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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.
Ocean Tribe is proud to introduce our new scuba diving Diani base at the beautiful 41 Beach Club, one of the most exciting new beachfront locations on Diani Beach.
Set directly on the sand, this new base offers the perfect blend of professional diving, relaxed coastal atmosphere, and easy access to the ocean. Whether you are here to dive, unwind, or enjoy both, the 41 Beach Club provides an exceptional setting for your time on the south coast of Kenya.
The 41 Beach Club has quickly become one of Diani’s most talked-about destinations. With its relaxed atmosphere, stylish design, and uninterrupted ocean views, it is an ideal home for our newest scuba diving Diani base.
Guests can enjoy a beachfront bar and restaurant, comfortable beachside cabanas, and a laid-back space to relax between dives. It is easy to arrive for a morning dive and end up staying all day. It even has a beach volleyball court and games room equipped with pool table and fusball.
For more information about the venue, visit https://the41beachclub.com/.
Our new scuba diving Diani base is fully equipped with everything needed for a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable dive experience. From high-quality rental equipment to experienced instructors and professional dive support, Ocean Tribe continues to deliver the high standards divers expect.
Our dive boat is now moored directly at this location, making logistics simple and giving you more time in the water and less time moving around. This base is suitable for beginner divers, certified divers, and those continuing their training with Ocean Tribe.
One of the key advantages of this scuba diving Diani base is its proximity to training facilities. The Flamboyant Boutique Hotel swimming pool is located just 50 metres away and offers a 4-metre depth, making it ideal for confined water training, beginner courses, and skill refreshers.
This close setup allows for efficient training sessions while keeping everything relaxed and accessible.
The 41 Beach Club is also home to a growing watersports community. Within the same centre, you will find Go Jump Kenya, offering unforgettable skydiving experiences, and Kite 254, providing professional kitesurfing services and lessons.
This makes the location a true hub for ocean and adventure sports, with multiple ways to experience Diani from land, sea, and sky.
Alongside our new scuba diving Diani base at 41 Beach Club, Ocean Tribe continues to operate from additional locations across Diani Beach, including Alliance Safari Beach Hotel and Baobab Beach Resort and Spa.
This gives guests the flexibility to choose the most convenient location while enjoying the same professional Ocean Tribe experience across all bases.
Ocean Tribe also offers dive and stay packages in partnership with several leading beachfront resorts. These include 41 Beach Club, Alliance Safari Beach Hotel, Baobab Beach Resort and Spa, Leopard Beach Resort and Spa, and Diamonds Leisure Beach and Golf Resort.
These packages combine comfortable accommodation with unforgettable diving experiences along the Kenyan coast.
For guests looking to explore more of Kenya, Ocean Tribe also offers dive and safari packages. These combine world-class scuba diving with unforgettable wildlife experiences in destinations such as Tsavo, Amboseli, and the Masai Mara.
It is the perfect way to experience both the ocean and the wild landscapes that make Kenya so special.
If you are looking for a relaxed, professional, and well-located scuba diving Diani base, Ocean Tribe at 41 Beach Club is ready to welcome you.
Come and dive with us, relax by the ocean, and experience Diani Beach the Ocean Tribe way.
Becoming a scuba instructor is one of the most rewarding ways to live and work around the ocean. You get to share underwater experiences, teach new divers, build confidence, and guide people through life-changing moments. Many people worry that AI will replace jobs, but in scuba diving the opposite is true. The skills needed to become an instructor rely on human judgement, empathy, and real-world experience that technology cannot match.
Below is a clear look at the pathway to becoming a scuba instructor and the core skills AI will never replicate.
The journey starts with becoming an advanced diver and then a Divemaster. From there you enter your Instructor Training Course. This is where your skills are polished, your knowledge deepens, and you learn how to teach in a professional and safe manner. At Ocean Tribe this means hands-on coaching, real scenarios, and practice in the ocean.
You build experience by logging dives in different environments. Waves, currents, visibility, marine life, and human behaviour change constantly. Real experience builds situational awareness and confidence. AI can list the data, but it cannot feel the water, sense the conditions, or understand the tension in a nervous student.
Instructor candidates learn to prevent problems before they occur. They learn how to read people, react instantly, and manage stress both in themselves and in their students. This is built through repetition, observation, and time in the water with other divers.
