Where to Begin Your Scuba Diving Journey

So, you’re interested in scuba diving.

Maybe a friend introduced you to the hobby, or perhaps you were captivated by stunning underwater photos on Instagram or videos on TikTok.

Whatever sparked your curiosity, I can confidently say this: scuba diving changed my life, and it just might change yours too.

My First Breath Underwater

“Whoever tells you they weren’t scared on their first jump into the sea is simply bullshitting you.” — One of the diving instructors I met during my scuba diving journey

I still remember my very first dive as if it were yesterday.

Standing at the edge of what felt like a bottomless ocean, I was terrified. Heavy scuba gear weighed me down. A regulator sat awkwardly in my mouth. I kicked frantically just to stay afloat while salty seawater found its way into my mouth, my mask, and my eyes.

Everything felt unfamiliar.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

I took my first breath underwater.

In the middle of all that panic, one thought suddenly crossed my mind:

“Hey… I’m okay. I can still breathe.”

It was one of the strangest sensations I’ve ever experienced. Breathing through my mouth instead of my nose. The world becoming almost silent except for the rhythmic sound of my own inhaling and exhaling. My field of vision narrowing to what I could see through my mask. No talking. No shouting. Just simple hand signals from my instructor, whom I trusted completely.

That was my first scuba experience in 2018 through a Discover Scuba program during a holiday in Pattaya, Thailand.

I signed up alone.

I wasn’t looking for a new hobby. I was simply bored, wanted to try something different, and decided to step outside my comfort zone.

Looking back, it was one of the best spontaneous decisions I’ve ever made.

How Do You Get Started?

Certification Agencies

Almost every scuba certification agency follows a similar learning pathway.

The first step is usually a trial experience, commonly called a Discover Scuba program. This is designed purely to let you experience breathing underwater. There’s very little theory involved, and your instructor handles almost everything—from your buoyancy to your safety. In most cases, they’ll stay beside you throughout the dive and guide you the entire way.

If you enjoy the experience, the next step is obtaining your Open Water (OW) certification.

For divers in Singapore, the two most common certification agencies are PADI and SSI, although there are several others.

Many beginners spend far too much time wondering which agency is “the best.”

In reality, they’re more alike than different. Their certifications are internationally recognised, and you’ll be able to dive almost anywhere in the world regardless of which major agency you choose.

If you’re interested in comparing them in detail, there’s plenty of information available online. Learn more about Certification Agencies, Click here

Tioman or Singapore?

If you have the time and don’t mind travelling across the border, my recommendation is simple:

Go to Tioman.

I know this opinion won’t be popular with some Singapore dive schools, but I’d rather be honest than diplomatic.

Singapore’s waters are generally murky, and visibility is often poor. Yes, there are good days at Pulau Hantu where visibility reaches around 10 metres, but those days are the exception rather than the rule.

For a beginner, your first impression matters.

Learning to dive is already mentally demanding. Doing it in low visibility doesn’t make the experience any easier. Personally, I’d much rather spend three or four days immersed in a diving course on Tioman while enjoying the beach than spend the same amount of money diving in Singapore’s waters.

Unless work or logistics make overseas travel difficult, I think Tioman offers a much better introduction to scuba diving.

My Advice

Don’t obsess over choosing the “best” certification agency.

Choose the right instructor.

Ask friends for recommendations. Read reviews. Speak to previous students if possible.

An instructor has far more influence on your learning experience than the logo on your certification card.

Every instructor teaches differently. Some follow the textbook strictly. Others are more relaxed. Some focus heavily on perfecting your fundamentals, while others deliberately put you through stressful situations to build confidence underwater.

None of these approaches is inherently right or wrong.

What matters most is finding an instructor whose teaching style suits you.

If I had to choose one quality above everything else, it would be patience.

As a beginner, you’re going to make mistakes. That’s normal. Learning to dive is already stressful enough without an instructor who becomes impatient or frustrated.

A patient instructor builds confidence.

A poor one builds anxiety.

If Tioman Isn’t an Option…

Consider Doing Your Open Water Course at Resort World Sentosa (RWS)

This recommendation usually attracts plenty of criticism.

Some people argue that “real” learning only happens in open water with waves, currents, and poor visibility.

Others dislike the idea of diving in an aquarium.

I understand both viewpoints.

My recommendation is based purely on value for money.

An Open Water course in Singapore typically costs around S$600–700, regardless of which school you choose. There’s little point shopping aggressively for discounts because most schools charge within a fairly narrow range.

If you’re looking to save money, neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Bali, or the Philippines generally offer lower prices.

That said, I personally value learning from an instructor I can communicate with comfortably. Being able to ask questions naturally—even in Singlish—made learning much easier for me.

Since you’re already paying around the same amount, I think RWS offers something unique.

You get excellent visibility and an incredible concentration of marine life.

In the wild, most fish keep their distance from divers. The animals in the RWS aquarium are different. Many are curious and will swim close to investigate you. It’s a surprisingly memorable experience that most certified divers never get to have again.

There’s another reason I recommend it.

A recreational dive at RWS costs roughly S$322 for one or two dives. By comparison, recreational dives elsewhere in Asia typically cost around S$40–90 each before equipment rental.

During your Open Water course, you’ll usually complete four dives in the aquarium.

From a purely financial perspective, that’s excellent value.

And no—I have no affiliation with RWS and I’m not being paid to recommend them.

These are simply my honest thoughts.

Should You Take Advanced Open Water (AOW)?

I won’t go into the details of what the course covers because there’s already plenty of information online.

Instead, I’ll answer the question I hear most often.

My Advice

Ask yourself one question.

Did you genuinely enjoy your Open Water course?

If the answer is yes, then I’d strongly recommend completing your Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification.

Many dive schools also offer discounted packages if you sign up for both courses together.

The biggest reason is simple:

It unlocks more dive sites.

Most of the world’s famous recreational dive sites are deeper than 18 metres.

Without AOW, you’re limited to the maximum depth allowed under your Open Water certification. That means there will be trips where everyone else gets to dive a site while you have to sit it out.

I’ve experienced that disappointment myself.

I’ve also seen many new divers discover this limitation only after arriving at their holiday destination.

It’s not a pleasant feeling.

If you already know scuba diving is a hobby you’ll continue, getting your AOW early removes that limitation and gives you access to far more dive opportunities around the world.