Gerald diving, seen from inside a cave, with a turtle swimming by

One week in the sun. You fly home with your Open Water and Advanced.

I'm Gerald, a PADI instructor. I take small groups of beginners diving abroad, to spots chosen for learning, and I teach them myself from the first day to the last.

Discover the Egypt trip How the week works

Never dived before? That's exactly who this is for.

You arrive knowing nothing. We start in a pool where you can stand. Six days later you hold two diver cards recognised worldwide, and you can dive to 30 metres.

  • You've dreamed of diving for years but never dared to start on your own.
  • You've done a try dive and want to go further.
  • You want a holiday in the sun with a real goal, and a friendly group around you.

What the week looks like

The plan shifts a little with the weather and the group. Here is the profile of your week, day by day, by depth.

Week profile: surface on day 1, pool on day 2, 12 metres on day 3, 18 metres on day 4, 30 metres on day 5, 18 metres on day 6, back at the surface on days 7 and 8. 0 m 12 m 18 m 30 m D1D2D3D4 D5D6D7D8

  1. Day 1Arrival

    We meet at the hotel, have dinner together and I walk you through the week.

  2. Day 2Pool

    You put the gear on for the first time and breathe underwater where you can stand.

  3. Day 3First dives

    Off on the boat. Your first two reef dives, 12 metres max.

  4. Day 4Open Water done

    Two dives down to 18 metres. By evening, you're a certified diver.

  5. Day 5Advanced

    Deep dive to 30 metres and navigation, the two required dives.

  6. Day 6Advanced, continued

    Three dives chosen by the group: wreck, buoyancy, fish life.

  7. Day 7No diving

    No diving in the 24 hours before your flight. Snorkelling, beach or sightseeing.

  8. Day 8Home

    Flight home, with two diver cards in your pocket.

Go further during your Advanced

Some Advanced dives can count towards full PADI specialties. Tell me before the trip and we'll set it up.

Stingray resting on the sand

Deep diver

Dive safely to 40 metres: air management, narcosis, planning.

Gerald inside a wreck

Wreck diver

Explore a wreck, learn its story, know where to go and where not to.

Gerald above a turtle on the reef

Nitrox

Dive on oxygen-enriched air to stay down longer and come back less tired.

Specialty prices are given when each trip opens.

Upcoming trips

Underwater with me

Hawksbill turtle on the coral, Gerald above Clownfish in its anemone Gerald on the deck of a wreck Purple anemones on a rock Gerald and two divers waving at the camera Black and white spotted moray eel Gerald next to a sunken motorbike Pink soft corals and a sea urchin Yellow seahorse hiding in the reef
Gerald in open water, diving

Gerald, PADI instructor

I'm an airline pilot, and I've loved underwater life since I was a kid. I became an instructor to share it.

In a cockpit or underwater, I follow the same rule: prepare, check, and never take an unnecessary risk. I speak English, French and Spanish.

You can message me directly. I answer myself.

Message me on WhatsApp @aquavana_dive

What's included

Included

  • My teaching and supervision all week.
  • PADI eLearning and both certifications, Open Water and Advanced.
  • All the gear, boat trips, tanks and pool sessions.
  • A prep call before you leave, and the trip WhatsApp group.

Not included

  • Flights and hotel. I'll send you the ones I recommend.
  • Meals and extras on site.
  • Your dive insurance.

The questions I get most

I've never dived. Can I join?

Yes, that's what it's for. You need to be able to swim and be in good health, that's all.

I'm a bit scared of deep water.

Very common. We start in the pool, then go deeper step by step. If you're not ready, we wait.

What if I get stuck on a skill?

We do it again. Some people need three tries, that's normal. I only sign it off when you're comfortable.

Do I need a medical certificate?

You fill in the PADI medical questionnaire before the trip. If you answer yes to any question, you'll need a doctor's sign-off.

Do I need my own gear?

No, everything is provided. I just recommend your own mask, and I'll help you choose one.

Is there a minimum age?

The trips are designed for adults. For anyone under 18, message me before signing up.

How do I book?

Fill in the form below, I'll call you so we can get to know each other, and you confirm your place with a €300 deposit by bank transfer.

What if not enough people sign up?

The trip runs from 5 participants. Otherwise I'll offer you another date or refund your deposit.

Get the dates first

Each trip has 8 places. Subscribers hear first, then I post on Instagram.

Sign up or ask a question

Fill in this form and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.

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