How Much Does a Scuba diving Trip Cost?
You might already be a Scuba diver, and you are planning a Scuba diving trip with your buddy. Or have you seen some beautiful Scuba diving resorts and want to learn while on holiday?
Scuba diving all day and relaxing all evening sounds so perfect, you must be questioning, isn’t it expensive? But it does not have to be. There are some amazing deals out there, you just have to know where to look!
Once you have witnessed the magical underwater world, I am sure you will want to travel to visit some of the best Dive sites around the globe. It is addictive! So how much does a Scuba diving trip cost?
Of course, the price of a Scuba diving trip depends on where, if you complete any certifications and what type of scuba diving trip! In this article we will look at:
- Certifications
- Location
- Dive resorts
- Liveaboards
- Dive centres
So, let’s dive in!
How much does it cost to get SCUBA certifications?
Generally, a PADI Open Water to PADI Advanced Scuba diving course costs $250-$400. Diving certifications cost anywhere from a couple to several hundreds of pounds, depending on which level you are completing.
A Scuba diving trip is the best type of holiday. After an exciting day packed with diving, relax by the pool and with a cold drink in your hand. Indulge in local cuisine and explore your new surroundings.
If you cannot already Scuba dive, you can even learn on holiday!
Learning to Scuba dive while on your trip can transform an ordinary hotel swimming pool into your sanctuary of learning. Taking your first breath underwater is extraordinary, watching the bubbles race to the surface.
So, the first thing you need to consider when asking how much a Scuba diving trip will be, is will you be learning how to dive? If so, expect a few hundred pounds extra added to the price!
How does Location affect the Cost to Scuba?
Location plays a huge role in the cost of a Scuba diving holiday. Countries offer Fun dives at different prices, ranging from $28-60. Indonesia is one of the cheapest locations, with some of the most expensive places being French Polynesia, the Maldives and Australia. A diving day consisting of two dives is around $250 in Australia, and $100 for three dives in Indonesia!
If you are looking to explore dive sites without breaking the bank, your Scuba diving holiday should be in one of the Cheapest Scuba Holiday Destinations in the World.
Fly to Indonesia ($500-900), the home to some of the most magnificent dive sites, such as those in Raja Ampat, Komodo National Park, Bali and Lombok. With Fun dives of around $28 and accommodation as little as $5 a night, a Scuba diving holiday can be very affordable!
Another cheap place for a Scuba diving holiday is in Thailand, with incredible islands surrounded by crystal clear turquoise water. Koh Tao is very popular, with fun dives around $28 and accommodation as cheap as $6.
Famous dive sites such as Sail Rock can bring you face to face with whale sharks, blacktip sharks and blue spotted stingrays!
Do Dive Resort Costs Vary?
Diving Resorts can be anything from $365 to thousands of pounds for a week. Thousands of people go on Scuba Diving holidays a year, visiting a range of beautiful dive resorts across the globe. The statistics are huge! The cheapest The cheapest Scuba diving resorts around $365 are room only, with multiple dives a day included in the price. 7-nights in Koh Tao, room only with 10 boat dives included. One of the most expensive dive resort is over $4000 a night!
Dive resorts are hotels, which are partnered with a Scuba Diving Tour company, ready to take you out for a day of diving right from the comfort of your hotel! Room only is the cheapest way to stay in a dive resort and s you add extras, the price can climb. Extras include meals, certifications, and gear hire.
The Royal Belize Private Island is one of the most expensive dive holidays, $21,280 for 7-nights in an all inclusive 5-star hotel, with 12 boat dives included and more. It would be awesome to stay on your own private Island!
Beautiful Scuba diving resorts can be found all over the world, how on earth are you supposed to choose? Luckily for us, there are great websites available to search for some of the best offers!
You can search some of the most highly rated dive resorts on the PADI Travel website, from a PADI 5 star all-inclusive Dive resort in Egypt for $880 to a PADI 5 star village bed and breakfast in Belize for $1760.
Dive resorts are usually a little more expensive than organising the trip yourself. But there are added benefits to the price. You can book it all at once, removing some of the organisational stress of finding a nice hotel, close to a good diving spot and booking transport.
Of course, not forgetting the relaxation of the holiday itself is worth the price. Imagine arriving back at the hotel after a boat dive, you relax by the pool and enjoy all-inclusive cocktails and snacks. After enjoying a relaxing warm shower, you indulge in endless local cuisine.
Sounds like heaven, right?
How Much do Liveaboards Cost?
Liveaboard prices depend on many things, such as the duration of the trip. It can vary from £350 for 4 days, to over £2000 for 10 days. It also depends on the location. A 7-night Liveaboard in the maldives is around $2000, whereas a 7-night liveaboard in Thailand is $1300. The price will also vary depending on the number of cabins, the size of the vessel, the number of and types of dives available.
Cruising around your desired destination, a liveaboard could bring you into contact with your favourite marine life. This is an incredible type of Scuba diving trip, remaining on (and under the surface) for the whole duration.
Start the day by watching the beautiful sunrise, glistening off the surface of the ocean. Submerge into the water for the first dive of the day, exploring your dream dive sites. Once coming up onto the boat for a surface interval, relax while travelling to the next destination!
Jump on board in Hurghada, for a thrilling 7-night cruise. This Liveaboard only costs £722($981), which is a magnificent deal, including full board and up to 21 dives! Explore the Red Sea, home to outstanding wrecks and mind-blowing marine life!
Difference in Dive Centre Costs?
Travelling to the desired location and finding a local dive shop, can be the cheapest way to enjoy a Scuba diving trip. This allows you to find accommodation within your budget and therefore you can find the cheapest deals!
Organising a trip yourself can be stressful, but it is nice to have the flexibility to go wherever you want! Staying at your chosen accommodation allows you to explore the area and eat at delicious local restaurants!
Decide on your dream location, find a great place to stay and search for a Dive centre that you like and suits your needs! One easy way to find an incredible Dive Centre is to search for PADI Dive centres in your chosen area!
Don’t Forget Your Dive Insurance!
Before you go out on any dive trip or holiday, it is essential to make sure you have insurance that covers you if something goes wrong. Check out our dive insurance article for more information.
Or go straight to these dive insurance company websites:
If you liked this article, please follow us on Instagram, Twitter and like our Facebook page
Final thoughts
Scuba diving is known to be an expensive hobby. But it does not have to be.
There are great websites out there, opening up access to thousands of amazing deals, from all-inclusive 5-star hotels to a vast list of well-recommended Dive Centres.
It is important to pursue your hobbies and explore other parts of the world. So, what’s stopping you?
Please share this article using the social media buttons!
