About Us

At Planet Scuba, we have been sharing our passion for scuba diving for over 20 years. As a PADI 5-Star IDC, we are proud to be among the best in the industry. Located in Harlow, with teaching locations in Bishops Stortford and the surrounding areas, we are the perfect choice for those living in Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridge. At Planet Scuba, we are more than just a dive shop. We are a -stop destination for all your diving and snorkelling needs, including First Aid at Work training. Our well-stocked dive shop, impressive servicing room, and high-pressure compressor capable of filling with o2 clean air up to 300 bar as well as on-site gas blenders, ensure that you have everything you need for a safe and enjoyable diving experience.

Our team of instructors is equipped to guide you on your scuba diving journey, whether you aim to go all the way to instructor, enter the realm of technical diving, or want to add some excitement to your next holiday. We are here to assist you every step of the way.

We hope this has given you the confidence to embark on your scuba diving adventure with us. For more insights into Planet Scuba and our amazing team, be sure to check out our blog.


When it comes to PADI scuba diving courses, we offer a comprehensive range of PADI programs for both children and adults. From entry-level PADI Open Water courses to PADI instructor-level training, we have something for everyone. We also offer PADI Technical Diving courses and a wide variety of PADI specialities to cater to your specific interests and requirements.


Planet Scuba’s dive team consists of highly experienced PADI instructors who adhere to the highest standards set by PADI. They regularly participate in PADI webinars and training to stay updated with the latest teaching methods and techniques. Our instructors are known for their patience and understanding, ensuring that each student receives personalised attention and support. We understand that everyone learns at their own pace, and we embrace the uniqueness of each individual.


Planet Scuba’s Team

The planet scuba team is comprised of a diverse group of instructors, ranging from PADI Master Instructors to PADI Open Water Instructors, Assistant Instructors and Divemasters. As our team continues to grow, we take pride in nurturing talent and promoting dives who have trained with us from the PADI Open Water Diver leave. With their extensive knowledge of the Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridge area, our instructors are the perfect guides to help you complete your PADI course safely and professionally.

There's a reason PADI chose us to represent them at the Ocean Films Festival.

Going diving

FAQs

I didn't learn to dive with you, can I still go diving with you?

Yes of course you can. It doesn't matter who you trained with - BSAC, PADI, RAID, SSI, SAA, etc - we are all divers. Several local dive clubs use us for air fills, to buy equipment or to have kit serviced.

My last dive was more than 6 months ago, can I book onto a trip?

It may be necessary for you to complete a Scuba Review with us so that you can familiarise yourself with your equipment and skills and enjoy your dive.

How old do you have to be to get certified?

PADI requires you to be at least 10 years old to become a PADI certified Junior Open Water Scuba Diver. 10 and 11 year olds must dive with a certified parent, guardian or PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 metres. Twelve to 14 year olds must dive with a certified adult. At age 15, the Junior certification upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver certification.

Why are some dive centres cheaper than others?

Most Dive Centres charge about the same amount for complete Open Water Diver certification. The difference is some dive centres do not tell you about all the costs. Be careful, if the course price sounds very cheap there maybe a reason for this:

  • Does that price include the four Open Water Dives?
  • Does that price include the PADI eLearning?
  • Does that price include the scuba equipment hire?
  • How many students will be in your class? Some dive centres wait until they have several students before they run the course.
  • Does that price include the PADI registration and your scuba certification card?

You might end up paying more than you expected. You will find us one of the most competitive on the market. Here at Planet Scuba the price you see is the price you pay.


On top of that we maintain low class numbers to ensure you get the most out of the training as well as maintaining our perfect safety record. Our instructors also attend webinars and strive to keep learning to ensure our knowledge never goes out of date!

Do I have to buy SCUBA gear?

Scuba equipment for the PADI Open Water Course and PADI Advanced Open Water Course is provided in the course price, except for a mask & snorkel. These are available at Planet Scuba where our expert staff will ensure you get a mask that fits you. We also have kit available to hire from recreational to technical!

What happens if I run out of Air?

It is highly unlikely that this will ever happen. During your PADI Open Water course you are taught how to monitor your air supply frequently and you will learn to end the dive before your tank is empty as we always leave a reserve in case of emergency! You will also learn several ways to deal with an "out of air situation" safely so you have the skills to manage the situation if it occurs.

Also, your PADI pro will ensure that you have adequate air for the ensure dive.

How long will my dive last for?

This is difficult to answer as it depends on how quickly you breathe. Most people are nervous before their first dive which means they use more air than experienced divers. Also, other factors impact air consumption such as; depth, fitness, weather conditions, finning efficiency and water temperature!

But, your first dive should be a minimum of 20 minutes and on average dives usually range from 25 minutes to an hour.

Can I scuba dive if I need glasses?

Absolutely! One option is to use contact lenses. However, the best option is to invest in a prescription mask, at Planet Scuba we can find a mask that fits you as well as your prescription

How long does the PADI Open Water Course take?

The theory can take as long as you like as the PADI eLearning allows you to complete the theory in your own time. The confined water portion takes a day in the pool whilst the open water section takes a weekend with us.

We can also do a referral course which allows you to complete the theory and pool sessions in the UK and the open water dives abroad!