Scuba Diving for Beginners in Pula: Your First Breath Underwater

Breathe underwater and see what's beneath the Adriatic in three hours

Scuba diving for beginners in Pula is an instructor-led introduction to diving in shallow water, followed by an open water dive to 7 metres at the house reef on Yacht Beach. The program runs at 10 am and 3 pm daily, includes all equipment rental and theory, and keeps groups to a maximum of two students per instructor. You can credit the experience toward a full PADI or SSI certification if you decide to continue.

The experience

You start with theory and equipment presentation at the Orca Diving Centre base in Pula, then move into confined shallow water to practice the skills you'll need. Once you're comfortable with breathing, buoyancy and basic underwater movement, your instructor takes you to the house reef on Yacht Beach under Hotel Park Plaza Histria on Verudela, where you'll dive to a maximum depth of 7 metres. The reef is home to fish, nudibranchs, crabs, eels and ancient amphoras from 2,000 years ago scattered across the seafloor.

The program runs three hours total and operates at 10 am and 3 pm every day, so you can fit it into a free afternoon or a morning before other plans. An experienced instructor or divemaster stays with you throughout, watching for your safety and pointing out the wildlife as you explore. All diving equipment (wetsuit, tank, regulator, fins, mask) is included in the price, and the small group size (no more than two students per instructor) means you get personal attention and can move at your own pace.

If you enjoy the dive, you have the option to do additional open water dives the same day or credit this experience toward a full PADI or SSI Open Water certification course within the next 12 months. The dive site is accessible by public transportation if you're staying in the city without a rental car.

What’s included

• All diving equipment (wetsuit, tank, regulator, fins, mask).
• theory and instruction from a certified instructor or divemaster.
• confined water practice before the open water dive.
• the open water dive at the house reef to 7 metres.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SundayDepartures at 10:00 and 12:00Last departure this season: 1 Nov

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Orca diving centre

Is this one for you?The base is on Yacht Beach in Pula with public transportation nearby, so you don't need a car or a hotel on the coast to join. Morning and afternoon departures mean you can fit a first dive into a free afternoon or a morning before other plans.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

31 verified traveler reviews

5 ★30

4 ★0

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (8 to 12 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do I actually do during the three hours?

You spend the first part learning theory and practicing skills in shallow water at the centre, then dive the house reef at Yacht Beach to 7 metres, where your instructor shows you the fish, crabs, eels and ancient amphoras on the seafloor.

Do I need to have dived before, or is this truly for complete beginners?

This program is designed for people who have never dived. You receive a full introduction to scuba, and the instructor teaches you everything you need to know before entering the water.

What time should I arrive, and can I choose between morning and afternoon?

The program starts at 10 am or 3 pm daily, and you specify which time when you book. You'll need to arrive a few minutes early for the theory and equipment check.

Is the house reef at Yacht Beach a good place to see marine life as a first dive?

Yes. The reef is home to fish, nudibranchs, crabs, eels and scattered 2,000-year-old amphora fragments, so there's plenty to observe while you're learning to dive.

Can I use this dive toward a certification if I want to continue diving?

Yes. Orca Diving Centre will credit this experience toward a full PADI or SSI Open Water certification course for up to 12 months after your dive.