Underwater Navigation Course Cape Town

Cape Town Scuba Dive Centre

Scuba Courses

Underwater Navigation Diver

Duration

1 Day

Max Depth

Depends on your certification level

Min Age

12 Years old

Dives

3 Dives

Pool Sessions

None

Price

R5,800

Course Overview

Expand Your Lifetime Diving Journey

Do you get lost easily underwater? Do you have trouble navigating your way through a dive site? Or do you just feel uncomfortable unless you have a Divemaster leading you? Then the PADI Underwater Navigator specialty course is the right one for you!

It will teach you the confidence to feel safe and at ease when diving on your own or with a buddy, without a Divemaster present.

After completing this course you will feel much more capable at dive planning, and in natural and compass navigating techniques. Take control of where your scuba diving will take you, and expand your horizons in leadership and confidence!

Two scuba divers silhouetted against the sun

Why Choose Us

Free pick-up from hotel (central city area)

Both PADI & TripAdvisor certificates of excellence won

Best dive instructors & dive masters

Good quality well maintained scuba equipment

Strong emphasis on safety & quality

Pricing

OUR TRAINING PHILOSOPHY: Don’t train until you get it right, train until you can’t get it wrong.

Three awesome dives from shore teaching you compass techniques as well as natural navigation skills. Making you feel confident to lead your dive buddies around dive sites.

R5,800

Possible Upgrades

Master Scuba Diver Develop your diving by doing 5 Specialties, and earn the Master Scuba Diver rating as recognition!

Prerequisites

Open Water Diver Certification. Minimum age: 12 years old.

Cirriculum

What You'll Learn

PADI NAVIGATION THEORY & KNOWLEDGE

Learn the fundamentals of underwater navigation, including natural navigation, compass use, distance estimation, and navigation patterns through PADI eLearning and knowledge development.

UNDERWATER COMPASS NAVIGATION

Build confidence using a dive compass to set headings, maintain direction, and navigate accurately underwater while completing practical navigation exercises.

NATURAL NAVIGATION SKILLS

Develop your ability to navigate using natural underwater references such as rock formations, reef features, depth, and environmental conditions to help maintain your orientation.

DISTANCE & DEPTH ESTIMATION

Practise estimating distance and using depth information to improve your underwater navigation skills and plan more accurate dive routes.

UNDERWATER NAVIGATION TECHNIQUES

Apply different navigation patterns and techniques during practical dives, including reciprocal headings and navigating to specific underwater locations.

NAVIGATION DIVE PLANNING

Develop the skills to plan and conduct navigation dives safely, combining compass navigation, natural references, distance estimation, and situational awareness for more confident underwater exploration.

2-Day Program

The Course Structure

Day 1

Theory

Knowledge development this takes roughly 2 -4 hours online to ensure you have the knowledge of diving before coming for your practical application.

Day 2

Ocean Dives 1 + 2 + 3

Put your navigation skills into practice across three open water dives. Start by developing natural navigation, distance estimation, and basic compass techniques before progressing to square patterns and multi-leg compass courses. You’ll then learn to navigate and relocate specific underwater locations using a compass and underwater markers, building accuracy, confidence, and independence in underwater navigation.

Why Choose CT Dive School

Unmatched Quality & Safety

PADI 5-STAR IDC CENTRE

Top tier certification standard recognizing highest standards of diver training, safety and customer service.

MAX 4 STUDENTS

We guarantee small groups per instructor to ensure close personal attention, optimal safety, and customized training.

DIVERSE MARINE LIFE

Cape Town's unique temperate reefs feature ancient kelp forests, historic wrecks, playful seals and spectacular biodiversity.

ALL EQUIPMENT INCLUDED

No hidden costs. Premium wetsuits, regulators, masks, fins, and cylinders are fully included in the price.

EXPERT INSTRUCTORS

Learn from highly experienced, certified ocean professionals who live and breathe Cape Town diving.

