Hello there, I’m Dain, owner and lead instructor at Oceanauts Diving in Warrenpoint. I grew up on our shores and have spent my life exploring the water. We have incredible marine biodiversity here across the island of Ireland, from kelp forests teeming with life to curious seals and colourful anemones.

One of my big goals with Oceanauts is to get more people into the water, not just for the adventure but to help build awareness of what’s out there. The more people who experience it firsthand, the more we can grow a community that’s passionate about protecting it.

We’re starting our final SSI Open Water Diver course of the year on Friday 22nd August. It runs over 5 weeks with pool training in Newry, then we finish with two days of open-water diving in Carlingford Lough. All equipment, air fills, and certification are included – no prior experience needed.

If you’ve ever thought about diving, this is the perfect chance to start. By the end of the course, you’ll be a certified diver, ready to explore anywhere in the world. And who knows, you might just find yourself hooked on our local underwater wildlife.

Happy to answer any questions here. I’ll pop a link in the comments with all the details and how to sign up.

by ScubaDain

15 comments

  1. For anyone interested, here’s the full course details and registration link: [https://my.divessi.com/eventdetails/111704](https://my.divessi.com/eventdetails/111704)

    Course fee is £650 (flexible payment options available), with a £100 deposit to secure your place and unlock the online learning. Everything you need is included – equipment, pool hire, air fills, certification – so there are no hidden costs.

    This isn’t just about learning to dive – it’s about discovering the incredible biodiversity we have right here on our doorstep and joining a community of divers who care about protecting it. The more people we get in the water, the more voices we have to help look after it.

    Spaces are limited since this is our last course of the year.

  2. If I was in Warrenpoint with spare scuba gear I’d just rent it to the local residents to maybe enjoy being outside

  5. Question for you! I live abroad and did my PADI open water & advanced open water over here in the US. If I ever want to dive back home who should I reach out to? Ultimately my dream is to dive with basking sharks but last I heard they don’t let people do that anymore.

  7. Yes who’s knows what wonders awaits us under Carlingford lough. Shopping trolleys and tyres

  8. Done my advanced open water years ago somewhere up along the north coast. Absolutely fuckin Baltic with zero visibility. Had to get the dry suit out and was still freezing 😂.

    Would be interested if there were any areas with decent visibility.

  9. I’d love to but have arthritis would I still be able to do it? Like do you have to be in real good shape for it?

    I like being in water coz there’s no impact on my joints. I’ve always wanted to know how to dive but worried I’m too out of shape.

  10. Yes, when I lived at home, I was scuba diving nearly every weekend on the north coast and around Portaferry. The underwater scenery is absolutely spectacular.

    I was a member of Lisburn sub aqua club for years.

  11. I’d like to try it but but very nearly getting run over by a boat while snorkeling put the kybosch on it for myself.

  12. I learned out in Galway with Suba Dive West. This island’s marine life is a gem. Keep spreading the good news

  13. Unfortunately got a long weekend booked for the August bank holiday, but this sounds feckin class!

  14. I’ve always wanted to try scuba diving especially after enjoying snorkeling but have just never got round to doing it

  15. Did my open water cert here last year in Portstewart and absolutely loved it then life got in the way a bit and haven’t dived since.

    Feel like I’ve forgotten enough that i would need a serious refresher. Is this something that’s commonly offered?

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