Course overview

The PADI Underwater Navigator specialty makes you the diver who always knows the way back, using natural references, your compass and distance estimation. Zanzibar's long fringing reefs at Kendwa and the coral gardens off Stone Town are excellent for practising patterns and pinpoint navigation.

What you’ll learn

• Navigate accurately using natural reference points
• Use a compass to swim reciprocal and pattern courses
• Estimate distance by kick cycles, time and tank pressure
• Mark and relocate a specific underwater point
• Plan and follow square, triangle and U-shaped patterns
• Lead a navigation dive and orient a buddy team

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 10 (Junior)
• PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or equivalent
• Diver medical clearance signed by a physician

What's included · What's not

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Reference & compass

   Theory then three dives on the long Kendwa reef or Stone Town gardens, mastering natural navigation, compass courses, distance estimation and pattern swims to certify.

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Frequently asked questions