Norway



GENERAL INFO


General

good both for beginners and experienced divers


Underwater

beautiful rock formations
marine life: crabs, kelps, sea slugs, sea anemones, starfish, herrings, soldierfish, orcas
hundreds of wrecks


Suit

It is recommended to choose a dry suit, although, in summer a semi-dry suit should be sufficient.


Risk

There are a few sea animals which can have vicious or poisonous bristles and spines. Watch out for the scorpion fish, bristleworms, sea urchins and the stingray. If you step on or touch one of these fish, look for medical attention as your reaction to the injury will depend on your general medical condition and age.


Visibility

10–20 metres


Bottom

rocky or sandy


Best time to dive

May – October


Courses

Besides recreational diving for beginners, it is possible to take a PADI course (Proffessional Association of Diving Instructors), BSAC course (British Sub Aqua Club) or DSAT course (Diving Science and Technology).


PADI courses:
Open Water Diver
Adventure Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Rescue Diver
Master Scuba Diver
Divemaster
Nitrox
Specialities: Deep Diving, Night Diving, Wreck Diving, Underwater Navigation, Underwater Photography, Peek Performance Buoyancy


BSAC courses:
Ocean Diver – basic skills, non-decompression diving
Sports Diver – rescue and decompression diving
Dive Leader – dive leading, marshalling and rescue management
BSAC Nitrox Course
BSAC Full Instructor Course
BSAC IFC – Instructor Foundation Course
BSAC OWIC – Open Water Instructor Course


DSAT courses:
Nitrox Diver – qualifying recreational divers to use nitrox (enriched air) for no stop recreational diving
Deep Diver – introduction to deep diving
Tec Deep Level 1 – extended decompression diving
Tec Deep – technical deep diving, extended no decompression dives, decompression stop dives
Tec Trimix – qualifying divers to go to 75 m
Gas Blender
Trimix Gas Blender


SSI courses:
- Scuba update
- (Junior) Open Water Diver
- Specialities: Nitrox Diver, Deep Diving, Stress & Rescue, night diving, underwater navigation, underwater photography, boat diving, Dry suit, Wreck diving
- Advanced Diver (4 Specialities)
- Master Diver
- Dive Control Specialist
- CPR & First Aid


More info: DIVING COURSES


Prices

about NOK 5 000/initial open water course
about NOK 320–690/1 dive


Minimum age

There are no restrictions on age. The decision on minimum age is at the discretion of the instructor of the course. For all divers under age of 18 written parental/guardian consent will be required.


Unaccompanied divers

Unaccompanied diving is forbidden in Norway.


Regulations

When wreck diving, touching any objects is not allowed in order to protect the Norwegian heritage. Diving in military areas or close to them is forbidden. Divers are not allowed to catch lobsters but they can catch crabs (larger than 13 cm). Diving in harbours requires special permission from the harbour authorities.


Children

Depending on the diving centre the minimum age of a child attending a diving course is 8, 10 or 12.


Snorkelling

Snorkelling can be an alternative to scuba diving as it is really enjoyable, cheap and there is no age limit. Even in the first few metres below the surface experiencing the underwater environment can be extremely exciting. Clean and blue Norwegian waters invite to an adventure of meeting a variety of fish and other underwater creatures. One can try it independently or choose one of many snorkeling excursions offers with professional guides. There are also skin diving courses for those who are interested in equipment, techniques and safety.