We get a lot of questions from all over about the club and scuba diving in general, and we are more than happy to answer! Please don't be shy, our only interest in helping share our beautiful underwater world with as many people as possible!
If any of the questions below don't help, don't hesitate to email us! Best start is president@douts.org, who can direct you to the right person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What kind of events do DOUTS offer?
- The club caters for both brand-new and experienced diver's alike. Shore, boat (we have our own), night, photographic, shark, wreck, and technical diving are all practiced by our members. We meet regularly for talks, presentations, slide shows and videos as well as social get-togethers
- So, join the club! Simply click Membership at the top. It's the quickest way to get in touch with people who can help you start or continue your diving career!
I am new to diving, where do I start?
- First you need to get an "Open Water" diving certificate. There are many organisations that provide this, however the most popular (and worldwide accredited) are PADI and SSI.
- There are many accredited dive shops around, see our affiliate dive shops at the bottom of the page for more information.
- You can expect to pay between $149 - $399 for a PADI/SSi accredited open water certificate depending on the shop and time of year.
- Be careful, if you see a great deal online, there may be strings attached. We are happy to evaluate any deal you find, so let us know.
What gear do I need?
- None! We have plenty of hire gear, and can point you in the right direction for gear we don't have.
- We do however recommend as a new diver investing in your own Mask, Wetsuit and Flippers. Not only are they the easiest kit to pack when you inevitably go away diving, but we don't hire them out (and you will need to hire through a shop).
I am not a student or associated with UTS, can I join?
- Generally, Yes!
- If you know a club member, and they are happy to refer you, simply provide their name when signing up
- If you do not know any members, drop us an email, we will take it from there.
How do I sign up to an event?
- Click on "Events Calendar" at the top of this page, select an event and sign up!
- Please note that you must be an active member before being able to sign up to most events. For more information on how to become a member, click the "Membership" link at the top of this page and follow the prompts.
I would really like to do X event
- If you have event ideas, or would like to organise a group to try out a dive site with you, we'd love to hear about it!
- Any club member can run an event, using club gear and assets (club vehicle, boat, etc). Our events system is simple to learn and we'd be happy to help you setup your first event, or point you in the direction of someone who can run it for you. Just email our events coordinator at events@douts.org.
- We are also always looking for boat captains to run events, so if you have a boat licence, or are interested in getting one, we'd also love to hear from you. Email us at events@douts.org for more information.
Can you recommend a dive shop?
- There are plenty of dive shops all around Sydney, most of which hire gear at a similar price. We recommend you visit the most convenient dive shop for the location you are diving at.
- Some of our recommendations are:
What dive sites are around?
- Sydney has a tonne of amazing scuba diving! To see a list of all the dive sites, we recommend you check out Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving Web Site (michaelmcfadyenscuba.info). Also check out the Sydney Viz page
- Some of the common Sydney dive sites we go to are:
- Various sites in Sydney Harbour
- Bare Island
- Camp Cove
- Dee Why Wide & The Appartments
- Magic Point
- Kurnell Dive Sites (The Leap, The Monument, etc)
- Shelly Beach
- Some of the regional dive sites we like to attend include:
- Narooma (Montague Island Seals)
- South West Rocks (Fish Rock)
- Jervis Bay
What are your prices?
- DOUTS do their best to make scuba diving as affordable and accessible as possible. Our prices are considerably cheaper than local Sydney Dive Shops.
- The below price list is up to date as of January 2022. (This pricing doesn't apply to packaged events, such as overseas and interstate trips, and is subject to change)
-
| Membership |
Price (per year) |
| Student (Students, Alumni & Staff) |
$20
|
| Non-UTS Affiliated |
$50 |
-
| Events |
Price |
| Boat - Short Trip (eg Inside Heads) |
$40 (Includes 2 dives) |
| Boat - Long Trip (eg Outside Heads) |
$60 (Includes 2 dives) |
| Shore Diving |
FREE! |
| Away Trips |
Varies |
-
| Gear |
Price |
| Tank with Airfill |
$15 per tank |
| BCD |
$10 |
| Regulator + Dive Computer |
$10 |
| Weight Belt + Weights |
$5 |
