Dry Suit Diving

Instructor Team: Led by SSI Instructor Trainer Dain McParland & The Oceanauts CrewMASTERCLASS: BLOCK 2Three weeks. Three essential kit systems. One journey from daylight into night diving.9 September — Masks & Underwater ConfidenceFind the right fit, prevent leaks and fogging, and practise the skills that make mask problems feel manageable.16 September — BCDs & Buoyancy ControlExplore different BCD styles, improve your setup and build smoother, more confident buoyancy control.23 September — Torches & Night DivingCompare dive lights, learn night-diving signals and procedures, and discover how to plan and enjoy a dive after sunset.Practical coaching, hands-on kit and skills designed to help newer divers feel more capable underwater.Masterclass: Block 2 starts Wednesday 9 September. Places are limited—book your spot!

The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to try scuba diving for the first time. You will be in confined water and well looked after by your instructor, so you can enjoy those first unforgettable breaths underwater and experience the magic of scuba diving. At the end of this short course, you will have earned your SSI Try Scuba recognition card and undoubtedly want to go diving again. Endless scuba diving adventures are waiting for you and this course is where it all begins. Start today!

It is easy for dive skills to get rusty and to lose confidence when you have not dived for a while. With the SSI Scuba Skills Update, we will get you back in the water and diving with ease in no time. This scuba refresher course allows you to review and practice scuba skills you learned in your Open Water Diver program, under the guidance of an SSI Professional. This is a great course to take just before a dive holiday, so you spend less time worrying about your skills and more time admiring the marine life. If you are a non-certified Open Water Diver student, a Scuba Skills Update is ideal for practicing your dive skills before your open water training dives. With no fixed course duration, you can take your time and focus on the skills you need help with.

Master the Art of Effortless Diving Buoyancy is the hallmark of a great diver, but as any professional will tell you, it takes dedicated training to truly perfect. The SSI Perfect Buoyancy specialty is the ultimate way to refine your trim, reduce your air consumption, and get the absolute most out of every minute you spend underwater.In this fascinating program, you’ll move beyond the basics and master advanced techniques that allow you to hover with total precision. Whether you want to glide over fragile reefs without a trace, stay perfectly still for the ultimate underwater photograph, or simply enjoy a more relaxed, weightless experience, this course is the key. Master your buoyancy today and start diving like a pro.PrerequisitesMinimum Age: 12 years old.Certification: Must be a certified Open Water Diver (SSI or equivalent).Medical: Must be in good physical health (standard medical questionnaire provided).What’s Included?✅ 2 Specialized Training Dives: Focused entirely on trim, position, and control.✅ SSI digital learning materials (Advanced Buoyancy Theory).✅ SSI Perfect Buoyancy Digital Certification Card.✅ Comprehensive student insurance.What You Need to Bring???? Swimwear and a towel.???? Thermal layers/Drysuit (if diving in the sea).???? Your Dive Logbook.⚖️ Your personal weight belt/integrated weights (if you own them).???? A light snack and water.When & Where????? Location: Can be conducted in a heated pool for skill refinement or at Greencastle Shore/ Markethill Quarry for real-world practice.⏳ Duration: Approximately 5–10 hours (usually 1 full day).???? Scheduling: Book your date above. Once booked, we will contact you to discuss your current experience level and whether pool or open water is best for your session.???? The Secret to Better PhotosMost divers think they need a better camera, but they actually need better buoyancy. This specialty is the single best investment you can make if you want to improve your underwater photography or video—allowing you to stay perfectly still while you line up the perfect shot.

Beneath the rugged shores of Greencastle, where the Mourne Mountains sweep down to the sea, lies a world of legend waiting to be explored. Inspired by the myths and folklore of this ancient coast, Giant Underwater Adventure invites you to take your first breath underwater and experience the ocean like never before. Guided by Dain McParland, who grew up exploring these waters, and a team that knows the tales of the selkies, sea giants, and lost kingdoms, this adventure is more than just a dive—it’s your first step into the deep-rooted stories of Northern Ireland’s coast. During this half-day experience, you’ll learn the essential skills needed to explore up to 12 meters deep under the guidance of an SSI Professional. You’ll complete a diving skills session before venturing on a guided coastal dive, where the whispers of the past meet the thrill of discovery.

