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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.
For adventurous divers looking to go beyond the reefs and into structured environments, SSI Advanced Wreck Diving is one of the most rewarding specialties you can take. Perfect for those aiming to deepen their skills and explore one of the most exciting dive sites on the South Coast of Kenya, this specialty elevates your confidence, discipline and capability underwater while introducing you to the unique world of wreck diving in Diani.
Wrecks are more than historical artifacts. They are thriving marine habitats, dramatic underwater structures and training environments that demand precision, awareness and teamwork. Our Advanced Wreck Diving specialty gives you the tools to navigate these environments safely and responsibly.
Historical and Marine Interest
The famous MV Alpha Funguo wreck off Diani Beach is a purpose-sunk vessel that has become a thriving artificial reef rich with fish life and underwater interest. It presents a perfect platform for certified divers to explore structure, marine growth and dive planning at depth.
Skill Advancement for Confident Diving
This specialty goes beyond basic open water diving by requiring you to think ahead, manage potential hazards and apply structured planning to real dive scenarios. You will refine buoyancy control, navigation and underwater team coordination — skills that improve every type of dive you do.
The SSI Advanced Wreck Diving specialty combines digital theory with practical in-water training to give you essential skills for safe and effective wreck dives. Key areas of learning include:
Wreck Theory and Dive Planning
You’ll understand how wrecks sit on the seabed, what makes them safe or hazardous, and how to plan your dive profile to stay within limits and maximise your experience.
Deploying a Line Using a Wreck Reel
A cornerstone skill for structured wreck dives is deploying and managing a line with a wreck reel. You will learn how to:
Using Torches Within the Light Zone
Many wreck areas have shaded sections or interior spaces. You will be taught how to use dive torches safely:
Gas Management Using the Rule of Thirds
Gas management is critical in structured environments. You will apply the rule of thirds — reserving one-third of your gas for entry, one-third for exit, and one-third as a contingency — ensuring that your team always has a safe supply for unexpected delays or challenges.
These skills increase your situational awareness and make your wreck dives safer, smoother and more controlled.
One of the highlights of wreck diving in Diani is the MV Alpha Funguo wreck. This vessel was purpose-sunk to create a dive site and artificial reef, and it lies roughly between 18-30 metres deep, easily accessible from shore boat trips.
The wreck’s intact structure and abundant marine life make it ideal for training dives where you can practise line deployment, buoyancy management, light use and structured navigation — all under the guidance of certified instructors.
SSI Advanced Wreck Diving Specialty – $299
This price includes all required digital learning modules, instructor-led dives and certification upon completion. It is 4 dives over 2 days.
Prerequisites:
To enroll you must already be certified as either:
Equivalent certification from other recognised agencies is also accepted — just bring proof of certification on the first day of training.
Add Nitrox to Your Advanced Wreck Specialty – $50
Extend your no-decompression limits and dive more comfortably by adding enriched air nitrox training to your wreck specialty course.
Mission Diver Package
For divers serious about developing multiple specialties, our Mission Ready Diver package lets you combine courses, save on costs and build a well-rounded skill set quickly.
If you want to take your diving to the next level, the SSI Advanced Wreck Diving specialty in Diani offers a unique combination of skill development, adventure and underwater discovery. From structured planning and gas management to mastering wreck reels and light techniques, this course provides practical learning you can use around the world.
Reserve your spot today and experience why wreck diving in Diani is one of the most compelling specialties for advanced divers.
Kenya is quietly becoming one of the most exciting dive travel destinations in the Indian Ocean. In 2026, a dive trip to Kenya offers far more than just warm water and coral reefs. It delivers uncrowded diving, big marine life, excellent training standards, and the rare chance to combine world-class scuba diving with iconic African safaris in one seamless trip.
For divers looking for something different from the usual Southeast Asia or Red Sea circuits, Kenya stands out for all the right reasons.
One of the biggest reasons to plan a dive trip to Kenya in 2026 is the lack of mass tourism underwater. Diani Beach and the surrounding reef systems remain refreshingly uncrowded. Dive sites are rarely busy, boats are not stacked on top of each other, and divers are not rushed through their profiles.
This creates better diving. There is more space, less stress, better buoyancy control, and more time to actually enjoy the reef. For photographers, it means clear shots without fins in the frame. For newer divers, it means calm, unhurried supervision. For experienced divers, it means relaxed, properly planned dives.
