Scubado Dive & Training Center

ScubaDO Dalış Okulu operates out of Istanbul, specifically in the İstinye district, serving as a gateway for divers looking to explore the diverse marine environments of the Turkish coast and the Red Sea. Established in 2017, the centre bridges the gap between urban life and the water by organising weekend programmes that take divers from the city to the coast.

The centre functions as both a training facility and a travel agency, meaning they handle the logistics of diving holidays from start to finish. This includes arranging accommodation in hotels or on liveaboards, ensuring that the transition from the classroom to the boat is seamless for both students and experienced divers.

The centre's teaching philosophy is built around small groups and individual attention. By limiting the number of participants in both training programmes and guided dives, they ensure that every diver receives the necessary supervision and support to progress safely.

Training is split into two distinct phases to accommodate working professionals. Theoretical coursework is conducted during weekday evenings in their 10-seat classroom in İstinye, while the practical, in-water sessions are carried out during organised weekend trips to various dive sites.

ScubaDO offers a comprehensive curriculum through both SSI and TSSF/CMAS affiliations. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, with pathways leading through Advanced Open Water to professional levels such as Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and 3-star certifications.

Specialist training is also a core part of their programme. Divers can choose to certify in Nitrox, Deep diving, Wreck diving, or Night diving to expand their underwater capabilities.

For those travelling without their own kit, the centre provides full equipment hire. This includes everything required for a complete dive, though divers are advised to bring their own dive computers.

On their international liveaboard expeditions, particularly those to the Red Sea, the focus is on high-end comfort. These trips include amenities such as jacuzzis, saunas, and minibars on board to ensure a relaxing experience between dives.

The marine life encountered during ScubaDO's expeditions varies significantly by location. In the Red Sea, the focus is on healthy reef ecosystems, while the South African trips offer encounters with larger pelagics.

In Umkomaas, divers can expect to see bull sharks, tiger sharks, and blacktip reef sharks, with December being a notable month for these sightings.

In other regions, the focus shifts to the diverse inhabitants of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, where the underwater scenery is defined by the local reef structures and coastal habitats.