I’ve just finished my diving course… now what?

You’ve just completed your diving course, and something has changed.
You no longer look at the sea the same way. You’ve breathed underwater, discovered a whole new world, and lived an experience that truly hooks you.

But now comes the big question that every diver asks after their first certification:
What do I do after finishing my diving course?

The short answer is: a lot of things.
The long answer… keep reading 😉

What to do after a diving course

Finishing an Open Water course (or any entry-level course) is not the end — it’s the beginning of your journey as a diver. From here, you have several options depending on your goals, motivation, and desire to keep exploring.

1. Keep diving to gain experience

The most recommended option after any diving course is clear: keep diving.
The more dives you do:

  • You’ll gain more confidence underwater
  • Your buoyancy and air consumption will improve
  • Your comfort and enjoyment will increase
  • You’ll start to truly feel like a diver

Diving regularly is key to consolidating what you’ve learned and enjoying the ocean more with every dive.

2. Take diving specialties and improve your skills

One of the best ways to progress after your course is by taking diving specialties. These allow you to learn specific techniques and discover new types of diving.
Some very popular specialties include:

  • Peak Performance Buoyancy
  • Deep Diving
  • Nitrox
  • Night Diving
  • Marine Life Identification

In addition to expanding your knowledge, specialties help you dive with more control, more calm, and greater awareness of the marine environment.

3. Continue your training with an advanced diving course

After specialties — or even as a natural next step — many divers choose to continue their training with the Advanced Open Water Diver course (or equivalent advanced courses).
This course is key because it allows you to:

  • Progressively and safely extend your depth limits
  • Gain real experience in different types of dives
  • Improve your navigation, control, and decision-making underwater
  • Feel much more autonomous and confident as a diver

The advanced course isn’t just about “going deeper” — it’s about becoming a more complete diver, with greater environmental awareness, better planning, and more control on every dive.

It’s also the step before:

  • Accessing more specialties
  • Diving in a wider variety of destinations
  • Starting the path toward levels like Rescue Diver and, later on, Divemaster

Many divers agree on one thing:
👉 It’s during the advanced course that they really start to feel like true divers.

Rescue Diver Course: the course that changes the way you dive
For many, the Rescue Diver course is the most important course in recreational diving training.
Here you learn to:

  • Prevent problems before they happen
  • Manage stress situations — your own and other divers’
  • Assist and rescue dive buddies in different scenarios
  • Think like a responsible diver who is aware of the group

After Rescue, something changes: 
👉 you dive with more calm, awareness, and safety — for yourself and for others.

Divemaster: when diving becomes a profession

And then comes the question many don’t dare to say out loud:
What if diving were more than just a hobby?

4. Diving as a profession: a career with a future

Divemaster is the first professional level in diving. It’s the step that allows you to:
As a Divemaster, you can travel, dive daily, and earn a salary in incredible destinations around the world.
PADI certifications are recognized worldwide, opening the door to diving in almost any country.

This is where diving stops being just a hobby and becomes a promising profession.
The diving industry continues to grow and needs well-trained, responsible, and passionate professionals.
As a diving professional, yes — you can make a living from diving.

  • Explore incredible destinations
  • Meet people from all over the world
  • Live unique experiences on every dive
  • Be part of an international community
  • Work legally as a diving professional
  • Guide dives and assist instructors
  • Become a safety reference in and out of the water
  • Start an international career in the diving world
  • Teach diving and share your passion for the ocean
  • Work in dive centers in the world’s best destinations
  • Travel while diving and earning a salary
  • Develop a career as a Divemaster, PADI Instructor, or beyond
  • Have a dynamic, active job connected to nature

Professional training in Lanzarote: take the next step
At Lanzarote Non Stop Divers, a PADI CDC Center (Career Development Center), we support divers who want to progress both recreationally and professionally.
All training is supervised by Thayany, Platinum PADI Course Director, guaranteeing:

  • Top-quality teaching
  • Personalized training
  • High safety standards
  • Real preparation for the professional diving world

In addition, the center offers training scholarships year-round, designed for those who want to build a solid career in diving.
So… what should you do after your diving course?
The answer depends on you, but one thing is clear: don’t stop.
Diving is a path of continuous learning, unforgettable experiences, and real opportunities.
Every dive makes you a better diver.
Every course opens new doors.
And every decision can bring you closer to a life connected to the sea.
If you’ve just finished your diving course and are wondering what the next step is, we’re here to guide you.
📩 Contact: info@lanzarotenonstopdivers.com

📲 WhatsApp: +34 690 80 85 08

Always prioritizing safety and making the most of every experience!

¿Dónde Estamos?

C.C. Papagayo, Avenida de Papagayo 18, local 67D
35580 Playa Blanca
Lanzarote – Islas Canarias
+34 690 80 85 08
+34 928 51 72 77
info@lanzarotenonstopdivers.com

Lanzarote Non Stop Divers

Centro de buceo en Lanzarote.
Salidas diarias, cursos de buceo  de todos los niveles.
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