Kenya’s marine parks and protected reef systems are in excellent condition. Coral gardens are vibrant and varied, with hard and soft corals supporting a wide range of reef fish. Turtles are common, dolphins are frequently seen, and seasonal whale shark and humpback whale sightings add to the excitement.
Reef dives suit all levels, while deeper sites and wrecks provide interest for advanced divers. The combination of biodiversity and good visibility makes Kenya a strong choice for both recreational diving and continuing education.
A dive trip to Kenya in 2026 means warm water, comfortable conditions, and consistent diving throughout the year. Water temperatures typically range from the mid to high twenties, making wetsuits optional for many divers.
This makes Kenya ideal for longer dive trips, multiple training courses, and relaxed daily schedules without cold-related fatigue. It also makes it a great destination for divers who want enjoyable diving without the extremes of colder water destinations.
Kenya is not just a holiday diving destination. It is an excellent place to learn to dive, continue your training, or even start a professional dive career.
The relaxed pace, good visibility, and forgiving conditions allow divers to focus on skills rather than fighting currents or crowds. Courses feel calmer, skills stick better, and confidence builds naturally. For those progressing toward Divemaster or Instructor levels, Kenya offers real-world experience with a wide range of divers, conditions, and marine environments.
Very few destinations can genuinely offer both outstanding scuba diving and world-famous wildlife safaris in the same holiday. Kenya does this effortlessly.
In 2026, a dive trip to Kenya can include morning dives on coral reefs followed by a safari in Tsavo East or other iconic parks. Elephants, lions, giraffes, and buffalo are not an add-on experience here. They are part of the same journey.
This combination makes Kenya perfect for divers travelling with non-divers, couples with mixed interests, or anyone wanting a once-in-a-lifetime adventure without constant travel days.
As popular dive destinations become more expensive and congested, Kenya remains excellent value. Diving is high quality, training standards are strong, and accommodation ranges from affordable beachfront hotels to luxury resorts.
In 2026, Kenya offers a rare balance. You get professional dive operations, modern equipment, and experienced instructors without paying premium prices simply because a destination is fashionable.
Perhaps the strongest reason to choose a dive trip to Kenya in 2026 is that it still feels like an adventure. It is not overdeveloped. It is not predictable. Every day brings something slightly different, whether it is a turtle encounter, a dolphin pod, or elephants crossing the road on the way to safari.
For divers who have already ticked off the obvious destinations, Kenya offers something deeper. It delivers real experiences both above and below the surface.
Kenya’s diving infrastructure continues to improve while its reefs remain uncrowded. Dive centres are investing in better training, better boats, and better facilities, while the destination itself stays authentic and unspoiled.
A dive trip to Kenya in 2026 lets you experience the country at exactly the right moment. Developed enough to be comfortable, but still wild enough to feel special.
If you are ready to take the next step in your diving journey, become a Divemaster in Kenya in 2026 and turn your experience underwater into a professional qualification. Kenya offers warm water diving, relaxed conditions, and uncrowded reefs, making it an ideal environment for professional-level training. Combined with an unbeatable lifestyle and excellent value, it is one of the smartest places to go pro.
At Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach, Divemaster training is built around real experience, not rushed certifications.
Kenya remains one of the most underrated destinations for professional dive training. While places like Thailand or Europe are well known, Kenya quietly delivers exceptional conditions for learning. The Indian Ocean offers year-round diving, decent visibility, manageable currents, and a wide variety of marine life. These conditions allow you to focus on skills, awareness, and leadership rather than simply coping with challenging environments.
Beyond diving, life in Kenya adds depth to the experience. Training here is not just about time in the water. It is about living on the coast, experiencing local culture, and having the option to add safari adventures alongside your training.
Divemaster is the first professional level in recreational scuba diving. It is the point where you move from being a customer to being part of the dive operation.
As a Divemaster, you learn how to guide certified divers, assist instructors during training, manage dive logistics, and maintain a strong focus on safety and professionalism. You also develop the soft skills that matter just as much as diving ability, including communication, situational awareness, and leadership.
Ocean Tribe is an SSI Diamond Instructor Training Centre based in Diani Beach. Divemaster training here is run as an internship-style program, designed to prepare you for real dive centre work.