QUICK OVERVIEW

Key Highlights

Minimum duration 1 day

Preparing for the course via e-learning homework

Course can be constructed around your schedule

Minimum age: PADI Open Water 12 years old

Learn techniques to navigate via natural conditions as well as expand your compass knowledge

Feel confident to dive with your buddy and navigate to and from the shoreline

Requirements

Course Prerequisites

Before diving, ensure you meet PADI’s basic health and swimming requirements. Be a PADI Open Water diver or equivalent!

Open Water Diver Certification

12 Years Old

Be Reasonably healthy

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the padi underwater navigator specialty?

The PADI Underwater Navigator Specialty teaches you how to navigate confidently underwater using a combination of compass navigation and natural navigation techniques. You’ll learn how to use underwater landmarks, estimate distances, follow navigation patterns, and find your way back to a boat or shore without needing to surface.

Why should i take the PADI underwater navigator course?

Good underwater navigation can help you make your dives more organised and efficient. The course develops your ability to use a compass, recognise natural underwater references, estimate distance and maintain awareness of your position throughout a dive.

How many dives are included in the padi underwater navigator specialty?

The PADI Underwater Navigator Specialty includes three open water training dives. These dives give you the opportunity to practise compass and natural navigation techniques and apply your navigation skills in real underwater conditions.

Do I need to know how to use a compass before the course?

No. The course is designed to teach you how to use a diving compass effectively. You’ll practise compass techniques before applying them underwater with your instructor.

What is natural underwater navigation?

Natural navigation means using features of the underwater environment to help determine your position and direction. These can include reef formations, sand ripples, depth changes, currents and other recognisable landmarks. The course combines these observations with compass navigation.

Can I learn how to find a boat or shore using underwater navigation?

Yes. The course teaches navigation techniques that can help you navigate back toward a boat or shore without needing to surface.

Will this course help me become a more confident diver?

The course gives you structured practice using compass and natural navigation techniques, helping you develop greater awareness of your position, direction and surroundings underwater.

Do you provide a compass or must we have our own?

We have a limited number of compasses, so if we have available we can rent to you, however it is a good idea to have your own compass for future dives.

All-inclusive training

What's Included in the fee

PADI Digital Learning Materials

3 Ocean Dives in Cape Town

PADI Certification Processing & Card

Premium Scuba Gear Rental

Safety Gear and Diver's Insurance

Photo Gallery

Underwater Scenes & Diving Moments

Testimonials

What our divers say

My wife and I had a really great time diving with Into the Blue Cape Town in May. The gear you get is very good, including Scubapro Seawing Nova fins, 7mm wetsuits, gloves, boots, and even an extra vest to wear under the wetsuit. The water was quite cold at around 14°C, and since I normally only dive in tropical waters, I was a bit unsure at first. But with the gear provided, I was absolutely fine for the whole dive. My wife did shiver at the end of dives though. You could stop the dives at any time and one of the dive master would get you to the boat. We had an amazing time in the kelp forest and even saw a pyjama shark. On our first dive at North Paw, we were also lucky enough to see a seal right at the end of the dive, which was a really nice surprise. The whole day was very well organized and the service was excellent. Everyone was friendly, professional, and made us feel comfortable. Unfortunately, we had to leave for the Garden Route the next day, otherwise we would definitely have booked another dive with them. Overall, it was a really great experience, and next time I am in Cape Town, I will for sure dive with Into the Blue again. Highly recommended.

Into the Blue took our family group of 10 out snorkelling and scuba diving. They were great in accommodating both the snorkellers and divers needs at the same time and keeping everyone happy. They went out of there way to make it such a special day, taking us to different sites and providing snacks and hot drinks after the dive /snorkel. Thank you so much ‘Into the Blue’! What a fantastic day!

Thurl Abrahams

Great experience diving today - double tank dives in the kelp was an incredible experience...especially with the seals! It was cold...so be prepared! But the kit was great quality, the safety briefings were perfect and the diving with James as our dive guide was brilliant. Thank you to the full team...if you are in Cape Town...dive it!

Alex James

Ready to dive into Cape Town?

Book a PADI course, fun dive or dive holiday with Into The Blue today.