You're floating weightlessly 18 meters underwater, with only your breathing and bubbles. Sunlight streams through the water, and a curious klipfish eyes you where it's perched on a rock. In this moment, you'll discover – scuba diving can be more relaxing than the deepest meditation.
If you're like most people considering scuba diving, you've probably convinced yourself it's too difficult, too expensive, or too dangerous to try. But what if everything you assumed about diving was wrong?
As a dive professional and underwater photographer at Just Africa Scuba, I’ve helped countless beginners discover the underwater world. I watched their misconceptions dissolve faster than salt in the ocean, just as mine did when I started my journey years ago. I was scared of the unknown but tried anyway, and the ocean became a refuge and magical place.
Here are six surprising truths that might change your mind about diving:
1. You'll Float, Not Swim
"But I'm not a strong swimmer!" is often the first objection from potential divers. Here's the surprising truth: scuba diving isn't about swimming. It's more like being an astronaut in space - floating weightlessly and moving gently.
You just need basic comfort in water, even if that means being able to doggy paddle in the shallow end of a pool. Why? Because underwater, you'll barely swim at all.
Instead of working hard to move through the water, you'll glide effortlessly through this weightless world. Think gentle fin kicks and smooth movements - it's more like meditation in motion than exercise. You'll stay close to your buddy and move with your group, but there's no heavy swimming involved. Just peaceful, easy gliding.
No fancy swimming skills are needed.
2. Sharks Are Scared of You
(Not the Other Way Around)
I'll never forget my first shark encounter. When I spotted a Sevengill Cow shark in the kelp forest, my heart raced. Like many, I was afraid of them, but I tried to remain open to new possibilities. I kept my cool and focused on my breathing and slow movements, keeping my arms tucked in. But instead of the terrifying predator I'd imagined, I watched in amazement as this magnificent creature inquisitively moved past the divers, more shy than threatening. I almost forgot to take pictures. That moment changed my perspective on these misunderstood animals.
Sharks avoid divers because they’re wary of anything foreign in their domain. They prioritize their lives and are aloof and cautious. Most won’t approach a strange-looking object because they don’t know what it is or if it’s dangerous.
Divers are big and usually in pairs or groups, which doesn’t make them attractive prey. Groups put sharks off even more, as it can be intimidating to encounter a dive group.
The bubbles divers blow out from their regulators are strange, noisy, and can deter sharks.
In most cases, when sharks approach divers, it’s usually to investigate cautiously. If you’re not on a baited shark dive, having one approach you on a normal dive is rare.
Divers sometimes encounter sharks on the reef or in the kelp forest, but they usually move away. It’s usually fleeting sightings disappearing into the distance. They are not interested in divers. We are not their food.
Diving often gives you a new perspective on these incredible creatures, turning fear into fascination.
Here’s an article about shark behavior and tips for water encounters: In the Water With Sharks
3. It's Like Meditation, But Better
(The Mental Health Benefits of Diving)
As a coach and diving guide, I've witnessed a remarkable truth: the ocean heals both body and soul like no therapy session can quite match. When people ask about diving's benefits, I always come back to its impact on mental wellbeing.
There's something magical about it. Maybe it's the weightlessness, peaceful silence, or focus on your breathing. The moment you sink beneath the surface, all your worries float away. It's like hitting a reset button for your mind.
Scuba diving offers a break from daily life and opportunities for connection with others, nature, or both. Sharing your love for the sport with like-minded people creates a unique bond and sense of community.
The underwater environment provides a profound connection to nature, as you witness marine life in its habitat. This experience often leads to increased environmental awareness and a desire to protect our oceans.
Many divers report feeling more peaceful, centered, and emotionally balanced after their dives. The combination of physical activity, controlled breathing, and serene underwater landscapes makes diving a powerful stress relief tool.
4. You Can Get Certified Faster Than You Think
(Much Can Be Done From Your Couch)
Now that you're excited about the mental and physical benefits of diving, here's more good news: getting certified is probably faster and easier than you imagine. The PADI Open Water course - your passport to diving anywhere in the world - fits into busy schedules. Here's how it breaks down:
- Theory: Your Couch Time
- About 15 hours of online learning.
- Take quizzes in your pajamas.
- No instructor breathing down your neck.
- Practical: The Fun Part
- Just 4 half-days at the dive center.
- Two mornings splashing in the pool
- Two ocean adventures
- Before you know it, you're certified to dive 18 meters deep!
In the time it takes to binge-watch a season of your favorite show, you could learn a life-changing skill. This one ends with you exploring coral reefs instead of just watching them on Blue Planet.
Read this article on how to become a scuba diver: How do I Become a Scuba Diver?
5. The Gear Is Simple
(If a 10-Year-Old Can Do It, So Can You)
Let's be honest: a scuba setup looks confusing and very technical. All those hoses, gauges, and mysterious devices can be intimidating. I felt the same way when I started.
But here's the surprising truth: your scuba gear is simpler than your smartphone.
In simple terms: Your tank is basically just a big soda can filled with air. Your BCD? It's a smart life jacket - press one button to go up, another to go down. And that intimidating regulator? It's just your underwater snorkel, designed to be foolproof. You can't mess it up.
The best part? You don't need to be tech-savvy. Your instructor will teach you a simple gear check that becomes second nature: BWRAF (Begin With Review And Friend). It's like a five-point seatbelt check for diving.
Still worried? We've taught everyone from tech-phobic grandparents to excitable 10-year-olds, and they all got it. By your second dive, you'll be gearing up like a pro, wondering why you ever thought it was complicated.
What if something goes wrong? Every crucial piece of equipment has a backup. It's like having a spare tire – nice to know it's there, but rarely needed.
6. It's More Affordable Than You Think
(How to Make It Cheaper)
Let's address the elephant in the room: the cost of scuba diving. Many assume it's a rich person's sport, but that's not necessarily true.
Is this more expensive than a Netflix subscription? Yes, but consider what you're getting: an entirely new world to explore, a lasting skill, and priceless experiences. Once you experience the mental clarity and peace of being underwater, you'll understand why divers say it's worth every penny.
Is it more expensive than other sports? No.
Like any recreational activity, there will be starting costs.
Your preferences will influence your costs. Cheap and high-end products are available. It’s up to you how much you want to spend.
Many people start diving right after their Open Water Certification Course and buy gear later. In this case, you’ll pay for guided dives and gear rental when diving.
Some prefer to buy gear instead of renting it. In this case, you’ll only pay for your guided dives.
You can gradually buy a decent set of affordable gear. Some scuba kit parts, like the cylinder, are not commonly purchased by divers; they hire it for each dive.
Here’s an in-depth article on buying or renting gear: Scuba Gear, Do I Buy or Rent?
If you have gear and go shore diving with buddies, you won’t pay for rental or guided dives.
Ready to Dive In?
Remember how nervous I was before my first dive? Now, the ocean is my second home, my sanctuary, and even became my career as an underwater photographer. But more importantly, it's my daily dose of peace in this chaotic world.
Your diving journey might look different from mine, and that's the beauty of it. Whether you're seeking adventure, peace of mind, or a new way to experience the world, there's a place for you beneath the waves.
Yes, it's outside your comfort zone. But ask any diver: that first giant stride into the ocean might be the best decision you'll ever make.
Are you ready to start your underwater journey?
Contact us to schedule your first experience (Discover Scuba Diving) or ask questions - we're here to help you discover a new world.
We Protect what we Love. Join the movement!
by Madelein Wolfaardt
Images Copyright by @sealife_madeleinwolf
www.madeleinwolf.co.za
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