Step into an extraordinary world and discover the thrill of scuba diving with our Discover The Depths Experience. Guided by expert instructors, you’ll take your first breath underwater in the sheltered waters of Greencastle Shore, surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Ireland’s coastline. Feel weightless, explore beneath the surface, and experience the magic of the sea in a way you’ll never forget. By the end of this unforgettable two-hour adventure, you’ll earn your SSI Try Scuba recognition card—your first step into a lifetime of underwater exploration. The ocean is calling. Are you ready to answer?

Unlock the Depths: Explore Down to 40 MetersMany of the world's most iconic dive sites—from historic wrecks to pristine deep reefs—lie just beyond the 18-meter limit. The SSI Deep Diving Specialty is your key to unlocking these hidden realms. Through a blend of advanced academic sessions and deep open water dives, you will gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to safely explore the ocean down to 40 meters.Under the expert guidance of the Oceanauts team, you will master the art of deep dive planning. You will learn how to use dive computers effectively at depth, manage your gas consumption with precision, and fully understand the physiological effects of deep diving. This isn't just about going deeper; it is about going deeper with total safety and control.The Gateway to Technical DivingDeep Diving is more than just a specialty; it is a mandatory prerequisite for almost all technical and XR (Extended Range) programs. If you have your sights set on twinsets, decompression diving, or professional ratings, this is your next logical step.What is Included?3 Deep Training Dives: Conducted at sites specifically chosen for depth and safety.SSI Digital Learning Materials: Advanced Deep Theory & Gas Planning.SSI Deep Diving Digital Certification Card: Internationally recognized.Comprehensive Student Insurance: Covered for the duration of the course.Prerequisites & RequirementsMinimum Age: 15 years old.Minimum Certification: Must be a certified Open Water Diver (SSI or equivalent from any recognized agency).Medical: Must be in good physical health (standard medical questionnaire provided upon booking).What You Need to BringSwimwear and a towel.High-quality thermal layers / Drysuit (it gets colder the deeper you go).Your Dive Computer (essential for this level of training).Your Dive Logbook.Packed lunch, snacks, and a hot drink for between dives.When & Where?Location: Locations vary depending on depth requirements and weather conditions. We choose the best local sites (including sheltered quarry or deep shore sites) to ensure a safe and progressive descent.Duration: Approximately 10-15 hours delivered over 2 days.Scheduling: Book your dates above. Once booked, we will contact you directly to discuss the schedule and ensure you have the appropriate equipment for deep exploration.

Spend More Time SubmergedWant to stay down longer and get back in the water sooner? As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your no-decompression limits, improve your safety margins, and shorten your surface intervals—meaning you spend more time diving and less time waiting on the shore or boat.In this essential program, you will learn how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures. Whether you are planning a local weekend of diving or a dream liveaboard holiday, Nitrox is the one tool every modern diver needs in their arsenal.Choose your level: This course can be completed entirely online for a 32% Nitrox certification, or you can join us in-person for a practical analysis session to earn the full 40% Nitrox rating.PrerequisitesMinimum Age: 12 years old.Certification: Must be a certified Open Water Diver (SSI or equivalent).Medical: Must be in good physical health.What’s Included?✅ Flexible Learning: Choice of 100% Online (32% Mix) or In-Person Practical (40% Mix).✅ In-Person Session (Optional): Master oxygen analyzers and gas logging at Oceanauts HQ.✅ SSI digital learning materials (Enriched Air Theory & Planning).✅ SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Digital Certification Card.✅ Comprehensive student insurance.What You Need to Bring (For In-Person Session)???? Your Smartphone/Tablet: With the MySSI App installed.???? Your Dive Logbook: To record your practical application.???? Your Dive Computer: We will show you how to set it for your Nitrox gas mix.When & Where????? Location: 100% Online OR Oceanauts Diving HQ (Warrenpoint) for the practical.⏳ Duration: Approximately 3–6 hours of study/practical.???? Scheduling: Book above. Once purchased, we will unlock your digital materials and contact you to see if you'd like to schedule an in-person session for the 40% upgrade.???? Optional Upgrade: The Nitrox Experience (+£70)While the Nitrox course can be completed without dives, nothing beats the real thing. Upon completion of your theory, you can add a guided Nitrox dive on your next dive! (Contact us to add nitrox to your booking).

