PADI & SSI dive courses in Dahab with a private instructor
Dahab is one of the best places in the world to learn to dive: calm, clear water, easy shore entries and real reefs from your very first dive. Mohamed is a PADI and SSI dive instructor and teaches in small groups or one-to-one, in the agency you prefer.
SSI Open Water Diver
The SSI Open Water Diver course is your first full scuba certification. It takes about 3–4 days in Dahab and qualifies you to dive with a buddy to 18 m anywhere in the world.
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SSI Advanced Open Water Diver (formerly Advanced Adventurer)
SSI's Advanced Open Water Diver course, called Advanced Adventurer until late 2025, is five adventure dives over about two days. Deep and Navigation are required, you pick the other three, and you finish certified to 30 m.
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SSI Scuba Skills Update
The SSI Scuba Skills Update is a short refresher for certified divers who have not dived for a while. In about 2–3 hours you review your skills in shallow water with an instructor, so your first dive back is relaxed instead of stressful.
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PADI Open Water Diver
PADI Open Water Diver is the world's most popular first scuba certification. In Dahab it takes about 3–4 days, and it qualifies you to dive with a buddy to 18 m anywhere in the world.
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PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver is five adventure dives over 2–3 days. Deep and Underwater Navigation are required, you choose the other three, and you finish qualified to dive to 30 m.
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PADI Discover Scuba Diving
PADI Discover Scuba Diving is a one-day try dive for people with no experience. You learn the basics in shallow water, then dive a real Red Sea reef with your instructor, no deeper than 12 m.
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PADI ReActivate
PADI ReActivate is PADI's refresher for certified divers who have been away from diving. It combines a short eLearning review with an in-water skills session, and in Dahab it fits easily into one morning.
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SSI Try Scuba
Never dived before? Breathe underwater for the first time on a real Red Sea reef with SSI Try Scuba, one-to-one with a certified instructor. Prefer PADI? See PADI Discover Scuba Diving below. No certification or experience needed.
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SSI Open Water Diver
The SSI Open Water Diver course is your first full scuba certification, recognised worldwide. It qualifies you to dive with a buddy to 18 m anywhere in the world.
It usually takes 3–4 days: theory (often done online before you arrive), skills practice in calm, shallow water, and four open water dives on Dahab reefs like Lighthouse and Eel Garden. Training one-to-one or in a very small group means more time on each skill and no rushing.
💬 Ask about Open Water course dates
SSI Advanced Open Water Diver
Already certified? The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver course (called Advanced Adventurer until October 2025) is five adventure dives over about two days, including a deep dive to 30 m and an underwater navigation dive. The other three you choose, such as night, buoyancy, fish identification or photography.
It is the course that opens up the best of Dahab: The Bells into the Blue Hole, the Canyon and the deeper walls.
SSI Scuba Skills Update (refresher)
Haven't dived for a year or more? The SSI Scuba Skills Update is a relaxed review of your skills with an instructor at Lighthouse, followed by an easy reef dive. It is the smart first step before the Blue Hole or the Canyon.
PADI or SSI?
Mohamed teaches both, so you choose. PADI is the best-known brand worldwide and the most common in Dahab. SSI courses use the MySSI app for learning materials and your digital card. Both follow the same international training standards, and both cards are accepted by dive centers around the world.
Already certified with one agency? You can continue with the other: an Open Water card from either qualifies you for Advanced Open Water.
Course prices
Course prices include instruction, gear and tanks. The certification fee, manuals or e-learning and any park fees are confirmed when you book.
| Course | Price |
|---|---|
| SSI Try Scuba (first dive) | Ask on WhatsApp |
| SSI Open Water Diver | Ask on WhatsApp |
| SSI Advanced Open Water Diver | Ask on WhatsApp |
| SSI Scuba Skills Update | Ask on WhatsApp |
💬 Get the exact price for your dates
Why learn to dive in Dahab?
Most training dives are shore dives in sheltered water with little current, so you can focus on your skills instead of a boat. Water is warm all year (about 21–29 °C), visibility is often 20–30 m, and your training dives are on real coral reefs with turtles and morays.
Water temperature month by month →
Who can learn?
Anyone in reasonable health, from about 10 years old. Before the course you fill in a medical questionnaire. Some conditions need a doctor's sign-off, so check it before you travel. You need basic swimming ability, but you do not need to be a strong swimmer.
Questions
How long does the Open Water course take in Dahab?
Usually 3–4 days, depending on how much theory you complete online before you arrive.
How much is a dive course in Dahab?
It depends on the course, group size and what is included. Send your dates and Mohamed will reply with an exact price.
Do I need to be a good swimmer to learn to dive?
You need basic swimming ability and to be comfortable in the water. Speed is not important.
What is the minimum age to learn to dive?
Junior certifications start at 10 years old, with depth limits for younger divers.
Is an SSI certification valid in other countries?
Yes. SSI certifications are recognised by dive centers worldwide, including PADI centers.
I am PADI certified. Can I take an SSI course?
Yes. A PADI Open Water certification qualifies you for the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver course (formerly Advanced Adventurer), and SSI and PADI recognise each other’s certifications.