scuba diving

My First Scuba Diving Experience

Life Underwater: a serene, slow-motion world, almost tranquil and unreal.

I remember during my first scuba diving experience I was half scared. The idea of leaving the world I knew and entering into something far more mysterious and oblivious was undoubtedly scary. And the fact that every cry, every yell, was only going to be left unheard underwater, was, moreover, alarmingly daunting.

For the first 5 minutes of my scuba experience, I did not take my eyes off my instructor and the other two fellow divers. They seemed to be my only hope. But as I slowly sank down, listening to a louder ‘pop’ in my left ear, I began to take shape and come into focus.

scuba-diving-india

Nearly 12 metres down in the depths of the Arabian Sea, the life I saw, existing and moving was totally magical.

I remember I stopped breathing for a minute — not out of fear but sheer awe and wonder. The world slowed as I tried to savour every moment, remembering every detail.

Life underwater, as I explored during my scuba diving experience, was more beautiful than I imagined, and the tranquillity was far unparalleled – something that I never found even in the most isolated, quarantined corners of the Himalayas.

scuba-diver

In less than 40 minutes of our first dive, I was sure that this is more surreal than any city, any town, or any sunset, I had ever seen in life.

I saw uncountable fishes dancing in their ever-impressive formation. Candy-hued coral swayed underneath like a colourful Monet. Crabs were crawling across the seafloor, as the colourful parrotfishes appeared, out of sudden, eating algae off of coral reefs.

underwater-fish

Life underwater is beautiful. And the many nameless fish – both tiny and moderate in size, zigzagging their way around you, makes the entire scuba experience, even more magical, or fairy-tale-like, perhaps!

The discovery of a Pufferfish, who was almost ready to dispense her magic upon us, as I remember, was the highlight. At Suzy’s wreck – a 30 m-long World War ruin, the sheer amount of wildlife present was incredible. The discoveries were endless.

scuba-diving

I cannot recommend WestCoastAdventures more highly for this experience. What could have been very intimidating and panic-inducing situations, they made safe and fun. It felt like diving with old friends.

One thing I particularly loved about them was that they took photos for me and gave them to me for free. Though I had my own Underwater Action Camera with me, it was wonderful to have photos of myself underwater when I was the one behind the lens. So next time you visit Goa (I am sure you’re planning a trip around New Year) get thyself a little deeper than the shallow Goa beaches and experience something new.

If you are scared of a similar Scuba diving experience then let me tell you that you have no reason to be. Read about the common Scuba Diving Myths here and find out how most of the scary news about it is just a myth. Remember, it is not risky!

And if you still lack the motivation to do it, read these Motivating Travel Quotes I’ve handpicked for you!

Categories Adventure Activities

About

I am Dev, and I've been travelling full-time since 2016. I was a journalism student & started my corporate career as a documentary film-maker in England, before moving to India & becoming a full-time nomad. 25+countries. 50+ Brand Partnerships. And the adventure continues...

  1. Dennis Davis

    Thanks for sharing the information and your post more useful for everyone.
    Scubanautic is one of the Best Dive Center in Mallorca. You can get the best experience by doing Scuba Diving, Cave Diving Mallorca, etc. We provide all Scuba Diving at affordable rates.

  2. Amazing experience

  3. Bali Dive Shop

    Great view of underwater life. Thanks, for sharing your diving experience with us.

  4. Thanks for sharing your experience with the PADI course!

  5. Neha shah

    Nice video, I visited Goa with my family. The awesome part of my trip was Scuba diving. It was an amazing experience. We enjoyed a lot and it was a memorable experience. Staff is very cooperative. Thanks to sea water sports.

  6. sandy kaur

    We all have one thing in life which we can’t forget, in my life the best was scuba diving with sea water sports. They greed you so well and the activities were super awesome I cant express my words n it was just worth it. Every one should try this watersports activity. thank you sea water sports.

  7. neha shah

    My experience was pretty good. I visited along with my friends. The awesome part of my trip was scuba diving. It was an amazing experience and also scuba diving was too good I have enjoyed a lot and was a memorable experience, I would like to visit again whenever I got chance to visit Goa. thank u sea water sports.

  8. Cool experience to share. Thanks for your nice explanation. Would love to try this out.

  9. Paisa vasool, very nice experience to be with marine life. Lots of corals and beautiful fishes. Trainers are very helpful and friendly. please do go for this activity. We had memorable Scuba diving here. Staff is very courteous and helpful. Thanks to sea water sports make my trip fantastic.

  10. Deepali Rane

    Absolutely amazing scuba diving! super service, great value for money… all our family had a lovely relaxed day.
    Highly recommend to everyone coming to Goa. thank u Sea Water Sports.

  11. Neha Warke

    Hello..
    Among the various things to do in Goa, for the adventurous spirit, there are always the depths of the sea to explore. Scuba Diving In Goa has been left nearly untouched by the multitude of tourists that come to Goa every year.

  12. Amelie Faye

    This time try something different when you are in Goa and scuba diving is that ‘something different’. great article.

  13. Oh my god. I love this <3 soo many exciting experiences. Definately I will buy Xiomi YI Underwater Action Camera also It's cheaper than Gopro 5
    Thank's Dev for share with us.

  14. I adore your writing style. I remember my first scuba diving experience, it was in Koh Tao. I was so scared and nervous at first, but then I actually started to like it. By now I’ve had many scuba diving adventures and many others to go.

  15. Ezra Lunberg

    The way you describe your experience is great. I can almost feel that myself is also there diving with you and seeing what you saw. The underwater view is indeed beautiful and it is impossible to not be in awe once you see it for yourself such beauty. I think I get the tranquility you’re talking about and how the world seems to slow down when you’re underwater. I have never tried to scuba dive before but I do snorkeling a lot. It might be almost the same experience but then it could be totally different. There is always the first time for things, but there can be or can not be the second time, yes? Depends on how the first impression got us. As you said you’d definitely going for the diving again, you absolutely should check us out. Not only you can dive into the beautiful spots with us but you can also cruise with us to the absolutely stunning places. Please do check us out, thank you!

  16. That trip looks amazing! Do you like the Xiaomi Yi action camera? I have been thinking of getting it as well, seeing how it is so much cheaper than GoPro.

    • Hi Savanna, yes I use Xiomi Yi and except for shooting in low light conditions, I think it’s a better alternative to GoPro, given its much wider lens and ofcourse, cheaper price! And by the way, you do product reviews, I’m sure you know better!

  17. Hi dev
    What a nice experience it is. I really loved it. Do you know? All the picture are looking nice.
    I think, you felt excited and better when you driving scuba. What is your next plan? Can you share with me? I always try to something new too. Whatever everyone should know that experience sharing is most important for spending enjoyable time. Your article is very readable so keep it up. Thanks!

  18. SARAVANA PRABHU

    Dude you are amazing. Exploring new places. In previous birth u did something good. As a result of that you are enjoying your life with mother nature in this birth.envy you.next time take me with you I want to try something new too.
    Anyway, All the best! keep travelling and visit new places as much as you can. Hope one day I will join you. Have fun. Keep in touch! Keep rocking!!

  19. divesh kumar

    Nice Dev. Where did you do it by the way?

  20. That was quite an experience bro. You did it in Goa? How was the visibility? I also want to do it……

    • Visibility remained around 10 meters. The best I had was 12 meters. Yea give it a try the next time you visit there. If bounded with time, you can also go for a single open water dive. Good luck.

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