You learn to take complex ideas and make them simple. You learn to demonstrate skills with precision. You learn to use calm communication to guide divers through fears and challenges. These skills require tone, expression, body language, and a human presence underwater.
AI can analyse words, but it cannot see fear in a diver’s eyes at 12 metres. It cannot detect when someone is breathing too fast or when their body language shows discomfort. Instructors use empathy and intuition to keep people safe.
No two emergencies look the same. Current changes, entanglements, equipment failures, and unexpected human reactions require instant decisions. You need judgement, experience, and calm control. AI cannot take a regulator and give air. It cannot tow an exhausted diver back to the boat.
Every instructor must show perfect buoyancy, clear skills slowly, and guide students’ hands when needed. No piece of technology can replicate the physical act of demonstrating a fin pivot, a controlled ascent, or mask clearing with reassuring eye contact.
People learn to dive because a human being encourages them. Students look at their instructor for trust, steadiness, and reassurance. AI cannot put a hand on someone’s shoulder, cannot smile through a regulator, and cannot share the sense of achievement when someone takes their first breath underwater.
Diving is about people. An instructor leads by example. They organise dive teams, build relationships with students, brief groups, assign roles, and create a positive atmosphere. Real-world leadership depends on presence, personality, and experience.
A skilled instructor knows where the current will shift, where the turtle usually sleeps, how to avoid damaging coral, and how to read the mood of the ocean on any given day. These micro-decisions are learned over hundreds of dives and lived experience.
Even in a world where technology is everywhere, scuba instruction remains one of the most human jobs on the planet. It blends adventure, responsibility, creativity, and heart. AI can support training with theory, translations, knowledge checks, videos and animations. But the real magic of diving happens between people. It happens underwater when someone learns to trust you. It happens on the surface when a student realises they have overcome fear. It happens when you show someone the ocean for the first time.
Becoming a scuba instructor means choosing a path that AI cannot replace. It means gaining skills that are timeless. It means joining a community where your judgement, experience, and personality matter.
If you are ready to turn your passion into a profession, your future in diving is waiting. And it is a future built on human skill, not algorithms.
Choosing the right dive centre is one of the most important decisions you can make as a diver. Whether you are planning your first scuba course or an advanced dive holiday, the right choice means safety, good training, and a great experience. Here are the key things to look for when choosing where to dive.
Start by checking if the dive centre is officially verified by a recognised training agency such as SSI, PADI, RAID, or NAUI. Each agency awards ratings that reflect the professionalism and training quality of a centre. An SSI Diamond Dive Centre or a PADI 5-Star IDC Centre has proven it meets high standards in education, safety, and customer service.
You can confirm their verification through the agency’s website or by asking to see their certification displayed at the dive centre.
Even if the centre itself is certified, the dive staff must also be current members of their training agencies. Active status means they are insured, have renewed their membership, and are up to date with the latest safety and teaching standards.
Ask what levels their team members hold. A centre with Instructor Trainers, Course Directors, or experienced staff mentors is often a sign of depth and experience.
Look carefully at the condition of the dive gear. Good centres maintain clean, modern, and well-serviced equipment. Regulators should be regularly serviced, BCDs should hold air properly, and wetsuits should be rinsed and stored correctly.
The air filling station is just as important. Cylinders must be inspected and hydro-tested on schedule. The compressor area should be tidy and well ventilated. Filters must be changed regularly, and you should be able to sample the air. It should smell and taste clean, never oily or musty.
Every professional dive centre should have a clear written Emergency Action Plan (EAP). This plan outlines what to do in case of an accident, who to contact, and the location of the nearest recompression chamber.
Do not hesitate to ask to see it. A professional team will be happy to explain how it works and show you their emergency oxygen, first aid kit, and communication systems.
Training standards should never be secret. Any professional centre will let you view the official course standards so you know exactly what is covered and what you must achieve to pass.
If you are learning with SSI, you can view all training standards in the MySSI app. This transparency ensures that both the instructor and the student understand what is expected during training.
A responsible dive centre will always check your certification and dive log. This helps them assess your experience level and comfort in the water.
If you have not dived recently, they should suggest a skills refresher or check dive. This is for your safety and ensures you are confident before attempting deeper or more advanced dives.
