Scuba diving opens up an extraordinary underwater world. But one of the most common questions is: how deep can you dive with scuba gear? The answer varies depending on your certification, training, and equipment.

Recreational Diving Depth Limits

Most recreational divers are certified to dive up to 40 meters (130 feet). This limit is recommended by leading agencies like SSI and PADI. It balances the excitement of deeper exploration with safety guidelines around nitrogen absorption and decompression risk.

If you’re newly certified as an Open Water Diver, your maximum depth is 18 meters (60 feet). After that, you can progress to an Advanced Open Water certification, which allows you to dive as deep as 30 meters (100 feet). To go beyond, you’ll need to complete a Deep Diver specialty course. Each step comes with new skills and responsibilities.

Going Beyond: Technical Diving

For those who crave deeper dives, technical diving opens new frontiers. With advanced training and equipment like twin tanks, stage bottles, and trimix gases, tech divers often reach depths of 50 to 100 meters—or more. However, these dives involve decompression stops and increased risks. It’s a path for experienced divers only, and one that demands serious commitment.

What Influences How Deep You Can Go?

Several factors affect your diving depth. Your certification sets the legal and training limits. Your physical condition and diving experience also matter. Environmental conditions—like currents, visibility, and temperature—can change what’s considered safe on any given dive.

Dive Deep, But Stay Smart

Scuba diving is not about going as deep as possible. It’s about exploring safely and enjoying the experience. If you want to go deeper, get the right training. At Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach, Kenya, we offer SSI-certified courses that help you grow confidently as a diver—at any depth.

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