Scuba_Adventure_Octopus (4)-01

2301 Central Expy #140

Plano, TX 75075

(972) 423-3483​

info@scubaplano.com

Mon-Fri: 11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.

Saturday: 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Never feel lost underwater again! The SDI Underwater Navigation Course is designed to give you the skills and confidence to find your way in any dive environment. Whether you’ve struggled with navigating back to the boat, finding a specific dive site, or keeping track of your buddy, this course provides practical solutions to common underwater challenges.

Underwater navigation can be intimidating, especially in new or complex dive sites. This course focuses on building your ability to confidently plan and execute dives where navigation is key—ensuring you enjoy every moment without the stress of losing your bearings.

What you’ll learn:

  • How to use a compass effectively for precise underwater navigation.
  • Techniques for natural navigation, using environmental cues like depth, landmarks, and currents.
  • How to combine compass and natural navigation for the most accurate results.
  • Strategies for locating and returning to specific points, like a dive boat or entry spot.
  • How to navigate with a buddy team and maintain communication throughout the dive.

How this course solves your problems:

  • Lost while diving? Learn how to use a compass and natural cues to stay oriented.
  • Can’t find the dive site? Master pre-dive planning techniques to ensure you reach your target.
  • Struggle returning to the boat or shore? Gain skills to confidently locate exit points without frustration or wasted air.
  • Difficulty navigating with your buddy? Improve your teamwork and communication to dive as a cohesive unit.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the confidence to navigate underwater with precision, eliminating the stress of disorientation and helping you focus on enjoying your dive. Whether you’re exploring a new wreck, leading a group, or diving in challenging conditions, the skills from this course will transform how you experience the underwater world.

Take control of your diving—become the navigator your buddy can rely on!

Course prerequisites

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SDI Underwater Navigation Course?

The SDI Underwater Navigation Course teaches divers how to use compasses, natural navigation techniques, and pre-dive planning to navigate underwater effectively and confidently.

Do I need to be a certified diver to take this course?

Yes, you must be an Open Water Diver or equivalent to enroll in the course, as it builds on foundational diving skills.

Why is underwater navigation important?

Navigation skills help you locate dive sites, return to the exit point, and avoid getting lost or disoriented underwater, adding an element of safety and more enjoyable.

What equipment will I need for the course?

You’ll need a dive compass, a slate or underwater writing tool for notes, and your standard scuba gear. Your instructor may recommend specific tools for practice.

What skills will I learn in this course?

You’ll learn compass navigation, natural navigation techniques, how to create dive site maps, and strategies to locate and return to key points like the boat or shore.

How long does the course take to complete?

The course typically involves two dives and can usually be completed in a single day, depending on your pace and instructor’s schedule.

Is compass navigation hard to learn?

Not at all! The course breaks it down step-by-step, giving you plenty of practice to build confidence in using a compass underwater.

Will this certification allow me to navigate in all dive environments?

Yes, the skills you learn are versatile and can be applied to a variety of environments, including reefs, wrecks, and lakes. Practice and experience will help you adapt to different conditions.

What if I get disoriented during a dive?

The course teaches you how to recognize when you’re disoriented, how to reorient yourself using a compass or natural cues, and how to safely recover your planned navigation route.

How will this course improve my diving?

By learning navigation skills, you’ll spend less time worrying about direction and more time enjoying your dive. You’ll also increase your safety and confidence, making you a more self-reliant diver and a valuable buddy. This course can also be paired with our Advanced Diver package, which includes SDI Night Diver and Advanced Buoyancy or Advanced Buoyancy and Deep Diver, to further enhance your diving skills and broaden your underwater experience.

How do I take this course?


Customer Reviews

Scuba Adventures

Customer Reviews

John Worthen July - 2020

Google
I can’t recommend this place enough. After moving to the area, I read a lot of reviews and emailed several dive shops before going with Scuba Adventures. I choose them because they were the most responsive and helpful. The owners seem to not only be great divers but have business backgrounds. This is the most focus on customer service I have seen in a dive shop. Good inventory with all of the brands I could ask for. On point with their pricing. If you do find a better price they will work with you.

I ended up taking the Rescue Diver course and had a blast! I just got back from a dive trip with them at Lake Travis, very enjoyable. They also have one of the only indoor pools (18 ft.) in the area.

At Scuba ranch they have a big spot that is one of the easiest to get to and a nice pavilion for training. They are right next to the air refill station, which I love! Family and friends are welcome at the ranch. Good community there on weekends and you'll most likely find a dive buddy for a fun dive.

Maddie Womack August - 2020

Google
Scuba Adventures and their staff are beyond amazing! Their Plano store has a very wide selection of equipment and the pool is 18ft deep! Their Scuba Ranch location is amazing and still growing, with plenty of room and seating. I’m a fairly new diver and all the instructors do an amazing job of making me feel safe and secure deep underwater. Their staff is always very helpful and I can’t wait to continue my diving knowledge and certificates with them.

Jason Domenden March - 2020

Google
Found a great diving shop for all my gear. Been living here in texas for awhile and this shop has just what I needed. Really recommend scuba adventure for all your gear.

Emily Winnenberg March - 2020

Google
Went in last week to pick out goggles for an upcoming trip— loved the selection of masks they had available! Ended up picking out a hot pink pair to shamelessly match the other accessories I’d picked out.

Matt K March - 2020

Google
The new owners are the greatest! Their positive approach towards people and the sport of diving are huge part of the reason I love the sport. When they told me they were going to open a dive shop; I knew without a doubt I was going to be their customer. I have taken several dive adventures with them and other scuba diving misfits, and plan on taking many more.

Martin Garvie February - 2020

Google
Decided to revisit this shop since it is under new management. Already impressed with the facility improvements - by far the best training pool I have seen. Looking forward to the roll out of the full training curriculum - will be able to go from open water certified through all kinds of technical specialties. Good dive gear selection. Owners really have a great vision for promoting scuba diving and ocean adventures.

Don Champlin July - 2020

Google
This is the shop with the most experienced and competent personnel in the metroplex. Their commitment to safe, enjoyable and professional instruction is obvious from the first time you enter the store and meet the staff and owners. I have dove with most of them over the years and know first hand the love of diving they have and now share with the community as the new team. They are knowledgeable and up to date with the latest dive info. Don't miss a chance to dive with them.

Julie L February - 2020

Google
In January 2020, Scuba Adventures was purchased by divers that were affiliated with a different scuba store. These same divers taught me to dive, and got me to fall in love with scuba diving (despite me being pretty scared to start). I trust them, enough that I opted to take a trip with them to Cozumel for diving in 2019. It was one of the best trips of my life, and now I'm already signed up for their Costa Rica dive trip in 2020 with Scuba Adventures. I haven't visited the shop yet, but I can 100% vouch for the new owners--they are knowledgeable divers, good people, and all around amazing.

Jeremiah Perez May - 2020

Google
Owners and staff are professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Allowed me to try backplate and wing set up in the pool. They did not pressure me to buy anything, but gave great information on products and financing options. All in all great staff and would recommend them to anyone!!!

Eric Coulombe August - 2020

Google
Great customer service, from the owners to the employees. Very knowledgeable about everything and anything pertaining to scuba diving. The instructors are highly educated and experienced in scuba diving. They put you through real life scenarios, so you know and understand what to do in the event something happens while you are under water. My family and I learned a lot about scuba diving in a very short amount of time. We will definitely keep taking additional courses with Scuba Adventures as we progress. We definitely reccomend Scuba Adventures to anyone wanting to learn and get scuba diving certified.
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