Not only is diving alone a bit boring, it’s also unsafe. One of the hardest things about getting into adventure sports is finding other like-minded individuals. So how do you find dive buddies?
In this article, we’ll dive into the best ways to find underwater friends to bring on your next dive.
1. Visit a PADI Dive Shop
The best place to begin looking for dive buddies is at dive shops. Being interested in diving is what makes us who we are, so rarely will you stumble upon someone in a dive shop who isn’t ready to converse with you. Start local first then expand your search. Visiting a local dive shop will not only allow you to connect with other divers in your area, it may also lead to interesting opportunities to explore local dive sites.
The best way to find PADI dive centers near you is with a quick search on the PADI Dive Shop Locator. Browse the offerings, and pick one that fits you best. All dive shops have different vibes, so you may want to plan to visit more than one.
2. Sign Up for a Dive on Vacation, Even If You Don’t Have a Buddy
The best part of visiting a new place is getting to explore and meet new people. Take advantage of being somewhere new and talk to the locals. Generally, they’re going to have better knowledge of what’s going on near you. After doing your due diligence and researching shops, sign up for a dive. You’ll likely be paired with another visiting diver or a local. You’ll be surprised how many of the dive buddies you connect with on vacation will become friends for life.
3. Search Online & Use Social Media
Nowadays, problems call for modern solutions. With so many dive-centric Facebook groups, Instagram/TikTok accounts and Reddit forums, it’s easy to connect with other divers online. By searching “scuba diving” and where you’re located in the search bar, you’re likely to find accounts and groups that interest you.
We recommend starting with the PADI Divers Around the World Facebook Group. This group of 100,000+ divers around the world is an active community where new dive buddies find each other every day.
4. Join a Dive Club
In regions around the world, scuba divers have organized themselves in dive clubs. These loose groups of divers go diving together, hold events locally and even travel to far flung scuba destinations. To find a club near you, visit your local PADI Dive Shop for leads or search online. Many of these groups have Facebook pages or Facebook groups for advertising upcoming get-togethers.
5. Ask Your Friends and Family
Whether you’re diving locally or blowing bubbles on vacation, the company you surround yourself with makes or breaks the experience. Start with the people closest to you – your friends and family. If they aren’t certified divers yet, encourage them to sign up for an Open Water Diver course in order to get their PADI and join you on your future dive adventures.
It’s simple and effective, just give them an invitation. Who knows, they could be waiting for you to ask!
So how do you find dive buddies? Hopefully, at this point, you’ve taken a few of these ideas into consideration. Finding new dive buddies really is as simple as it sounds.
Scuba diving is a great way to connect with friends new and old. Bringing the crew back together and reliving those memories, or making new friends along the way, will make your diving trips even better than before.
Dive in and experience Connections Unfiltered.
