Planet Ocean

Planet Ocean is an established diving and freediving school situated in Hendaye, on the Basque Coast, just 20 kilometres south of Biarritz. The centre is positioned facing the Txingudi bay, within the Water Sport Center complex, acting as a technical partner and ambassador for the Subea brand.

Since its founding in 2005, the centre has focused on high-standard service and environmental responsibility, frequently organising local waste collection activities. The location is highly accessible, whether you arrive by train at Hendaye or the Deux Jumeaux stations, or by car via the A63.

The team is composed of experienced instructors who have all been trained internally at Planet Ocean. The centre is led by Olivier Creyssac, a PADI Course Director, PADI Freediver Trainer, and DAN Trainer, who also brings expertise as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer and author of Vagnon guides.

The centre provides instruction in French and is fully accessible to divers with disabilities. Beyond recreational diving, the professional side of the centre is robust, offering the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) for those looking to enter the industry.

The training programme is extensive, covering all levels from Discover Scuba Diving and Scuba Diver to PADI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. For those looking to deepen their skills, the centre offers PADI Deep Diver, Rescue Diver, and Nitrox specialties.

Technical and specialised training is a core strength, with courses available in Sidemount, Dry Suit diving, and rebreather support. The centre also caters to the freediving community with Discover Freediving and full Freediver programmes. For professional aspirants, the PADI IDC and ANMP Level 4 training are available.

The centre operates two distinct vessels to suit different diving styles. The Betiko is an 11-metre aluminium motorboat equipped with dual 200 CV engines and a cover to protect divers from the elements. It has a capacity for 29 divers plus a pilot.

For smaller groups, freediving, or snorkelling, the Bidaia is available. This is a semi-rigid vessel powered by a 200 CV engine, designed to provide more agile access to specific sites.

The shore-based facilities are modern and designed for diver comfort, featuring a dedicated classroom, changing rooms, and showers. A private heated pool with a depth of 3.50 metres is available on-site for training or practice.

Full equipment hire is available for those not travelling with their own kit. For those using the centre's cylinders, they are filled to 230 bar with either air or Nitrox 32. The proximity of the boats, moored just 5 metres from the centre, means you can avoid heavy cylinder carries.

The reefs and rocky structures of the Basque coast host a variety of interesting species. You can find conger eels and lobsters tucked into the crevices of the reefs, particularly around wreck sites like the Saint Sunniva.

In the sandy areas and near the seabed, various rays are common, including torpedo rays, brunette rays, smooth rays, and stingrays. These can often be spotted at sites like Biosar.

Macro life and smaller residents are also present throughout the area, including several species of ray that frequent the local waters.

The centre's location on the Basque coast means diving is subject to local maritime conditions. Most exploration dives are conducted from the boats, which allow access to various sites depending on the swell and sea state.