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diveshack / Courses / Basic Diver
INTRO · SSI BASIC DIVER

SSI Basic Diver
Malta

Your first real open water dive. The SSI Basic Diver programme takes you from confined water to open water: no certification required, full equipment provided. Dive to 12m under expert supervision and decide if you want to continue to full certification.

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Certified by SSI
Course Price
€150
Everything included. No hidden extras.
✓SSI eLearning included
✓Full equipment included
✓Wetsuit, BCD, regulator, cylinder
✓Academic and confined water sessions
✓Open water dive(s) to 12m with instructor
✓SSI Basic Diver recognition (6-month validity)
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10
Min Age
12m
Max Depth
OW
Open Water Included
6 Mo
Cert Validity
None
Prerequisites
Malta
Location
Course Overview

From the confined water to open water

The SSI Basic Diver is a genuine open water diving experience, not a pool demonstration. You will complete academic sessions, confined water skills, and then enter the sea for supervised dives to 12m alongside your instructor.

Unlike a Try Scuba experience, which stays in confined water at no more than 5m, the Basic Diver programme takes you into the Mediterranean. Malta's clear water, with visibility regularly exceeding 20 metres, means your first real dive happens in conditions that are hard to match anywhere in Europe.

  • How scuba equipment works and how to use it safely
  • Breathing and buoyancy techniques for open water
  • Hand signals and underwater communication
  • Basic emergency procedures
  • Planned open water diving in the Mediterranean to 12m
Recognition

SSI Basic Diver

On completion you receive the SSI Basic Diver recognition card. This is an introductory programme outcome, not a permanent diving certification. The card is valid for 6 months and the skills completed can be credited toward either the Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver programme within that window.

Issued by SSI (Scuba Schools International)
Type Introductory programme recognition (not permanent cert)
Validity 6 months from completion
Prerequisite Fit to swim. No prior certification required.
Min age 10 years
Credits toward Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver (within 6 months)
Max depth 12m under instructor supervision
6-Month Validity Note

The SSI Basic Diver recognition is valid for 6 months. Within that window, candidates can credit their completed skills toward the Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver programme. After 6 months, skills must be re-evaluated before crediting applies.

Marine Life

What You Might See

A sample of the species you might actually see at this course's depth. Click any card to read the full species guide.

Programme Structure

What the programme covers

The Basic Diver programme moves from online theory to confined water skills to real open water dives. Each stage builds directly on the last, so by the time you enter the sea you have the skills to dive safely at depth.

Stage 1

eLearning

  • Complete SSI eLearning modules online before your arrival
  • Covers scuba equipment, breathing principles, and dive planning
  • Self-paced on any device
  • Access code sent on enrolment
  • Plan for two to three hours to complete the modules
Stage 2

Confined water skills

  • Equipment assembly and pre-dive checks
  • First breath underwater in a controlled environment
  • Basic buoyancy and breathing technique
  • Mask clearing and regulator recovery skills
  • Instructor feedback before your open water dives
Stage 3

Open water dives

  • Guided dives to 12m in the sea at a Malta dive site
  • Instructor at your side for the full dive
  • Clear Mediterranean water with 20m-plus visibility
  • Sea life including bream, grouper, and octopus
  • Debrief after each dive with personalised feedback
Stage 4

Recognition card

  • SSI Basic Diver recognition card issued on completion
  • Valid for 6 months
  • Skills credited toward Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver
  • Upgrade path discussed with your instructor
  • diveshack advises which upgrade route suits your goals
The 6-Month Pathway

Where the Basic Diver leads

The Basic Diver recognition is your starting point. Within 6 months you can credit your completed skills toward a permanent certification and move on to independent diving. diveshack will advise which route suits your goals.

Option 1

Upgrade to Scuba Diver

Abbreviated entry-level certification. Supervised diving to 12m with a professional. Shorter course than Open Water Diver. Your Basic Diver skills are fully credited.

Option 2

Upgrade to Open Water Diver

Full entry-level certification. Independent diving to 18m worldwide, no expiry, recognised by all major agencies. Your Basic Diver skills are credited toward the course. Most candidates choose this route.

Option 3

Repeat Basic Diver

If more than 6 months passes without upgrading, skills are re-evaluated. You can retake the programme before deciding to pursue either certification. No pressure either way.

Compare Options

Basic Diver vs Try Scuba vs Open Water Diver

Understanding where the Basic Diver sits helps you choose the right programme for your situation.

