What Is a Discover Scuba Diving Experience?
Rick Harkins Aug 23, 2026
If you've searched "discover scuba diving," you've probably landed on a mix of results from different dive shops, all describing something slightly different. That's because "Discover Scuba Diving" is actually PADI's trademarked name for their introductory try-dive program. Other agencies, including SSI, offer the same basic experience under their own name. At Get-N-Wet Scuba, we call ours Try Scuba.
Whatever it's called, the idea is the same: a short, low-pressure session that lets you actually breathe underwater and see if diving is for you, before you commit to a full certification course.
What actually happens
A typical intro dive session, regardless of which agency's name is on it, generally includes:
- A short briefing on your gear and basic safety
- Getting fitted with real scuba gear, explained piece by piece
- Breathing and comfort exercises at the surface
- A supervised dive in shallow, controlled water, usually a pool, with an instructor right next to you the whole time
There's no exam, no homework, and no certification card at the end. It's an experience, not a course.
Do you need to know how to swim?
Basic water comfort helps, but you generally don't need to be a strong swimmer or pass a formal swim test. A good instructor keeps things at your pace and won't push you past what you're comfortable with.
Does it count toward certification?
No, and this trips people up. An intro dive experience like Discover Scuba Diving or Try Scuba is a standalone thing. It doesn't bank any credit toward an Open Water certification. What it does give you is a real preview of the skills you'll build if you decide to go all the way through a certification course.
Try Scuba at Get-N-Wet Scuba
Here's what ours actually looks like. Try Scuba is a two-hour session held in the heated pool at the Derry Township Community Center in Hershey, PA. You're in real scuba gear the whole time, with a certified SSI instructor by your side. It runs $75 and includes:
- A private pre-dive briefing on equipment and safety
- Full scuba gear, fitted and explained
- Guided breathing and comfort exercises at the surface
- A one-on-one supervised pool dive in shallow water
- Digital learning materials included in the price
All you need to bring is a swimsuit and a towel. If you love it and want to keep going, your instructor can walk you straight into the path toward SSI Open Water Diver certification.
If you've ever wondered what scuba diving actually feels like without committing to a full course, this is the easiest way to find out. Book a Try Scuba session or call us at (833) PA DIVER with questions.
