PADI Discover Scuba Diving
Take your first breath underwater.
£50, an afternoon, in a warm pool at Halo Highworth. No experience, no kit of your own, and nothing you have to commit to afterwards.
An instructor takes you through the equipment and the few things you genuinely need to know, then gets in the water with you. You breathe underwater, swim about, and find out whether you like it. That is the whole point of it.
Nearly everyone is a bit nervous beforehand. That is normal, and it is why you are never more than an arm’s length from a PADI Professional for the whole time you are in the water.
What Actually Happens
You arrive, and nobody rushes you.
First a short briefing on dry land — how the kit works, how to breathe, how to clear your ears. Then into the shallow end to get used to breathing underwater, which is the strange bit and takes most people about a minute. Then you swim.
You will be under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional throughout the in-water session. Our team is there to answer questions, build your confidence and make sure your first underwater experience is enjoyable.
Discover Scuba Diving is not a certification course, but it is a valuable introduction to the skills, equipment and sensations involved in learning to dive.
Is Discover Scuba Diving Right For Me?
This experience is a good choice if you:
- Have always wanted to try scuba diving
- Would like to experience breathing underwater before booking a full course
- Feel unsure whether scuba diving will suit you
- Want a memorable activity to enjoy with friends or family
- Are considering the PADI Open Water Diver course and would like an introduction first
- Have no previous diving experience
You do not need to be a strong athlete or have specialist knowledge. You should, however, be reasonably comfortable in the water and able to take part safely in the practical session.
What You Will Experience
During your Discover Scuba Diving session, you will:
- Meet your PADI Professional and discuss the session
- Learn about the main pieces of scuba equipment
- Understand a few essential safety guidelines
- Learn how to breathe comfortably through a regulator
- Practise simple underwater skills in shallow water
- Discover how to move and control yourself underwater
- Spend time swimming and enjoying the experience
- Learn what the next steps are if you decide to become a certified diver
The session is designed to be enjoyable and confidence-building. It is not a test, and there is no need to rush.
How The Session Works
Welcome and Briefing
We will begin by talking through the experience, checking the required paperwork and explaining the equipment you will use. Your instructor will cover the key safety information and answer any questions before you enter the water.
Getting Comfortable
In shallow water, you will learn how to breathe through the regulator and become familiar with the equipment. Your instructor will stay close and help you progress one step at a time.
Simple Scuba Skills
You will practise a small number of straightforward skills that help you feel more comfortable and in control underwater.
Time to Explore
Once you are ready, you will have the opportunity to swim underwater and enjoy the experience under your instructor’s direct supervision.
What Happens Next
After the session, we will explain the options available if you would like to continue to the PADI Open Water Diver course.
Course Requirements
To take part in PADI Discover Scuba Diving:
- You must be at least 10 years old.
- No previous scuba diving experience is required.
- No diving certification is required.
- You must complete the required participant and medical paperwork.
- You must be able to take part safely and follow the instructor’s directions.
Some answers on the diver medical questionnaire may require written clearance from a doctor before you can take part. Completing the questionnaire honestly and in advance helps prevent disappointment on the day.
Do I need to be able to swim? You do not need advanced swimming ability, but you should be reasonably comfortable in the water. The exact in-water requirements depend on how the experience is delivered. If you are nervous around water or have concerns about your swimming ability, contact us before booking so we can advise you properly.
What Is Included?
- Instructor-led briefing and in-water session
- Use of the required scuba equipment
- Pool or confined-water access
- Direct supervision by a PADI Professional
- Guidance on progressing to Open Water Diver
What Should I Bring?
- Swimwear
- A towel
- Any personal items requested in the booking information
- Completed paperwork where required
How Long Does It Take?
Arrive at 2:00pm. After the equipment briefing and dry-land preparation, you’ll be in the water from around 2:30pm for approximately an hour, paced to the student rather than rushed. The session finishes at 4:30pm.
Pool Sessions
Private Training
We can offer 1:1 teaching and private pool sessions by enquiry for many of our PADI courses.
This is ideal if you would prefer a quieter learning environment, want extra support, or need training arranged around your availability.
Private training is subject to instructor and pool availability, so please get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk through the best option for you.
Contact UsFlexible Scheduling
We can often arrange this experience around other Wiltshire Scuba courses or organise dedicated sessions for individuals, families, clubs and small groups.
If none of the listed dates suit you, contact us to discuss an alternative date or location.
