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SSI Navigation Specialty

Getting turned around underwater is easy – especially in low visibility, new dive sites, or when you’re focused on marine life. The SSI Navigation Specialty at Coral Sea Scuba & Water Sports teaches you how to confidently find your way underwater using both a compass and natural navigation techniques.

In this course, you’ll practice recognizing natural reference points, using a compass for accurate headings, estimating distance, and creating simple and advanced navigation patterns. You’ll also learn how to reliably leave and return to a designated point such as the shore, boat, or descent line – an essential skill for safe, relaxed diving.

Whether you dive Oregon lakes and rivers, coastal sites, or warm-water vacation destinations, strong navigation skills help you conserve air, stay with your buddy, and get more enjoyment out of every dive.

Course Content

• Natural navigation: using bottom contours, light, surge, and landmarks
• Compass navigation and accurate heading changes
• Combining natural and compass navigation for real-world dives
• Navigation patterns such as out-and-back, square, and triangle
• Special navigation situations, currents, and low-visibility dives
• Planning safe dives and returning to your starting point

The primary goal of any SSI Specialty course is to teach you important skills in a fun, low-stress environment. All courses are taught using home study, short academic sessions, and in-water training with your Coral Sea Scuba instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I take the Navigation Specialty?
Strong navigation skills help you stay oriented, conserve air, and return to your exit point calmly and safely. This course is ideal for divers who want more confidence exploring new sites, low-visibility water, or longer dive routes.

Do I need to be an advanced diver first?
No. If you are an SSI Open Water Diver (or equivalent) and comfortable in the water, you can begin the Navigation Specialty. Your instructor will tailor the dives to your experience level.

What skills will I practice underwater?
You’ll practice using a compass on the surface and at depth, swimming accurate headings, completing square and triangle patterns, combining natural and compass navigation, and returning to a designated point like the anchor line or shore entry.

Is navigation useful for local Oregon diving?
Absolutely. Lakes, rivers, and low-visibility sites are where navigation skills shine. Being able to follow your planned route and find your way back makes local diving more enjoyable and much less stressful.

How many dives are included?
The number of dives may vary depending on conditions and scheduling, but you’ll have enough in-water time to build real confidence using both compass and natural navigation techniques.

Does Navigation count toward advanced recognition ratings?
Yes. The SSI Navigation Specialty counts toward recognition levels such as Specialty Diver, Advanced Open Diver, and Master Diver.