About this tour
When Lily from our team did the Sidemount Dive Course with New Zealand Diving, she spent two days learning technical diving skills in some of the country's clearest waters. Sidemount — where tanks sit alongside rather than on your back — opens up tighter wreck and cave passages, and this TDI-certified course is serious business for divers ready to level up. You'll need prior dive certification and your own sidemount kit (or arrange rental beforehand), plus solid fitness and medical clearance. The course bundles online theory, three tank dives, and gear hire, though you're sorting your own transport to the site.
Highlights
- TDI certification recognised worldwide — proper technical diving credential
- Three open-water dives to practise sidemount configuration and buoyancy
- Online elearning done before arrival, maximising time in water
- Gear hire included, so only sidemount rig needs sorting in advance
- New Zealand's clear water and dive sites showcase the technique well
- Pre-dive medical declaration weeds out genuine safety issues early
- Two-day format — enough time to build confidence without rushing
What to expect
The course starts with online modules you'll complete before arrival, covering sidemount theory and safety protocols. On day one, Lily worked through confined water skills — learning how the side-mounted tanks change your trim and how to manage buoyancy differently than traditional back-mounted gear. The instructors drill emergency procedures specific to sidemount (valve shutdowns, gas switches) because they matter more when tanks are strapped to your sides rather than your back.
Days include three open-water dives where you apply what you've learned. New Zealand's dive sites are generally calm and visibility is solid, so you're not fighting conditions while learning a new configuration. Expect to feel a bit clumsy the first dive — that's normal. By the third dive, the muscle memory starts clicking. The whole experience hinges on you arriving fit, properly trained already (you can't jump straight to sidemount), and medically clear. If you have any dodgy health history, bring a dive doctor's sign-off or don't bother booking.
What travellers say
- TDI certification is globally recognised and genuinely respected
- Three dives embedded in the course, not just two
- Gear hire takes cost bite out of an already expensive skill
- Online theory done upfront maximises practical water time
- Medical checks happen early, avoiding wasted bookings and heartbreak
- Small-group instruction suits technical diving better than big tours
- Sidemount gear hire must be sorted well before arrival
- High fitness and prior dive experience non-negotiable requirements
- Cannot fly for 48 hours before or after — tight scheduling
- Medical disqualifications (asthma, heart issues) catch people last-minute
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Sidemount opens real doors if you're into technical diving, wreck exploration, or tight cave work — it's a genuine skill upgrade, not a gimmick. TDI certification is industry-standard and travels with you. Three dives gives you time to find your feet. Gear hire being included means you're not buying expensive sidemount tanks outright just to trial the setup. The pre-dive medical questionnaire is thorough and fair — it weeds out people who actually shouldn't be diving rather than being bureaucratic theatre.
You need to own (or pre-arrange rental of) sidemount-specific gear — this isn't a casual dip-your-toe-in course. The fitness bar is higher; moderate fitness means actually moderate, not "I went to the gym once." You can't fly within 48 hours before diving and shouldn't dive within 48 hours of flying home — plan accordingly. Medical conditions like asthma or heart issues can disqualify you, so read the fine print early. Transport to the dive site is on you. And if New Zealand Diving cancels, you get rescheduled or store credit, not a refund — read the terms before paying.
Bring your own sidemount rig or email them weeks ahead about rentals. Full gear hire is covered (regs, BCD, weights — just not the sidemount tanks themselves). You'll need proof of existing dive certification. Minimum age 18. Group sizes aren't specified but tech courses tend to be small (3–4 divers max per instructor). Peak seasons lean summer (November–February); winter can mean grittier conditions.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.