Ask which dive sites they plan to visit and make sure they are suitable for your level of experience. Beginners should start with calm, shallow reef dives, while more advanced divers may enjoy wrecks or deeper drift dives.
A good centre will match dive sites to divers’ skills and conditions rather than just choosing the most convenient option.
Group size affects both your safety and enjoyment. Smaller groups allow more personal attention and easier supervision underwater. Ideally, there should be no more than four to six divers per guide.
Also check the dive boat. It should have enough shade, space for equipment, emergency oxygen, and a first aid kit. Overcrowded or poorly equipped boats are warning signs.
A good dive team should be friendly, approachable, and confident in what they do. You should feel comfortable asking questions about equipment, dive sites, or training programs.
Knowledgeable staff who enjoy sharing their experience create a positive and safe learning environment. If they seem uninterested or impatient, that is not a good sign.
Once you have checked everything else, look at the price. Make sure you understand exactly what is included. Does it cover equipment rental, boat transport, certification fees, and marine park charges?
A cheaper price may not be better if it hides extra costs. Compare what each centre includes before deciding.
Notice that none of these points, until the last one, mention price. That is because price alone does not show how safe, professional, or well-run a dive centre is.
The best dive centres follow training standards properly, keep their staff current, maintain reliable equipment, and have clear safety procedures. So choosing a dive centre is very important. When a centre meets these standards, you are not just paying for a dive, you are paying for confidence, safety, and quality underwater.
Becoming a Divemaster is one of the biggest steps in your scuba diving journey. It’s the point where you go from being a passionate diver to becoming a true dive professional. If you’ve ever dreamed of working underwater, guiding dives, or starting a career in the diving industry, this is where it begins. Here are the key things you need to know about becoming a Divemaster.
A Divemaster (DM) is the first professional level in scuba diving. You’ll learn to supervise certified divers, assist instructors with courses, and help beginners discover the ocean safely. You become the bridge between fun diving and teaching — leading groups, planning dives, checking conditions, and making sure everyone enjoys a safe and memorable experience.
At Ocean Tribe, our Divemaster interns are part of the daily diving operation from day one. You’ll help prepare boats, set up gear, guide certified divers, and gain real hands-on experience in how a dive centre runs.
Divemaster training is about far more than improving your dive skills. You’ll build leadership abilities, learn to handle dive logistics, and sharpen your rescue techniques. You’ll also gain confidence in problem-solving, team management, and communication — all essential in becoming a professional.
The SSI Divemaster course at Ocean Tribe includes:
It’s a demanding but incredibly rewarding program that prepares you for a lifelong adventure in diving.
This depends on your starting point and availability. Some do it as an intensive 6-week internship, while others spread it out over a few months. At Ocean Tribe, we tailor the Divemaster Internship to your pace — from “Bare Bones” to full “Pro Pack” career pathways — whether you’re starting from Open Water or already Rescue certified.
To begin your Divemaster course, you’ll need:
If you’re missing any of these, you can include them in a complete Dive Career Package and progress all the way from beginner to pro in one continuous program.
Once you’re certified, the world opens up. Dive resorts, liveaboards, and training centres are always looking for skilled Divemasters. Many use this qualification to work in dream destinations, travel the world, or take the next step to becoming an Instructor.
At Ocean Tribe, many of our Divemaster graduates go on to join our Instructor Training Courses in Diani, Kenya — combining diving with travel, safari adventures, and real-world experience in one of East Africa’s best dive destinations.
Costs vary between regions and training agencies. At Ocean Tribe, our Divemaster internships are designed to fit different budgets, with options that include training, equipment, and unlimited diving. You can even join as part of a longer-term Instructor Internship to save on overall costs and build your full career path.
Diani Beach is one of the most beautiful and relaxed dive destinations in the world. Warm water, healthy coral reefs, turtles, dolphins, wrecks, and drift dives — all within minutes of shore. On land, you’ve got white-sand beaches, wildlife safaris, and vibrant coastal culture. Training here gives you not just certification, but adventure.
Becoming a Divemaster isn’t just another dive course — it’s a lifestyle change. You’ll gain new confidence, meet incredible people, and turn your love of the ocean into a profession. Whether you want to work in diving full-time or simply become a more capable, respected diver, it’s one of the most fulfilling paths you can take underwater.
