You know the thrill of trying out something new for the first time? The anticipation of whether or not you will be able to handle it and the excitement that builds up until the day? Well, I remember having that feeling a few years ago when I decided to try out Scuba Diving in Spain for the first time ever! I was scheduled to visit Barcelona and Costa Brava – specifically Lloret De Mar in early May, and being the researcher that I am, spent several days looking into various diving schools and possibilities of a beginner’s diving session at this time. There were a few challenges at hand- 1.The temperatures wouldn’t be very high and ideal as yet and 2. I wasn’t a great swimmer. I also wanted to find the most reasonable option and not burn a hole in my pocket. So, while researching options for water sports in Barcelona, when I figured they take you to Costa Brava anyway for diving lessons, I decided to go Scuba Diving off the Costa Brava coast- at Lloret De Mar beach itself. Granted, Lloret de Mar is only the tip of Costa Brava and the further you go, the more beautiful beaches and diving sites you would find. But, keeping my trip duration and time at hand in mind, it seemed to be the best option for me. Read on to find out all about my first scuba diving experience along the Mediterranean Sea in Catalunya, Spain and tips for first-time scuba divers, by people who have much more experience than me!
SCUBA DIVING: THE PREPARATION
After talking to a few diving schools, I got to know that beginners without a license can only be allowed to go up to a maximum depth of 9 metres. So, the only opportunity you have is to dive from the beach. The best option I found was to sign up for a ‘Test Dive’, which includes about 30 minutes of briefing about all equipment and rules, finding all the gear that fits you and then a 40-55 minute dive with an instructor. If you have time for a second diving session, you can then get a license for 1 year, which can allow you to dive up to 12 metres. Many of the diving offers I came across online included a boat dive up to 25 metres deep, but you would need a license or multiple sessions to train before that. As I only had 1 spare day, I decided to only go for the Test Dive. After a lot of email exchanges concerning safety, ability to swim, regulations, etc, I booked a session with Evaron Diving school in Lloret de Mar.
The session costing 60 Euros per person at the time included insurance, renting all the equipment needed, transport to and from the beach and a personal instructor. Since I wasn’t a great swimmer, I wanted assurance that an instructor would be close by during the dive so I could signal to him/her if I felt any discomfort with the equipment. Sure enough, the folks at Evaron did a great job with all the email communications and assuring me that I would be fine.
The wetsuit I got on the day of the dive was probably about 5 mm thick. The thing with wetsuits is, they trap a layer of water next to your skin, which gets heated up due to body heat and you eventually keep warm. So, the first few minutes of diving can be a bit uncomfortable but you adjust to it soon enough. Of course, if you plan to take up scuba diving as a hobby or even go diving every year, it would make sense to buy some of the equipment for yourself. It is possible to buy wetsuits, masks and other diving gear online, and the costs can really vary according to the type of product you buy. In fact, I found this detailed guide to wetsuits, dry suits and other technicalities – in case you are interested.
Lloret De Mar beach- our Dive Site
THE DIVE: Panic, Octopus and the ways of the Sea
The whole session was supposed to take about 2 hours, including briefing, getting ready, going to the beach and diving.It was getting real when I put on the diving suit, got into the van with all the equipment (oxygen cylinders, masks, fins, etc), drove to the beach with the instructors, and then put on all the heavy diving gear. The diving suit is skin-tight; so wasn’t the easiest thing for me to put on. Plus, all the weights need to be optimal so you can go underwater, yet not sink due to any excess weights.
I wouldn’t lie saying I wasn’t scared.
I was apprehensive of what may happen in the sea. What if there was an emergency and I couldn’t manage to swim back to safety? I was keeping my calm thinking I’d be going in with a very experienced guide, and that we also had another professional waiting at the beach, in case of an emergency. The scorching heat that day and the heavy gear on my body were making it extremely uncomfortable to walk on the beach. Once we walked into the sea, it was time to warm up and try out floating and swimming with the fins and the oxygen cylinder. It didn’t start off on a great note for me; after all, there is a big difference between swimming in the pool and the sea! But, thanks to my guide encouraging and motivating me, I was trying to handle it better.
Eventually, we started moving further on and going deeper.I was surrounded by the blue vastness and could spot some fish and planktons, but kept reminding myself to to keep calm and breathe.
Colourful fish that I wish I had seen! Did see an octopus but couldn’t capture it well on the camera.
My instructor signalled to me a few times, asking if everything was fine. I showed him the ‘OK’ sign but knew something was not seeming right. Suddenly, he signalled for me to look in a specific direction. What was it?
I spotted something orangish, then the tentacles; my instructor was moving around it and then suddenly, I saw a wisp of black clouds/ink/smoke?
My brain wasn’t able to process it at that instant. I saw it move away, and realized it was an octopus that was throwing black ink as a sign of defence! Never before had I seen such a creature. Whenever I would think of octopuses, I would actually remember the cartoon character ‘Oswald’, and later, some tiny octopuses that I once saw a friend cooking. But, this was different!
Meanwhile, I started getting uncomfortable with my mask. Somehow, it hadn’t fit my face perfectly and I thought the water was starting to enter inside. I panicked and started swimming back up to the surface, trying to make adjustments quickly. My instructor noticed and I signalled that I wasn’t OK. He then helped me get back up to the surface, and removing my mask, I heaved a sigh of relief. Of course, I went back again a while later, but only after breathing in the open space for a while, re-adjusting my mask and musing over what had just happened. No wonder getting the right equipment is crucial for diving.
