We turn your dreams of underwater adventure into reality.
BoutiqueScuba divingin DianiBeach
Discover why divers from around the world choose The Scuba Duka Diving Centre for scuba diving in Diani Beach.
Whether you're breathing underwater for the very first time, earning your SSI certification, or exploring Kenya's spectacular coral reefs and wrecks, our experienced team delivers safe, personalised and unforgettable diving experiences on Kenya's beautiful South Coast.
Located at Soul Breeze Beach Resort in Diani Beach, we specialise in boutique scuba diving for beginners, certified divers, families, couples and solo travellers who value quality over crowds.
Ready to discover the underwater world? Your next adventure starts here.
Courses and guided dives run in small groups. Private options available on request.
Where we are
Soul Breeze Beach Resort
Diani Beach, Kenya. Hotel transfers included across Diani, Galu, Tiwi and Ukunda.
Opening hours
7.30am – 6pm, every day
Boats depart for diving around 8am daily.
Welcome to The Scuba Duka Diving Centre
Scuba diving is more than breathing underwater.It's the giant stride off the boat, the quiet beneath the surface and the turtle gliding past.And the story you're still telling long after you've dried off.
At The Scuba Duka Diving Centre, we believe every diver deserves more than just another boat trip. That's why we've built a boutique dive centre where personal service, professional instruction and genuine hospitality come together to create exceptional experiences both above and below the surface.
From your first enquiry to your final dive log, our goal is simple:
Leave every guest with a deeper love for the ocean than they had when they arrived.
Why Choose The Scuba Duka Diving Centre?
Boutique Diving, Not Crowded Boats
We intentionally focus on individuals, couples, families and small groups.
Smaller groups mean more personal attention, more flexible dive planning, better communication and a relaxed atmosphere throughout your day.
Whether you're a nervous beginner or an experienced diver, you'll never feel like just another number.
Professional Yet Relaxed
Our instructors and dive professionals combine internationally recognised training standards with extensive local knowledge of Diani Beach's reefs, currents and marine life.
We take safety seriously without making the experience feel intimidating.
You'll always know what's happening, why it matters and feel supported every step of the way.
Local Knowledge You Can Trust
We dive these reefs throughout the year.
That means we understand how tides, currents, seasonal changes and weather influence local dive conditions.
Rather than following the same schedule every day, we choose dive sites that offer the best possible experience based on the day's conditions and your certification level.
Hospitality Beyond the Dive
Great diving doesn't end when you climb back onto the boat.
Hotel transfers, professional equipment fitting, detailed briefings, fresh fruit during the surface interval and a refreshing juice back at the dive centre are all part of the experience.
Soon, we'll also be introducing freshly brewed morning coffee and complimentary towels to make your day even more comfortable.
Because the small details matter.
Scuba Diving Experiences for Everyone
Whether you're completely new to scuba diving or have hundreds of dives in your logbook, we have an experience designed for you.
First time
Try Scuba
Always wanted to try scuba diving? Try Scuba, SSI’s version of Discover Scuba Diving, is the perfect introduction.
No previous experience is needed. After learning a few essential skills with your instructor, you'll enjoy a guided dive on Diani's beautiful coral reefs.
It's the ideal activity for first-time divers, couples, families and anyone looking for an unforgettable holiday experience.
Take the next step with internationally recognised SSI scuba diving courses. Already PADI-certified? You are welcome here — the pathways are interchangeable.
Whether you're earning your Open Water certification, advancing your skills or working towards becoming a Divemaster, our personalised instruction allows you to learn at your own pace in warm tropical waters.
Two divers making an entry, one receiving help from a crew member
Discover Diani Beach's Incredible Underwater World
Diani Beach has fifteen regular dive sites, most 10–20 minutes by boat from the centre, with water at 25–29 °C all year.
Protected coral reefs, warm Indian Ocean water and remarkable marine biodiversity create ideal diving conditions for both beginners and experienced divers throughout much of the year.
During your dives you may encounter:
Green turtlesHawksbill turtlesDolphinsWhale sharks (seasonal)Eagle raysGuitar raysMoray eelsOctopusBarracudaTrevalliesLionfishNudibranchsHundreds of colourful tropical reef fish
No two dives are ever the same, which is part of why divers return to Diani Beach year after year.
These are the reasons our guests return—and why many recommend us to their family and friends.
The Scuba Duka Diving Centre team posing at the dive centre front counter
Planning Your Diani Beach Adventure?
Whether you're staying in Diani Beach, Galu Beach, Tiwi, Ukunda or travelling from Mombasa, we'll help you choose the experience that's right for you.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us:
Have you dived before?How many days are you staying?Are you travelling alone, as a couple or with family?Would you like to become certified or simply try scuba diving?
We'll recommend the option that best suits your holiday, your experience and your budget.
Our goal isn't to sell you the most expensive activity. It's to help you have the best possible experience in the ocean.
Seven people run the centre, four of them born and raised in Diani Beach. Between the four instructors sit more than 13,000 logged dives on this stretch of the Indian Ocean. Two qualified dive guides, Sampuli and Captain Michael, guide dives alongside them.
Ali
Founder · Divemaster Instructor
25+ years diving in Kenya and abroad. Born and raised in Diani Beach.
Kassim
Scuba Instructor
17+ years and 8,000+ logged dives, from Diani to Kisite Mpunguti. SSI and PADI certified.
Salim Swaleh
Scuba Instructor
4,000+ logged dives on Diani sites. Teaches SSI beginner to specialty courses.
Omari
Scuba Instructor
SSI and PADI Open Water Instructor, 1,000+ logged dives. Shoots underwater photo and video.
Sampuli
Dive Guide
Born and raised in Diani Beach. 100+ logged dives. Guides guest divers and runs equipment checks.
