Scuba starts with a single breath. This Try Scuba experience in Heraklion pairs a calm, first-timer theory intro with an instructor-led underwater skills session, so you’re not guessing what to do when you’re wearing the gear. I also like how it keeps things controlled: you practise in shallow water first, then go down only to a maximum depth of 5 meters for about 30 minutes. One thing to consider: it’s not a casual swim activity, and it comes with clear health limits and age rules.

The biggest payoff is the first time you breathe underwater—fast, real, and oddly emotional in a good way. I’d call the main drawback the same for most starter scuba programs: if you’re claustrophobic or have respiratory/heart concerns, you’ll want to skip this and choose a different kind of sea time.

Key things you’ll notice right away

• SSI-instructor supervision throughout, with training geared to first-timers
• Max 6 divers per course and up to 4 students per instructor, so you actually get attention
• A structured path: theory, then practice in shallow water, then a max-5m underwater session
• All gear included (BCD, regulator, mask/snorkel, fins, weights, and wetsuit options)
• DAN Diving Insurance included, which adds peace of mind
• Real patience from the guides (some instructors you may meet include Jo/Johannes, plus Przemek and Jenna)

Try Scuba in Heraklion: What the Program Really Gives You

This is a first-timer “try it” course, built for people who love the sea but don’t want to jump straight into complicated certification-level work. You’ll start on dry land with a short 30-minute theory session, then move into water where the instructor guides you step-by-step.

What makes it work is the pacing. You don’t go from zero to 5 meters in one leap. You learn the basics in pool or shallow water right in front of the scuba center, so your brain can get comfortable with the feeling of the mask, the regulator, and buoyancy before you’re any deeper.

The program is also designed to feel manageable: your underwater time is planned (about 30 minutes in confined water to a max of 5 meters), and you’re capped in size—so you’re not squeezed into a “line up and follow” situation.

How the 30-Minute Theory Sets You Up for Calm Breathing Underwater

Your session runs about 2 to 2.5 hours total, depending on the exact flow that day. The first chunk is the theory talk—about 30 minutes—led by a professional instructor.

This isn’t just rules. It’s the “how this works” part that makes everything else easier:

• How breathing changes once you’re on a regulator
• Basic equipment use so you’re not fighting the gear
• The simple safety mindset you need for the water portion
• What to expect during the shallow-water practise

They also include eLearning, which can help you get oriented before you ever step into the water. If you’re the type who hates surprises, this matters.

If you’re anxious, the theory can be reassuring because it gives your mind a checklist. If you’re excited, it keeps the excitement from turning into panic.

Shallow-Water Practice First: The Skill Building That Makes 5 Meters Feel Doable

After theory, the program moves to pool or confined/shallow water in front of the center. This part is where most first-timers quietly relax, because you can practise without the mental pressure of going deep.

You’ll practise a handful of basic diving skills (the focus is on control, not performance). You get time to:

• Get used to the gear while still close to the surface
• Practise simple underwater movements with close supervision
• Build comfort with breathing and buoyancy

There’s a reason this step is included: it prevents the classic beginner problem of spending your whole underwater time thinking, What if something goes wrong?

You’ll still feel new. That’s normal. But you’ll feel supported.

The Max-5-Meter Underwater Session: What to Expect in Confined Water

Here’s the main event, and it’s intentionally capped. You’ll do a confined-water underwater session to a maximum depth of 5 meters, lasting about 30 minutes.

Because it’s supervised and confined, the goal is not to “prove you can handle it.” The goal is to let you experience the magic of scuba with training wheels.

What you’ll likely feel:

• At first, your breathing and buoyancy become the center of attention
• Then your body starts to cooperate, and you can focus on moving comfortably
• You’ll experience that unmistakable underwater sensation of sound changing and your world feeling slower

One detail worth noting: since this is in ideal conditions and kept shallow, you’re not doing an all-day stamina test. It’s more like a guided taste of underwater freedom.

And yes, that first underwater breath is still the headline moment. Even if you’ve seen videos, nothing matches the real thing.

Gear and Wetsuits: Everything Included, and Why That Matters

A big value piece here is that you’re not on your own for equipment. The program includes a full set, plus the layers that keep you comfortable.

Included gear:

• Mask/snorkel
• Full-foot or open-heel fins (so your feet can be matched properly)
• BCD (buoyancy control)
• Regulator
• Weights/weight belt and tank use
• Wetsuit: both a shorty and a 5mm option are provided
• Equipment rental (full set)
• Surface interval refreshments

That wetsuit note matters. Water temperature can swing with season, wind, and time of day. Having both options increases your odds of getting comfortable enough to enjoy the session rather than endure it.

Also, you’re given help with the setup because the gear is part of the training flow. That’s important for first-timers. If you’ve ever tried to rent gear yourself, you know how easy it is to get the fit wrong and then spend the whole time adjusting.

