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Unforgettable aquatic adventures for kids – Go underwater and discover the wonder of Snorkel, Scuba, Mermaid, and Freediving Explorer programs
The SSI Classified Diving program has been created to enable persons with disabilities who might not be able to earn full certifications the ability to dive and get certified with different safety parameters. Learn to work with disabled divers.
What are the best dive apps? We live in a digital age now where such a plethora of information is accessed on our mobile devices and PCs. Quite naturally scuba diving has not escaped this evolution and there are hundreds of apps available out there to help scuba divers. But why would you need an app? After all scuba diving is an underwater sport far away from your mobile device.
One of the first question s you will get asked by a dive can the when you book a dive trip or course is “how many dives have you logged?” It is important to log your dives as a prerequisite to further diver training and for dive schools to check your experience level. Dive logbooks are frequently left behind by divers prior to their trips or lost over the course of time. Having the ability to log your dives digitally means that you can back them up online and access your dive log from a mobile device to be able to quickly show your dive log.
As mentioned it is a digital age. To adjust to the amount of information being consumed on mobile devices the major dive training agencies have also gone down this path with innovations such as PADI eLearning. After all less printing for manuals and having them available digitally means that you can easily get access to your dive learning and have the most constantly updated materials. Additionally it cuts down on the classroom time you need to do, so you can concentrate on the actual diving.
An important part of diver safety is evaluating the conditions you will be diving in to ensure that they are safe to dive in. Checking the weather, wind, tides, swell and other environmental factors is a vital task. There are a number of cover-all or task specific apps available to aid divers in evaluating dive conditions and helping with diver safety.
Available on- iOS,
Cost- Free
This is a world where social media is playing a more dominant role. Social networks are great places for you to share your love of diving and meet other divers. The evolution of mobile phones has also meant that the cameras on the devices can now rival stand-alone cameras. There are some really cool housings such as the Kraken, available to take your mobile phone camera, capture the underwater world, adjust the colouring and share the moments with underwater divers. Some can even go further and turn your mobile phone into a dive computer!
Traditionally dive planning was done with tables and written calculations. This has led to the evolution of the dive computer which can be used to plan and execute dives but apps can also assist in dive calculations if the right formulas are inserted. Ease your dive planning using specific apps.
When you are travelling rot a new dive destination you obviously want to know the dive centres that are available for you to dive with. The major training agencies all show their registered dive centres on their apps and also give you access to other dive tools such as dive tables and other guides.
While apps are not going to replace the thrill you get from scuba diving they do allow you to plan, share and store your dive memories more easily and bring your love of diving onto your electronic devices. It can aid your dive education and even make dives more exciting giving you extra purpose such as going to capture an image to share with the world or dive a particular plan. Many of the apps are free and don’t take up a lot of space so they are well worth having. These are just a few of them available out there selected by divers we have talked to. What are your thoughts?
Snorkelling is the easiest way to access and see the underwater world, requiring little training and the bare minimum of gear. You just need a mask, snorkel, fins and a floatation device. It’s a great way to start your underwater adventure. As snorkelers there are a few golden rules you should follow to ensure you have the optimal experience and look after the underwater environment.
1. Never touch any marine life- Either with your hands or feet, you should never touch either the corals or any sea creatures. You can do irreparable damage to corals and there is no need to touch fish, dolphins, turtles or other marine life.
2. Show respect to the marine life by keeping your distance at all times. Seriously would you like it if you were crowded by loads of people leering at you closely.
3. Try to use coral-reef friendly suncream. A lot of branded suncreams have chemicals in them which can be harmful to coral reefs. Try to use a reef-friendly suncream or use a rash guard/ t-shirt/ skin suit to protect yourself from the sun and protect the reef further. See this article on reef-friendly sunscreens
* Avoid sunscreens containing *petrolatum*, commonly known as *mineral oil*, which takes years to biodegrade, and are known to be harmful or fatal to aquatic life and waterfowl.
* Avoid sunscreens with high content of *Titanium Dioxide*. This mineral does not biodegrade and is found to react in warm seawater to form hydrogen peroxide which is harmful to all sea life.
* *Oxybenzone* and *octinoxate*, the two chemicals recently banned in Hawaii and are believed to cause coral bleaching.
