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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 should I bring for my diving course? Coming to learn to dive with us in Diani can be done as a standalone experience or as part of a larger safari adventure. While we encourage you to carry all the standard travel garb with regard to clothing, swimwear, sunglasses, hats etc, there are a couple of things we recommend you also have, depending on the dive course/ experience you are doing.
While your smartphone and charger are everyday items that you carry everywhere, you might also want a larger device for doing your SSI eLearning for your diver course on. The materials look much better on iPads (where they can be viewed offline) or laptops. This is especially important for those doing dive professional training where a majority of the teaching materials are now digital.
We have free WiFi in the Ocean Tribe dive centre and free WiFi is available in almost all bars/restaurants and cafes in Diani. We can also take you to get a local SIM for your Smartphone/portable WiFi.
Passport
Visa
Certifications
Log Book
Flight Tickets
Travel & Dive Insurance
Credit Card/Debit Cards
Those are the most important things, you really shouldn’t forget! Also talk to your bank if your credit card is working here! For the visa, we will provide assistance to pick the correct one and also with the extension process (which you might need, depending on the program you are on).
While standard health and hygiene products are available from local pharmacies and supermarkets you should try and make sure in addition you have reef-friendly sunscreen and consult your physician about anti-malarial medicine. Any prescription medication you require, you should bring along with you in case of availability here. It is also a good idea to get the diver medical completed before you come in case of any contradictions that your doctor needs to verify are ok for diving.
By Air
Flights run daily from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Ukunda (Diani Airport). There are also flights from Nairobi Wilson to Ukunda Airport.
The airlines which fly the route are:
By Rail
Take the SGR Mandaraka Express from Nairobi to Mombasa. You can then get a taxi or shuttle from the SGR terminus at Mombasa to Diani. Ocean Tribe can arrange taxis and transfers too.
By Road
You can catch an overnight bus from Nairobi to Ukunda. This is a long trip taking around 12 hours but normally the most cost effective way to get to Diani.
If self driving then follow the Mombasa road from Nairobi to Mombasa then cross the ferry at Likoni from Mombasa Island and drive to Ukunda before taking the road to Diani Beach.
To get to Diani from Mombasa if you have arrived by the SGR railway from Nairobi
By Air
Despite it only being 30km away the Likoni ferry can add substantial time to a journey so if you are connecting from Mombasa Airport there are a couple of carriers who fly from Mombasa to Ukunda. But given waiting times this is often not worth it.
By Road-Self Driving/ Riding Matatus
If self driving cross the ferry at Likoni from Mombasa Island and drive to Ukunda on the main highway to Tanzania before taking the road to Diani Beach. For the more adventurous of you riding matatus, you will need to change vehicles at the ferry and cross the ferry on foot, then change again at Ukunda and get a Tuk Tuk to Diani.
By Road- Taxi
Private cars can be arranged from Mombasa Airport or Mombasa SGR railway terminus to Diani. Ocean Tribe can arrange these cars or you can book online here. Contact us for more information.
It is also possible to get Ubers in Mombasa although the Uber map calculation might not take the ferry into account and calculate a longer route.
The taxi on demand at Mombasa airport and the SGR terminus are also a possibility, but make sure you know the rate before travelling to Diani. This should be between 5,000-7,000 Ksh.
Many students in the SSI Divemaster and Instructor Training Course (ITC) ask, “Can I work to pay off my dive training” While we understand the financial commitment, running a high-quality training program involves significant expenses.
To give you the best learning experience, we invest in:
For these reasons, we do not offer work-to-pay options. However, we support you in finding a job after certification, helping you start your dive career and recover training costs.
Once you qualify as an SSI Instructor or Divemaster, we assist with job placements. In some cases, we offer paid work at Ocean Tribe, depending on demand and individual circumstances.
Many dive centers that exchange training for work often assign menial tasks that don’t contribute to your dive career. Instructors may also prioritize paying clients, giving less attention to trainees.
Becoming a skilled, employable dive professional requires top-tier training from a reputable, professional dive center. High-quality training leads to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and a successful career in the dive industry.
Want to become a sought-after dive pro? Train with the best and start your journey today!
