PADI Wreck Diver
The PADI Wreck Diver course introduces you to one of the most fascinating areas of diving — exploring sunken ships, structures, and underwater history. Learn how to safely navigate wreck environments, improve your awareness underwater, and confidently explore sites filled with both history and marine life.
What you need
Course structure
Certification
History, structure, and exploration beneath the surface.
Every wreck has its own story, structure, and environment. Some become artificial reefs filled with marine life, while others remain preserved pieces of history underwater.
This course teaches you how to safely approach, navigate, and explore wreck sites while understanding hazards, positioning, and underwater orientation in more complex environments.
Understand the environment before entering it.
The course combines theory, practical skill development, and open water wreck dives. You’ll first learn how wreck environments behave before practicing buoyancy, navigation, and line handling techniques in controlled and real-world conditions.
How the course works
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01
Theory and wreck awareness
Day 1Learn about different types of wrecks, potential hazards, wreck mapping, navigation techniques, and the use of lines and reels for safe exploration.
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02
Skill practice and controlled techniques
Day 1–2Practice buoyancy control near structures, finning techniques to avoid disturbing silt, reel handling, knot tying, and line communication techniques.
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03
Open water wreck dives
4 training divesComplete a series of wreck dives focused on navigation, positioning, safe exploration, and understanding entry and exit points. Limited penetration may be introduced when appropriate.
This course is perfect if…
- You are interested in exploring shipwrecks and underwater history
- You want to improve navigation and underwater awareness
- You want experience in more advanced dive environments
- You enjoy exploration-focused diving and structured adventure training
What you will gain
Improved underwater navigation
Learn how to orient yourself around wreck structures and safely plan exploration routes underwater.
Greater safety awareness
Understand common wreck hazards including entanglement risks, unstable structures, and limited visibility conditions.
Access to unique dive sites
Explore a completely different category of dive sites filled with history, structure, and marine life.
Better buoyancy and control
Wreck diving improves precision underwater, especially around structures and confined environments.
No. Wreck penetration should only be done within your training and experience level. The course introduces safe exploration techniques, but not every wreck is suitable for entry.
Basic wreck diving uses standard scuba equipment, but reels, lines, and dive lights are often introduced for navigation and safety during exploration.
Some wrecks can contain hazards such as sharp metal, unstable structures, entanglement risks, or limited visibility. The course teaches you how to identify and safely manage these conditions.