Feature Try Scuba Basic Diver Open Water Diver
Open water dives No (confined only) Yes Yes
Max depth 5m (confined) 12m (supervised) 18m (independent)
Certification type Recognition only 6-month recognition Permanent cert
Prerequisites None None None
Min age 8 10 10
eLearning No Yes Yes
Credits toward further cert No Yes (within 6 months) Permanent cert, no further requirement
Why diveshack

The right place for your first real dive

Diamond ITC

SSI Diamond Training Centre

diveshack holds SSI Diamond status, the highest training centre rating in the SSI system. Every course is delivered to the current SSI standard.

Small Groups

1:1 supervision on open water dives

On your first open water dives, your instructor is beside you throughout. Small group sizes mean you are never lost in a crowd on your first time at depth.

Full Kit

Full equipment included

Wetsuit, BCD, regulator, cylinder, mask, and fins are all included. You need nothing more than a swimsuit. No rental fees, no hidden extras.

Visibility

Year-round clear water

Malta's water stays warm and clear year-round with visibility regularly exceeding 20 metres. Conditions that give first-time divers a genuine experience of what the sea looks like.

Upgrade Path

Direct upgrade to OWD

If you decide to continue after your Basic Diver dives, your completed skills count directly toward Open Water Diver. No repeated steps, no wasted time.

Sliema Base

Central Sliema location

diveshack is based at 20 Qui Si Sana Seafront, Sliema, with easy access from most Malta accommodation. Sea entry points within minutes of the centre.

SSI

SSI Basic Diver

Introductory experience. Recognition card issued, not a full scuba certification. Valid for 6 months.

Cert typeRecognition card: introductory experience (not a full certification)
Depth limit12m supervised by instructor at all times
Min. Age10 years
PrerequisitesNone. Able to swim.
Card issuedSSI recognition card via app. Valid 6 months: credits apply toward Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver if enrolled within this window.
Valid6 months only. Not a lifetime certification.
Next stepSSI Scuba Diver or SSI Open Water Diver: convert your experience into a full certification.
Pricing

Course options

Everything Included
Standard
€150

Full equipment, SSI eLearning, and all sessions included. Nothing extra to bring.

  • ✓SSI eLearning included
  • ✓Full equipment included
  • ✓Academic and confined water sessions
  • ✓Open water dive(s) to 12m
  • ✓SSI Basic Diver recognition card
  • ✓Small group, supervised open water dives
Book This
Private Instruction
€299

One-on-one instruction, full equipment, and flexible scheduling. Everything included.

  • ✓SSI eLearning included
  • ✓Full equipment included
  • ✓Academic and confined water sessions
  • ✓Open water dive(s) to 12m
  • ✓SSI Basic Diver recognition card
  • ✓Dedicated one-on-one instructor
  • ✓Flexible date and time scheduling
Enquire

All prices include VAT · See cancellation policy in FAQ

FAQ

Common questions

No. The SSI Basic Diver recognition is valid for 6 months. It is an introductory programme designed to give you real open water experience before you decide to pursue a permanent certification. Within 6 months you can upgrade to Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver and your completed skills will be credited toward the course.
Scuba Diver is a permanent entry-level SSI certification. Basic Diver is an introductory programme with a 6-month time limit. Both allow supervised diving to 12m, but only the Scuba Diver certification is permanent. If you want a recognised qualification from the start, the Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver programme may suit you better.
Try Scuba is confined water only: a confined water or sheltered shallows at no more than 5m depth, with no open water component. Basic Diver includes real open water dives in the sea to 12m under instructor supervision. Basic Diver also includes eLearning and is a more structured introduction to scuba.
No. All scuba equipment is included in the course fee: wetsuit, BCD, regulator, cylinder, mask, and fins. You just need a swimsuit, a towel, and sun protection. There is nothing to buy or rent separately.
Yes. If you want a permanent certification from the start, the Open Water Diver programme is the right choice. It takes a few more days than the Basic Diver programme but gives you an internationally recognised qualification with no expiry date. The Basic Diver is ideal if you want to experience open water diving before committing to the full course.
Cancellations made more than 7 days before the course start date receive a full refund of the course fee. Cancellations within 7 days forfeit the deposit. The SSI eLearning fee is non-refundable once the access link has been activated, as this is paid directly to SSI. We are happy to reschedule at no charge provided you give at least 48 hours notice. Weather-related cancellations are always rescheduled at no cost to you.
Next Steps

Continue your diving education

Try Scuba Malta
Intro · Confined Water

SSI Try Scuba

First breath underwater in a safe confined water environment. No certification required, no commitment.

View Experience
SSI Open Water Diver Malta
Entry Level · 18m · Permanent Cert

SSI Open Water Diver

Full entry-level certification. Independent diving to 18m worldwide, no expiry, recognised everywhere.

View Course
SSI Advanced Open Water Diver Malta
Advanced · 30m

SSI Advanced Open Water Diver

Extend your range to 30m. Five adventure dives covering navigation, deep diving, and more.

View Course

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