What Paperwork do I have to Complete for My PADI Dive Course? Obviously, before any diving activity at Ocean Tribe, you will be required to complete some paperwork. This can include statements of understanding, liability releases and medical declarations, as well as course registrations, applications and training records. In order to make this as easy as possible for you, reduce our environmental footprint and reduce contact as an anti-coronavirus measure, we have made a number of these waivers digital, so you can fill them out prior to arrival for your dive course/dive trip. If further information is needed then you will be required to submit a paper version (you can also request the paper version if you are not comfortable with digital releases). Below is a breakdown of the paperwork required to be completed for each course/dive trip.
Many aspiring divers ask, “What’s the minimum age to become a dive professional?” The good news is that SSI has very few age restrictions. However, there are some key requirements you should know.
Scuba diving is for everyone! There’s no upper age limit for professional internships. Many divers continue their careers into their 60s and beyond. We’ve even trained a diver in her mid-70s! As long as you’re medically certified to dive, you can start your journey to becoming an SSI pro.
Our dive community includes:
Joining our SSI pro training means you’ll gain top-level skills, make lifelong friends, and open doors to exciting dive jobs worldwide. Ready to start your dream career? Explore our professional scuba diving packages today!
The best time to dive Kenya for optimal conditions is obviously when the visibility and marine life are best. This is coupled with conditions on the surface with the weather and sea conditions playing a vital part in your enjoyment of your dive experience in Kenya.
From our perspective in Diani Beach, the best time to dive Kenya is between the months of October and March. During this time the winds mean the waves are lower, with better visibility than can be expected at other times of the year. November has short rains which can affect this but not seriously. During this period there is the best chance of spotting the giants of the ocean the whale shark and manta rays.
In late August/ early September you have the chance of spotting humpback whales in the surface, although they are very rarely seen near the dive reefs. Dolphins are a common spot all year round in certain areas.
The only time of year we would counsel you not to come to Kenya for specific diving vacations, is May and June when surface conditions due to wind and rain make it very difficult for us to get the dive boat out in safety and comfort for our divers. During this period we focus on our PADI Instructor Development programs and staff development to keep your dive experience exceptional and up to date.
From a financial point of view, the most expensive time of the year to come to Diani is the last week of December / first week of January as many of the hotels sell out quickly and therefore charge premium rates. This is less of a problem if you book in advance and Ocean Tribe does not change their pricing between low-season and high season for dive trips and courses.
The visa requirements to enter Kenya at this time are that a number of countries are exempt from needing a visa to enter Kenya. Most nationalities are required to apply for an eVisa via the Kenya Electronic Visa System.
For a small number of countries, a full visa application is required. For a list by country see below. This list is liable to change so it is always a good idea to check.
While in some cases it has been possible to get a visa on arrival, Kenya is phasing out this system and this is not recommended, especially as it is so easy to sort an eVisa.
You will need. A passport with 6 months validity. A copy of the passport bio page to upload. A debit or credit card to pay the $51 eVisa fee. Details of your itinerary including flight tickets, hotel bookings, invitation letters etc. (If needed Ocean Tribe can write an invitation letter for you- Contact Us for Details)
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brunei
Burundi
Cyprus
Dominica
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Jamaica
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia (30 days)
Maldives
Mauritius
Namibia
Nauru
Papua New Guinea
Rwanda ID
Samoa
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa (30 days)
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uganda ID
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Eritrea
Iraq
North Korea
Kosovo
Lebanon
Libya
Palestine
Somalia
Syria
Tajikistan
Yemen
The price of scuba diving in Diani can vary depending on your level of diver education and the dive sites that you wish to dive. Other things to factor in the price of scuba diving in Diani are the inclusions in your dive safari or diver course and are there hidden costs.
The price of scuba diving in Diani for a beginner, for example, starts at $180 for the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience or $299 for the entry-level PADI Scuba Diver or $595 for the PADI Open Water Diver course. This differs to our daily double-tank dive rate of $120 for certified divers, as the certified divers already have the licence and need guiding rather than teaching.
The first comment we can make at Ocean Tribe is that there are no hidden costs in our programs. Our pricing includes all PADI student diver materials, marine park fees, instruction, transport, and equipment rental in the advertised price.
It has been remarked to us by some customers that they have seen prices advertised elsewhere which seem low but then have all of “the extras” on top such as they have to buy the manual and the certification, and pay the marine park fees and equipment rental on top of that. This can bulk the price up quite a bit from the advertised price.