4. Pick responsible and ethical boat operators for your snorkeling trips. Cheaper is not always better. When choosing an operator, make sure that they have an environmental policy and do not encourage you to do things such as touching the marine life and posing holding starfish for example. If an operator is just in it for money and not caring for the environment then this can cause long term damage to the reef.
5. Use operators with decent snorkelling and safety equipment. You are going snorkelling to appreciate the underwater world. So you want to use the best equipment to look at it, or at least equipment that is not old, uncomfortable or leaking. When booking, ask to see the equipment that you will be using.
6. Do not take souvenirs from underwater. No matter how good you think that shell will look on your bathroom cabinet, there is no excuse for taking it away from its natural environment. Shells often provide a home for a lot of marine life and you have no way of knowing what its inside. Leave it in its own ecosystem. In Kenya where Ocean Tribe is based it is also illegal and can get you into trouble at the airport if you try to leave with shell souvenirs. Additionally avoid purchasing shells from unscrupulous vendors on the beach as this will have the same result.
7. Join beach and underwater clean-ups to help preserve the underwater world. Many dive centres such as here at Ocean Tribe like to organise Project AWARE cleanup days which focus on removing trash and pollutants from the ocean. These can involve diving, snorkelling and cleaning up the beach to make a safer, cleaner marine eco-system. Get involved whenever you can.
8. Be safe. Don’t snorkel in difficult conditions such as high surf, watch for currents and be mindful of your depth. If you are not a strong swimmer then you might want to consider wearing a life jacket or other floatation device to keep safe.
9. Avoid using plastic as much as possible when you travel. Try and help the environment on your snorkel trip by bringing your own refillable water bottle and dry bag, rather than using single use plastic bottles and carrier bags. Plastic waste its one of the biggest ocean pollutants and the more we can do to reduce this the better.
10. If you are enjoying the snorkelling then consider taking your PADI scuba diving certification by enrolling on the PADI Open Water Diver course. You already have an interest in the underwater world, so wouldn’t it be cool to get down there closer to the marine life and see things that just can’t be accessed from surface snorkelling. It’s a logical next step and one that you definitely won’t regret.
‘What scuba equipment should I buy first?’ Is a very common question that our PADI Instructors and PADI Divemasters get asked by certified divers and beginners looking to really get invoved in diving. It is also a very good question as getting the right scuba gear can drastically improve your diving experience and make diving easier for you. Now obviously the type of gear you buy depends on your budget and diving needs so we will attempt to give a generic guide to the order you should buy gear in and try to answer what ‘scuba equipment should I buy first?’
We go underwater to see things. As such a good scuba diving mask is the most important item a diver should buy. It’s not at the top end of the expense scale of dive equipment and a well-fitting, comfortable mask really can make a difference to how you percieve your dive experience. All divers have individual preferences for their masks such as clear/black silicone, window size, window style, mask strap for example. You should try as many masks as possible to find the one that works for you. A final piece of advice. When you find a mask you like. Buy two in case you misplace or break it.
The natural companion to the mask, a decent snorkel is a great piece of scuba equipment to have. It enables you to enjoy the ocean in a non-diving relaxing snorkeling or freediving environment and is a required piece of scuba equipment for most training agencies. Snorkels come in a different range of styles and materials so you should consult your PADI dive centre where you are buying it on the best type for you. If you are just using it for snorkeling and diving then it should have a good purge valve and easy attachment to the mask. If you are using it for other activities as well such as freediving then you might want a snorkel that floats and doesn’t have the purge valve. If you want to be able to store the snorkel in your BCD pocket then a folddable snorkel might be the right choice for you. but it is an inexpensive vital piece of dive equipment and should be in the first set you buy.
On your PADI Open Water course you were taught to use fins and how to kick correctly. Fins are also a lower costing piece of scuba equipment and there is a weide range fo fin styles and materials available out there. First up the question is what kind of water you will be diving in. If it is not tropical water you will probably want a fin that can be worn with boots, whereas the full foot fins are preferred by some for tropical conditions. Again trying different fins is crucial to finding the one that works best for you and the style and weight might be a factor if you are planning on travlling a lot.
