Welcome to our Diving Centre

We have been told by several customers that although we already have the most comprehensive and best website about scuba diving in Gran Canaria, we need to put together a page about our dive centre, the team, and more background information. So here it is: who we are, what we do, and where we do it!

I know that before becoming a dive instructor, I wanted to 'see the dive centres' if possible before committing to a dive. I wanted to know if I got the right vibes, did they feel safe, was the attitude right, did it look reasonably clean and tidy? We have had divers come to see us to do just that... and you are welcome to do so as well. However, as we are not in the main tourist resort, as our dive centre is not on the main street, and we lock and close the centres door when we go out to dive, this can be more difficult. (Yes, we have heard of people driving around for an hour in Arinaga trying to find our centre!). So the nearest we can give you is a 'virtual tour' of our dive centre, and a virtual introduction to our dive instructors and finally some of the principles on which we run our business.

(p.s. directions to the shop are here)

Inside the Dive Centre

Climb the steps inside our entrance and like a Tardis, our dive shop suddenly becomes open and spacious. We have 150 square metres of floor space which makes our centre one of the largest dive centres on Gran Canaria. On your right is the reception, then working round to the left you have the shop, then our equipment storage, the compressor and workshop, Our briefing map of the reserve, the.training room, Information displays and resources, toilets and finally the tea bar.
In the heart of the dive centre we have lots of space for briefing, setting up equipment and relaxing and chilling after a dive.

Reception

This is our office, where we keep all our forms, computer and communications. We ask all divers to complete a registration form here, and this is where we sit when we reply to your emails!.

The Dive Store

Here we keep a selection of popular divers equipment including masks, fins, snorkels, knives, log-books, T shirts clothing and disposable underwater cameras. You can try masks and other items for fit and get expert advice from our staff to help you find that piece of equipment that is just right for you.

Equipment Storage

This area is where we keep our diving equipment for use by visiting divers. We have regulators, jackets, wetsuits in sizes child/1 to 8, and bootees in sizes 4 to 12. The use of bootees in most diving locations in Gran Canaria is highly advisable, due to the sharp volcanic rocks. We also have a variety of masks to fit different faces, and fins from size extra small to extra large.

Three Dimensional Map of the El Cabrón Marine Reserve

At the far end of the dive center one wall is covered with a detailed three-dimensional map of the marine reserve, and this is where we carry out our dive briefings at the start of every exploration of the reserve. The map shows all the entry points, dive names, underwater topography and a selection of the marine fauna and flora. Using this 3D map for briefing ensures a better orientation underwater and the ability to easily highlight safety points and alternative exits. All of our main dives are also documented here, so you can either read the profile before the dive to help you plan your air, or check the highlights afterwards for your log book.

Training Room

Our separate training room is a quiet and comfortable area where we carry out dive briefings, classroom sessions, video sessions and one to one discussions. The room is equipped with video, DVD player, flip-chart, whiteboard and other training aids.

Workshop

Divers Information Centre

In this area we have lots of reference materials for visiting divers to help them understand the local marine fauna and flora better. In addition to fish identification guides and the definitive marine reserve guide book, we have our own interactive CD available on a PC for customer use. This is also used briefings on the marine life using own photographs. We are the only dive school on Gran Canaria that has such a comprehensive divers resource.

How do we run the centre ?

Our aim is to always to give visitors to our centre the best diving experience possible within a safe, professional environment. We achieve this is several ways; by having a stable, mature team of experienced instructors, by matching divers to an appropriate dive plan, and by ensuring that in background we have all the support in place to minimise risk. This includes a mobile Oxygen set and first aid sets, regular equipment and compressor maintenance, detailed emergency plans, good relationships with other dive centres, current tide and weather details, and an excellent understanding of the interaction of tides and weather in the reserve and it's impact on diving.

We also like to run a friendly if busy dive centre, and get to know our customers a little. With experience of running a BSAC branch in the UK we know the sort of atmosphere to create to encourage good diving practice and safety without making it oppressive and over-regimented.

So come on up to Arinaga, and if we are not living up to our hopes and philosophy .. please tell us, we are always ready to learn and are constantly upgrading our facilities, structures and our business. We know that if we stay still, others will catch up with us. Our aim is to be successful in the long term for one reason only - because we give our customer the best diving experience on Gran Canaria - come and see if we are making it!