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Learn to scuba in Schinias’ clear bay waters with a beginner-friendly Open Water Diver Course. Flexible theory options, included gear and guided open-water dives make this a practical certification choice near Nea Makri.
Learn to scuba in Schinias’ clear bay waters with a beginner-friendly Open Water Diver Course. Flexible theory options, included gear and guided open-water dives make this a practical certification choice near Nea Makri.
Book with Kanelakis Diving Experiences
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Kanelakis Diving Experiences · Nea Makri
Schinias Bay, on the south Evoikos gulf just off Nea Makri, Greece, is the classroom for the Open Water Diver Course offered here. In calm, crystal-clear water you’ll master buoyancy, regulator skills and safe dive procedures under patient instruction, then graduate to guided open-water dives that reveal rocky reefs, patches of seagrass and lively schools of Mediterranean fish. The program is designed for beginners: no prior experience is required, minimum age is 10, and instructors tailor pacing to your comfort level.
Students choose between two pathways: the full Open Water Diver certification (three to four days, to 18 meters) or the shorter Scuba Diver option (two to three days, to 12 meters). Theory is flexible — study independently from provided materials on a laptop or in print, then practice skills in shallow confined-water sessions before moving offshore. All necessary diving equipment is included, and successful graduates receive a worldwide certification card from one of the major dive associations.
What makes this course special is its combination of sheltered training waters and quick access to interesting sites in the south Evoikos gulf. Schinias’ bay provides predictable conditions for early skill work: gentle entry points, clear visibility and modest currents. When you head into open water you’ll find short drift sections, rocky outcrops teeming with fish, and sandy flats that make skill repetition straightforward. Instructors stay close during every exercise, emphasizing safety, comfort and good buoyancy so new divers build confidence quickly.
Logistics are simple for travelers. The minimum age is 10; participants fill out a health questionnaire and should consult a doctor for pre-existing conditions such as asthma or heart issues. Avoid flying within 12 hours of diving. The shop offers free hotel pick-up and drop-off for Nea Makri accommodations and will meet you at the bus stop in town if you arrive by public transit.
Beyond certification, the course opens a gateway to the Mediterranean underwater landscape—readily accessible from Athens yet far enough from the city to feel like a genuine coastal escape. Whether you plan to keep diving locally or to use the card to travel the world, this program is a practical, well-supported way to earn your first certification in safe, beginner-friendly waters.
Instruction combines patient, hands-on coaching with clear skill checks and immediate feedback; instructors use repetition in confined water so students leave with controlled buoyancy and emergency response skills. Course schedules are flexible to fit travelers’ timetables, with theory available before arrival and practical sessions spread across days to reduce fatigue. After certification many divers join day trips into the gulf to practice navigation and deeper-site exploration under guided supervision. Equipment servicing and replacement is handled on-site, simplifying logistics for first-time students. Bring sunscreen and curiosity too.
moderate.
2–4 days.
Moderate fitness: comfortable swimming ability, basic cardiovascular fitness, and no severe medical issues.
Minimum age is 10; children must be accompanied by an adult and medical clearance may be required.
Options are the full Open Water Diver (3–4 days, to 18 m) or the Scuba Diver (2–3 days, to 12 m) depending on your available time.
Yes—use of the necessary diving equipment is included in the course price.
Yes—five theory sections can be studied independently on a laptop or from the provided book, either before or during the course.
Participants must complete a health questionnaire; certain conditions (e.g., asthma, heart issues) may require doctor clearance and could prevent diving.
Two options: taxi or public bus (the operator will pick you up from the Nea Makri bus stop); free hotel pick-up/drop-off is offered in Nea Makri.
Schinias has long been a local coastal hub for swimming and recreation; the bay’s sheltered shape has made it a training spot for generations of divers.
Watch for Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows; avoid finning directly over seagrass and follow instructor guidance to minimize seafloor impact.
Kanelakis Diving Experiences is a Nea Makri–based dive operator offering guided snorkeling trips, beginner certification courses, advanced training and boat dives in the Mediterranean Sea. Operating from the Schinias Bay area and exploring Marathon Cape and nearby dive sites, the company focuses on small group sizes and personalized instruction to maximize safety and learning. The business provides Discover Scuba Diving sessions suitable for participants aged 8 and up, complete with a comprehensive safety briefing, hands-on training and a supervised 30–40 minute introductory dive. For newcomers who want certification, Kanelakis Diving Experiences offers Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver courses designed for beginners, delivering full equipment, instructor-led lessons and structured pool and open-water sessions within Schinias Bay. For certified divers, guided boat dives visit diverse sites, warm waters and local wrecks roughly 45 minutes from central Athens. Advanced training is available through the Advanced Open Water Diver Course, which includes five dives covering specialties such as Deep and Underwater Navigation, with options to experience Night and Wreck dives. All courses and trips include necessary equipment, clear instruction and emphasis on safety procedures and interactive learning. Kanelakis Diving Experiences positions itself as a hands-on, locally operated provider that combines coastal accessibility in Nea Makri with focused, small-group experiences for families, beginners and experienced divers.
Book with Kanelakis Diving Experiences