In this modern world dive computers are more and more evident on divers and an absllute must for regular divers. While it is important for you to learn and know how to use dive tables such as the PADI RDP, a dive computer will constantly recaculagte your no decompression limit as you change depths, keeping you constantly informed of your safety margins. It will also show you your depth and dive time and the higher end models can offer advanced features like air integration, gas switching and even heart monitoring in some cases. A dive computer is a vital piece of safety scuba equipment and an excellent buy for all divers.
Keeping warm and comfortable is very important to your enjoyment of a dive. As such wearing the approriate exposure suit, which fits you properly is absolutely vital. Now this all depends on the type and temperature of water you wish to dive in. For tropical conditions you might be ok with a rash guard, thermal rash guard or a shorty wetsuit. As the water gets colder then you will be looing at long thicker wetsuits or even a dry suit. This is not something you want to be cheap on and make sure it fits well to get the maximum enjoyment out of your diving. For dry suits you will need extra training in how to use the dry suit.
A good BCD is a great piece of scuba equipment to own. Having a BCD that fits absolutely correctly, and has the features you prefer can really aid your diving comfort, position and abiity to carry items underwater. BCDs care generally one of three styles, jacket style, wing style or a hybrid. There is also the option to use sidemount rigs. The BCD you use should suit the type of diving youi like and be the right item for other factors such as travel and attaching items. Having your own BCD is a must once you get into diving seriously and you should try as many styles as possible to find the one that best suits you.
While the most important piece of the delivery system taking air from the scuba cylinder to the diver, the regulator is not size specific and can be quite pricey so we recommend this this is the final main piece of diving equipment that you purchase. This another piece of equipment that the conditions that you will use it in shoudl eb examined as special features such as environmental seals are needed for colder water. You will also need to decide whether you want a balanced or unbalanced regulator, what type of tank connection (Yoke or DIN) you prefer and the weight of the regulator with regards to travel. The type of alternate air source you want to use can also vary with some divers prefering to have an octopus, some an AIR2 and some a completely redundant air source. Consult your PADI pro for more information.
Being totally honest it is always better to have your own scuba equipment if you wish to pursue scuba diving as an ongoing hobby. Buy what you can afford and go for the piece of equipment that suits you. Just because it is the most expensive does not necessarily mean that it is the right thing for you. Your dive professional will be delighted to assist you in purchasing the right set of equipment. Try different styles of equipment. Ask other divers if you can try a piece they own. A lot of dive centres wl have trial equipment. Be weary of buyinmg online if you haven’t tried a piece of equipment. It is always better to go and try it out at your local dive centre to make sure it is the right fit and style. If you have any questions about anything in this article contact us at Ocean Tribe and we will be delighted to helpo in any way we can.
PADI eLearning is the cutting edge method that enables you to spend less time in the classroom when taking a diving course and concentrate more on your diving itself. For every course that PADI eLearning is available for, Ocean Tribe use it as the primary knowledge development tool. After you book and pay you will be emailed a code to access your eLearning. This needs to be entered in your PADI online profile to be ab le to access it. You will then be able to use PADI eLearning either online or via a mobile device using the PADI Library app (or PADI Training app for the IDC) on your tablet or phone.
On your mobile device go to the Apple App Store or Google Play store and search for PADI Training. Alternatively click on the links here. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.padi.learning.dev&hl=en or https://apps.apple.com/us/app/padi-training/id1471474067You will need to complete knowledge reviews at the end of every section and in some cases a final exam. You can check the progress of your PADI eLearning as you go in the online section and your Ocean Tribe instructor can likewise. Feel free to contact Ocean Tribe about any issues you have along the way or things you don’t quite understand. Your Ocean Tribe PADI Instructor will go through prescriptively with you anything you don’t understand when you take the ‘Quick Review’ quiz upon arrival for your PADI course.
Note: Emails from PADI can find their way into your Junk Email box so it is a good idea to check this if you are not receiving your eLearning or contact us at Ocean Tribe.
Catch a morning flight to Masai Mara, departing around 8:00 AM and arriving between 10:00 and 10:30 AM, depending on your camp’s location. A driver-guide from the camp will meet you on arrival and take you on a short game drive while transferring to the camp.
Check-in, enjoy lunch, and head out for an afternoon game drive to explore the vast savannah.