In addition to the dives, equipment rental and the above-mentioned inclusions in our price of scuba diving in Diani, Ocean Tribe also gives every single customer a welcome pack. Inside the welcome pack is included a t-shirt, rubber Ocean Tribe bracelet and an Ocean Tribe aluminium reusable water bottle.
As a discerning customer, you should always ask if everything is included in the final price to avoid being stuck with extra costs. We do have some items in the cost of scuba diving in Diani, that are included as extra bolt-ons because they are not part of the course and up to the customer if they want to get them. These can include photographs of your dive experience, Ocean Tribe merchandise and dive equipment.
Other inclusions it is worth asking about are things like are dive computers included on courses or dive packages or are they available to rent. If a dive company is running strictly to the rules then divers should all have their own computer during a dive or diving according to the dive table limits, which can affect your dive time.
At Ocean Tribe we also have special rates and discount for couples booking together, families diving as a group and groups to make it more cost-effective when booking with friends or family.
Download the Ocean Tribe Price List 2020-21 to see the price of scuba diving in Diani with Ocean Tribe.
Click Here to Book your scuba diving trip or PADI dive course in Diani with Ocean Tribe Today
Ocean Tribe would like to say thank you by offering a discount for medical professionals and first responders on scuba diving activities and courses in Kenya. This really has been a nightmare few months during the COVID-19 pandemic and we appreciate the efforts that have been made by the medical services around the globe in combating the virus.
The discounts to be applied are:
The discount can be redeemed immediately and used from the moment Ocean Tribe re-opens for business for up to 12 months following the booking (unless COVID circumstances force us to extend the deadline).
This discount is available to Healthcare Workers from around the globe who are directly responsible for keeping us safe at this time. Included professions are: doctors, nurses, technicians, medical researchers, hospital workers etc. Please apply to confirm your eligibility.
You will need to submit proof of profession (Your state-, government- or employer-issued ID). to receive your discount code to use in the online booking system.
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Yes you can book family members with you and received a discount for the booking as long as they are made all at once.
[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Can I use the Discount More Than Once?”]
You can use the discount more than once on continuing education PADI courses. A dive trip discount is a single event.
[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Is the Discount Valid for All Courses and Trips?”]
Excluded products are those already on sale, clearance shop items, snorkelling trips and gift cards.
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Scuba diving for kids is an ideal activity to get young people involved in on both a fun adventurous activity and educational pursuit. Kids only have to be 8 years old to get started on the PADI diver system and open up a lifetime of adventure and achievement in the underwater world.
For kids below the age of 10 but older than 8, Ocean Tribe offer the PADI Bubblemaker and PADI Seal Team programs. Both programs take place in a swimming pool or confined water environment, where the kids get used to being on SCUBA.
The PADI Bubblemaker introduces kids to scuba diving on a short try dive experience. Participants learn a couple of skills and then get to swim around and play on scuba and begin their discovery of the underwater world. The whole experience can be done in an hour or so and is a great introduction to SCUBA for children.
The PADI Seal Team experience takes place over 5 sessions and if the kids want more, there is the option to do the PADI Master Seal Team program. The Master Seal Team includes 10 more Aqua-Missions, during which participants are introduced to more skills such as night time pool diving and underwater obstacle courses. It’s awesome fun.
For kids aged 10 and above they have the option to take part in the PADI Junior Open Water Diver. This is the same course as the adult one and automatically upgraded to the full PADI Open Water Diver Course rating when the diver reaches 15 years old. The course qualifies the diver to dive independently with an adult body around the world. There are also a number of PADI Specialty diver courses that kids can take part in and in continuing their education the PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver course and PADI Junior Rescue Diver Course.
The PADI Seal Team is a more in-depth experience for budding young divers. Participants take part in a number of “Aqua-Missions” which introduce kids to the skills from the PADI Open Water Diver course. This can then be credited for the full course when the kids reach 10 years old.
Here at Ocean Tribe we also run activities for groups of kids or school groups. We can even offer Bubblemaker children’s birthday parties. Contact us for more details.
Below are listed the available children’s programs on online booking. You can also download a PDF of our available kids scuba diving programs available at Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach, Kenya.
Ocean Tribe Dive Team
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