Have you ever wondered what is the deepest anyone has gone on scuba? The current answer is over 332 meters (at the time of writing in September 2025). This record pushes the limits of human physiology and scuba technology. For decades, divers have tried to set records to discover the deepest anyone has gone on scuba. This article looks at the history of these attempts, the dangers of extreme depth, and how scuba compares to freediving and submersibles.
The first major attempts began in the 1960s. In 1960, Swiss diver Hannes Keller reached 100 meters in a lake using scuba gear. At the time this was groundbreaking. In the following decades, technology and techniques improved, allowing divers to go deeper. By the late 1980s, legendary cave diver Sheck Exley had reached about 265 meters. In 1994 he died attempting an even deeper dive in Mexico’s Zacatón sinkhole. His dive computer showed he had gone down to 276 meters before tragedy struck.
The 300 meter barrier was first broken in 2001 by John Bennett of Australia, who descended to 308 meters. In 2003, British diver Mark Ellyatt reached 313 meters in Thailand. South African diver Nuno Gomes took the record in 2005 with a depth of 318.25 meters in the Red Sea. That same year, French diver Pascal Bernabé claimed 330 meters near Corsica. Guinness World Records did not recognize Bernabé’s dive because the evidence was not sufficient. Gomes’s record stood officially.
The current record for the deepest anyone has gone on scuba was set by Ahmed Gabr of Egypt in 2014. He reached 332.35 meters in the Red Sea, and this record is certified by Guinness World Records. Gabr’s descent took about 15 minutes, but his ascent lasted almost 15 hours because of the many decompression stops required.
There are other related records. In 1996, Nuno Gomes also set the deepest cave dive record at 282 meters in Boesmansgat, South Africa. In 2004, Verna van Schaik set the women’s record at 221 meters in the same cave. These records show both the potential and the dangers of deep scuba diving.
Going hundreds of meters deep on scuba is very different from normal diving. At 300 meters, the water pressure is more than 30 times that of the surface. This creates serious risks for anyone attempting to reach the deepest anyone has gone on scuba.
Even with training and planning, deep dives can be deadly. Sheck Exley in 1994 and Guy “Doc Deep” Garman in 2015 both died in attempts to break depth records.
It helps to compare scuba diving with other ways of reaching the deep ocean.
The answer to what is the deepest anyone has gone on scuba is 332.35 meters, set by Ahmed Gabr in 2014. (at the time of writing in September 2025) Behind this number is a story of decades of attempts, triumphs, and tragedies. Scuba diving can only take us so far before physiology and physics stop us. Freedivers show what humans can do on one breath, while submersibles show how machines take us to the true depths.
The scuba record is not just a number. It is a testament to human courage, training, and the will to explore. For most divers, however, the real value lies in safe diving at normal depths, where the underwater world can be enjoyed without extreme risk.
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Learning to scuba dive is one of the most exciting steps you can take. The SSI Open Water Diver course gives you the freedom to explore the underwater world anywhere in the globe. If you are looking for the perfect place to start your diving journey, choosing an Open Water course in Diani is a decision you won’t regret. Warm waters, thriving coral reefs, and a vibrant dive community make it ideal. And when it comes to training, Ocean Tribe stands out as the best option for your Open Water course in Diani, Kenya.
Ocean Tribe is based in the heart of Diani Beach. This means quick access to the best dive sites, many of them just a short boat ride away. From shallow coral gardens to deeper drop-offs, you get to practice in varied conditions while enjoying beautiful marine life. The calm, clear water is perfect for beginners, making your first dives fun and stress-free.
You want to learn from people who know their craft. At Ocean Tribe, you will be taught by some of the most experienced instructors in East Africa. The team is led by the only resident Instructor Trainer in the region, along with a crew of passionate professionals who have taught diving all over the world. Many of our instructors are multilingual, so you can feel comfortable learning in English, Kiswahili, German, French and other languages depending on the staff available.
Not only are our instructors multilingual, but SSI also offers training materials in more than 30 languages. This makes it easy to study and complete your theory in your own language. You can access your digital learning materials before you even arrive in Kenya, which means you can start your Open Water course in Diani feeling prepared and confident.