When you become a Divemaster in Kenya with Ocean Tribe, you are involved in daily dive operations. You assist on courses, guide certified divers, help with briefings, and learn how a professional dive centre actually functions. This approach produces confident Divemasters who are comfortable in both the water and the workplace.
Training focuses heavily on buoyancy, trim, awareness, and problem prevention. You are mentored throughout by experienced instructors, with direct oversight from an SSI Instructor Trainer.
Training includes:
To start Divemaster training, you need the appropriate recreational certifications, rescue-level training, medical clearance, and a minimum number of logged dives. If you are not there yet, that does not hold you back.
Ocean Tribe offers complete zero-to-Divemaster programs, allowing you to progress from beginner level through to professional certification in one structured pathway. This ensures your skills develop logically, without gaps, and with plenty of time to build experience between levels.
Divemaster training in Kenya is not about rushing. Most candidates take between six weeks and three months, depending on their starting level and how much experience they want to gain along the way.
Many trainees choose to stay longer, using the time to log dives, gain confidence, and fully settle into the professional role. The aim is competence and confidence, not simply meeting the minimum standards.
The global dive industry continues to grow, and dive centres are actively seeking well-trained professionals. At the same time, training costs in many traditional locations continue to rise.
Kenya offers an excellent balance of quality and value. Training costs remain accessible, living expenses are reasonable, and the experience you gain is substantial. For those looking to build a long-term diving career, 2026 is an ideal moment to take that step.
Divemaster training is demanding, but life in Diani Beach provides the perfect counterbalance. White sand beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, and a strong social scene make it easy to switch off after training days.
The ability to combine diving with wildlife safaris, cultural experiences, and a slower pace of life is something many trainees say makes their time here truly special.
For many divers, Divemaster is just the beginning. Once certified, you can work as a professional, continue building experience, or progress toward Instructor training.
Ocean Tribe runs regular SSI Instructor Training Courses, making it easy to continue your professional development without changing locations or training systems.
If you love diving and enjoy working with people, Divemaster training can be a life-changing experience. If you also value personal mentorship, real responsibility, and a destination that offers more than just diving, Kenya stands out.
When you become a Divemaster in Kenya , you are not just earning a certification. You are stepping into a new role, a new lifestyle, and a global professional community.
If 2026 is the year you commit to your diving future, now is the time to start planning. Whether you are just starting out or already well on your way, Ocean Tribe can build a clear and realistic path to professional diving.
Training is about more than passing a course. It is about becoming the kind of Divemaster dive centres want to work with.
Managing your scuba equipment properly is just as important as choosing the right dive sites or training pathway. Increasingly, divers are realising that how they track and document their equipment above the surface has a direct impact on safety, travel, servicing, and long-term enjoyment of the sport. One of the most practical but underused features available to divers today is the ability to register and manage gear in the MySSI app.
Whether you are brand new to diving or have been diving for decades, listing your gear in the MySSI app gives you a complete digital record of your equipment and how it fits into your diving life.
Scuba equipment operates in a harsh environment. Saltwater, sand, pressure changes, and repeated use all take their toll. Regulators, BCs, dive computers, and cylinders all require regular servicing to remain safe and reliable.
When you list your gear in the MySSI app, you can track service dates and maintenance intervals in one central place. Instead of guessing when your regulator was last serviced or searching through emails and receipts, you have a clear digital record tied directly to each piece of equipment. This reduces the risk of diving with overdue gear and makes routine servicing far easier to manage, especially if you dive infrequently or own multiple sets of equipment.
Over time, divers forget how valuable this information becomes. By linking your equipment to your dive logs, the MySSI app allows you to see exactly what gear you were using on specific dives.
This becomes incredibly useful when reviewing buoyancy, trim, weighting, or even gas consumption. If one trip felt easier, warmer, or more comfortable than another, your logbook can often explain why. Different exposure suits, fins, BCs, and computers all influence how a dive feels. Having that information recorded removes guesswork and helps you make smarter decisions when planning dives or upgrading equipment.
Travelling internationally with scuba equipment can sometimes raise questions at customs, particularly when carrying expensive regulators, dive computers, or camera systems.
Listing your gear in the MySSI app creates a digital ownership record showing make, model, and purchase details. While it is not a replacement for official customs documentation, it functions as a practical digital carnet that helps demonstrate ownership and intent. Having this information instantly accessible on your phone can reduce delays, avoid awkward conversations, and make travelling with dive gear far less stressful.
