No certification · No experience

What a try dive actually is

One supervised dive, shallow, designed for people who have never breathed underwater. It is not a course and it does not certify you: it is finding out whether you like it.

You will see the same activity advertised under several names on this coast — try dive, discover scuba diving, taster dive, and sometimes a literal translation of the Spanish, "baptism dive", which reads strangely in English. They all mean the same thing: a single dive, in shallow water, with an instructor who assembles the kit, briefs you and stays within arm's reach the whole time. No exam, no theory to study beforehand, no certification card at the end.

How the session runs

Most of the activity happens before you get wet. There is a dry briefing covering how to breathe through the regulator, how to equalise your ears and the two or three hand signals you need. Then a spell in shallow water to try it, and only once you are comfortable does the dive itself happen. Underwater the instructor controls the depth for you.

  • Total time: allow part of a morning or an afternoon, not a spare hour.
  • Actual time underwater: rather less than people imagine, and enough to know whether you want to do it again.
  • Depth: whatever the regulations set for try dives — always shallow, always with the instructor next to you.
  • Kit: the centre provides everything including the wetsuit. Bring swimwear and a towel.

NaoDive collects your enquiry and passes it to the collaborating dive centre in Jávea, who run the dive with their certified instructors and their own insurance. Pricing and specific conditions come from them.

How this works

Who should not do a try dive yet

Some medical conditions rule diving out or require a doctor's clearance first: respiratory problems such as asthma, heart conditions, epilepsy, recent surgery, pregnancy or an active ear infection. This is not to alarm you — it is so you check before committing to a date, because the centre will ask you to complete a medical questionnaire and some answers require a certificate. If you have a cold on the day, that is also a no: you will not be able to equalise.

Why the try dive is the way in

  • Strong swimming not required

    You wear a buoyancy jacket and the instructor stays beside you for the whole dive.

  • No prerequisites

    No certification, no theory, no experience. It is precisely the activity designed for people with none of those.

  • You leave knowing

    It tells you whether to commit to a course before you pay for one.

  • Runs most of the year

    Thin wetsuit in summer, thicker one off season. The wind on the day matters more than the month.

From enquiry to water

Four steps, and only the first one is up to you.

  1. Tell us what you are after

    Fill in the form saying you want a try dive and whether you have dived before. A minute.

  2. The centre contacts you

    Usually within 24-48 hours, with real availability, price and meeting point.

  3. Medical form and kit

    On the day you sign the questionnaire and are given the full kit. Bring swimwear and a towel.

  4. Dry briefing, then down

    Shallow water first. The dive only happens once you are comfortable.

Tell us what you want to do

Three quick questions and your details. We pass the enquiry to the collaborating dive centre that fits your level and your dates, and they reply to you directly. Asking costs nothing.

Tell us what you want to do
Have you dived before?

A one-off try dive years ago counts as "never dived": it does not certify you.

If a try dive is not quite enough

What comes before and after this page.

Asked before booking

How much does a try dive in Jávea cost?+

We do not publish a price because we do not set it: the dive centre does, and it varies with whether the dive is from shore or from a boat, whether you go alone or in a group, and the time of year. It is one of the first things they tell you, along with availability, and asking commits you to nothing.

Does a try dive count towards the course?+

It depends on the organisation and on which type of first dive you do. Some first-dive formats do count towards the entry-level course if you enrol afterwards; others do not. If your real intention is to get certified, say so upfront so you are pointed at the option that is not wasted.

Can children do it?+

There is a minimum age, and below a certain age the depths are shallower still. It varies by organisation and centre. If you are coming as a family, say so in your message with the ages and they will confirm what each person can do.

I wear glasses — is that a problem?+

No. You dive perfectly well without them, and many centres carry prescription masks if your prescription is strong. Soft contact lenses are a common option too. Mention it when you book and they will tell you what they have.

What if I panic underwater?+

You surface, and that is that. It is one of the reasons the shallow water comes first with the instructor right beside you: if you are not comfortable, it does not continue. It is not unusual, and plenty of people who struggle the first time come back and do it without any trouble.

Ask about a try dive

Tell us when you will be in Jávea and whether you have dived before. The centre replies with available days and the price.

Arrange my try dive