Categories: Recreational scuba diving specialty courses

Waves, Tides and Currents

Master the elements, read the currents, and experience the pure thrill of safe drift diving!

1. Why Take This Specialty Course?

Turn currents into your best asset and glide effortlessly.
Thailand’s most spectacular dive sites often feature powerful water movements that attract large pelagic marine life. The SSI Waves, Tides & Currents specialty equips you with the knowledge and techniques required to navigate varying ocean conditions with confidence.
You will learn to anticipate tides, execute entries and ascents in rough seas, and master drift diving techniques to fly over reefs without wasting energy.

Drift Diving Mastery: Glide effortlessy with the current and use underwater topography to take shelter without fighting the water.
Understanding Marine Phenomena: Read tide tables, surface currents, bottom currents, and wave dynamics.
Entry & Exit Techniques: Safely enter and exit from a boat in choppy sea conditions.
Safety & Surface Signaling: Effectively deploy a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) and maintain contact with your buddy and support boat.

2. Course Curriculum (1 day, 2 local dives)

The course blends digital learning on the MySSI app with 2 open-water training dives aboard our boat:

🔹 Practical In-Water Workshops:

Site Assessment: Evaluating current patterns from the deck and mapping out your dive line.
Quick Descents & Drift Control: Descending smoothly as a team, maintaining position, and using reef contours to take shelter.
SMB Handling: Deploying your marker buoy from depth to alert boat captains of your location.
Mid-Water Ascents: Executing a drifting safety stop followed by a safe, synchronized boat exit.

3. Prerequisites

Open Water Diver (or equivalent).

Minimum age: 10 years old.

4. Your International Certification

At the end of the course, you will earn your SSI Waves, Tides & Currents Specialty Certification.

Digital SSI Waves, Tides & Currents certification recognized worldwide.
Counts directly toward your Master Scuba Diver rating or the SSI Advanced Open Water / Specialty Diver levels.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this course physically intense?

Not at all! It’s all about working smarter, not harder. You’ll learn how to let the water do the work, optimize your kicking, and position yourself effortlessly.