Many divers do not record serial numbers until they urgently need them. Regulators, dive computers, cylinders, and some BCs all have unique serial numbers that are essential for warranty claims, manufacturer recalls, and service history verification.
By storing serial numbers alongside your gear in the MySSI app, you ensure they are never lost, faded, or forgotten. If a manufacturer issues a safety recall, you can quickly check whether your equipment is affected. If a warranty issue arises, all the required information is already available, saving time and unnecessary frustration.
Most divers build their kit gradually. Regulators get upgraded, BCs replaced, fins swapped, and computers retired. Years later, many divers struggle to remember exactly what they used to dive with, even if it was equipment they trusted and loved.
By listing your gear in the MySSI app, you build a personal equipment history over time. When it comes to replacing a favourite regulator, choosing a similar BC, or comparing older models to newer versions, you have an accurate reference. This is particularly useful when talking to dive shops or manufacturers and trying to match performance, fit, or features from previous setups.
In the unfortunate event that your scuba gear is lost, stolen, or damaged, having a detailed digital record makes a significant difference. Insurance providers typically require proof of ownership, model details, serial numbers, and approximate purchase dates.
With your gear already listed in the MySSI app, you are not relying on memory or scrambling for paperwork. Everything is organised, documented, and easy to access, which can speed up insurance claims and reduce stress at an already frustrating time.
As divers gain experience, their preferences change. What worked perfectly at ten dives may not suit you at one hundred. By tracking what you own and what you used on different dives, patterns start to emerge.
You may notice that certain fins consistently pair with better trim, or that a specific exposure suit works best for the temperatures you normally dive. This insight helps avoid expensive buying mistakes and ensures that new purchases genuinely improve your diving rather than simply replacing equipment out of habit.
For Divemasters, instructors, and career divers, equipment management is part of professionalism. Maintaining a clear, verifiable record of personal gear supports discussions around servicing, safety, and standards compliance.
It also becomes increasingly important when working across multiple dive centres, travelling frequently, or teaching in different environments. Having your gear recorded in the MySSI app keeps this information accessible wherever you are diving and working.
Divers managed their equipment long before the MySSI app existed, and many still use excellent third-party digital logbooks such as MacDive, which also allow you to record and track your gear. Using any digital system is far better than relying solely on paper logbooks or memory.
However, if you do not list your gear in the MySSI app, your equipment records often end up separated from the rest of your diving information. Certifications, training materials, dive logs, service reminders, and club membership details live in different places rather than in one integrated system. Over time, this fragmentation makes it easier to miss service dates, lose serial numbers, or forget exactly which equipment you were using on certain dives. While alternative logbooks can work very well, the strength of the MySSI app lies in bringing everything together in one place, directly connected to your SSI training and dive activity.
The real value of listing your gear in the MySSI app is integration. Your certifications, dive logs, training materials, memberships, and equipment records all live in one connected system.
Instead of scattered notes, emails, and forgotten details, you have a single, organised digital record of your diving life. It only takes a few minutes to set up, but it delivers long-term benefits every time you service equipment, travel, log a dive, or plan your next upgrade.
The global scuba diving industry is changing, and for dive professionals paying attention, the direction is clear. Across the world, SSI Instructor is the smart career move for Divemasters and instructors looking to build a sustainable, flexible, and employable future in diving.
This shift is not driven by marketing hype. It is being led by busy, high-quality dive centres that need efficient systems, adaptable instructors, and long-term professional retention. As more of these operations cross over from PADI to SSI, the demand for SSI-qualified professionals continues to grow.
If you are considering instructor training, or thinking about a crossover, understanding why SSI Instructor is the smart career move has never been more important.
Over the last decade, SSI has become the fastest-growing recreational scuba training agency in the world. This growth is most visible in Southeast Asia, where some of the busiest dive destinations now have more SSI dive centres than PADI ones.
Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Maldives have all seen a steady migration of established dive operations moving fully to SSI. In places like Koh Tao, the Gili Islands, and parts of Bali, SSI is no longer the alternative agency. In many locations, it is now the dominant one.
This same pattern is emerging globally. Dive centres in the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, and North America are also making the switch. Importantly, once centres move to SSI, very few move back.
For professionals, this matters because dive centres hire instructors who fit their systems. As more operations choose SSI, SSI Instructor is the smart career move simply because it aligns your qualifications with where the jobs are.
