Learn to Dive in the Dominican Republic with Superior Dive Sosua –

The reason that you’re probably reading this article is because you’re thinking about learning to dive & you want to know what steps are involved in getting your Open Water license. You may have already sent us an email, like a lot of people do, asking to get your PADI.

Let us explain a little about ourselves, Superior Dive Sosua is a 5 Star SDI – Scuba Diving International Dive Center located on the beautiful North Coast of the Dominican Republic. We strive to offer the very best in diver training & by conducting all of our certification courses under the SDI banner we feel that we can provide our divers with a fantastic all round package that will serve as a solid foundation to build upon during all of your future dives. We want our students to walk away from us feeling like they have become safe & confident divers. By combining quality & informative e-learning materials from SDI with top notch diver training provided by dive center owner, Luke Charles-Short, we feel that we have a fantastic balance to our course structure.

Superior Dive Sosua used to be an Authorized PADI Dive Resort but as of January 2022 we ceased to offer PADI training courses & affiliated ourselves with SDI – Scuba Diving International. We believe that the SDI philosophies are more aligned to how we operate as a dive center & this can only be of benefit for our students & divers.

Below we explain some of the similarities & differences between the two agencies. We want you to understand that by completing your certification through Superior Dive Sosua & SDI you receive all of the same benefits that a PADI license offers & so much more.

The Similarities –

Both agencies are governed by the RSTC (Recreational Scuba Training Council) meaning that if you satisfactory complete the requirements for either a PADI or an SDI Open Water Course the end result is the same, you’ll be certified to dive up to 18m / 60ft anywhere in the world in conditions similar to which you were trained in.

Both agencies & both licenses are recognized worldwide.

Both PADI & SDI courses are divided into three parts consisting of e-learning, confined water training sessions & four open water check out dives. The in water training can be accomplished in as little as 3 to 4 days.

The Differences –

PADI is the market leader when it comes to recreational scuba diving training agencies, the McDonalds of diving & the most recognized world over. Some people even think that they are the only agency that you can learn to dive with but this definitely is not the case. Some of the other diver training agencies that are recognized globally are SSI, NAUI & SDI to name just a few. PADI courses are designed in a very rigid one size fits all structure. All underwater skills have to be accomplished in a set order meaning that you can’t go from skill A to skill B before mastering that primary skill.

As PADI are the most recognized dive agency in the world they reflect this in their pricing meaning that just the e-learning materials for a PADI course will set you back around 200usd giving a total course price close to 600usd at most dive centers here. On completion of your training with PADI should you wish to receive both a digital & hard copy of your certification card then you’ll have to pay an additional fee to HQ.

SDI is the recreational arm of the globally renowned technical diving agency TDI. They are viewed as one of the most professional & progressive dive agencies in the world. SDI’s philosophy is to improve recreational diver training by enhancing older diving practices, incorporating newer technology & emphasizing safety. One stand out feature of their course is that you learn how to use a dive computer during your training which helps keep you safe & lengthens your dive times from the get go. SDI were the 1st diver training agency to offer e-learning meaning that both the materials & the accessibility on all platforms from android phone to apple & from tablet to computer are completely hassle free & easy to use which isn’t always the case with other agencies.

The course itself is not designed as one size fits all meaning that your instructor can use their experience to sequence your skills in a flexible way that is tailored to your learning needs. SDI’s training methods for some skills like the our of air / share air skill have been designed to reflect real world scenarios & back up the agency’s commitment to enhancing older diving practices & focusing on diver safety. We also encourage our divers to practice their neutral buoyancy from the get go which we feel helps create more safer & more competent divers.

The total cost for your SDI – Scuba Diving International Open Water certification is 475usd & this price includes all e-learning materials, equipment rental including dive computer, instruction & certification fees. There are no hidden fees & as an added bonus you’ll even receive a digital & hard copy of your certification card once all course requirements have been completed. We’ll even take some awesome photos during your check out dives & send them to you for free so that you can share them with your friends & family.

Register your profile for free at www.tdisdi.com then we will purchase the e-learning material on your behalf & send you a unique e-learning code to get started on your journey to becoming an Open Water Diver.

Training Schedule –

Here at Superior Dive Sosua we normally plan to complete the majority of the pool training & skills practice on the 1st day then we follow that up with two days of open water dives consisting of two training dives each day. The days don’t have to be consecutive but they can be, contact us & we can work out a plan that fits both around your vacation needs & our dive schedule. Meeting time each day is 9am at the dive center & expect to finish up around 2pm. For all training courses & dives we require a reservation in advance.

Summary –

Superior Dive Sosua is an Authorized 5 Star SDI Dive Resort based on the beautiful North Coast of the Dominican Republic. We teach all of our courses privately or with reduced student to instructor ratios which we feel helps create better, safer & more confident divers.

The majority of courses are taught by dive center owner Luke Charles-Short who has been diving since the year 2000 & has over 12 years of teaching experience right here in Sosua Bay. If you choose to dive with us then rest assured you’ll be in safe & experienced hands.

Superior Dive Sosua strives to offer you the best diver training & on completion of your SDI Open Water course you will walk away with a very solid foundation to build upon during all of your future dives.

Go to tdisdi.com for more information about Scuba Diving International & the courses that they offer. We are here to help so don’t hesitate to give us a call & speak directly to Luke for some advice & to get a feel for the kind of instruction that you’ll receive while learning to dive with us – Call / WhatsApp +18492849494 or Email su[email protected]

Most scuba diving agencies are governed by the same body, the RSTC, meaning that as you progress there is nothing stopping you from changing from one training agency to another. For example you can do your SDI Open Water Course then go on to do the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course at a later date without any problems or visa versa should you wish.

Superior Dive Sosua is the smart choice when it comes to Scuba Diving in the Dominican Republic.