Learn to Dive in Niue: Where to Get Your Scuba Diving Certification

How to Get Your Scuba Diving Certification in Niue

You’ve probably seen videos or pictures of unusual underwater worlds of corals and fish of all shapes, sizes and colours. Now it’s time to take the leap into the depths of Niue‘s waters to find you’re own slice of underwater heaven. Find out where to get certified in this eye-opening sport with this guide on how to learn to scuba dive in Niue!

Scuba diving in Niue is truly amazing thanks to its wonderful array of coral, tropical fish and underwater caves among some of the clearest water. For beginners, your first few dives will be in the unintimidating outer reef among its own array of colourful fish before moving onto more exciting dive sites with turtles and reef sharks among magnificent pinnacles and otherworldly terrain on the edge of the world’s largest raised coral atoll!

Niue has a PADI dive centre whose dive school in Niue is accredited to an international standard to ensure you get the best and safest training to learn how to dive.

5 Reasons to Learn How to Dive in Niue

As if you need a reason to learn how to dive in Niue! It’s Niue! But if you’re still sceptical that this island paradise is the right place to learn, then these points should help you clear the bubbles…

Niue’s dive shop offers PADI certifications, which are the most accepted dive accreditations internationally
The water temperature averages a comfortable 27°C (81°F) (84.2°F) and the visibility is usually around 30-80 m (98-262 ft), so the conditions are among some of the best in the world
There’s so much to see underwater with thousands of fish and coral species, as well as sea turtles, grey reef sharks, sea snakes, octopus and much much more
The variety of dive sites is astounding not only while you’re learning but to explore after you’re qualified – just see the 10 Best Dive Sites in Niue for ideas
Plus, there’s so much more to do in Niue between dives – check out our 101 Best Things to Do in Niue: The Ultimate List for ideas.

Learn to Dive in Niue: Where to Get Your Scuba Diving Certification

Why PADI?

You only have one option when it comes to diving accreditations and certifications in Niue: PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors).

PADI is not only the most accepted form of diving certification with global recognition but they have high standards when it comes to safety. Needless to say, this is absolutely essential for any diver, not just beginners. Moreover, if you don’t finish your scuba diving course at a dive centre in Niue, you can pick up where you left off at another dive centre worldwide, as long as it’s also PADI-affiliated.

Learn to Dive in Niue with Niue Blue

Located next to the Scenic Matavai Resort in Tamakautoga, Niue Blue is a fully PADI-affiliated dive operator. The highly qualified team are also those behind one of New Zealand’s top dive operations, Dive! Tutukaka. Niue Blue provide Discover Scuba (Try Dives), double morning and single afternoon dives, as well as night dives. They also offer a huge range of PADI dive courses.

In addition, their two purpose-built dive boats feature large in-water ladders and walk-through transoms with handrails for easy exit from the water. Most of their dive training is from the boat, with no pool sessions (except for Bubblemaker), so you’re straight into the amazing underwater element from the get-go. All courses include full gear rental.

Their learn-to-dive courses include:

Discover Scuba Dive (Try Dive) – This is not a course but the perfect experience for those wanting to try scuba diving for the first time, i.e. see if it’s for them before committing to a course.
Open Water Course – Sign up before your trip and you can do the online theory portion of the course prior to diving. It’s then four days: two full days and two afternoons, to complete your Open Water Diver course. Once you have your Open Water Diver, you are able to do most of the dive sites around Niue and are certified to dive without a divemaster
Bubblemaker – As fun as it sounds! PADI Bubblemaker is a chance for kids aged 8 to 10 years to take their first breaths underwater at the Scenic Matavai Resort’s pool. There’s also a bit of theory about scuba gear and how to clear a regulator and mask. This is not a complete course, but a short introduction to diving for kids.

Those who have acquired an Open Water PADI Dive Certification can go on to hone their dive skills with the following courses provided by Niue Blue:

ReActivate Program (Refresher Dive)
Advanced Open Water Course
Adventure Dive Specialties
– Peak Performance Buoyancy Dive
– Deep Dive
– Navigation Dive
– Underwater Photography Dive
– Night Dive
– Cavern Dive
– Fish ID Dive
– Naturalist Dive
– Drift Dive
Rescue Diver Course
EFR Emergency First Responder
Divemaster
Assistant Instructor
Open Water Scuba Instructor

Learn more about Niue Blue in The Best Dive Shops & Operators in Niue.

The Price of Scuba Diving Lessons in Niue

The cost of learning to scuba dive in Niue is more expensive than other destinations in the South Pacific, but learning to dive in such a unique setting might just make it worth the extra cost. The typical cost for scuba diving certifications in Niue is as follows:

PADI Discover Scuba (intro dive): NZ$250
PADI Open Water Diver (4 days): NZ$870
PADI Bubblemaker (45 mins): NZ$75
PADI ReActivate Open Water (1 day): NZ$65
PADI Advanced Open Water (2-3 days): NZ$800

Note that the prices stated above have all the dive gear and any boat travel, etc. included but don’t include accommodation transfers.

Factor these prices into the rest of your travel budget for Niue using our Niue Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Niue Cost?

More About Scuba Diving in Niue

That’s it for our guide on how to learn to dive in Niue. Now that you know about scuba diving courses in Niue and the best places to get your scuba diving certification, check out places to stay and other things to do in Niue:

Finally, plan your itinerary using our trip ideas for 7 days and 14 days.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Niue Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Niue. She knows the island inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Niue’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page