For Divemasters planning to step into instructor training, choosing SSI now can significantly improve post-certification employment options. Increasingly, dive centres either prefer or require SSI instructors, particularly in competitive markets.
For existing PADI instructors, crossover to SSI has become a strategic decision rather than a backup option. Many instructors now cross over not because they dislike their original training, but because they recognise that SSI Instructor is the smart career move in terms of flexibility, support, and long-term viability.
Holding SSI instructor status opens doors in regions where PADI-only professionals may struggle to find consistent work. It also allows instructors to remain adaptable as the industry continues to evolve.
SSI’s rapid growth is driven by practical advantages that directly benefit instructors and dive centres.
SSI’s MySSI platform brings digital learning, instructor materials, standards, certifications, and logbooks into one streamlined system. Instructor materials are included and always current. Updates happen automatically.
Students retain lifetime access to their digital learning, and instructors spend far less time on admin. In busy dive operations, this efficiency is critical. It reduces friction, saves time, and improves consistency.
For modern dive professionals, this digital ecosystem is a major reason SSI Instructor is the smart career move.
SSI standards are built around performance, not rigid sequencing. This allows instructors to adapt courses to students, conditions, and real-world schedules.
Skills can be revisited as needed. Sessions can be rearranged if weather or logistics change. Extra dives can be added to build confidence rather than rushing students through minimum requirements.
This flexibility improves student outcomes and reduces instructor burnout. Instructors can teach properly, not mechanically. For many professionals, this alone makes SSI Instructor the smart career move.
SSI operates regional service centres worldwide, providing direct and responsive support to instructors and dive centres. Communication is practical, personal, and efficient.
SSI instructors are required to remain active, medically fit, and professionally current. While this maintains higher baseline standards, it also increases credibility. Dive centres know that SSI instructors are up to date and actively engaged in teaching.
This professional consistency benefits instructors, dive centres, and students alike.
SSI professional fees are significantly lower than equivalent memberships elsewhere. Digital materials are included. Updates are free.
SSI also rewards active instructors. Through its professional rewards system, instructors earn credits for certifications that can reduce or even eliminate annual renewal fees. In busy dive centres, many instructors effectively renew for free.
Lower overheads, predictable costs, and better financial sustainability are major reasons why SSI Instructor is the smart career move for anyone planning a long-term career in diving.
At Ocean Tribe, we have trained divers and professionals across multiple training systems and dive markets worldwide. We do not switch agencies lightly.
In 2025, we made the decision to fully cross over to SSI because it aligned better with how we believe divers and professionals should be trained, supported, and developed.
We observed the same global trend playing out across Southeast Asia and beyond. The busiest, most forward-thinking dive centres were increasingly choosing SSI. Not because it was fashionable, but because it worked better operationally.
SSI allows us to deliver more flexible, realistic, and supportive professional training. The digital ecosystem reduces admin. The standards support proper teaching. And the professional rewards system helps instructors build sustainable careers.
Just as importantly, SSI’s global growth means our graduates are entering a job market that is expanding. Many of the dive centres we work with now prefer or exclusively operate under SSI.
From our perspective as an instructor training centre, SSI Instructor is the smart career move not only for today’s professionals, but for the future of the industry.
The dive industry is evolving. Professionals who adapt with it will thrive.
For Divemasters, SSI instructor training offers a modern, flexible, and future-focused entry into the professional ranks. For existing instructors, crossover to SSI provides renewed opportunity, better support, and stronger long-term value.
As more dive centres switch to SSI, the advantages become increasingly clear. More job opportunities. Better teaching systems. Lower costs. Greater flexibility.
If you are serious about building a long-term career in diving, SSI Instructor is the smart career move you should be considering right now.
If you are ready to turn your passion for diving into a career, the instructor course is the step that changes everything. In 2026, Ocean Tribe is offering a full calendar of SSI Instructor Training Courses (ITCs) in two world-class tropical locations: Diani Beach, Kenya and Siargao, Philippines.
These courses are designed for Divemasters who want more than just a certification card. They are for divers who want confidence, real teaching skills, and the experience needed to step into employment as a professional scuba instructor.
Led by Elite Instructor Trainer Mark Slingo, Ocean Tribe’s SSI instructor training programmes focus on quality, mentorship, and real-world readiness, not rushed factory-style courses .