What Happens If I Feel Nervous?
Feeling nervous before your first scuba experience is completely normal, and there’s no expectation that everyone starts at the same level of confidence.
For a nervous beginner, we slow things right down. We’ll spend more time getting comfortable with the equipment, breathing through a regulator and simply being in the water before worrying about completing skills. We can practise breathing at the surface or in water shallow enough to stand up in, and repeat things as many times as you need.
We introduce skills progressively — making sure you’re comfortable with each step before moving on. If something isn’t working, we’ll stop, change the approach and try again.
A confident beginner may move through those early stages much more quickly. The skills and standards are the same for everyone; the route and the time we take to get there don’t have to be.
Nobody gets rushed through a skill or made to feel that they’re holding the group up. The aim is to give you a genuinely positive introduction to scuba diving.
If you’d prefer a completely private session, we offer a bespoke 1:1 Discover Scuba Diving course for £85. Contact us to arrange a date.
Why Try Scuba With Wiltshire Scuba?
Our experienced team focuses on friendly instruction, small groups (maximum 4 students per instructor — confirmed) and building confident, capable divers. Starting with an established training centre means that, should you decide to continue, we can support your entire diving journey from your first pool experience through to professional-level training.
When you try scuba with Wiltshire Scuba, you will benefit from:
- Mark Taylor (PADI Course Director) and Emma Taylor (PADI IDC Staff Instructor)
- A calm, supportive learning environment
- Clear explanations before entering the water
- Well-maintained training equipment
- A direct pathway into the PADI Open Water Diver course
- Support from a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Discover Scuba Diving a certification course?
No. Discover Scuba Diving is an introductory experience rather than a scuba certification. It is designed to let you try scuba diving under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age for PADI Discover Scuba Diving is 10 years old. For younger children, PADI Bubblemaker or PADI Seal Team may be more suitable, depending on age and availability.
Do I need any previous experience?
No. You do not need previous scuba experience or a diving qualification.
Will I be underwater on my own?
No. You will be directly supervised by a PADI Professional throughout the in-water experience.
What happens if I cannot equalise my ears?
Your instructor will explain how to equalise before you descend. You will progress gradually and should never continue descending if you feel discomfort. If equalisation remains difficult, the instructor will adjust or stop the activity as appropriate.
Can I wear contact lenses?
Many divers wear soft contact lenses successfully under a mask. Bring spares if you use them. Prescription masks may also be available, but availability should be confirmed before the session.
Can I take part if I have a medical condition?
You will complete a medical questionnaire before taking part. Some answers may require written clearance from a doctor. Contact Wiltshire Scuba before booking if you are unsure.
Can I complete Discover Scuba Diving before Open Water Diver?
Yes. Discover Scuba Diving is a good way to experience scuba before committing to the full Open Water Diver course. You can also begin Open Water Diver directly without completing a Discover Scuba session first.
Does the experience count towards Open Water Diver?
In some circumstances, skills completed during Discover Scuba Diving may support your progression into Open Water Diver. We will explain the available options after your session.
What happens if I decide scuba diving is not for me?
That is completely fine. The purpose of the experience is to help you discover what scuba diving feels like. There is no obligation to book another course.
Your Next Step: PADI Open Water Diver
If you enjoy your Discover Scuba Diving experience, the PADI Open Water Diver course is the next step. Open Water Diver combines knowledge development, confined-water training and open-water dives to help you become a qualified diver. Wiltshire Scuba can guide you through the complete course and support you as your confidence and experience grow.
Related Experiences
- PADI Open Water Diver — become a qualified scuba diver
- PADI Bubblemaker — an introductory underwater experience for children aged eight and over
- PADI Seal Team — pool-based AquaMissions for children aged eight and over
Where Could Your Diving Journey Take You?
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Try Scuba Diving — you are here
Experience breathing underwater with direct instructor supervision.
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Become an Open Water Diver
Complete your first full scuba certification and begin diving independently with a buddy within your training limits.
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Build Confidence and Experience
Continue with Advanced Open Water and specialties that match the diving you want to do.
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Develop Rescue Skills
Learn to recognise and respond to problems through Rescue Diver and emergency-care training.
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Become a PADI Professional
Progress through Divemaster and instructor-level training with a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre.
Ready to Take Your First Breath Underwater?
Choose an available Discover Scuba Diving session and let our team guide you through your first underwater experience.