Instructor and Safety: Small Ratios, Supportive Teaching

This course keeps groups small: max 6 divers per course and max 4 students per instructor. That ratio is a quiet luxury. It means the instructor can check on you, correct small issues, and keep the group moving without losing anyone.

The instruction is also multilingual—English, French, Greek, and German—so you can get clarity without fighting language gaps.

From the kinds of experiences you’ll get with instructors, two names pop up often in guidance-style feedback: Jo (also referred to as Johannes) and instructors named Przemek and Jenna. The common thread is the same: calm, patient teaching that helps you feel “okay to be new.”

Safety adds another layer. The program includes DAN Diving Insurance, so you’re covered while you’re learning and doing the supervised underwater portion.

Transport and Timing: How Your Morning Turns Into an Afternoon

Planning this is pretty straightforward. Pickup is included for a long list of areas around Heraklion, including spots like Agia Pelagia, Ammoudara, Analipsi, Anissaras, Fodele, Gouves, Heraklion, Hersonissos, Karteros, Kokkini Hani, Koutouloufari, Lygaria, Made, Malia, Mononaftis, Piskopiano, and Stalis.

Timing is also specific:

• Transfers go out between 8:30 and 9:30 in the morning
• The return to your hotel/pickup point starts at 4:00 pm
• The activity itself is listed as 2 hours, with the program including theory and water time that often lands around 2 to 2.5 hours total

So you’re effectively buying a half-day block, with the morning mostly taken by instruction and the afternoon reserved for the return.

What to Bring (and What to Skip) for a Smooth Session

To keep things easy, bring:

• Beachwear
• A charged smartphone

That’s it on the “bring” list. You’ll handle the rest with their equipment and wetsuits.

Don’t bring alcohol or drugs. It’s a safety issue and it can affect how you’re feeling in the water.

Also pay attention to your body and your limits. This program is not suitable for:

• Children under 10
• Pregnant women
• People with mobility impairments
• People with claustrophobia
• People with heart problems
• Non-swimmers
• People with respiratory issues
• People with epilepsy
• People with a cold
• People with pre-existing medical conditions
• People with recent surgeries

If any of those apply, it’s worth choosing a different sea activity and saving scuba for a safer fit.

Price and Value: Is $76 Worth It?

At around $76 per person, this is priced like a true beginner course—not like a bare-bones rental.

Here’s what you’re getting for that money:

• Qualified instructor time
• Confined-water underwater session (max 5 meters)
• Pool or shallow-water practice
• Small group limits (up to 6)
• Full equipment rental set (BCD, regulator, mask/snorkel, fins, weights, tank use)
• Wetsuit options (shorty and 5mm)
• Surface interval refreshments
• eLearning
• DAN Diving Insurance

The one thing not included: HD photos and videos. If you want keepsakes, you may need to arrange that separately.

When you add it up, the value is solid because you’re not paying for equipment only. You’re paying for instruction, supervision, and safety coverage—plus a structured progression that reduces stress for first-timers.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This Try Scuba program is a great match if:

• You’ve never done scuba and want a guided “first breath” experience
• You want a small group with close instructor attention
• You like learning basics before you move on
• You’re okay with being in a training format rather than a free-form swim

It’s probably not the right fit if:

• You’re a non-swimmer (the program isn’t suitable)
• You have respiratory/heart issues, claustrophobia, epilepsy, or recent surgery
• You’re traveling with young kids (minimum age is 10)

If you’re flexible and fit the guidelines, you’ll likely come away proud and curious about what you can do next.

Should You Book Try Scuba in Heraklion?

If you want an authentic, controlled scuba taste, I think it’s a smart booking. The structure matters: theory first, shallow-skill practise next, then the max-5-meter underwater session with close supervision. You don’t need to be athletic. You need to be willing to listen and follow the instructor.

Two final decision tips before you book:

• If claustrophobia or any health condition applies, don’t try to “push through.” Choose something safer.
• If you hate complicated planning, this is easy: pickup is included across a wide area, and you’ll be back around 4:00 pm.

Done right, this kind of first-timer scuba experience changes how you see the sea. One breath underwater can do that.

FAQ

How long is the Try Scuba program?

The program runs for about 2 hours, and it includes a theory session plus water time. The overall schedule is roughly 2 and a half hours because the theory part is about 30 minutes.

How deep will I go?

You will practise in shallow water first, then do an underwater confined-water session to a maximum depth of 5 meters for about 30 minutes.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No—this program is not suitable for non-swimmers, so you should be comfortable in the water before going.

What’s included in the $76 price?

You get a qualified instructor, confined-water underwater session, equipment rental (mask/snorkel, BCD, regulator, fins, weights/tank use), wetsuit options (shorty and 5mm), surface interval refreshments, eLearning, and DAN Diving Insurance.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Free transfers are included for many Heraklion-area pickup zones, and they run between 8:30 and 9:30 in the morning. Return to your hotel/pickup point starts at 4:00 pm.

What languages do instructors speak?

Instructors can teach in English, French, Greek, and German.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear and a charged smartphone.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.