📍 Full-Board Accommodation: Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Spend the day discovering the wildlife-rich plains of Masai Mara. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, spotting elephants, lions, cheetahs, and wildebeest.
📍 Full-Board Accommodation: Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Experience another full day in Masai Mara. Set out on morning and afternoon game drives, searching for the Big Five and other incredible wildlife.
📍 Full-Board Accommodation: Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Embark on a morning game drive before breakfast. Check out and have an early lunch at the camp. Transfer to the airstrip for your afternoon flight to Diani Beach, departing between 1:00 and 2:00 PM. Arrive at Diani Airport around 4:00–4:30 PM.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel
📍 All Inclusive/ Full-Board / Half Board/ Bed & Breakfast/ Self Catering Accommodation: Diani
Relax on the stunning white-sand beaches of Diani and dive into its rich marine world.
Daily scuba diving trips depart from the on-site Ocean Tribe Dive Centre, offering breathtaking coral reef dives. Between dives, enjoy Diani’s vibrant scene, including bars, restaurants, and nightlife. Try exciting activities like kite-surfing, dolphin and whale shark snorkeling, spa treatments, and microlight flights.
📍 All Inclusive/ Full-Board / Half Board/ Bed & Breakfast/ Self Catering Accommodation: Diani
Begin your safari with a visit to Ngutuni Private Game Sanctuary, just outside Voi. Arrive late morning, check in at Ngutuni Lodge, and enjoy lunch. Watch wildlife at the nearby waterhole, a popular spot throughout the year.
In the afternoon, head out for an exciting game drive in the sanctuary.
📍 Full-Board Accommodation: Ngutuni Lodge.
Start the day with a morning game drive or an optional one-hour bushwalk if not done on day one. Enjoy breakfast with stunning views of the waterhole before driving toward Taveta. Along the way, pass through the scenic Taita Hills and spot elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife.
Arrive at Ziwani Tented Camp in time for lunch. This secluded camp sits on a dam along the Sante River, home to crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of birdlife.
In the afternoon, take a one-hour guided bushwalk with the camp’s naturalist, or opt for an evening night game drive on the ranch.
📍 Full-Board Accommodation: Ziwani Tented Camp.
Wake up early for a morning bushwalk or game drive. After breakfast, begin the journey back to the coast. Enjoy the changing landscapes along the way and arrive at Diani Beach around lunchtime.
On arrival, transfer to the hotel.
📍 All Inclusive/ Full-Board / Half Board/ Bed & Breakfast/ Self Catering Accommodation: Diani
Relax on the white sands of Diani Beach and explore its vibrant coral reefs.
Daily scuba diving trips depart from the on-site Ocean Tribe dive center, offering incredible underwater experiences. When not diving, enjoy thrilling activities like kite-surfing, dolphin and whale shark snorkeling, spa treatments, microlight flights, and more. Diani also offers lively bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
Begin your safari with a scenic drive to Tsavo East National Park, entering through Bachuma Gate, about 100 km from Mombasa. Enjoy a game drive on the way to your lodge or camp. Tsavo East, one of Kenya’s largest and oldest parks, is home to abundant wildlife. Look out for elephants, lions, zebras, and giraffes. Visit iconic spots like the Yatta Plateau, Lugard Falls, and the Galana River.
After lunch at the camp or lodge, set off on an afternoon game drive.
📍 Full-Board Accommodation: Tsavo East National Park.
Start the day with an early morning game drive, the best time to spot wildlife. Exit the park at Voi and continue to Lumo Conservancy, a community-run conservancy on the Voi-Taita-Taveta road.
Check in at Lions Bluff Lodge and enjoy lunch with stunning views. In the afternoon, head out for another exciting game drive in the conservancy.
📍 Full-Board Accommodation: Lumo Conservancy
Take a final morning game drive or opt for a nature walk followed by a bush breakfast at an additional cost. After breakfast, begin the journey back to the coast. Stop for lunch along the way and arrive in Diani by late afternoon.
On arrival, transfer to Baobab Beach Resort & Spa.
📍 All Inclusive/ Full-Board / Half Board/ Bed & Breakfast/ Self Catering Accommodation: Diani
Relax on the pristine white sands of Diani Beach and explore its rich marine life. Stay at Baobab Beach Resort & Spa on an all-inclusive package.
