The SSI Scuba Diver is the shorter of SSI’s two beginner certifications. Two days, two pool dives, two ocean dives — and you’re certified to dive to 12 metres, always under the supervision of a Divemaster or Instructor.
It’s the right choice if you’re tight on time and don’t yet need the full independent licence. If you decide later that you want to upgrade to full Open Water, you pick up exactly where you left off and only pay the difference.
Talk to us about which makes more sense for your trip. If you’ve got three days, the full Open Water is almost always the better value.
Looking for “PADI Scuba Diver”?
You may have searched for “PADI Scuba Diver Gili Air”. We’ve moved fully to SSI certification — but our instructors hold both PADI and SSI ratings, and the two agencies’ courses are recognised interchangeably worldwide. Identical training, same depth limits, different paperwork. Bibi, our founder, was a PADI IDC Staff for many years before becoming an SSI Instructor Trainer in 2013; almost everyone on the team is dual-rated. Same dive, different card.
Frequently asked
How is this different from Open Water?
Scuba Diver is the first three modules of the Open Water course — you stop halfway. You're certified to dive to 12 metres, always with a Divemaster or Instructor present. If you ever want to finish the full Open Water (and dive without a pro), you can pick up where you left off and only pay the difference.
Verified reviews
What divers say about this course
Highly recommend this place to learn to dive - everyone who works there is so lovely and welcoming and they put you at ease straight away.…
Highly recommend to do scubadive or freedive with these guys! I completed the AOW course with Alex as my instructor. He help me improve my…
Absolutely the best experience I could have imagined – felt like family I came to Gili Air looking for relaxation and maybe a bit of…