One of the most important skills in scuba diving is buoyancy. Mastering buoyancy control keeps you safe, protects the reef, and makes diving effortless. At Ocean Tribe, we dedicate extra time during your Open Water course to fine-tune your buoyancy skills. We use modern teaching techniques and clear practice sessions so you leave the course feeling balanced and in control underwater. Many of our students say this focus is what gives them confidence to dive anywhere after certification.
We believe learning to dive should never feel rushed. That’s why our Open Water courses are taught in small groups, giving each student plenty of personal attention. Your instructor has time to answer your questions, help you master the skills, and make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way.
Before heading into the ocean, you’ll practice your scuba skills in a controlled environment. Ocean Tribe uses a deep swimming pool for confined water training, giving you the chance to learn comfortably while still experiencing the feeling of depth. This pool practice builds confidence and muscle memory, so by the time you move to open water, you already feel at ease with your equipment and skills.
Ocean Tribe invests in quality diving equipment and keeps it well-maintained. You’ll be using modern gear that fits properly and is easy to handle. Combined with the pool sessions, this ensures your training feels smooth, safe, and enjoyable from the very beginning.
Ocean Tribe offers flexible packages so you can build on your Open Water certification right away and save money.
These packages are designed to give you more diving, better skills, and great value from the very start of your journey.
At Ocean Tribe, we believe divers are ocean guardians. Protecting the marine environment is at the heart of everything we do. We follow responsible diving practices, avoid single-use plastics where possible, and teach every student how to protect reefs while enjoying them. Our team is actively involved in reef clean-ups, marine ecology education, and citizen science projects. During your course, you’ll learn not only how to dive but also how to dive sustainably, ensuring the beauty of Diani’s reefs remains for generations to come.
Joining Ocean Tribe is more than just doing a course. You become part of a community. Many of our divers go on to join the Dive Club, enjoy discounted dive trips, or continue their training through specialties and advanced courses. For those dreaming of a dive career, we even offer internships from beginner level all the way to instructor.
When you’re not diving, Diani Beach offers endless things to do. Relax on white sandy beaches, enjoy great restaurants, or add a safari to your trip. Ocean Tribe can help arrange unforgettable land adventures to go along with your diving experience.
Start your underwater journey with Ocean Tribe in Diani. With expert multilingual instructors, SSI materials in your language, pool training for comfort, a strong focus on buoyancy, eco-friendly diving policies, and unbeatable packages, there’s no better place to take your Open Water course in Diani.
Book your Open Water Course online today and save $10 compared to in-person bookings.
The SSI Open Water Diver course usually takes 3 to 4 days. This includes classroom theory, confined water sessions in the pool, and four open water dives in the ocean.
Yes, you need to be comfortable in the water. The course requires you to swim 200 metres (any style) and float for 10 minutes. You don’t need to be an athlete—just relaxed in the water.
As an Open Water Diver, you will be certified to dive to 18 metres. This is plenty for exploring coral reefs and marine life in Diani.
All scuba equipment for the course is provided. You just need to bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. If you prefer, you can buy your own mask and snorkel at our dive shop.
Yes. With SSI’s digital learning system, you can start your theory online in your own language before travelling to Kenya. This saves time and lets you spend more days enjoying the ocean.
The standalone Open Water Diver course costs $499. You can also choose from packages:
Diani Beach is one of the best places to dive and do dive courses in Kenya. It combines stunning reefs, rich marine life, and easy access to dive sites. Ocean Tribe is based right in the heart of it all. Our location makes diving convenient and stress-free, whether you are joining us for a single dive or a full training program.
When you dive with Ocean Tribe, you learn from the best. We are proud to have the only resident Instructor Trainer in East Africa, supported by two Assistant Instructor Trainers. All of our professionals are trained to at least Divemaster Instructor level and bring experience from more than 20 countries worldwide. Some of our staff have in the past worked for major training agencies like PADI, SSI and specialist organisations such as Disabled Divers International (DDI). Our team knows what they are talking about and will guide you every step of the way.
Looking for more than just regular scuba diving? Ocean Tribe offers sidemount diving, freediving, mermaid courses, and swim training for absolute beginners. You can also explore exclusive private charters or browse our range of dive equipment and branded merchandise.