Daily dive trips depart from the on-site Ocean Tribe dive center, offering incredible coral reef diving. When not diving, enjoy kite-surfing, spa treatments, dolphin and whale shark snorkeling trips, microlight adventures, or simply unwind at the resort. Diani also offers fantastic bars, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife.
📍 All Inclusive/ Full-Board / Half Board/ Bed & Breakfast/ Self Catering Accommodation: Diani
Begin your safari with a drive to Tsavo East National Park, entering through Bachuma Gate (100 km from Mombasa). Enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge or camp. Tsavo East, one of Kenya’s largest and oldest parks, is home to abundant wildlife. Spot elephants, lions, zebras, and more. Explore famous sites like the Yatta Plateau, Lugard Falls, and Galana River.
After lunch at the camp or lodge, set out for an afternoon game drive.
📍 Dinner & Overnight: Tsavo East National Park
Start the day with a final morning game drive, a great time for wildlife sightings. After breakfast, begin your scenic drive back to the coast. Enjoy lunch along the way before arriving in Diani Beach by late afternoon.
📍 All Inclusive/ Full-Board / Half Board/ Bed & Breakfast/ Self Catering Accommodation: Diani
Relax on the white sands of Diani Beach and dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Stay at the luxurious Baobab Beach Resort & Spa on an all-inclusive package or check out our other hotel/villa options. Daily dive trips depart from the on-site Ocean Tribe dive center, offering spectacular reef diving experiences.
When not diving, enjoy thrilling activities like kite-surfing, dolphin & whale shark snorkeling, spa treatments, and microlight adventures. Diani also boasts lively bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
📍 All Inclusive/ Full-Board / Half Board/ Bed & Breakfast/ Self Catering Accommodation: Diani
Begin your safari with a scenic drive to Tsavo East National Park, entering through Bachuma Gate (100 km from Mombasa). Enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge or camp. Tsavo East, one of Kenya’s largest and oldest parks, is home to abundant wildlife. Look out for elephants, lions, giraffes, and more. Explore famous attractions like the Yatta Plateau, Lugard Falls, and Galana River. After lunch at the lodge/camp, embark on an afternoon game drive.
📍 Dinner & Overnight: Tsavo East National Park- Full-Board Accommodation
Start your day with an early morning game drive, the best time for wildlife sightings. Depending on your camp’s location, you may have breakfast before or after the game drive.
Drive to Amboseli National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Spot diverse wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, lions, and buffalo. Visit the park’s wetlands and seasonal lake, a haven for birdlife. After lunch at the lodge/camp, head out for an afternoon game drive.
📍 Dinner & Overnight: Amboseli National Park- Full-Board Accommodation
Catch a breathtaking sunrise over Mount Kilimanjaro during an early morning game drive. Return for breakfast before driving to Tsavo West National Park.
Experience a dramatic change in scenery, from rocky hills to open savannahs. Visit Mzima Springs, a natural oasis fed by underground streams from the Chyulu Hills. Watch hippos and crocodiles from an underwater viewing area. After lunch at the lodge/camp, enjoy another afternoon game drive.
📍 Dinner & Overnight: Tsavo West National Park- Full-Board Accommodation
Savor your final morning game drive in the park. After breakfast, begin your journey back to the coast. Stop for lunch along the way before arriving in Diani Beach by late afternoon.
📍 All-Inclusive Accommodation: Baobab Beach Resort & Spa
Relax on the white sands of Diani Beach and explore its vibrant marine life. Stay at the luxurious Baobab Beach Resort & Spa with an all-inclusive package. Daily dive trips depart from the on-site Ocean Tribe dive center, offering incredible reef diving.
When not diving, enjoy kite-surfing, dolphin & whale shark snorkeling, spa treatments, microlight adventures, and Diani’s lively bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
📍 All-Inclusive Accommodation: Baobab Beach Resort & Spa
Don’t see a dive and safari package that suits you? Contact us, and we can design a bespoke package just for you! Customize your trip with your group size, preferred parks, trip length, hotel catering options, and number of dives.
Ocean Tribe Dive Team
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