From deck to depth: combining yachting and scuba diving

Sailing atop pristine waters and diving deep beneath them provides a unique perspective on the world's wonders. Curious about diving from a yacht or sailboat? Here's what you need to know.

In order to make diving and exploring underwater beauty enjoyable, it is necessary to prioritise safety first and foremost. 

"If you imagine that you'll simply put on your gear and jump into the water, think again," says diving instructor Kristina Vacková. "Every dive has its own rules and major safety restrictions. Plus, in many countries you can't simply dive with a buddy, you have to have a local guide. And that's not even mentioning solo dives which require several specialized courses."

Sailors who want to include diving in their offshore holiday have a number of options. Many yachting destinations offer the opportunity to connect with local instructors or dive centres to plan dive trips. The azure Mediterranean waters, teeming with diverse marine life, stand out as a sought-after destination for combining sailing and diving. So let's take a look at what you need to do if you want to go diving on your sailing holiday.

Yachtsmen on holiday have several options to include diving in their program. If you are interested in scuba diving and are new to the activity, one option is to participate in the Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) program. "That's what the PADI organization calls a test dive, but it's basically the same for all schools — the first dive with an instructor," Kristina explains. "This program is designed for beginners and provides an introduction to the underwater world under the guidance of a certified instructor. Also because it's your first time, you really need to choose a reputable school. A poorly executed dive or even a bad and dangerous experience can put you off diving forever, and that's a real shame."

To try Discover Scuba Diving during your sailing holiday, you can follow these steps. This applies even if you already have a diving license and want to join a dive team or buddy dive in the destination, if the country allows it.

1. Find a dive centre

Look for a dive centre with good references, located close to your sailing destination and with a place where you can easily anchor.

2. Contact the diving school

Contact the dive centre in advance and ask about their Discover Scuba Diving program. Provide information about the sailboat, including its location and estimated time of arrival, so you can coordinate logistics.

3. Inquire about the quality and availability of dive equipment

Find out if the dive centre provides rental equipment, and make sure it has the necessary equipment for the desired date. "Don't be afraid to ask about the rules the centre requires, either. They should ask for your diving credentials, dive count, experience, logbook, and your last dive date. If it's been more than a year, they should offer you an appropriate refresher dive', Kristina Vacková adds.

When it comes to diving destinations, dive regulations differ vastly. While some locales might permit buddy-only diving, others might require a local guide. These protocols primarily safeguard divers and marine ecosystems.

"Only an experienced diver certified to do so, or a diver with technical training (i.e. beyond recreational diving) may dive alone. Self-reliant diver (PADI) courses are mostly used by experienced divers who dive as photographers or with multiple air tanks. Even so, it is always better to have someone with you. I know how often I have lost track underwater...," explains Kristina, who is a photographer and technical diver herself.

Safety in diving has been widely discussed in recent years and the rules have become stricter. "It's not just a matter of avoiding accidents, t's almost always much better to have someone with you who knows the site. Mostly in poorer countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, etc., but in Croatia or Greece too, a local guide is a way of employing locals and giving them a source of livelihood. Personally, although I love diving alone, I always use local guides in unknown places," says Kristina. Local guides are well versed in local marine life and can provide invaluable information and help protect fragile ecosystems by promoting responsible diving practices.

And if you do go diving alone or with a buddy, be cautious and careful. Water is truly an element you can never have enough experience of.

Diving from a yacht offers a unique opportunity to explore the underwater world in different locations. It opens up a whole new dimension, the underwater world, to what the land looks like above the water.

If you want to dive on your own and become an independent diver, or just dive with a buddy, you should consider specific training courses and, of course, adhere to regional regulations.

"Self-Reliant Diver courses are advanced. In addition, everyone should consider for themselves whether they are ready to dive on their own. Unfortunately, people often overestimate themselves. I know from myself that when I had 50 dives, I felt like a hero, but after 7000 dives, I've become increasingly cautious, prioritizing safety." advises instructor, photographer and technical diver Kristina Vacková.

Independent diving can provide a sense of freedom and independence, but it is important to be aware of the potential dangers. One of the main risks is the absence of dive partner who can help in case of an emergency. Without a partner, you must rely solely on your own skills, knowledge and equipment to handle any problems that may arise underwater.

The Self-Reliant Diver course is offered under different names by different diving organizations. This course provides training in self-sufficiency, emergency procedures and equipment redundancy, and prepares divers for independent diving. It usually includes topics such as dive planning and gas management — air, nitrox (enriched air) or trimix, as well as problem-solving techniques, protocols for independent diving , and equipment configurations. 

"This course emphasizes self-awareness, independence, and the ability to effectively manage emergency situations without the presence of a dive buddy. Successful completion of this course should then equip divers with the necessary skills and mindset to undertake responsible independent dives. Even so, I don't really recommend it. It's only for the truly experienced,"  Kristina adds.

In addition to the absence of a buddy, the risks include:

Equipment failure: In the event of an equipment breakdown or failure, you may not have someone on hand to provide assistance or share your spare equipment. It should be noted, however, that this does not happen often ... "Even in the basic course (Open Water Diver) you learn that the most common cause of diving accidents is diver error, "  says the instructor.

Accidents and injuries: Diving accidents, such as decompression sickness or barotrauma, can happen unexpectedly. Without a diving partner, you may have much more difficulty handling these situations and finding help.

Task overload: Performing multiple tasks or tasks simultaneously underwater, such as navigation, air consumption monitoring, and buoyancy control, can be overwhelming when diving alone. Overloading tasks increases the risk of errors and can limit your ability to respond effectively in emergency situations.

Anxiety and panic: Even experienced divers can feel sudden anxiety or panic underwater. Without a friend to provide reassurance and support, managing these emotions is more challenging.

When diving from a yacht, it is therefore even more essential to observe safety precautions. It is essential to maintain effective communication with the crew and to arrange clear dive plans and surfacing protocols. "At all times, the boat captain or someone on board should know the scheduled dive times, surfacing and return locations and times. This will ensure that the crew are aware of your dive and can initiate appropriate action if there are any concerns. Safety should always be a top priority and if you have any doubts or concerns, it is advisable to seek advice from experienced instructors or dive professionals, " concludes Kristina.