SSI Wreck Diving Course

SSI Wreck Diving — eLearning & Certification Credit Only

Explore history beneath the waves with the SSI Wreck Diving specialty. This course introduces you to the world of shipwrecks — from understanding their history and structure to learning how to dive them safely and responsibly. It provides your academic training and certification credit only, allowing you to complete the theory online before booking your optional in-water wreck dives with an SSI Dive Centre.

What you’ll learn online

• The history, types, and preservation of shipwrecks
• Hazards and safety considerations when wreck diving
• Navigation and buoyancy control techniques for wreck environments
• Planning and executing non-penetration wreck dives
• Wreck mapping, surveying, and identification methods
• Responsible wreck diving and historical site conservation
• How to prepare for advanced wreck penetration training

Required practical training (booked separately)

To earn your full SSI Wreck Diving certification, you must complete in-water training dives with an SSI Instructor. These sessions are designed to build your wreck diving skills safely and may include:

• Four open water wreck dives at suitable sites
• Practising navigation and controlled descents around wrecks
• Learning proper techniques for exploring wreck exteriors
• Maintaining buoyancy and avoiding contact with fragile structures
• Understanding entry points, hazards, and wreck topography

These dives are not included with this eLearning product and must be booked separately with Dorset Diving or another SSI Dive Centre offering the Wreck Diving specialty.

Important

• Always confirm that your chosen dive centre offers SSI Wreck Diving training and that suitable wreck sites are available locally.
• You must hold an Open Water Diver certification or equivalent to participate in the in-water sessions.
• If you wish to explore inside wrecks, you can continue your education with the SSI Advanced Wreck Diving or Technical Wreck Diving courses.

Free registration

Start your journey into wreck diving by creating a free SSI account and affiliating with our dive centre here:
Register with Dorset Diving.

What’s next?

After completing Wreck Diving, enhance your exploration skills with related specialties such as Deep Diving, Perfect Buoyancy, or Navigation — or progress into Extended Range Wreck Diving for advanced penetration and technical diving experiences.