Gap Year Scuba Diving Programs

You could find scuba diving jobs abroad or courses in pretty much any body of water in the world—yes ...even somewhere cold (but why?). Let’s take a look at some of the best locations abroad to do a gap year scuba diving programs.

Fiji. It might take a few extra flights to get to this South Pacific country, but it will be so worth it when you adjust to island time. The white sand beaches look airbrushed and the water is so clear you’d first think you wouldn’t even need a snorkel and mask to look under. But yes, you do, and yes, there are handfuls of opportunities here for scuba diving instructor certification.

Indonesia. Mmmm, another IT’S-SO-(FLUFFY)CHARMING-I’M-GOING-TO-DIE country to travel to. Indonesia rests a little bit west of Fiji in the warm waters between Southeast Asia and Australia. Indonesia is an excellent gap year destination, with the conveniences of modern living mixed with the thrill of indulging your soul with some of the best scuba havens in the world. Did I mention there are over 17,000 islands here? How many scuba diving jobs to you think are here? 1...2...Ahhh!!!! Apply for that scuba diving programs already!

Belize. Just a few hours on a plane and you’ll be landing in one of the best countries for scuba diving jobs and courses. Culturally, Belize is such a diverse place while ecologically it is home to the longest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere and the notorious Great Blue Hole diving spot. If you can’t make it all the way over to Australia to find nemo/scuba instructor jobs, it’s 100% perfectly fine to settle here. Take a gap year and reward your spirit with a gap year chock full of wet swimsuits and bleached hair.

We’re not quite fin-ished sharing our best advice ways to spend your scuba gap year. We know you’ll be under the sea, but in what capacity? Here are some popular options:

Become a scuba diving instructor. Yup, you can find scuba diving jobs abroad on just about every continent. If you’re already certified, why not take it a step further and help others fall in love with getting face-to-face with fish? Scuba diving instructor jobs are some of the most coveted on the market—so make sure your resume has depth.

Take scuba dive trips. You don’t have to be the one double checking equipment and waiting behind for that pokey person’s ears to equalize. Spend your gap year wisely and take scuba dive trips all over the world! Learn about different ecosystems, endemic water species, and how cultures influence the scuba “vibe.” How cool would it be to take scuba dive trips on every continent!?

Take international scuba diving courses! Do the words inflator valve, liveaboard, and o-ring mean nothing to you?! Do you long for where the sky meets the sea?! It’s time to get your feet wet with the best scuba diving courses in the world. Spend your gap year (or at least a part of it!) learning this fun new skill and hobby. Because, yes—getting scuba certified in the Great Barrier Reef is as badass as it sounds.

Costs. On the the best ways to get ahead (besides working that extra side job to save up) is to start a FundMyTravel campaign. This crowd-sourcing platform allows you to raise money for your gap year program. Some programs might include a scuba instructor certification while others are just looking for scuba diving instructors. Costs of living vary per country; if you are taking a gap year in a less developed nation you can expect your savings to take you a little farther. Plus side: if you move to a warmer country, you won’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on cozying up your wardrobe for winter. Farewell scarves, hello sarongs!

Accommodations. Programs have various methods for housing their gappers. Or they might not. After deciding which country you want to take a gap year in, check in with available programs and what living arrangements they provide. It shouldn’t be a dealbreaker if they don’t supply you housing, but this just means you need to put in a little extra work to find it yourself. Don’t worry, the internet is your friend.

Visas. Everyone going abroad for a whole year will need to look into getting a visa. Some countries are more flexible than others and some programs might even make this process seamless for you. Check out the GoAbroad embassy directory for more information on this.

Safety. Taking a gap year abroad is going to be a huge personal evolutionary leap for you, but you still need to play it safe. With scuba diving especially, stay with your diving partner, know your hand signals, keep an eye out on your bars, and take it slow (no one wants the bends as a gap year souvenir). Research countries before you decide to go somewhere. What we think about a place and what that place are actually like are often different. Just do a little pre-trip work to set yourself up for an amazing experience abroad.

Set some goals for yourself before you leave. What do you want to get out of going on a scuba diving program? Do you want to learn more than how to float underwater, like another language? What other skills could you develop (besides holding for breath for a minute)? How do you want to grow? Make sure your goals, the location you decide to go, and the program you pick all synergize to give you exactly what you need.

Hate to point out the obvious (yet it’ll happen anyway), but bring lots of sun protection (sunscreen, thin long sleeve shirts, sunglasses, hats, etc) for a trip like this. Although it’s amazing living in a warm, sunny place, take care of your body! You don’t want to look as red as a lobster (sorry, Sebastian). Hydrate up, pack a few bathing suits, gather your snorkeling and scuba gear (it can get expensive to rent), and book that ticket!

If you are considering a gap year scuba diving programs, go for it! GoAbroad is here to help you get there.

Keep reading how to add this gap year experience to your resume when you get back.