Ocean Tribe is running multiple instructor training intakes throughout 2026, giving candidates flexibility to plan around work, travel, or internships.
This makes Ocean Tribe one of the few SSI centres offering instructor training across multiple international locationsunder the same experienced leadership and training standards .
Many instructor training courses focus purely on passing the evaluation. Ocean Tribe takes a different approach.
Your training days begin with warm tropical water, white sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs just minutes from the classroom in Diani Beach. This is not cold-water, rushed instructor training. It is focused, professional development in an environment that reminds you why you fell in love with diving in the first place .
Ocean Tribe keeps small class sizes, allowing for:
The goal is to produce employable instructors, not just certified ones.
All 2026 instructor courses are led by Mark Slingo, an award-winning SSI Elite Instructor Trainer with decades of global teaching and dive centre management experience. Candidates benefit from real-world insight into teaching, professionalism, and finding work after certification .
New for 2026, Ocean Tribe is offering the SSI ITC not only in Kenya, but also at its sister dive centre in Siargao, Philippines.
Siargao is known for:
This gives candidates the unique option to:
Ocean Tribe’s 10-day Instructor Training Course is a comprehensive professional package designed to prepare you for real teaching work.
This package goes far beyond basic instructor certification, giving you additional teaching tools and qualifications that improve employability from day one .
Already an instructor with another agency? Ocean Tribe also offers SSI Instructor Crossover training in 2026.
This pathway allows experienced instructors to move into the SSI system efficiently while maintaining professional standards .
For experienced instructors looking to progress further, Ocean Tribe also offers the SSI Assistant Instructor Trainer Course.
This is the next step for professionals aiming to become leaders within the SSI training system .
SSI instructor training is ideal if you:
Ocean Tribe’s approach suits candidates who want confidence, professionalism, and long-term career options, not just a fast certification.
You can explore full ITC packages online, download the brochure, or speak directly with the Instructor Trainer.
Ocean Tribe looks forward to welcoming you for your SSI instructor training journey in 2026
The world of dive computers has evolved fast. What was once a bulky, single-purpose device is now, in many cases, a watch you can wear every day. Today’s divers can choose from a wide range of dive computer smartwatch options, from mainstream smartwatches that support recreational diving to professional-grade dive computers with smartwatch-style features.
So which option is right for you?
In this guide, we break down the best dive computer smartwatch options available today, including Apple Watch Ultra, Garmin Descent, Suunto Ocean, and traditional dive computers such as Suunto D5 and Shearwater Teric. We’ll look at what each does well, where the limits are, and who each option suits best.
Modern divers want simplicity. Fewer devices. Less charging. Cleaner dive logs. Manufacturers have responded by merging dive technology with everyday wearables.
There are now two clear categories:
Understanding which category a device falls into is key to choosing the right one.
Apple changed the conversation with the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra. For the first time, a mainstream smartwatch could realistically function as a recreational dive computer.
Since then, Apple has refined the platform through Ultra 2 and Ultra 3, improving performance, brightness, and battery efficiency while keeping the same overall dive philosophy.
All Apple Watch Ultra models are smartwatches first. Dive computer functionality is delivered through certified third-party apps rather than built-in software.
This makes the Ultra extremely appealing to recreational divers who want one watch for everyday life and diving.
From a diving perspective, Ultra, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3 behave very similarly. The newer models mainly improve:
Dive functionality itself remains recreational-focused across all models.
The Apple Watch Ultra does not include dive computer software by default. Instead, divers choose an app. Two matter most.
Oceanic+ was the first full dive computer app built specifically for Apple Watch Ultra and remains the most widely used.
Strengths
Limitations
Oceanic+ works very well as a primary recreational dive computer or as a high-quality backup for experienced divers.
Mares Smart Dive takes a more traditional dive-computer approach.
Why it stands out
Dives recorded with Mares Smart Dive sync directly into the MySSI digital logbook, meaning:
For SSI divers, students, and professionals, this is a major advantage.
Limitations
Garmin has long been a leader in multisport watches, and the Garmin Descent series brings that expertise into diving.
The G1 is one of the best value dive computer smartwatch options available.
Ideal for recreational divers who train regularly and want room to progress.
The Mk3i is Garmin’s flagship.
This is a no-compromise option for divers who want everything in one device.
