Sidemount

Your exploration journey to the depth starts here

Level 1 - PADI Open Water Course

From 2,000.00 AED

About the Course

Traditional scuba places your cylinder on your back, but sidemount diving positions tanks at your sides for improved flexibility, comfort, and control in the water. Our sidemount scuba diving course introduces divers to the principles of sidemount configuration diving, including harness adjustment, cylinder attachment, regulator routing, trim optimization, and in-water problem solving. This program is ideal for divers who want to experience recreational sidemount diving while building strong foundational skills in a supportive training environment. As a modern specialty program, the course helps divers become more efficient underwater and prepares them for a wide range of future dive goals.

Course Duration

3 day (3 session)

Max Depth

According to diving level

Min Age

15+

Schedule

9AM, 12PM, 3PM (daily)

Your Sidemount Certification in 3 Easy Steps

No matter where you are on your dive journey, Nemo has an experience for you

Your Sidemount Certification in 3 Easy Steps

No matter where you are on your dive journey, Nemo has an experience for you

Get PADI Certified in Just 3-4 Days

From e-learning to open water. A streamlined journey engineered for results with Nemo's master instructors

Bonus: Free Fun Dive

Your reward is your choice! Head to Fujairah for a complimentary post-certification boat dive among coral reefs and sea turtles, or take AED 200 cashback instantly.

How to Earn your Scuba Diving Certification

Discover a completely different underwater world after dark. The Night Dive Specialty course reveals marine life and behaviors you’ll never see during the day. Learn how to navigate, communicate, and stay safe while diving in low-light conditions. With proper training and guidance, night diving becomes an exciting and rewarding experience. Watch the ocean come alive in a whole new way and gain confidence in unique environments. Expand your diving horizons and embrace the thrill of the unknown. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable adventure, sign up today and explore the magic of diving at night.

What you need to know

  • Rental of sidemount harness, bungee systems and appropriately rigged cylinders.
  • Equipment workshop to adjust harness fit, rig regulators and practise attaching/detaching tanks.
  • One confined‑water session in a pool or shallow bay to master buoyancy, trim and emergency drills.
  • Three open‑water dives exploring reefs in Fujairah or Musandam, practising gas switching and problem solving.
  • Certification processing and instructor guidance on progression to technical or cave diving.
  • Transportation to training locations and any border fees for Musandam trips.
  • Personal dive equipment (mask, fins, exposure suit, computer, SMB) and nitrox fills.
  • Meals beyond snacks, accommodation and personal expenses.
  • Dive insurance (recommended) and additional courses such as Sidemount Tec or Cave Diver.
  • Purchase of sidemount harness or cylinders for personal use (available separately).

In this sidemount diver course, you will learn how to:

  • set up and adjust sidemount harness systems
  • attach and remove cylinders efficiently
  • improve trim and balance underwater
  • manage gas from multiple cylinders
  • maintain a streamlined body position
  • respond to common equipment issues with confidence

This sidemount scuba course combines gear familiarity with real dive skills, making it an excellent choice for divers seeking practical development and a recognized sidemount diving certification pathway.

Upon successful completion of the required sessions and performance standards, divers receive a sidemount diver certification. This sidemount diving certification validates that you have learned the essential skills needed for safe and effective recreational sidemount diving.

For divers who want to continue growing, this sidemount specialty course can also serve as a stepping stone toward more advanced sidemount, technical, or overhead-environment training in the future.

  • Standard scuba kit (mask, fins, wetsuit) and dive computer.
  • SMB and reel, gloves and cutting tool.
  • Swimwear, towel, reef‑safe sunscreen and water bottle.
  • A positive attitude toward trying new configurations and fine‑tuning trim.
  • Optional: your own sidemount harness if you already own one.
  1. Enroll & gear list: Receive a list of recommended personal gear and arrange training dates.
  2. Equipment workshop: With your instructor, configure the harness, rig regulators and practise cylinder attachment on land.
  3. Confined‑water session: Practise buoyancy control, trim adjustments, gas switching and emergency drills in a pool or shallow bay.
  4. Open‑water dives (3): Conduct entries and exits, refine buoyancy and gas management, and simulate problem scenarios.
  5. Debrief & certification: Review your progress, log your dives and discuss progression to advanced sidemount or cave/tec courses.
  • Duration: Three days (3 sessions), depending on scheduling of confined‑ and open‑water sessions.Each session lasts for 2-3 hours
  • Timing: Weekend options and flexible weekdays; start times at 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM 
  • Group size: Limited to two or three divers per instructor for focused coaching.
  • Location: Pool and open water sessions in Dubai.
  • Sidemount diving offers greater flexibility and redundancy but requires meticulous gear setup and practice.
  • Gas switching, cylinder balancing and trim take time to master; expect to make gradual adjustments.
  • This specialty is ideal for divers considering cave or technical courses; it can also reduce back strain on long dives.
  • You must still dive within your existing depth and certification limits (18 m for Open Water, 30 m for Advanced).
  • After the course, consider the Tec Sidemount or Cave Diver specialties to expand your skills further.

