DivingDeal · Dive centres
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Your choice of dive centre shapes much of a diving holiday, from the language used by the team to the organisation behind your card, the group size and the boat. The table below counts the listed dive centres country by country, those that say they speak English and their affiliations, while the questions further down help you choose yours.
dive centres listed
destinations
countries
81 dive centres listed
369 dive centres listed
709 dive centres listed
211 dive centres listed
188 dive centres listed
219 dive centres listed
828 dive centres listed
32 dive centres listed
146 dive centres listed
157 dive centres listed
One centre drawn at random per region, real Google rating and reviews. Reload the page to see others.
The rows count the dive centres listed in each destination, including those that say they speak English and the affiliations they list. A centre can have more than one affiliation.
| Destination | Centres | Speak English | PADI | SSI | CMAS / FFESSM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 306 | 158 | 180 | 104 | 7 |
| France | 229 | 35 | 78 | 66 | 170 |
| Spain | 218 | 74 | 116 | 107 | 20 |
| Philippines | 217 | 96 | 130 | 42 | 9 |
| Thailand | 216 | 127 | 140 | 80 | 10 |
| Mexico | 199 | 121 | 136 | 62 | 2 |
| Egypt | 186 | 112 | 145 | 64 | 29 |
| United States | 149 | 59 | 105 | 38 | 1 |
| Italy | 146 | 51 | 84 | 60 | 10 |
| Canary Islands | 117 | 63 | 76 | 53 | 10 |
| Greece | 115 | 38 | 71 | 53 | 13 |
| Maldives | 108 | 39 | 69 | 35 | 1 |
| Japan | 97 | 37 | 52 | 27 | 3 |
| Malaysia | 74 | 31 | 50 | 15 | 0 |
| Türkiye | 68 | 25 | 40 | 30 | 35 |
These are the ten destinations British divers search for most when looking for a dive centre, with the places where centres gather, the affiliation that dominates and how many say they speak English shown below.
Many dive centres are based in resorts, while others operate from inhabited islands such as Fuvahmulah, known for its tiger sharks. Ari Atoll and Baa Atoll have dive centres too, and PADI dominates. The catalogue lists 108 dive centres in the Maldives, of which 39 say they speak English.
Egyptian dive centres gather in Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, Dahab and Marsa Alam, with PADI the main affiliation. At Dahab and Marsa Alam, many dives start from the shore, while centres in Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada commonly run boat trips. There are 186 listed dive centres, and 112 say they speak English.
Koh Tao has the most dive centres in Thailand, with PADI the main affiliation. On the Andaman Sea, centres in Phuket, Khao Lak and Koh Lanta run trips to the islands. The country has 216 listed dive centres, including 127 that say they speak English.
Indonesia has the most dive centres in the table. On Bali, they line the coast at Amed and Pemuteran, and on the island of Nusa Penida; the Gili Islands, off Lombok, have them too. PADI is the majority affiliation and SSI is well represented, while 306 centres are listed and 158 say they speak English.
Dive centres gather in the north of the main island, from Sliema and St Julian's to St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa, and on Gozo around Marsalforn. Many dives are from the shore, including wreck dives, and PADI dominates. Malta has 64 listed dive centres, of which 35 say they speak English.
The dive centres are spread between Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, where diving is possible all year round. PADI dominates and SSI follows among the listed affiliations. There are 117 dive centres in the catalogue, and 63 say they speak English.
Dive centres are spread across many islands, including Puerto Galera, Panglao on Bohol, Coron, Moalboal, Dauin and Malapascua. They are often small outfits, sometimes based in a resort, and PADI dominates. The Philippines has 217 listed dive centres, with 96 saying they speak English.
Cozumel and Playa del Carmen gather the dive centres of the Riviera Maya, while Tulum is the base for cenote diving. La Paz has the centres serving the Sea of Cortez, and PADI is by far the main affiliation. Of the 199 listed dive centres in Mexico, 121 say they speak English.
Dive centres line the Algarve, Sagres among them, while those in Madeira operate from Caniço, Funchal and Caniçal. Other centres serve Porto Santo, Sesimbra south of Lisbon and Peniche, the port for the Berlengas. SSI and PADI share the listed affiliations. Portugal has 40 dive centres in the catalogue, and 12 say they speak English.
Dive centres run along the south coast, at Plymouth and Poole, and in Cornwall around Helston, Truro and St Austell. Further north, you will find them at Oban in Scotland, in Northumberland and in Northern Ireland. SSI and PADI share the listed affiliations, with 31 dive centres in the catalogue and 8 saying they speak English.
Look at the distance between your hotel and the dive centre, then ask whether it picks you up. Boat trips often leave early in the morning, so a centre a few minutes' walk away can make the day much simpler.
Some dive centres work from the beach, while others use boats. A boat reaches sites further out, whereas shore diving usually gives you more flexibility over the timing.
The briefing matters as much as the dive. If you follow the language badly, you could miss an instruction about current or depth, and 1615 dive centres in our catalogue say they speak English.
Ask how many divers go with each guide, how large the boat is and how long it takes to reach the sites. Check that you can hire full kit in your size, and whether nitrox is offered, as more than half the centres in our catalogue say they offer it.
The rating alone separates little, since the great majority of centres in our catalogue are rated above 4.8 out of 5 on Google. Look at the number and date of the reviews, and read what divers say about the guiding, safety, kit and welcome.
Bring your certification card and logbook, which show your experience, as well as your dive insurance. Many divers also bring their own mask, computer and wetsuit.
Check its distance from your hotel, how it reaches the sites and which language is used for the briefing. Then ask about group size, the boat, kit hire and nitrox.
Most dive centres welcome divers on holiday, whether you want one dive or a week of diving. They will usually ask for your card and logbook.
Many dive centres offer packages covering several dives during your stay. Ask what is included before you book.
Yes, nothing stops you diving with several centres during the same trip. It can be useful when you are staying in different areas.
Many dive centres offer night dives on a few evenings each week. Check the days when you make your booking.
Many dive centres take non diving companions on the boat, with snorkelling during the dives. Ask whether this is available on the trips you want.
Many dive centres rinse and store your kit on site during your stay. Ask where it is kept and how it is labelled.
1615 dive centres in our catalogue say they speak English. Check the language used for the dive briefing when you book.
Booking ahead is wise in high season and for the most popular trips. It also helps if you need a particular boat, guide or kit size.
Most dive centres hire full kit, including the main items you need for a dive. Many divers still bring their own mask, computer and wetsuit.