Suunto Ocean sits between a traditional dive computer and a modern sports watch.
Suunto Ocean suits divers who want modern surface features without moving fully into a smartwatch ecosystem.
Some divers prefer devices that remain dive computers at heart.
The Teric is trusted by technical and professional divers worldwide.
Choosing between dive computer smartwatch options depends on how you dive and how you live.
Choose Apple Watch Ultra if
Choose Garmin Descent if
Choose Suunto Ocean or D5 if
Choose Shearwater Teric if
Modern dive computer smartwatch options give divers more freedom than ever before. Whether you want a lifestyle smartwatch that can dive or a professional dive computer you can wear every day, there is now a solution to match your diving path.
The key is choosing a device that supports where you are now, and where you want to go next as a diver.
Congratulations! You’ve completed your Open Water Diver certification — you’re now a qualified diver ready to explore the world’s reefs, wrecks, walls and drop-offs. But what’s the best next step after Open Water? Rather than heading straight into a traditional Advanced Open Water Diver course, there’s a high-value alternative that gives you deeper qualifications, real skills, and faster progress toward advanced ratings: taking three full specialty courses — Deep Diver, Navigation, and Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) — in place of a single broad course.
The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program lets you try five adventure dives from a list of specialties like deep, navigation, wreck, night and others. It’s designed as an introduction to advanced skills and helps you gain confidence under supervision.
However, because the adventure dives are sample experiences rather than full certifications, you don’t finish with distinct specialty cards — and that limits the real value of the training when it comes to logged achievement and progression.
Here’s what you get when you choose full specialty courses instead:
The Deep Diver specialty teaches you how to plan and execute dives to depths up to 40 m/130 ft, safely manage gas consumption, and handle deeper dive planning effectively. This goes further than the typical depths you’re introduced to during adventure dives alone and equips you with a certification to dive deeper legally and confidently. This is 10m deeper than the 30m the Advanced Open Water Diver course qualifies you to.
The Navigation specialty focuses on practical compass use and natural navigation techniques. Rather than just a taster during an adventure dive, full navigation training gives more practice and skill development, helping you find your way underwater reliably and making you a more independent and confident diver.
The Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) course teaches you how to plan dives using enriched air mixtures (up to 40% oxygen), expanding your bottom time, increasing safety margins, and allowing shorter surface intervals between dives — a huge advantage on dive trips and liveaboards.
Completing these three specialties gives you three separate SSI specialty certifications — each one a credential you can proudly show and use. As part of SSI’s recognitions pathway, these specialties also count toward higher ratings like:
That means you’re building measurable progress toward advanced recognition levels rather than just adding one broad qualification.
Not only do these specialties improve your technical competence, they also build practical confidence that directly impacts how comfortable you feel underwater:
These are skills you’ll use on every dive, not just boxes you tick. And they form a stronger foundation if you want to continue to professional pathways like Divemaster or Instructor later on.
This specialty path is ideal if you want:
When you’re asking “What’s the best next step after Open Water?”, the answer isn’t always to follow tradition. Choosing Deep, Navigation and EANx specialties instead of or alongside a standard Advanced Open Water program gives you greater depth capability, real specialty certifications, smarter dive planning skills, and a clearer path toward advanced recognition — all in roughly the same amount of training time. That’s more value for your time and investment, and better skills for every dive you take
Starting your diving journey is about far more than learning how to breathe underwater.
It’s about discovery. Confidence. Growth.
And for many, it becomes a life-changing path that leads to professional diving.
Kenya offers one of the most inspiring places in the world to begin that journey. Warm water, thriving reefs, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle create the perfect environment to learn, grow, and evolve as a diver.
At Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach, we guide divers step by step — from their very first dive all the way to professional instructor level.
Every diver remembers their first breath underwater.
The moment the noise fades.
The moment calm takes over.
Diani Beach is ideal for that first experience. Conditions are gentle, visibility is excellent, and the marine life is vibrant yet forgiving. This allows new divers to relax, build confidence, and enjoy the experience rather than feeling overwhelmed.
From the very beginning, your diving journey feels natural, unhurried, and exciting.
As you gain experience, your comfort and awareness grow.
You learn to control your buoyancy, manage your air, and move effortlessly through the water.
This stage often includes continuing education such as:
Each course builds on the last, giving you stronger skills and a deeper understanding of the underwater world.
