SSI Dive Guide

Train with our partner SSI Diamond Center in the Athenian Riviera. Book the diving only, or the complete package with your stay in Athens.

Diving: 10 days of training
Level: Professional
Prerequisite: SSI Diver Stress & Rescue + logged dives
Complete package: 12 Days / 11 Nights

The course

About this programme

Take the next step in your diving journey and develop the skills to lead and guide divers with confidence. Our 12-day SSI Dive Guide package is designed for experienced divers who want to expand their professional knowledge, strengthen their leadership abilities, and gain the skills required to guide certified divers in a variety of underwater environments. Our dive sites lie in the crystal-clear waters of the Athenian Riviera, where the Mediterranean Sea stays warm and inviting even through the winter months.

The SSI Dive Guide program combines theoretical knowledge with practical training and in-water experience. Under the supervision of professional SSI instructors, you will develop essential skills related to dive planning, organization, group management, navigation, safety, and leading certified divers. The exact training and diving schedule is arranged according to the diving center’s program, weather, and sea conditions.

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Choose your option

Both options include the same SSI training and certification with our partner SSI Diamond Center.

Option 1 · Diving & certification only

Book the diving only

For divers who arrange their own accommodation and transport.

Price per person€600

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Included

Diving activities and professional guidance from a Diamond SSI Dive Center
Theoretical training and exam by e-learning (SSI digital learning materials and online exam)
Full equipment gear rental except dive computer
SSI Dive Guide certification
Dive Guide theory and professional instruction
Practical training and guided diving experience
Snacks and refreshments after the dives

Not included

Dive Computer – mandatory for all dives. Bring your own, or rent one from us for €10 per day (on request and availability); the total depends on the number of diving days
Accommodation – not included, but can be arranged separately on request
Any transportation services (airport and hotel transfers, transfers to and from the dive sites) and sightseeing tours – not included, but can be arranged separately on request
Anything not specified as included

Option 2 · Complete package in Athens

12 Days / 11 Nights

Diving, 4-star hotel with breakfast, transfers and an Athens sightseeing tour.

Per person, double / twin room€2,950

Single supplement€1,200

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Included

Arrival transfer from Athens International Airport to the hotel
11 nights’ accommodation at a 4-star hotel on Bed and Breakfast
Diving activities and professional guidance from a Diamond SSI Dive Center
Theoretical training and exam by e-learning (SSI digital learning materials and online exam)
Private round-trip transfers from/to hotel for diving activities
SSI Dive Guide certification
Dive Guide theory and professional instruction
Practical training and guided diving experience
Snacks and refreshments after the dives
Athens sightseeing tour with Acropolis (shared)
Entrance fee to Acropolis archeological site
Departure transfer from the hotel to Athens International Airport

Not included

Dive Computer – mandatory for all dives. Bring your own, or rent one from us for €10 per day (on request and availability); the total depends on the number of diving days
Climate Crisis Resilience Fee (accommodation tax), payable directly at the hotel.
Anything not specified as included

Requirements

Requirements & important information

Prerequisites

Minimum certification required: SSI Diver Stress & Rescue (or recognized equivalent), plus logged dive experience — see the requirements below.
Certified SSI Diver Stress & Rescue (or recognized equivalent) prior to arrival.
Minimum of 40 logged open water dives totaling at least 25 hours of bottom time.
SSI certification (or a minimum of 5 logged experience dives in each area) in: Deep Diving, Navigation, and Night & Limited Visibility.
Minimum age: 15 years old (candidates must be 18 years old to be certified as an active-status Professional Dive Guide able to work).
To complete the certification, candidates must log at least 50 open water dives totaling 32 hours or more — additional dives may be arranged during the program if the minimum has not yet been reached.

Health & Fitness to Dive

Diving is a physically demanding activity. Participants must be in good general physical health and fit to dive.
All participants must complete and sign the SSI Medical Statement (Diver Medical Questionnaire) prior to the start of the course.
If the participant answers “yes” to any question on the medical statement, written medical clearance from a physician (preferably one familiar with dive medicine) is required before participation. This must be provided prior to arrival.
We recommend disclosing any relevant medical history in advance, including cardiac conditions, ear/sinus problems, recent surgery, medication use, or pregnancy.
Candidates must pass the SSI aquatic/water fitness assessment as outlined in the SSI Training Standards.

Liability & Insurance

A signed liability release and assumption-of-risk form is required from all participants prior to any in-water activity.
Participants are strongly advised to hold valid dive accident and travel insurance covering the training activities and depth range of this program.

