Trying Scuba in Seychelles: Which Discover Dive from Mahé Should You Book?
Updated October 28, 2026 · 5 min read
For a first breath underwater, book the Discover Scuba Diving taster: €100, three hours, 5.0 stars from 25 reviews. The Scuba Diving Experience with Wrecks and Coral Reefs costs €120 for the same three hours and also scores 5.0, but from only 3 reviews, so it is a promising listing rather than a proven one.
| Tour | Duration | From | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover Scuba Diving | 3 hours | €100 | 5.0 (25) | learning the basics with an instructor |
| Scuba Diving Experience with Wrecks & Coral Reefs | 3 hours | €120 | 5.0 (3) | a dive with wrecks as well as reef |
What does the €100 taster include?
The description promises a certified instructor, the basics, and your first time breathing underwater. It then says you will explore reefs and tropical fish “in clear waters or a pool”, which tells you something honest: the plan has two versions, and the listing does not say which one you will get. Ask the operator how that decision is made. A pool session is a learning step; open water is the reason people come to the Seychelles.
The listing places the activity in Sainte Anne Marine National Park. The listing does not mention certification, so assume this is a taster, not a course that lets you dive on your own afterwards. A rating of 5.0 from 25 reviews is strong, but nothing in the listing tells you the group size or the depth.
Check availability for the Discover Scuba Diving taster
What does the €120 wreck dive add?
Operator Oceanika runs this one from Eden Island, and the description mentions vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish and “fascinating wrecks” with experienced instructors. That is the more appealing sales line, but it is also vaguer about beginners: it does not say whether it is a first-timer programme or aimed at people who already hold a certificate. Ask before you book. The extra €20 buys the possibility of wrecks, not a guarantee of them, and the listing does not name the sites.
With three reviews, you are taking the operator on trust. That is acceptable if you have dived before and the listing suits you; it is a poorer bet for a nervous first-timer who wants reassurance from other guests.
View dates for the wreck and reef dive
Should you just snorkel?
Often, yes. Snorkelling costs less, takes no instruction and shows the shallow reef, which is where most of the colour is. Our shore-or-boat snorkelling guide and the Sainte Anne snorkelling comparison cover those options. Diving is worth the money if you want to be below the surface rather than above it, or if you are curious enough to want to try breathing underwater once.
If you have a medical condition, ask your doctor before booking any dive; nobody on a booking page can answer that for you. Minimum ages and any health questionnaire are set by the operator and appear on the booking page, not in the listing summary.
The verdict
Book the Discover Scuba Diving taster as a first dive: cheaper, and far better documented by guests. Choose the wreck dive only if you have already dived or confirm that beginners are welcome. If the sea is the only thing you want to see, a mask will do.
