New to Scuba? Gear, Costs, and Worries—All Explained Easy!

Have you ever dreamed of dancing with sea turtles and surrounded by colorful coral? Scuba diving is the key to unlock the secret world under the sea. “Is diving hard?”, “Is the gear too complicated?”, “Is it super expensive?” Don’t worry! This article is your diving guide. We’ll help you understand all the gear, explain the PADI course, compare prices, and bust common myths and safety tips. Follow us, and you’ll see — diving into the ocean is easier and safer than you think!

〈More to Read: Can you scuba dive if you can’t swim? All you need to know about Discover Scuba Diving!〉

What is Scuba Diving?

Scuba diving means carrying an air tank and using special breathing gear. It’s simple and lets you move underwater for a long time. You can enjoy sea life, explore shipwrecks, take cool underwater photos, or even do professional work under the sea.

Compared to snorkeling or freediving, scuba diving needs more gear and training. But it also lets you go deeper and stay longer. While snorkeling only lets you float on the surface, and freediving needs strong breath-holding skills, scuba diving lets you feel like a fish—relaxed and free in the deep blue ocean.

Comparison Table: Snorkeling, Freediving, and Scuba Diving in Taiwan

In short, if you want to explore the ocean easily and for a longer time, scuba diving is your best pick.

Beginner Must-Know: Scuba Diving Gear Checklist

Worried you're not a good swimmer or the gear looks too hard? Don’t worry! Scuba diving is easier than you think. At Heart Ocean Diving Center, even if it’s your first time, we prepare all the pro gear for you, and our one-on-one instructor will stay with you the whole time. Before we jump into the water, let’s look at the basic gear you’ll use!

• Mask: Helps you see clearly underwater and enjoy every detail.

• Regulator: Your lifeline underwater, connects to the tank to give you air.

• Tank: Holds the compressed air so you can breathe underwater.

• BCD (Buoyancy Control Device): Helps you stay balanced in the water.

• Wetsuit / Thermal suit: Keeps you warm and safe from cuts or scratches.

• Dive watch or diving computer: Tracks your depth and time underwater.

• Fins: Help you swim easier and save energy.

• Weights: Help you stay at the right depth and balance your buoyancy.

Want to try scuba? Thinking about getting certified? Or maybe you already have a license and just want to dive deeper. Let Heart Ocean Diving Center take care of everything.

Heart Ocean Diving Center's tip: No rush on gear shopping. Start with personal items like mask, wetsuit, booties, and fins. Talk to our experienced divers or ask your instructor for advice before you buy — it’ll save you stress and money.

〈Read more: What sea creatures and views can you see in Kenting? Try Discover Scuba with Heart Ocean one-on-one!〉

〈Read more: Getting your PADI license in Kenting – A magical underwater journey with Heart Ocean〉

Discover Scuba vs PADI Course: Which is better for beginners?

“Want to give a try first? Discover Scuba Diving is the best pick!” No license needed, and your instructor will guide you the whole time. Great for those with a short trip or just want a quick fun dive.

“Ready to explore the ocean more? Go for the PADI Open Water Diver (OW) course!” It’s the entry-level license used worldwide. After getting it, you can dive with a buddy and plan your own dives.

Heart Ocean’s Friendly Reminder for Discover Scuba! In Kenting, we offer one-on-one guidance for all Discover Scuba Dives — your first dive will feel safe and personal. For PADI OW, our small class sizes mean quality learning. Want even more personalized help? Add just NT$4,000 for your own one-on-one coach — great if your schedule is tight, you feel nervous, or want more support.

〈Recommended course: PADI Open Water Diver (OW)〉

〈Read more: Is Discover Scuba right for you? No license needed to enjoy the sea〉

〈Read more: What can you do after getting your PADI license? Beginner limits and Kenting dive tips〉

Scuba Diving & Certification Cost Chart – Taiwan

Prices above are for reference. Final cost may vary by area, dive shop, and what's included (meals, photos, stay, etc.).

Heart Ocean Course Pricing

Whether you're trying scuba for the first time or going for your PADI OW certification, we’re here to help! Message us to plan your trip. All courses are led by pro instructors. We include gear, insurance, and even photos! Some courses include meals and discounts on places to stay. Curious about more options? Click here to learn more on our official site!

Heart Ocean Course Price List

At Heart Ocean Diving, pricing is clear, lessons are full of value, and everything is included — top teaching, full gear rental, tank fees, insurance, and underwater photos. Meals and some lodging discounts too! Learn with joy, dive with peace of mind. Awesome value!

How to get a scuba diving license?

If you want to start scuba diving for real, the most common first step is getting the PADI Open Water Diver (OW) license. This license is accepted all over the world—after you get it, you can dive almost anywhere! The OW course has four main parts:

1. Online learning (eLearning): You can study at home using your phone or computer. You’ll learn about how diving works, safety rules, and basic gear info.

