We get a lot of questions from all over about the club and scuba diving in general, and we are more than happy to answer! Please don't be shy, our only interest in helping share our beautiful underwater world with as many people as possible!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What kind of events do DOUTS offer?
DOUTS offers a wide range of diving and social activities throughout the year, catering to everyone from newly certified divers to experienced instructors and technical divers.
Club activities include shore dives around Sydney, boat dives aboard the club's vessel, night dives, wreck dives, underwater photography outings, marine life encounters, and occasional interstate or overseas dive trips. Members also organise ad-hoc dives, making it easy to find dive buddies and get underwater more often.
Beyond diving, DOUTS hosts social events, guest presentations, training workshops, and talks on marine life, diving skills, equipment, conservation, and underwater photography. These events are a great way to meet other members, learn something new, and become part of Sydney's diving community.
DOUTS also offers a range of training opportunities through its own SSI Dive Academy.
Whether you're looking to gain confidence after your Open Water course, explore new dive sites, build your skills, or simply spend time with like-minded people, DOUTS provides a welcoming and supportive environment to help you get the most out of diving.
If you're interested in getting involved, click Membership at the top of the page to join the club and start diving with us.
I am new to diving, where do I start?
- First you need to get an "Open Water" diving certificate. There are many organisations that provide this, however the most popular (and worldwide accredited) are PADI and SSI.
- There are many accredited dive shops around, see our affiliate dive shops at the bottom of the page for more information.
- You can expect to pay between $149 - $399 for a PADI/SSi accredited open water certificate depending on the shop and time of year.
- Be careful, if you see a great deal online, there may be strings attached. We are happy to evaluate any deal you find, so let us know.
What gear do I need?
- None! We have plenty of hire gear, and can point you in the right direction for gear we don't have.
- We do however recommend as a new diver investing in your own Mask, Wetsuit and Flippers. Not only are they the easiest kit to pack when you inevitably go away diving, but we don't hire them out (and you will need to hire through a shop).
I am not a student or associated with UTS, can I join?
- Generally, yes! All are welcome. However, there is a higher membership fee associated.
How do I sign up to an event?
- Click on "Events Calendar" at the top of this page, select an event and sign up!
- Please note that you must be an active member before being able to sign up to most events. For more information on how to become a member, click the "Membership" link at the top of this page and follow the prompts.
I would really like to do X event
- If you have event ideas, or would like to organise a group to try out a dive site with you, we'd love to hear about it!
- Any club member can organise an event, using club gear and assets (club vehicle, boat, etc). Our events system is simple to learn and we'd be happy to help you setup your first event, or point you in the direction of someone who can run it for you. Just email us at vicepresident@douts.org.
- We are also always looking for boat captains to run events, so if you have a boat licence, or are interested in getting one, we'd also love to hear from you. Email us at vicepresident@douts.org for more information.
Can you recommend a dive shop?
- There are plenty of dive shops all around Sydney, most of which hire gear at a similar price. We recommend you visit the most convenient dive shop for the location you are diving at.
- Some of our recommendations are:
What dive sites are around?
- Sydney has a tonne of amazing scuba diving! To see a list of all the dive sites, we recommend you check out Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving Web Site (michaelmcfadyenscuba.info). Also check out the Sydney Viz page
- Some of the common Sydney dive sites we go to are:
- Various sites in Sydney Harbour
- Bare Island
- Camp Cove
- Dee Why Wide & The Appartments
- Magic Point
- Kurnell Dive Sites (The Leap, The Monument, etc)
- Shelly Beach
- Some of the regional dive sites we like to attend include:
- Narooma (Montague Island Seals)
- South West Rocks (Fish Rock)
- Jervis Bay
What are your prices?
All membership fees, gear hire rates, and event costs are listed on the Memberships & Pricing page in the About section.
This includes:
- Annual membership fees
- Gear hire costs (tanks, BCDs, regulators, weights)
- Boat dive and event pricing
If you’re unsure about anything feel free to reach out!
