Frequently asked questions

Yes — there's a chat button in the bottom corner of every page, and an "Ask me anything" box right under the hero on the home page. Ask anything about courses, pricing, SSI/CMAS certifications, prerequisites, or diving conditions and get a real answer grounded in this site's own information, in English or Persian.

It answers only from this site's real content — courses, pricing, and a technical reference drawn from official diving standards — and if it doesn't have the answer, it says so plainly instead of guessing, and points you to WhatsApp or Telegram. For anything safety-critical, always confirm with the instructor in person before diving.

Course prices are listed openly in EUR on the courses page. Compared with many popular dive destinations, Qeshm Island is one of the more affordable places to get an internationally recognized SSI freediving certification — without cutting corners on group size or instruction time.

The Freediver course is the standard entry-level SSI certification and the most cost-effective way to get a recognized freediving certification here. If you're only mildly curious and not ready to commit, the one-day Diving Experience is a cheaper, no-certification way to try it first.

Yes — between the exchange rate and lower cost of living, Iran (and Qeshm Island specifically) tends to be one of the more budget-friendly countries for both freediving and scuba certification when compared to Southeast Asia or the Red Sea, while still following full SSI/CMAS training standards.

Exact comparisons shift with exchange rates, but course pricing here is generally lower than Western Europe, similar to or below Southeast Asian dive hubs, and includes small-group or private instruction rather than large classes.

Warm water most of the year, generally calm conditions, and marine life that rewards a slow, quiet approach — well suited to freediving specifically, not just scuba. Qeshm Island sits right at the mouth of the Gulf.

Diving itself in Iran is calmer and more straightforward than most first-time visitors expect — the water, the sites, and the instruction follow the same international standards you'd find anywhere else. As with travel to any country, it's worth checking current travel advisories for your own nationality before booking, and reaching out directly with any specific questions.

The exact sites used depend on season and conditions on the day — this is covered directly with students when planning open-water sessions, rather than published as a fixed list, since visibility and current change through the year.

Both are Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf, but they serve different purposes. Kish is built primarily around tourism, shopping, and resorts, with diving as one of many add-on activities. Qeshm's diving centers are focused specifically on teaching diving — freediving and scuba — rather than running general tourism operations, so the instruction and attention are more centered on the course itself.

Qeshm is generally the more affordable option for diving courses and experiences compared to Kish, which carries the higher costs typical of a resort-and-shopping destination built around tourism pricing.

Yes — Qeshm has striking natural sites to explore on days off from the water, including the Stars Valley rock formations, the Hara mangrove forests, Chahkooh Canyon, and Naz Islands, alongside its own beaches and old town areas. It's a genuinely interesting island to spend a few days on even outside of dive time.

Yes. Qeshm is close to several other islands worth visiting, including Hormoz Island (known for its colorful "Rainbow Valley" terrain), Hengam Island, and Larak Island — each reachable by boat from Qeshm and each with a different character, making Qeshm a good base for exploring more than one island during the same trip.

Cash only, paid in person on arrival on Qeshm Island. International sanctions on Iran mean foreign bank cards, PayPal, and Stripe don't work here, so there's no way to pay online in advance — bring cash (EUR or USD is easiest to exchange) and settle payment when you arrive for the course.

Qeshm Island is a free trade zone, and many nationalities can enter visa-free for a limited stay without needing a full Iranian visa — this is different from visiting mainland Iran, which typically requires a visa or e-visa in advance. Visa-free eligibility depends on your passport and current rules can change, so confirm the requirement for your specific nationality before booking travel.

Both English and Persian, so international students and Iranian students are taught comfortably in the same course.

No — all diving and snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the course price. You don't need to travel with your own gear.

Message on WhatsApp or Telegram to agree on a course, dates, and meeting point on Qeshm Island. Since payment is cash-only on arrival, there's no online deposit or prepayment step — the booking itself is just a direct conversation to confirm the plan.

SSI (Scuba Schools International) is one of the major international training agencies for freediving and scuba diving, with standardized training and safety requirements and certification recognized worldwide. The Freediver and Advanced Freediver courses here are taught under SSI.

CMAS (the World Underwater Federation) is one of the oldest and most widely recognized international scuba diving federations. The Scuba Diving Master Class here is taught under CMAS.

Yes — paddle boarding is one of the calmest water activities and one of the best starting points for people who are nervous around water. It's slow-paced, an instructor stays with you the whole time, and no swimming experience or certification is required.

Yes, with the Paddle Board + Snorkeling package. You paddle a relaxed route and, whenever you like, put on a mask and snorkel to look down at Qeshm's reefs from the same spot — all in one session, no diving certification needed.

€30 for the full single-session course, or €20 for the shorter Paddle Board + Snorkeling taster. No certificate is issued, since this is a recreational activity rather than a certification course.

If you're not sure how comfortable you are in the water, or you're not ready for breath-hold training, Snorkeling is the lowest-commitment starting point. Confident swimmers can go straight to the Freediver course.

In order: Snorkeling (no prerequisite) → Freediver (age 12+, 16–20 hours, open water to 20m) → Advanced Freediver (age 15+, requires Freediver certification plus at least 6 logged sessions, 24–30 hours, open water to 30m) → Performance Freediver (age 18+, requires Advanced Freediver plus 30 logged sessions, 32–40 hours, open water to 40m). Training Techniques is a specialty course that can be taken alongside or after Freediver to sharpen technique.

The Freediving Instructor Training Course requires a minimum age of 18, Advanced Freediver plus Training Techniques certifications (or 100 logged sessions, or a Basic Freediving Instructor rating with 25 issued Basic Freediver certifications), runs 70–85 hours, with a maximum open-water depth of 30m. Message directly for more detail if you're considering the professional track.