Ocean Tribe is committed to protecting the ocean. We are Blue Oceans advocates, Green Fins members, and we run monthly beach and underwater clean-ups. Our team also teaches SSI Ecology courses to help divers understand and care for marine life. You won’t find single-use plastic bottles at our dive centre either.
When you train with us, you get access to cutting-edge dive gear. We teach buoyancy control using backplate and wing systems so you can learn optimal techniques right from the start. Prefer a stabilising jacket-style BCD? We have those too. Plus, we use the SSI digital training system, which is one of the most modern and flexible in the world.
Ocean Tribe is East Africa’s leading centre for adaptive and accessible diving. We are a recognised SSI Classified Diving Centre and specialise in training divers with disabilities or other challenges. Everyone deserves the chance to explore the ocean, and we make it possible.
One of the unique things about diving in Kenya is the chance to combine it with a wildlife safari. Ocean Tribe can package your dive holiday with a trip to one of Kenya’s famous game parks. Imagine finishing your dive course and then heading off to see elephants, lions, and giraffes—it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Ocean Tribe offers the most qualified instructors, the widest range of courses in Kenya, and excellent value with flexible packages.
Yes. Ocean Tribe is a specialist SSI Classified Diving Centre and trains divers with disabilities and other challenges.
We are Blue Oceans advocates, Green Fins members, and we run monthly clean-ups. We also avoid single-use plastic bottles and teach SSI Ecology courses.
Absolutely. We can create custom packages that combine diving in Diani Beach with a safari to Kenya’s top national parks.
Ocean Tribe is excited to announce that we are now an SSI Swim School. This means that everyone, from babies to adults, can learn to swim in a safe and supportive environment. With the trusted Swim Schools International program, our lessons follow a proven method that builds confidence, comfort, and skill in the water.
The SSI system is used by swim schools around the world. It focuses on steady progress and safety at every step. Our instructors guide swimmers with patience, ensuring each class feels rewarding. At Ocean Tribe, we believe that learning should always be fun. By combining expert instruction with play and encouragement, every swimmer learns to love the water.
Even the youngest members of the family can begin. Babies from just two months old can join our parent-and-baby sessions. These classes are gentle, playful, and designed to make children feel comfortable in the water from their first splash. Parents take part, which makes each lesson a bonding experience as well as a first step in water safety.
As children grow, our classes develop their abilities step by step. They move from floating and gliding to full strokes and breathing techniques. Just as important, they learn vital safety skills. This approach means kids not only swim better but also feel confident in and around the water.
It is never too late to start. Many adults missed the chance to learn to swim as children, but our welcoming lessons make it possible to begin at any age. Some join to overcome fear of water, others for fitness, and many to enjoy the ocean here in Diani. Whatever the reason, we offer the right environment to achieve your goals.
Swimming is more than a sport. It is a life skill, a source of joy, and a doorway to the ocean. At Ocean Tribe, our SSI Swim School makes it possible for babies, kids, and adults to learn to swim with confidence.
Babies can begin as early as two months old. Our baby classes focus on comfort, bonding, and water safety through gentle play.
Yes. Parents take part in the water with their baby. This creates a safe and supportive learning environment.
Lessons usually last between 30 and 45 minutes. This keeps classes engaging and fun without tiring swimmers.
Absolutely. Many adults start later in life. Our SSI program makes it easy to build confidence at your own pace.
Our instructors are trained to help nervous swimmers. With patience, play, and gradual steps, most children quickly grow more comfortable.
We provide most of what you need for class. You just need swimwear, a towel, and, for young children, a swim diaper if required.
We offer both. Group classes are social and fun, while private lessons allow for more focused, one-on-one attention.
Yes. As swimmers progress, they receive recognition through the SSI system, celebrating each milestone they achieve.
The ocean offers silence, focus, and freedom. Freediving connects you with that in the most natural way. This November, Ocean Tribe is running the SSI Basic Freediving Instructor Course in Diani Beach. From 1–3 November 2025, you can take your passion for freediving and turn it into a professional path.
The SSI Basic Freediving Instructor Course qualifies you to teach SSI entry-level freediving programs such as Snorkel Diver, Try Freediving, and Basic Freediver. You will learn to plan and deliver sessions, manage safety, and build student confidence in both pool and ocean environments. By the end, you will be ready to inspire others to enjoy the freedom of holding a single breath beneath the surface.
