Do you find yourself wanting more from your dives? Maybe you have been recreationally diving for a few years and want to explore more of what the waters have to offer. As your urge to descend deeper into the vibrant oceans increases, you will need to gain the necessary skills before you can take the plunge.

From deeper wrecks to spotting new species, taking your diving deeper offers new sights and adventures. Many great diving experiences are beyond 18m (60ft) in depth, so don’t limit your dives. This is particularly relevant here in BC. We have some amazing wall diving in Howe Sound as well as unique sponges and anenomes that can only be found below 100ft.

During this course, you’ll learn a variety of skills and knowledge required to safely dive deep. You’ll cover:

• Specialized deep diving equipment.

• Deep dive planning, buddy contact procedures, and buoyancy control.

• Managing your gas supply, dealing with gas narcosis, and safety considerations.

• Recognizing your personal limits.

Rowand’s Reef has over 50 years of experience certifying new scuba divers. Whether it’s helping you take your first breaths underwater or giving you the tools you need to take your diving to the next level, we’re here to help and support you through your diving journey!

Whatever your experience, our instructors will work with you to ensure your confidence, comfort, and readiness. Our low Instructor-to-student ratios allow maximum contact time and our top-of-the-line rental equipment will ensure that your dives are successful and enjoyable.

Our mission at Rowand’s Reef is to provide world-class scuba training, making sure that our students have the knowledge and skills they need to be safe out in the water while also having a great time!

A drysuit is a sealed suit worn when scuba diving instead of a wetsuit to keep you warm in colder water. It works by trapping a layer of air within the suit which acts as an insulator and also helps with your buoyancy. Your body stays dry underneath the drysuit and you can also wear thermals to stay even warmer. In British Columbia, the water gets cold so you will find the vast majority of divers using a drysuit.

Because of our low water temperatures, we highly recomend that you take this course in a drysuit. They will keep you nice and warm, ensuring more comfort and enjoyment in the water. At Rowand's Reef, we carry the Aqua Lung Fusion range of drysuits. These suits contain the latest in drysuit technology and allow for a customized fit with added flexibility and buoyancy control in the water.

However, while we recommend it, you don't have to wear a drysuit if you don't want to. For those who aren't as interested in drysuit diving, we have warm 14/7mm wetsuits available for use in the ocean. These wetsuits will keep you warm in the cold waters for the most part and can be requested in place of the drysuit for use on your course.

If you want to dive in a drysuit but are not yet certified then you can gain your certification here with us at Rowands Reef. Our Drysuit Diver Specialty Courses run once a month - Click Here to find out more.

The Open Water dives will take place at our regular diving hotspot Whytecliff Park. Located just a 30-minute drive from our store, this dive site has been a favorite amongst local dive shops and divers for over 30 years! With easy access to a large sheltered bay, it provides ideal depths and protection from currents. You can also find a variety of local marine life hiding among the sandy seabed including crabs, starfish, jellyfish, sea cucumbers, fish, and lots more!