My First Two Dives After Being Certified: Two Very Different Experiences in Two Very Different Places
Written by Carly Sheen
Follow my journey through my first two scuba dives after getting Open Water Certified — from cold Pacific waters in Victoria to warm Caribbean seas in Cancun. A story of confidence, courage, and the importance of diving safely, learning continuously, and supporting one another in the dive community.
Getting Open Water Certified — The Beginning of a New Adventure
In August 2024, I became Open Water Certified, and just like so many new divers, I was instantly hooked. Scuba diving opened a door to a world I had only ever imagined. Beneath the surface, I found peace, curiosity, and an almost magical sense of discovery.
Being underwater felt natural — like I belonged there. Becoming a certified diver didn’t just give me a new hobby; it expanded my playground to include the entire planet. From that moment, I knew scuba diving would be a lifelong passion.
Waiting for My First Dives – After Training
After earning my certification, life (and Alberta’s long winter) delayed my first post-certification dive. Aside from a few “bubble-around” sessions in local pools, it took eight months before I finally had the chance to dive again.
I live in Alberta, and while I’ve heard wonderful things about local lake diving, I decided to hold off on renting gear until I could dive somewhere spectacular — the West Coast of Canada. So, in April 2025, I road-tripped to Victoria, Vancouver Island, ready — and a little nervous — for my first “real” scuba dive as a certified diver.
A Word of Caution for Divers – Safety and Respect in the Dive Community
Before getting into the dive story itself, there’s an important topic that deserves attention — harassment and inappropriate behavior within the diving community, particularly toward women. It’s something that isn’t often talked about openly, but it should be.
When I began looking for dive buddies through local online groups, I encountered someone who tried to use diving as a way to make unwanted personal advances. Fortunately, I recognized the situation quickly, blocked him, and later learned I wasn’t the first person he’d made uncomfortable and had been reported before.
That experience was a reminder that, while diving brings together incredible people from all walks of life, there are still moments when we need to stay aware and look out for one another. Scuba diving should always feel safe, inclusive, and respectful — both above and below the surface. If you ever see or experience behavior that crosses the line, speak up. By supporting each other and calling out inappropriate conduct, we help keep the diving community the positive, welcoming space it’s meant to be.
Dive #1 – The Cold, Beautiful Waters of Victoria
Eventually, I found a legitimate and trustworthy dive buddy, an experienced diver who had even worked as an instructor. We planned to dive at Ogden Point in Victoria, a well-known dive site on Vancouver Island.
The morning was cold, rainy, and windy. My nerves and adrenaline were high as we suited up and entered the Pacific. “Holy crap, I’m in the ocean, scuba diving!” I remember thinking.
Despite the chilly surface conditions, the world below was a completely different story. The underwater life was vibrant and full of color — kelp swaying, anemones glowing, fish darting between the rocks. It was breathtaking.
Unfortunately, halfway through the dive, the low-pressure inflation hose connected to my BCD malfunctioned, preventing me from releasing air. My dive buddy quickly assisted by using my dump valve, keeping me steady as I clung to a rock. Though it ended with an early ascent, I walked away proud, nervous, yes, but exhilarated and eager for more.
Dive #2 – Warm Waters, Clear Skies, and Pure Joy in Mexico
Three months later, I was ready to try again. After a quick pond dive with my local dive shop, although it was poor visibility, it was a great confidence builder — I booked a boat dive in Cancun, Mexico.
And wow, what a difference! Crystal-clear visibility, warm turquoise water, barely any current — everything was perfect. My instructor had said, “If you can get certified in Alberta’s cold water, anywhere else will feel easy,” and he was right.
We visited two incredible dive sites: the MUSA Underwater Museum and Manchones Reef, both off Isla Mujeres. I saw coral gardens, schools of colorful fish, an octopus, and even a turtle gliding peacefully by. It was calm, relaxing, and deeply inspiring.
Unlike my first dive, I finished both tanks with 1000 psi to spare — more air than my experienced buddy! That moment marked a real turning point in my confidence as a diver.
Lessons Learned From Two Very Different Dives
- These two dives couldn’t have been more different — one cold and technical, the other warm and effortless. Yet both taught me valuable lessons.
- Cold-water diving in Victoria: Taught me resilience, how to manage equipment issues, and how to stay calm when things don’t go as planned.
Warm-water diving in Mexico showed me how peaceful and joyful scuba diving can be when confidence takes over fear
I learned that every dive, good or bad, adds to your growth as a diver. The ocean — no matter its temperature — always has something to teach.
A Word of Advice for New Divers
If you’re new to diving and have just earned your Open Water Certification, your adventure is only beginning. Every dive from here on is a chance to grow, to see the world differently, and to deepen your connection with the ocean. I strongly encourage you to keep diving under the guidance of an instructor or a reputable dive school for your next few dives — it’s the best way to build confidence, strengthen your skills, and feel truly at home underwater.
Whether you’re exploring the rugged coastlines of Canada, drifting over coral gardens in Mexico or the Caribbean, or venturing into the turquoise waters of the South Pacific, keep learning, keep diving, and never lose your sense of wonder. Every dive is a gift — a rare and extraordinary experience that few will ever know, and one that will continue to shape who you are with every descent.