To join, you must be at least 18 years old. You also need to hold a professional rating as an SSI Assistant Instructor (or equivalent from another agency) or be a certified SSI Mermaid Instructor. These prerequisites ensure you already have the foundation to guide students responsibly.
Over a couple of days you will refine your freediving technique, practice breath-holding and streamlining, and learn how to demonstrate skills clearly. You will gain confidence as an educator while enjoying the relaxed tropical setting of Diani. The program balances theory, pool training, and open water practice.
During the course you will develop the ability to teach relaxation and breathing techniques, smooth water entry, snorkel clearing, and efficient finning. You will also learn to guide students through safe breath-holding, rescue procedures for blackouts, ear equalisation, and proper diving techniques. You will finish with the skills to conduct reviews and keep accurate student records.
This course is your entry point into professional freediving instruction. It expands your career opportunities, strengthens your teaching skills, and connects you to SSI’s global network. You will leave with the ability to introduce others to the world of freediving and share the unique calm that comes with it.
You will access SSI’s digital learning system before the course. It includes videos and texts that can be downloaded for offline study. Complete this at your own pace so you arrive ready for the in-person sessions.
You will train in both confined water and open water. Pool sessions focus on skill mastery and comfort. Open water dives build real experience in ocean conditions and allow you to practice rescues, equalisation, and dive safety.
No. But you must already be at least a Recreational Assistant Instructor or higher before joining the instructor course.
The program runs for 2 days, with a mix of classroom, and pool training.
You should have your own freediving kit including mask, snorkel, fins, and weight belt. Ocean Tribe can advise on equipment rental or purchase if needed.
Anyone over 18 who is at least an Assistant Instructor or Mermaid Instructor can apply, provided they have the required freediving certification.
Mermaiding has taken the world by storm. It combines swimming, performance, and breath-holding into a magical water activity. At Ocean Tribe in Diani Beach, you can now experience this exciting adventure through our SSI Mermaid programs and take it even further with the Mermaid Instructor Course on 1-3 November 2025.
The course is all about freedom and creativity in the water. You will learn to swim gracefully with a monofin, improve your breath-holding, and discover how to move with flow and style. The course is designed for fun but also focuses on safety and control.
At Ocean Tribe you will practice in the pool and then take your skills into the ocean. The Indian Ocean’s calm, clear waters are the perfect backdrop to bring your mermaid dreams to life.
If you are already a dive professional or passionate about mermaiding, you can join the SSI Mermaid Instructor Course. This program runs at Ocean Tribe from 1–3 November 2025. You will learn how to teach mermaid programs, demonstrate skills, and create safe and enjoyable training sessions.
The Mermaid Instructor Course is also about building a career path. You will gain the ability to train new mermaids, promote your own courses, and be part of a growing global trend.
Diani Beach is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Africa. With white sand, turquoise water, and rich marine life, it offers the perfect stage for your mermaid training. Ocean Tribe provides expert instructors, professional equipment, and a fun, welcoming environment. After your course you can relax on the beach, explore the reef, or add a safari to your adventure.
No. The SSI Mermaid Course is separate from scuba diving. You only need to be confident in the water and ready to learn.
The Mermaid Course runs over three days. It includes pool sessions, ocean dives, and a photoshoot.
You must be at least 12 years old to enroll in the SSI Mermaid Course. Younger participants can try the SSI Explorers Mermaid experience.
Not at all. The Mermaid Course is open to everyone. Men, women, and teens all enjoy mermaiding. It is about fun, fitness, and freedom in the water, not gender.
Ocean Tribe provides monofins, mermaid tails, and all training gear. Just bring swimwear and energy.
Yes. If you meet the prerequisites you can complete both programs in one visit.
The $549 fee covers training, SSI digital materials, instructor evaluation, and certification.
Choose Your Ocean Adventure
Daily Dive Trips Explore Diani's vibrant reefs and unforgettable marine life. 
Try Diving Take your first breath underwater with our expert team. 
Learn to Dive Earn your internationally recognised certification in paradise. 
Advanced Courses Build your confidence, sharpen your skills and dive deeper. 
Ocean Tribe Dive Team
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