Waves, Tides & Currents

Understand the power of the ocean and dive with more confidence in dynamic conditions with the SSI Waves, Tides & Currents Specialty. Learn to plan smarter and dive more safely in currents, waves, and tides.

Diving in currents opens the door to a world of new and often spectacular dive sites, where you encounter the most impressive marine life. At the same time, the ocean is constantly in motion. Waves, tides, and currents largely determine how a dive unfolds — and those who understand these forces dive more safely, more relaxed, and with greater control. Without that knowledge, however, the same conditions can have a major impact on your dive and your safety.

With the SSI Waves, Tides & Currents Specialty, you improve both your diving skills and your understanding of dynamic open water environments. You learn how natural water movements arise, how they influence each other, and how environmental factors affect different dive sites. In addition, you learn to recognize these conditions, assess them correctly, and incorporate them into your dive planning, so you dive more consciously and efficiently.

This specialty places a strong emphasis on practical application. You practice shore diving, dealing with different types of currents (such as longshore and cross currents), and planning dives in changing conditions. You learn how to conserve energy, position yourself better in currents, enter and exit the water safely, and work effectively with your buddy. You also learn when it is wise to adjust or abort a dive.

This specialty is also excellent to combine with the SSI Boat Diving Specialty. Together, they form a strong foundation for boat and offshore diving, where current, timing, and conditions play an important role.

This knowledge and these skills not only increase your safety, but also make you a more confident and aware diver, wherever in the world you dive — whether from shore, from a boat, or at new, unfamiliar locations.

Upon completion, you will receive the SSI Waves, Tides & Currents Specialty certification, which counts towards the free recognition ratings Specialty Diver, Advanced Specialty Diver, and Master Diver. A valuable specialty for divers who want to broaden their horizons and truly learn to read what the ocean tells them.