The winter XR track starts here.You bought the drysuit. You want to keep diving through winter. Now is the time to build the skills that will make the most of your kit.SSI Extended Range Foundations — Twinset runs on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026 at Markethill Scuba Quarry. Across four focused training sessions, we’ll take you from your first twinset setup through buoyancy, trim, precise finning, valve drills, gas sharing and team communication.Never dived a twinset? You’re welcome here. This is the starting point for experienced recreational divers who want to move towards XR training. You’ll learn in shallow, controlled water, with a maximum of four divers in the group.£595 per diver, including tuition, SSI registration, quarry entry, twinset hire and air fills. Bring your own other diving equipment; additional rental can be arranged. Private 1:1 training is also available for £1,050.You’ll need an Open Water certification (or equivalent) and at least 24 logged dives. Message Oceanauts to discuss your kit and reserve a place.Build the foundation this winter. Dive the twinset with confidence next season.

Take the next step after Foundations. Extended Range Nitrox develops the planning, gas-switching and team skills needed for limited decompression diving. Training takes place in a twinset with a stage cylinder. On successful completion, the SSI certification permits dives to a maximum of 40 metres, using decompression gas mixtures up to 100% oxygen and no more than 15 minutes of accumulated required decompression, with an equally or more qualified buddy.The planned training dives use a 50% stage gas. Certification depends on meeting every academic and in-water requirement; it is not awarded simply for attending.Who can join?You must be 18 or older, have at least 24 logged dives, and hold Deep Diving and Enriched Air Nitrox 40 certifications, or recognised equivalents. You should already be comfortable and in control in your twinset. We’ll complete the required medical screening before training and advise you if physician clearance is needed.The three-day courseDay 1 — Markethill Scuba: Equipment configuration, theory and at least one hour of confined-water skills, including stage handling and gas-switching drills.Day 2 — Markethill Scuba: The first two open-water training dives, planned within no-decompression limits.Day 3 — Portroe Quarry, Tipperary: Two qualifying dives in one full day. Both include staged-decompression training; at least one must reach approximately 35 metres. The course limit is 40 metres and no more than 15 minutes of required decompression per dive.You’ll also complete the SSI academic work and final exam, and independently prepare a dive plan using the Extended Range Dive Planning sheets. The group is limited to four divers.Price and inclusionsGroup course: £995 per diver, VAT-inclusivePrivate 1:1 course: £1,695, VAT-inclusiveThe course price includes instruction, SSI registration and digital certification on successful completion, two days of Markethill entry, use of an Oceanauts stage cylinder, one planned 7 L 50% stage fill, and the planned twinset back-gas fills. Your Portroe entry is paid directly to the quarry and is currently €30 per diver.Bring your own twinset, drysuit and thermal protection, other personal diving equipment, logbook and suitable multi-gas dive computer. Additional equipment rental can be arranged and quoted separately. Travel, food and any accommodation are your own costs; accommodation arrangements can be discussed case by case.Portroe is around three hours’ drive from Rostrevor, so the final training day will be a long one. The training locations and conditions will be confirmed when arranging your course.Contact Oceanauts to discuss your twinset setup or arrange training.

Build on your technical diving skills and learn to plan and conduct staged-decompression dives in a twinset. On successful completion, the SSI Extended Range certification permits dives to a maximum of 45 metres, using decompression gas mixtures up to 100% oxygen and no more than 25 minutes of accumulated required decompression, with an equally or more qualified buddy.Already certified in SSI XR Nitrox? Your four training dives may count towards Extended Range dives 1–4 when they meet SSI’s credit requirements. That gives you a shorter upgrade route focused on the remaining skills, assessments and two qualifying dives.PrerequisitesYou must be 18 or older, have at least 50 logged dives, and hold Deep Diving and Enriched Air Nitrox 40 certifications, or recognised equivalents. You should be proficient in the twinset configuration you’ll use for training. XR Nitrox certification provides possible dive credit; it does not replace the 50-dive requirement.We’ll complete the required medical screening before training and advise you if physician clearance is needed.Choose your routeFull Extended Range course — four teaching daysTraining begins with equipment configuration, academics, the XR Water Fitness Evaluation and at least two hours of confined-water skills. You’ll complete six open-water training dives: the first two at Markethill Scuba, followed by four dives over two consecutive days at Portroe Dive Centre. The final two dives include staged-decompression training, must total at least 90 minutes, and include at least one dive to 40 metres.Upgrade from XR Nitrox — two teaching daysWe’ll review your XR Nitrox training record and equipment configuration to confirm which dives can be credited. You’ll complete any outstanding Extended Range academic, fitness and confined-water requirements at Markethill, then complete dives 5–6 at Portroe. The upgrade route depends on your previous dives meeting SSI’s credit conditions and your readiness for the final dives.Certification is awarded only after all academic and in-water requirements are met. Additional training may be needed if skills, dive times or conditions do not meet the required standard.