Beginner Scuba Diving in Chania: Your First Dive

Learn to dive in Chania's clear water, guided step by step from the boat

Beginner scuba diving in Chania starts at the dive center with gear fitting and theory, then moves to a boat for surface practice and your first actual dive to 5 meters. An instructor guides you through essential safety skills before you enter the water, and the whole program runs about 4 hours. No prior diving experience is needed.

The experience

The day begins at the dive center, where your instructor fits you with gear matched to your size and comfort. You'll cover the theory of safe diving (how the equipment works, what to watch for underwater, and how to stay in control), then head to the boat with everything you need. Once on the water, you practice essential skills at the surface: how to breathe through the regulator, how to clear your mask, how to move in the gear. This builds the confidence you'll need before you actually descend.

When you're ready, you enter the water and drop to about 5 meters, staying close to your instructor the whole time. The dive lasts roughly 45 minutes, and your guide will take photos and video so you have a record of what you saw. You'll explore the underwater world at a pace that feels manageable, with your instructor watching every move and ready to help if anything feels off. Afterward, you return to the dive center to change and arrange your ride home, or you can use your own transportation if you prefer.

The boat trip includes bottled water and a light snack or fresh fruit, and all the air, tanks, weights and other gear are part of the booking. An English or Greek-speaking instructor is with you the entire time. The program is designed for people with no diving background at all. The only requirement is that you're in reasonable health and comfortable in water.

What’s included

• Use of all scuba equipment including tank, regulator, wetsuit and weights.
• professional instruction from a live guide in English or Greek.
• bottled water and fresh fruit or light snack during the boat ride.
• air-conditioned vehicle pickup and transport to the dive center.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 14:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (8 to 75 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Salty Descents

Is this one for you?The pace is gentle. You spend time on the boat learning before you ever enter the water, and your instructor controls how deep you go and how long you stay down. This works well if you want to try diving without rushing into it, or if you're curious but nervous about what's underwater.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

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 happens if I've never been underwater before?

The instructor starts you in the shallow end with surface practice, teaching you how to breathe and move in the gear before you descend. You won't go deeper than 5 meters on your first dive, and your guide stays right beside you the whole time.

Do I need to bring my own wetsuit or diving gear?

No. Your instructor helps you choose gear that fits, and all equipment (wetsuit, tank, regulator, weights, mask) is included in the booking. You just bring yourself and a swimsuit underneath.

How long does the whole experience take?

The program runs about 4 hours from pickup or meeting at the dive center through your return, including the boat ride, surface training, the dive itself, and time to change afterward.

Will I actually go underwater on my first dive?

Yes. After you practice at the surface and your instructor confirms you're ready, you'll descend to about 5 meters and spend roughly 45 minutes exploring the underwater world with your guide watching closely.

What's the water like in Chania where we dive?

Chania's dive sites offer clear water and interesting underwater scenery. The depth on this beginner dive stays shallow, around 5 meters, so you can see the bottom and feel secure while you're learning.