Diving, Training & Booking FAQs

Find your next step with Aquatic Adventures in Rowville, Melbourne. Course prices below include GST.

Learn · Explore · Protect · Belong · Booking and course logistics

Learn

Which agency do you train through?

SSI is our current agency for applicable scuba and professional programs. AA-developed snorkelling and Aquatic Adventures Exclusive Conservation Training have their own arrangements. The seven AA Exclusive conservation programs are independent in-house training, not agency certifications. Aquatic Adventures no longer offers PADI training.

Should I try scuba or learn to dive?

Try Scuba is a pool-based introduction: $149, minimum three participants, maximum 3:1 participant-to-professional ratio. It does not qualify you to dive independently. SSI Open Water Diver is the entry-level certification course: $849, minimum four participants.

What does Advanced Open Water Diver include?

Our $649 Advanced Open Water Diver course normally runs over one evening and two days, with five dives: three shore and two boat. Deep and Navigation are joined by Perfect Buoyancy, Night, and one Wreck or Drift dive selected for conditions and SSI standards. Student and instructor boat costs, tanks and weights are included. Minimum four participants; maximum 2:1 student-to-professional ratio.

What is included in Stress & Rescue?

Our Diver Stress & Rescue course is $649, minimum four participants, and includes a dedicated pool session before open-water rescue training.

What are the minimum ages and prerequisites?

Requirements vary by program. Open Water Diver starts at age 10; Advanced Open Water Diver starts at 12. Junior divers have additional limits. Check the specific course requirements before booking, and contact us about equivalent certifications from another agency.

Do I need equipment or medical clearance?

Your course page sets out inclusions and equipment requirements. Advanced Open Water students need their own or hired scuba equipment, including a dive computer, plus a compass, slate, SMB and reel, cutting device and underwater torch. Refer to the current Gear Rental page for rental information. Complete the required medical screening and obtain clearance where directed before participating.

I have been away from diving. Where should I start?

Contact us about Scuba Skills Update before returning to more demanding diving. For your next training step, explore continuing education or professional training.

Do you offer snorkelling for children and adults?

Snorkeller is our main course for ages eight and over, with a surface-focused Junior pathway for ages six and seven. Breath-hold and duck-diving skills are optional for the Junior pathway. Each is $249, minimum three participants. Safety Snorkeller is a separate $249 course, minimum three. An optional SISOSNK001 pathway is $51 extra for eligible participants under the relevant training arrangements.

Explore

I am certified. How do I go diving with you?

Start at Fun Diving, then choose club shore dives, boat diving and charters, dive weekends or travel. Check the calendar and register for the relevant activity.

Are all club dives guided? Can I join without a buddy?

Club dives are social activities for certified divers. Guidance and buddy arrangements depend on the published activity, attendance and experience requirements. Register ahead and confirm arrangements; do not assume a guide or buddy will be available on the day.

Can the site or schedule change?

Yes. Weather, sea conditions, access and participant safety may require a different site, changed timing or cancellation. Planned dates are genuine, but safety takes precedence over the timetable. Check the latest activity information before travelling.

Where can I learn about sites and prepare my equipment?

Use our Local Dive Sites guide, then check current access and activity details. Arrange gas fills, servicing and any rental requirements ahead of your dive.

Protect

How do SSI Ecology and AA Exclusive training differ?

SSI Ecology provides SSI-recognised ecology education. Single courses are $199; the three-course bundle is $570 and the full bundle is $1,260, each with a minimum of three participants. Contact us to confirm bundle selection.

Aquatic Adventures Exclusive Conservation Training is developed and delivered in-house for Victorian environments, species, surveys and practical conservation. It is separate from SSI Ecology and does not carry PADI or SSI certification.

Do AA Exclusive courses provide Conservation Diver credit?

No formal credit, compulsory module or qualification progression is advertised for these programs. The broader Conservation Diver curriculum is still developing.

What is the relationship with Aquaholics?

Aquaholics Club Inc. is an independently governed incorporated not-for-profit. Aquatic Adventures is a longstanding project and training partner. AA develops and delivers its commercial training; Aquaholics independently organises its activities.

Does buying a course guarantee project participation?

No. Activities may have separate eligibility, capacity, supervision, permit and safety requirements. See Conservation for relevant pathways. Practical removal or restoration takes place only within appropriately authorised projects.

Belong

How do I become involved?

Visit Community for social diving and ways to stay connected, then use the calendar for current dives and events. Each activity has its own registration arrangements.

Can schools and clubs organise a program?

Yes. D.I.V.E. programs for schools and clubs offer age-appropriate pathways into Snorkeller, Try Scuba, Open Water Diver and ecology education, subject to each program’s requirements.

Booking and course logistics

This summarises our normal operational course-booking policy. Existing booking terms and applicable customer rights continue to apply.

What deposit is required, and when is the balance due?

The deposit is $250 per person per course for Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Diver Stress & Rescue, Deep and Wreck. Other courses require $100 per person per course. The balance is due at the start. Deposit funds are used to purchase digital learning and relevant certification materials.

What if I cancel or do not attend?

Deposits are non-refundable under our normal policy. If you cancel before the course starts, there is no further course charge. Once a course has begun, our normal policy is no refund, except for the medical rule below or where applicable obligations require otherwise. No-shows are handled under the short-notice/cancellation policy.

Can I transfer dates? What if AA cancels or conditions are unsafe?

Rescheduling, transfers and arrangements following weather changes or an AA cancellation are handled by the instructor or store owner. Contact us promptly to discuss your booking. Safety comes first, and existing terms and applicable obligations still apply.

What happens if I cannot obtain medical clearance?

Where a medical issue or failed medical clearance prevents participation, unused course portions already paid for are refunded under our operational policy. Contact the store to arrange this.

Are boat costs included? What do private courses cost?

Boat charter components are included where the course contains boat dives. Check the specific course inclusions. Private and custom courses are priced on request.

What if a dated booking shows a different price?

The approved public fee is stated in the course description. Some dated booking records are being synchronised separately. Please contact us before paying if a booking option shows a different amount.

Email the team or call +61 3 9755 5688.