Practical Notes

Because this is a professional-track program with significant prerequisites, we strongly recommend that participants send proof of certification level and a summary of logged dives/hours for review before booking, to confirm eligibility.
Proof of certification (physical or digital card) must be presented at check-in with the dive center; participants unable to provide proof may not be permitted to dive.
If a participant does not meet the certification, age, or medical clearance requirements above, the agency reserves the right to deny participation in the training activities without a refund of the certification/diving portion of the package.

Dive insurance: we are official partners of DAN Europe and provide dive insurance globally. Get DAN insurance with your course →

Seasons

Weather & diving conditions in Athens

Spring (Mar–May)Air 15–25°C · water rising. Stable, light winds, good visibility — ideal for moderate diving activity.
Summer (Jun–Aug)Air 28–35°C · water 24–28°c. Sunny and stable with minimal winds — excellent visibility, perfect for all diving.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)Air 21–27°C · water 22–25°c. Mild weather, good visibility — ideal for training and recreational diving.
Winter (Dec–Feb)Air 10–15°C · water 15–18°c. Colder water, occasional winds — more preparation needed; visibility remains good in sheltered areas.

Theory

How you learn

Theoretical Training & Online Learning

The theoretical component of the SSI Dive Guide program is completed online through the SSI e-learning platform, allowing candidates to study leadership, dive planning, and risk-management theory at their own pace prior to and during the program.

Classroom sessions, professional workshops, and daily briefings/debriefings with SSI instructors are held throughout the program to reinforce theory and prepare candidates for each day’s practical assessments.

This combination of e-learning, in-person workshops, and continuous field mentoring ensures theoretical knowledge is directly connected to the practical leadership and guiding skills assessed throughout the course.

Optional In-Person Theoretical Training

Participants who prefer to complete the theoretical training in person at our diving center may request an additional classroom-based theoretical session.

The cost for this optional service is €100 per person.

This service is optional and must be requested and arranged in advance.

Policies

Cancellation & booking conditions

Diving & certification only

Cancellation & Refund Policy

To ensure smooth arrangements for the diving and training activities, the following cancellation policy applies to the SSI Dive Guide program:

Timing	Refund
More than 45 days before arrival	Full refund, less any non-refundable fees or costs already incurred by service providers
15–44 days before arrival	50% of the total package price will be refunded
Less than 15 days before arrival	The booking is non-refundable
No-show or cancellation after arrival	No refund for unused services (diving, certification)

Diving, Weather & Operational Changes

Diving activities are subject to the diving center’s schedule, weather conditions, and sea conditions. If diving activities must be postponed or adjusted due to unsafe weather or sea conditions, the diving center may reschedule the activities where possible.

If the SSI Dive Guide program cannot be completed because the participant does not meet the required certification, age, or medical-clearance requirements, the diving/certification portion of the package is non-refundable.

Medical & Participant Restrictions

Participants who are unable to dive due to medical reasons, lack of required certification, failure to provide required medical clearance, or failure to meet the program requirements are not entitled to a refund of the diving or certification portion of the package.

We strongly recommend that all participants purchase travel and dive accident insurance that includes coverage for cancellation, medical issues and diving activities.

Changes to a Booking

Any request to change the dates, participant details, or other booking arrangements will be subject to availability and may result in additional charges or cancellation fees imposed by the relevant service providers.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing and will be considered effective on the date they are received and confirmed by Diving Journeys.

By confirming the booking, the participant acknowledges and accepts the above cancellation and refund conditions.

Complete package

Cancellation & Refund Policy

To ensure smooth arrangements for accommodation, diving activities, transfers, and sightseeing, the following cancellation policy applies to the SSI Dive Guide program:

Timing	Refund
More than 45 days before arrival	Full refund, less any non-refundable fees or costs already incurred by service providers
15–44 days before arrival	50% of the total package price will be refunded
Less than 15 days before arrival	The booking is non-refundable
No-show or cancellation after arrival	No refund for unused services (accommodation, diving, transfers, sightseeing, certification)

Diving, Weather & Operational Changes

Medical & Participant Restrictions

We strongly recommend that all participants purchase travel and dive accident insurance that includes coverage for cancellation, medical issues and diving activities.

Changes to a Booking

Any request to change the travel dates, participant details, accommodation, or other package arrangements will be subject to availability and may result in additional charges or cancellation fees imposed by the relevant service providers.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing and will be considered effective on the date they are received and confirmed by Diving Journeys.

By confirming the booking, the participant acknowledges and accepts the above cancellation and refund conditions.

Questions about Dive Guide?

Ask us about dates, combining courses, or adding accommodation and transfers to the diving-only option.

WhatsApp us Email us

+30 693 239 8258 · info@divingjourneys.com