I also found out that my guide had carried a knife all along out of habit, hidden underneath his suit and fins, as a measure of self-defence while diving deep in the Sea. Needless to say, you wouldn’t need such measures during a beach dive but I couldn’t help thinking of scenarios where lone divers in the Sea might get attacked by sharks or other creatures!
Overall, it was a surreal experience. My heart was pounding. I was feeling overwhelmed by the underwater life and wanted to spend more time out there, once I started feeling much more comfortable. I was glad that I had chosen this school and I had a guide who was with me all the time. Being able to swim well counts for a lot of confidence. And perhaps when I get better, I’d like to sign up for a few more diving sessions, including even the boat dive!
TIPS FOR FIRST TIME SCUBA DIVING
SCUBA AND SNORKELLING GEAR
I actually went scuba diving before I went snorkelling! And to be honest, it was incredibly hard for me, it felt really unnatural to breathe underwater. I tried it once later in Mallorca but still – I felt it wasn’t for me and I thought I’d only get to see the wonderful underwater world on TV documentaries.
However, I later decided to give it a go with snorkelling – and it was the most amazing experience of my life! Since then, I’ve been snorkelling quite a bit – in the Maldives, in Seychelles and in Mallorca as well. I would definitely recommend using the full-face masks for beginners (and not separate snorkel and mask) – you can’t dive deep with them, but you as a beginner you’ll enjoy it a lot more. In addition, if you’re unsure whether you would get seasick on the boat journey to a coral reef or not – make sure to get anti-motion sickness medication beforehand, otherwise, you risk feeling terrible the whole time and ruining the wonderful experience.
– Rosie from Trips with Rosie. Find her on Instagram.
When Rosie snorkelled in the Maldives and spotted a turtle
ASK AWAY
I learned to dive three years ago in the Philippines and it was one of the best underwater experiences I’ve ever had. I’m actually quite fearful of swimming the ocean, so it was a massive thing for me to strap on that tank and get below the surface, but after completing my course, it made me feel so much more confident like I could tackle anything!
My biggest piece of advice would be not to be afraid to ask questions. If you’re not sure of something, ask your instructor, that’s what they’re there for. I was so afraid of looking stupid in front of the other divers that I would keep questions in and I totally regret that. It might even be a question that other people on the course have, too.
– Laura Bronner from Eternal Expat. Find her on Twitter , Instagram
BREATHE SLOWLY
Your first breaths underwater will feel weird and unnatural but try not to panic. Relax and focus on breathing in and out slowly and steadily, you’ll soon realise there’s nothing to worry about. It won’t be long until you’ve acclimatised to breathing below the water, and when you see your first turtle or beautiful school of fish you’ll quickly forget there’s even anything strange about it!I’ve been diving since 2016, quick history of my diving: learnt in Thailand, did my advanced course in the freezing waters of Malta, to warmer waters in Barbados, back to Thailand for my first liveaboard in the Similans and my best trip yet was to Komodo national park in Indonesia!– Laura from The Travelling Stomach . Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.HAVE A DIVE BUDDY
My boyfriend invited me to try freediving last year. He had a friend who offers a basic course and he booked us for the slots. Because of him, I found something that I enjoy doing. Freediving helps me to be more comfortable with the deep blue.
In Freediving, the most important rule is “Never Dive Alone”. It is applicable to any activities in the water like scuba diving and snorkelling. This is because safety is very Important and with a buddy, you’ll have to look out for each other. It also makes the activity more comfortable, so less panic. Plus, it makes your dive more fun when you are with other people.
– Roneth from The Fickle Feet. Check out her first freediving experience, her Youtube channel and Instagram.
Snorkelling- Image by Anna from wouldbetraveller.com
NEVER GIVE UP
I have only been snorkelling twice in my life – but there was a time I was convinced it would only be once. Learn from my mistakes to make sure you enjoy your first time!
My first ever time, I was in Cancun, Mexico, and my friends persuaded me to go snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea. Bear in mind I couldn’t swim, was a little bit hugely afraid of sharks and the snorkelling instructor spoke no English – there was no way this was going to go well. Still, I plucked up the courage to strap on my snorkel, don my fins, and jumped in. The rest of the group swam off ahead while I desperately tried to remember how to kick my legs and stay afloat. After 5 minutes of bobbing up and down in the water, far too afraid to look down, I tried to signal to the instructor that I needed help, but he just kept on going. I let out a little cry and sadly turned back to the boat. I was right – it didn’t go well.
This brings me to my first tip: make sure you choose a reputable company that understands your abilities and is prepared to help you enjoy the experience! Your instructor really can be the difference between finding a hobby you love and having a disastrous experience that will make sure you never foot set in the water again!
Happily, I was willing to try one more time. On a trip to Thailand, I found an incredible diving company that gave me and a fellow newbie an instructor all to ourselves. She brought a life ring that we could hold on to until we plucked up the courage to let go, and she stayed with us the entire time. She showed us how to breathe, how to turn and what to look out for under the water. This second time around, I had the time of my life. We saw turtles, eels and the most beautiful tropical fish for which photos will never do justice to!
Which brings me to my final tip: never give up! If I had said ‘no more’ after Mexico, I would never have experienced such fantastic dives in Thailand. I urge everyone to keep going – even if you have a bad experience the first time! I simply can’t wait for my next dive now.
– Anna from Would Be Traveller . Find her on Instagram and Facebook!
Hope you enjoyed this post! Do share it around on Facebook and Twitter or save it on Pinterest for easy reference later.Have you tried out scuba diving or snorkelling yet? Have any tips to add? Share your thoughts and experiences below!
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