SCUBA Certifications

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All dives aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin are led by professional French State-certified scuba instructors (DEJEPS diploma), who are also certified PADI Instructors. Each is skilled in ensuring that you have the best dive possible, from helping you identify and improve your level of experience to seeking out the most rewarding dive spots.All dives aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin are led by professional French State-certified scuba instructors (DEJEPS diploma), who are also certified PADI Instructors. Each is skilled in ensuring that you have the best dive possible, from helping you identify and improve your level of experience to seeking out the most rewarding dive spots.

Plus, The Gauguin is fully equipped with a tank-filling station and two inflatable dive boats with ladders, each accommodating up to 10 divers. No tender to shore is needed, you simply leave from the marina platform of the ship and return to it after your dive.

We take care of all the details for you, from set-up and gearing you before you enter the water to leading you through the deep. The only thing you have to do is breathe.

How to Sign Up for SCUBA Diving Aboard The Gauguin

All guests wishing to dive or take a diving course from The Gauguin need to bring either proof of certification, and they must possess a valid recent medical certificate less than a year old of no contraindication to scuba diving. The doctor on board will not be able to issue this certificate. Before signing up for a dive, divers at all levels of experience must meet with one of our dive instructors and also fill a liability disclaimer.

The marina team reserves the right to refuse permission to dive if the guest does not meet physical requirements. You may sign up for a dive at the dive desk, located near the Restaurant l’Etoile on deck 5. If you are a certified diver, simply identify yourself to the Marina Supervisor at the Dive Desk on the first day of the cruise. As a licensed PADI Resort, The Gauguin recognizes divers from all international certifying agencies.

Get Certified Before You Sail

We strongly recommend arriving on board already SCUBA certified. The Gauguin does not offer full open-water certification courses, so guests who are certified before their cruise will be able to dive more often and explore more dive sites, making the most of every opportunity to discover Polynesia's underwater world.

Dive Programs Available On Board

For both novice or expert divers, we offer the following on board: ● Intro Dive: a shallow-water first SCUBA experience, one-on-one with an instructor ● PADI Discover SCUBA Diving (DSD): a short theory briefing followed by your first dive in a sheltered, shallow lagoon site ● Refresher Dive: for certified divers who haven't dived in a while ● PADI Enriched-Air Nitrox Certification: dive longer and reduce the risk of decompression sickness on repetitive dives

RESTRICTIONS: You must be a reasonably proficient swimmer and comfortable in the water. You must swim 200 yards/meters nonstop, without a time or specific stroke requirement, or a 300-yard/meter swim with mask, fins, and snorkel. You’ll also perform a ten-minute tread/float.Divers who have not dived within the last six months and cannot provide proof of a SCUBA review course since their last dive may be requested to participate in a SCUBA review course on board prior to a dive in the open water.To SCUBA dive safely, you must not be extremely overweight or out of condition. Diving can be strenuous under certain conditions. Your respiratory and circulatory systems must be in good health. All body air spaces must be normal and healthy. A person with coronary disease, a current cold or congestion, epilepsy, or a severe medical problem, or who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not dive. If you have asthma, heart disease, or other chronic medical conditions, or if you are taking medications on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor and the instructor before participating in this program. Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant also should not dive.Diving certifications are subject to availability.

Updated as of October 2026