2. Confined water training: In a pool or calm water, you’ll practice using gear and handling emergencies.

3. Open water dives: You’ll do at least 4 dives and use the skills you learned in class and the pool in the sea.

4. Get certified: After finishing all parts and passing your instructor’s check, you’ll earn your OW license!

Heart Ocean Diving’s teaching style At Heart Ocean Diving, we care not only about helping you pass the course, but also about your learning process. We help you build strong diving skills and good habits.

〈More info: Complete scuba diving guide—from beginner to PADI license!〉

〈More info: Is PADI accepted worldwide? See the answers in 3 minutes!〉

It’s not just about gear—these 6 things are even more important!

Scuba diving is exciting, but it can be dangerous if safety is ignored. Here are 6 common mistakes new divers make, and the right way to stay safe every time you dive:

1. Diving after drinking: Alcohol affects your thinking and balance. Don’t drink the day before or on the day of your dive.

2. Diving alone: Diving solo is very risky. Always dive with a buddy so you can help each other if needed.

3. Forgetting to check air pressure: If you don’t check your air tank, you might run out of air. Check it every few minutes.

4. Ascending too fast: If you go up too quickly, you might get decompression sickness or hurt your lungs. Go up slowly and stop if needed.

5. Flying right after diving: Your body still has nitrogen after diving. Wait 18–24 hours before flying to stay safe. At Heart Ocean Diving, our instructors will give you the right advice based on your dive plan.

6. Diving when feeling unwell: If you have a stuffy nose or can't equalize pressure, it could hurt your ears. Always wait until you feel okay—safety first!

〈延伸閱讀：【潛水新手必讀】墾丁水肺潛水安全全攻略：預防潛水夫病〉

〈延伸閱讀：潛水後多久能搭飛機？ 5大活動禁飛時間全攻略+安全返航計畫〉

Must-Know for New Divers: FAQs That Make Things Clear

Diving sounds hard, but with the right prep, anyone can enjoy it. If you're new, you probably have lots of questions. No worries—we put together some common ones to help you understand diving better:

Q1: Do I need a scuba license?

If you're just joining a one-time Discover Scuba Diving (DSD), you don’t need a license—your instructor will stay with you the whole time. But if you want to go diving on your own, go deeper, or explore dive spots around the world, then you’ll need a license like PADI Open Water Diver. A license means you know the basics and how to stay safe underwater.

〈More Info: 8 Health Conditions Not Good for Diving | Heart Ocean Diving Center〉

Q2: Can I dive even if I can't swim?

Many people think you must know how to swim to dive—not really. The most important thing is staying calm and knowing how to use the gear. As long as you can breathe calmly and follow your instructor, you’ll be fine. At Heart Ocean Diving Center, all Discover Scuba Diving is One-on-One, and PADI courses also offer One-on-One teaching. Our instructors are super patient and will help you feel safe and relaxed.

〈More Info: DSD with One-on-One Instructor | Heart Ocean Kenting〉

Q3: What checks should I do before diving?

Pre-dive safety check is very important. Make sure your tank is open, regulator works fine, your BCD can fill and release air, and there’s enough air left. Your Diving Computer should also be working.

Also, talk to your buddy before diving—go over hand signals, emergency plans, and the dive plan. It may seem like a lot, but these good habits help you avoid problems. Don’t skip any step.

〈More Info: DSD Gear Guide in Kenting | Heart Ocean Diving〉

Q4: Will my ears hurt when diving?

When going down, your ears might feel pressure or pain if you don’t do Ear Equalization. That’s because pressure gets higher as you go deeper. Just learn how to do Ear Equalization, like pinching your nose and blowing gently. Our instructors will teach you this during pool training and make sure you’re ready.

Q5: What if I lose my buddy during the dive?

The buddy system is super important. If you lose your buddy underwater, don’t panic. Stay where you are and look around for 30–60 seconds. If you still can’t find them, ascend slowly and meet at the spot you agreed on. So before diving, always talk with your buddy about what to do in this kind of situation.

We Don’t Just Dive—We Care About the Ocean Too

Heart Ocean Diving Center not only gives you pro diving classes and fun dives, we also care a lot about ocean protection. We believe diving brings you close to nature, and it’s also a way to protect it. We often do beach cleanups and invite students and travelers to join. Even picking up one bottle after diving helps. We want to turn our love for the ocean into real action, little by little, together.

“Next time you dive in Kenting, check out our cleanup events. Let’s take care of the sea we love!”

〈More Info: Event Recap: Rain or Shine, We Clean! | Dive-TW Kenting Beach Cleanup 4/13〉

Conclusion

Scuba diving is more than just an outdoor activity—it’s your ticket to the ocean world. Every dive feels healing. You’ll feel closer to the ocean than ever. Even if you’re new or can’t swim, don’t worry. Heart Ocean Diving Center gives you a friendly place to start and pro courses to help you grow. You can go from zero to diving and fall in love with the sea.

Ready to dive into your blue dream? Learn more about our [Discover Scuba Diving] or [PADI License Courses] now! Join our official LINE, and our team will help plan your dream dive trip. Don’t wait—your underwater adventure is waiting!

〈More Info: Must-Read for Beginners: 40+ FAQ on DSD and PADI Courses | Heart Ocean One-on-One Guide〉