NEA MAKRI SCUBA FIELD GUIDE
Learn to Breathe Underwater: Earn Your First Scuba Certification in Schinias
A structured Open Water Diver course in the crystal-clear bay of Schinias that teaches theory and confined/open-water skills and leads to a worldwide certification.
Learn to Breathe Underwater: Earn Your First Scuba Certification in Schinias.
Adventure brief
Learn to Breathe Underwater: Earn Your First Scuba Certification in Schinias
Set against the pine-lined shore of Schinias, the Open Water Diver course is a stepwise introduction to scuba: self-study theory paired with guided confined-water skill sessions and open-water dives in the south Evoikos gulf. Courses are flexible, require no prior experience, and result in a certification card that allows you to dive worldwide.
Schinias Bay, on the south Evoikos gulf just off Nea Makri, Greece, is the classroom for the Open Water Diver Course offered here. In calm, crystal-clear water you’ll master buoyancy, regulator skills and safe dive procedures under patient instruction, then graduate to guided open-water dives that reveal rocky reefs, patches of seagrass and lively schools of Mediterranean fish. The program is designed for beginners: no prior experience is required, minimum age is 10, and instructors tailor pacing to your comfort level.
Students choose between two pathways: the full Open Water Diver certification (three to four days, to 18 meters) or the shorter Scuba Diver option (two to three days, to 12 meters). Theory is flexible — study independently from provided materials on a laptop or in print, then practice skills in shallow confined-water sessions before moving offshore. All necessary diving equipment is included, and successful graduates receive a worldwide certification card from one of the major dive associations.
What makes this course special is its combination of sheltered training waters and quick access to interesting sites in the south Evoikos gulf. Schinias’ bay provides predictable conditions for early skill work: gentle entry points, clear visibility and modest currents. When you head into open water you’ll find short drift sections, rocky outcrops teeming with fish, and sandy flats that make skill repetition straightforward. Instructors stay close during every exercise, emphasizing safety, comfort and good buoyancy so new divers build confidence quickly.
Logistics are simple for travelers. The minimum age is 10; participants fill out a health questionnaire and should consult a doctor for pre-existing conditions such as asthma or heart issues. Avoid flying within 12 hours of diving. The shop offers free hotel pick-up and drop-off for Nea Makri accommodations and will meet you at the bus stop in town if you arrive by public transit.
Beyond certification, the course opens a gateway to the Mediterranean underwater landscape—readily accessible from Athens yet far enough from the city to feel like a genuine coastal escape. Whether you plan to keep diving locally or to use the card to travel the world, this program is a practical, well-supported way to earn your first certification in safe, beginner-friendly waters.
Instruction combines patient, hands-on coaching with clear skill checks and immediate feedback; instructors use repetition in confined water so students leave with controlled buoyancy and emergency response skills. Course schedules are flexible to fit travelers’ timetables, with theory available before arrival and practical sessions spread across days to reduce fatigue. After certification many divers join day trips into the gulf to practice navigation and deeper-site exploration under guided supervision. Equipment servicing and replacement is handled on-site, simplifying logistics for first-time students. Bring sunscreen and curiosity too.
Route Schematic
Course itinerary schematic
The course progresses through theory, confined-water skills, and open-water dives at coastal sites around Schinias and the south Evoikos gulf.
Theory modules (self-study)
Five theory sections that you can complete on your own from a book or online; your instructor will be available to address questions during study.
Confined-water dives — Schinias bay
Shallow-water practical sessions to practice equipment use and core scuba skills in a controlled environment.
Open-water dives — south Evoikos gulf
Progress to open-water dives that revise the skills you learned and introduce new ones at coastal sites in the south Evoikos gulf.
Course options set certified depth limits and durations: the Open Water Diver runs about 3–4 days and certifies dives to 18 m; the shorter Scuba Diver runs about 2–3 days and certifies dives to 12 m. Follow instructor guidance and medical clearance requirements where applicable.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Everything you need is provided
The course price covers the use of all necessary diving equipment, the certification card and the theory lesson materials, so you arrive ready to learn without extra rentals or hidden fees.
Flexible course lengths to match your schedule
Choose the full Open Water Diver path or a shorter Scuba Diver option; the operator can adapt course delivery to fit your availability and free time.
A worldwide certification on successful completion
By completing the course you receive a certification card from one of the major dive associations, qualifying you to rent gear and dive around the world.
What the day feels like
What the course actually feels like
You begin with five theory sections you can study independently (book or laptop) and an instructor on hand to answer questions; practical training moves from confined-water sessions in shallow Schinias waters—where you drill buoyancy and equipment use—to open-water dives in the south Evoikos gulf that consolidate and expand those skills.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course is best for — and who should consider other options.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Theory materials and all necessary diving equipment are included in the course price, as is issuance of the certification card upon successful completion.
Open Water Diver: approximately 3–4 days (certifies to 18 m). Scuba Diver: approximately 2–3 days (certifies to 12 m).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the Open Water Diver course take?
The Open Water Diver certification typically takes about 3–4 days; the shorter Scuba Diver option takes about 2–3 days.
Do I need previous diving experience to enroll?
No previous experience is required; the course is designed for beginners and teaches foundational skills in shallow water before moving to open-water dives.
What depth will I be certified to dive?
The Open Water Diver certification permits dives to a maximum depth of 18 meters; the Scuba Diver certification permits dives to a maximum depth of 12 meters.
Is equipment included in the price?
Yes—the use of all necessary diving equipment, the certification card and the theory lesson materials are included in the course price.
Can I complete the theory portion online or at the start of the course?
Yes—the five theory sections can be completed by studying on your own from a book or via laptop; your instructor is available throughout to answer questions, and theory may be finished at the start or during the course.
Where are the practical dives conducted?
Confined-water skill sessions take place in the shallow waters of Schinias bay, and the open-water dives occur at sites in the south Evoikos gulf.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-08T19:51:07.153Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.