Over time, your dives become calmer, smoother, and more enjoyable — a clear sign of real progression.
Kenya’s coastline offers the perfect environment for developing divers.
Warm waters, steady conditions, and diverse marine life allow you to focus on learning rather than battling the elements. You gain experience naturally and consistently, which is essential when working toward professional levels.
Diani Beach, in particular, offers a unique balance of training-quality dive sites and relaxed coastal living — making it easy to stay motivated and focused over longer training periods.
For many divers, a moment arrives when curiosity turns into ambition.
What started as a holiday experience becomes a desire to go deeper — not just underwater, but into the profession itself.
At Ocean Tribe, this transition happens through a carefully structured pathway. As your experience grows, you move into professional-level training that builds leadership, awareness, and responsibility.
Your professional journey typically follows a clear progression, supported by over 100 logged dives across six months or more, allowing real experience to develop naturally.
This is your first professional-level certification.
You learn how to guide certified divers, manage groups, plan dives, and operate confidently in real-world conditions.
Alongside guiding, you complete the Science of Diving program.
This develops your understanding of physics, physiology, decompression theory, and equipment — essential knowledge for professional decision-making.
The Divemaster rating combines Dive Guide and Science of Diving into one professional qualification.
At this stage, you:
This is where divers truly step into a professional role.
The final step in your journey is the Instructor Training Course.
Here, you learn how to:
By the end of the ITC, you are ready to teach, mentor, and inspire the next generation of divers.
Throughout your training, you’ll log over 100 dives, gaining confidence, calm decision-making, and situational awareness that can only come from time in the water.
This is not rushed training.
It’s a journey built on experience, mentorship, and personal growth.
Ocean Tribe is more than a dive centre.
It’s a community built around quality training, genuine support, and a love for the ocean.
We work with small groups, provide personal mentorship, and guide each diver according to their goals — whether recreational or professional.
Here, your diving journey is respected, supported, and celebrated.
Whether you are just starting out or ready to take the next professional step, your path begins here.
At Ocean Tribe, we’re ready to help you turn passion into purpose — one dive at a time.
If you are planning a dive holiday, choosing a dive course package combo in Kenya is one of the smartest ways to learn, explore, and get real value from your time underwater.
Kenya offers warm water, beautiful reefs, and relaxed diving conditions.
It is the perfect place to combine training, adventure, and personal growth.
At Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach, our dive course packages are designed to help you progress naturally — whether you want to try diving for the first time or start a full professional dive career.
A dive course package combo brings together multiple courses into one smooth learning journey.
Instead of booking each course separately, you move forward step by step with:
It’s the most enjoyable and effective way to learn to dive.
Kenya’s coastline offers ideal diving conditions year-round.
Warm Indian Ocean water.
Good visibility.
Calm reef systems.
These conditions help divers progress quickly and confidently.
Diani Beach is especially popular for training thanks to its gentle conditions and beautiful marine life.
Learning to dive here feels easy, natural, and fun.
Ideal for beginners who want to feel confident and relaxed underwater.
You learn the basics and then refine your buoyancy, trim, and control.
Perfect for divers planning multiple dive days.
You learn to dive and gain your Nitrox certification for longer bottom times and shorter surface intervals.
A great option if you want to progress quickly.
This combo builds experience, confidence, and adventure skills in just a few extra days.
Perfect for ocean lovers who want to understand marine life while learning to dive.
A great choice for environmentally conscious travellers.
Already certified?
You can combine specialties such as:
These packages help you explore deeper sites and build real confidence underwater.
For those ready to take things further, Ocean Tribe also offers full dive career internship packages.
These programmes are designed for divers who want to:
Our internships include structured training, mentorship, real teaching experience, and exposure to day-to-day dive operations.
You don’t just earn certifications — you gain confidence, leadership skills, and industry experience that prepares you for a global diving career.
Many of our interns arrive as recreational divers and leave as professionals ready to work anywhere in the world.
A package gives you more than just training.
You benefit from:
It also allows our instructors to tailor the experience to your pace and goals.
Learning to dive in Kenya is about more than time underwater.
Between dives, you can enjoy:
It’s the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Ready to make the most of your time underwater?
Explore our dive course package combos and professional internship programmes and discover why so many divers choose Ocean Tribe when they dive in Kenya.
Ocean Tribe Dive Team
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