Michael
Dive Guide · Captain
20+ years scuba diving and captaining boats. Handles the boat and guides dives.
We picked these four from our Google reviews and quote them unedited. Both our Google and Tripadvisor listings are public, so you can read all 330 in full.
330 reviews, two platforms
Google and Tripadvisor, both public. We cannot edit or remove reviews on either.
The same three things
Small groups, patient instructors, and guides who find the animals.
People come back
Many guests dive several days with us, then return the following year.
I completed my Open Water Diver certification here and can recommend this dive center 100%.
From the very beginning, I felt safe, well looked after, and in great hands. Everything was explained clearly and professionally, and throughout the entire course I always felt confident and supported. The equipment was in excellent condition, and everything was very well organized.
A special thank you goes to my instructor, Kassim. He prepared me incredibly well, took the time to explain everything, and with his calm and professional attitude made me feel safe and confident every step of the way. Thanks to him, I truly enjoyed the entire experience.
I am absolutely thrilled with the whole experience and will definitely come back the next time I’m here. Thank you to the entire team for making this such an unforgettable experience!
Maximilian Brandstätter · 2 reviews
★★★★★Google
Amazing dive center – absolutely recommend!
We had a fantastic experience diving with this club. The equipment was brand new, and the boat was both fast and comfortable. We really appreciated the clear and detailed briefings before getting into the water.
The instructors are highly professional and have a great sense of humor, making the whole trip wonderful. We did two incredible wall dives and saw turtles, beautiful soft and hard corals, and huge schools of different fish.
We highly recommend this club to everyone!
Vaida Batkauskiene · 5 reviews · 17 photos
★★★★★Google
Great morning diving with ScubaDuka. Our divemaster Salim was very helpful pointing out the marine life, especially the huge turtles! He was understanding and patient when I had problems equalising, and helped a lot.
The boat is spacious and comfortable, and the staff fantastic. Great communication, both in the lead up to our dives, and in the dive brief.
Great experience
James Shepherd · 6 reviews
★★★★★Google
3 days of excellent diving with Scuba Duka. Very professional set up. Really friendly staff. Boat captain Raymond transferred us over the reef to the dive sites safely - fun ride out and in! Half time water, bananas and oranages supplied. Saw lots of turtles, puffer fish, blue star fish, moray eels, blue spotted stingray and more. Highly recommend the Scuba Duka team especially Omar and Sampuli, our dive guides.
We are an independent dive centre based on the grounds of Soul Breeze Beach Resort, on Diani Beach Road. Search for The Scuba Duka Diving Centre rather than the resort. If we are collecting you from your hotel, you do not need to find us at all.
Diani Beach Road, on the Soul Breeze grounds. Hotel pickup and return is included.
WhatsApp
The quickest way to reach us, and how most guests book their first dive.
Call us
+254 790 296404 / +254 777 296404, during centre opening hours.
Both numbers take calls, texts and WhatsApp. +254 790 296404 is our main line.
Email
Best for dates, group lists and anything that needs to be in writing.
Begin Your Adventure Today
Whether you're discovering scuba diving for the first time, returning to the ocean after years away or searching for Kenya's best coral reefs, we'd love to welcome you to The Scuba Duka Diving Centre.
Come and experience Diani Beach the boutique way—where small groups, professional instruction and personalised service create memories that last long after your holiday ends.
Water is around 25–29°C all year, so a shorty or 3mm suit is enough. Visibility ranges roughly 10–30m. January to March is often clearest; April to June is quieter, with rain and calmer mornings.
Beginners start with Try Scuba in the pool. Children can certify from age 10 on the Junior Open Water course. Certified divers from any agency, SSI, PADI or other, can join guided dives.
Every diver completes a medical questionnaire before diving. If any answer needs a doctor’s sign-off, that decision is the physician’s, never ours. We will not compress a course to fit a travel schedule.
We are at Soul Breeze Beach Resort on Diani Beach Road, with free on-site parking. Diani is a short taxi, shuttle or private transfer from Mombasa. Dives from Ukunda include pickup and drop-off.
We specialise in boutique scuba diving experiences with small groups, personalised service, professional instruction and a friendly, experienced team. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, our focus is on making every guest feel welcome, safe and confident while exploring Diani Beach's spectacular underwater world.
I've never scuba dived before. Can I still join?
Absolutely. Our Try Scuba experience (called Discover Scuba Diving at PADI centres) is designed specifically for complete beginners. You'll learn the basics with one of our instructors before making your first guided dive on Diani's beautiful coral reefs.
I'm PADI-certified. Can I dive and train with you?
Yes. We welcome PADI divers and divers certified with any recognised agency, and the training pathways are interchangeable — your existing certification carries across. We certify through SSI because its digital training record is easy to carry and to replace.
Where are you located?
The Scuba Duka Diving Centre is located at Soul Breeze Beach Resort in Diani Beach on Kenya's South Coast, making it easy to access the area's best reef and wreck dive sites.
Do you provide hotel transfers?
Yes. We offer pickup and drop-off for many hotels, resorts, cottages and private villas in and around Diani Beach, Galu Beach, Tiwi and Ukunda. If you're staying elsewhere, contact us and we'll advise the available options.
What marine life can I expect to see?
Every dive is different, but common sightings include green turtles, hawksbill turtles, moray eels, octopus, rays, barracuda, reef fish and colourful coral gardens. Dolphins and whale sharks may also be seen seasonally, although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
Can certified divers join guided dives?
Yes. We offer daily guided reef dives, drift dives, wreck dives and excursions to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park for certified divers.
Do you organise private diving?
Yes. Private diving experiences are available for individuals, couples, families, photographers and anyone who prefers a dedicated instructor or guide.
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