision, applying the skills learned in class and demonstrating safe entries, exits, and buoyancy control.
What you’ll be diving with during your drift training
Gear is available for rent through Nanaimo Dive Outfitters. You’ll use:
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- Mask, snorkel, fins
- BCD and regulator
- Dive computer
- Cylinder and weight system
- Drysuit and thermal undergarments
- Drift equipment such as floats, reels, and lines
All drift training is completed in a drysuit. With water temperatures around 8°C to 10°C, a drysuit gives you warmth and stability, helping you maintain buoyancy and control while moving with the current.
Cold-water experience that builds worldwide confidence
Learning drift diving in British Columbia prepares you for drift dives anywhere in the world. Once you’re comfortable reading currents, entering and exiting safely, and maintaining control in local conditions, warm-water drift dives feel simple and enjoyable. Your SDI Drift Diver certification is recognized globally and builds a strong foundation for future advanced training.
What’s included
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- SDI Drift Diver eLearning
- All required training dives
- Use of floats, reels, and drift equipment
- All essential scuba gear available for rent
- Small class sizes for personal instruction
Student perks: You’ll receive discounts on gear purchases and are welcome to join our regular club dives, including drift-friendly sites as conditions allow.
Coming from out of town?
If you’ve already started your Drift Diver course elsewhere, we can complete your training through a multi-agency referral. Many divers visit Nanaimo specifically for our cold-water training and reliable current conditions, which are ideal for developing drift diving skills.
Whether you’re vacationing on the island, here for work, or stopping through on a dive trip, we can help you finish your certification with flexible scheduling and access to local drift-friendly sites. Contact us for details and availability.
Drift Diving Specialty Course FAQ
Are Nanaimo’s currents predictable enough for training?
Yes. Many local sites have consistent tidal patterns that make them suitable for controlled drift dives under instructor supervision.
What if I become separated from the group during a drift?
You’ll learn procedures for regrouping, signaling the boat, and staying safely on the surface if needed.
Will I learn how to read tide and current charts?
You’ll learn how to interpret the information that matters for drift diving, including timing, slack periods, and predicted flow direction.
Is a dive boat always required for drift diving?
Not always. Some drift dives can be done from shore depending on the entry, current direction, and exit location.
Do I need to be physically fit to drift dive?
Drift diving is generally low-effort, but being able to manage exposure protection, currents, and surface conditions comfortably is important.
Can drift diving affect my gas planning?
Yes. Currents can change gas usage, so you’ll learn conservative planning and techniques for monitoring gas in a dynamic environment.
Do underwater photographers benefit from drift training?
Yes. Photographers learn how to position themselves to take advantage of water flow without being swept past subjects too quickly.
What’s the biggest challenge students face during the course?
Most divers need to adjust to maintaining awareness while moving, especially when depth, bottom features, and current direction change.
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