Don't Settle for Just "Good Enough"

Get Certified in the luxury of Palm Jumeirah, then Dive in the UAE's most pristine waters: Fujairah.

Service Details Other Centers Nemo Diving Center
Facility Location ✕ Public Beach / Vans ✓ The Palm Jumeirah (5-Star)
Ocean Upgrade ✕ Not Available / Extra ✓ Fujairah Boat Trip Option
Student Ratio ✕ Crowded (6-8 divers) ✓ VIP Attention (Max 4)
Amenities ✕ Public Restrooms ✓ Azure, Palm Jumeirah
Parking Access ✕ Paid / Off-site Walk ✓ Free On-Site Parking
Equipment Standard ✕ Standard Rental Gear ✓ Premium Sanitized Gear

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Why Thousands of Divers Trust Nemo

A decade of safe training, real diving, and global recognition. We don't just teach diving; we build a community of underwater explorers.

10,000+

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Trained safely since 2014 across all levels

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Operating daily for over 10 years

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International Dive Trips

Overseas trips & liveaboard adventures

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Career Development Center

Trained safely since 2014 across all levels

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Top-Rated

Diving Center in the UAE

consistent yearly performance

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Frequently Asked Questions?

Your underwater journey starts here

Yes. We provide matched cylinders; you’ll learn to manage independent gas supplies.
Absolutely. Many divers switch to sidemount for comfort and redundancy, even on recreational dives.
It requires good buoyancy and coordination; practice in confined water helps build confidence.
Yes. Safety is Nemo’s top priority. Courses are conducted in small groups, with experienced instructors, and follow strict PADI safety standards
Yes. All required scuba equipment is included during training. Personal gear (mask, computer, snorkel) is optional but recommended.
Yes. All Nemo courses follow PADI standards and certifications are issued digitally upon successful completion.

2,000.00 AED

Dive into Adventure

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Scuba diving is an exciting and adventurous water sport that offers a chance to explore the beauty of the underwater world and its amazing marine life. The UAE, particularly Dubai, is one of the most popular destinations for scuba diving, attracting divers from all over the world. With its crystal clear waters and diverse marine life, scuba diving in Dubai offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

The cost of scuba diving in Dubai varies depending on the dive center you choose and the type of dive you opt for. On average, a single dive can cost anywhere from AED 250 to AED 550, with the average price for a single dive being around AED 350. This price usually includes all the necessary equipment, such as the dive tank, regulator, and wetsuit, as well as the services of a professional dive guide. At Nemo Diving Center, We offer a wide range of diving packages to suit every budget and experience level.

Diving in Dubai is an incredible experience, and the UAE is home to many dive sites teeming with amazing marine life including colorful soft and hard corals, sea turtles, stingrays, manta rays, moray eels, cuttlefish, octopus, nudibranchs, seahorses, and a plethora of fish species. It is also noted for its incredible dive wrecks that have become rich artificial reefs. These dive sites offer a unique and exciting diving experience, providing a chance to explore sunken ships and other structures that have become havens for marine life.

Come and explore the unique underwater world of Palm Jumeriah in Dubai and incredible dive sites in Fujairah such as Dibba Rock, Sharm Rock, Martini Rock, Snoopy Island, and more. At Nemo Diving Center, we offer dive trips to these amazing dive sites, allowing divers to discover the incredible marine life that has made the wreck its home. We also offer a wide range of other dive sites to choose from, including shallow coral reefs, deep wrecks, and drift dives, providing something for every level of diver.

In conclusion, scuba diving in Dubai offers an unforgettable experience for all levels of diver. With its clear waters, diverse marine life, and incredible dive sites, Dubai is a must-visit destination for any scuba diver. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, our team at Nemo Diving Center will ensure that you have an amazing time exploring the beauty of the underwater world.