Essential Scuba Diving Etiquette Tips for Beginners

Sit around a group of dive guides long enough, and you’ll hear unforgettable stories about guests—often for all the wrong reasons. From divers who swim like seahorses to those who are “all gear and no idea,” anyone who has dived even a few times can recall a diver they’ll “always remember.”

If you want to avoid being the subject of such memories and leave a positive impact on the stunning underwater world we are lucky to explore, read on. Here are five essential scuba diving etiquette tips every beginner should know.

Number 1 - Buoyancy is Everything!

Buoyancy is the foundation of good diving etiquette. It helps prevent damage to coral reefs, avoids creating sand clouds, and keeps you from landing on spiny urchins. Mastering this essential skill early in a PADI Open Water Course is crucial for safe and confident diving. Without it, we might as well be snorkeling or walking on the ocean floor like frogfish.

Practice is key! Experiment with different techniques from your very first dive. Learning to use your jacket and lungs in harmony is vital for buoyancy. While we know never to hold our breath, subtle breath control can help you glide smoothly over or under obstacles without constantly adjusting your BCD. Proper weighting is also essential. Always do a weight check whenever you change equipment types, like switching wetsuit thickness or diving in different environments, such as fresh to saltwater.

Taking the PADI Advanced Open Water Course and opting for the buoyancy specialty is one of the best ways to master these skills. Practicing with professionals, like those at Salty Finns Diving Bali, helps you avoid being remembered for all the wrong reasons. So, on your next dive, remember to swim like a fish—just not a frogfish!

Mastering the art of buoyancy

Number 2 - Listen to Your Dive Guide and Follow Dive Briefings

Many dive problems stem from divers not listening to simple instructions during the briefing. These briefings are designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. While nerves, excitement, and being on holiday can be distractions, paying attention to the dive briefing is crucial.

If you’ve chosen a reputable dive center, your guide will know how to navigate the site safely. If it’s your first time diving with a guide, they might use different hand signals than you’re used to. There may also be hazards, like currents or conditions you haven’t encountered before. A good briefing will cover what to do if something goes wrong. Ignoring it could mean missing out on spotting a Mola in the blue while you’re busy looking for clownfish on the reef.

When in doubt, ask questions! Your dive buddy may have the same concerns. Paying attention shows respect, enhances safety, and ensures you get the most out of your dive.

Listen carefully to your guide's words of wisdom!

Number 3 - Be the Best Dive Buddy

We all know from our PADI Open Water Course that recreational diving is a team sport. We never dive alone! A dive buddy can be someone you’ve dived with since your first plunge or someone you met that morning. Either way, they are as vital as the tank on your back—and sometimes, they may even share air with you.

A good dive buddy should always be just a few kicks away. Sure, we might get lured away by a turtle swimming past, but we should always check to ensure our buddy is nearby. Knowing how much air your buddy has is also important. With all the distractions underwater, you might even need to remind your buddy to check their air. Just as crucial is showing each other the amazing sights you encounter.

Before hitting the water, conduct a quick buddy check. Many divers have faced the embarrassing moment of everyone looking back at them while they struggle to open a closed tank.

Whether it’s a quick BWRAF (Begin with friend and review) buddy check before the dive or reminiscing about the best dive ever thanks to your buddy spotting the tiniest frogfish, being a reliable buddy is one of the best ways to demonstrate good dive etiquette.

Finding your go to dive buddy makes diving more fun and safe!

Number 4 - Leave Only Bubbles

Scuba diving offers a front-row seat to fragile ecosystems. However, careless divers can cause permanent damage. Sadly, there have been cases in Indonesia of divers carving their names into beautiful corals. It should go without saying that leaving only bubbles is the best etiquette when scuba diving.

While buoyancy plays a significant role here, respect for the environment is the bigger picture. Our equipment, fin tips, and hands were never part of marine evolution. One careless touch can scar corals for years. Some of the worst offenders are experienced divers wielding small cameras while lying on the bottom. If you see this happening, bring it to the attention of your dive guide, whose job is at risk if dive sites are destroyed.

Disturbing marine life by crowding or chasing them can also have detrimental effects. Keep your distance to avoid disrupting their natural behaviors. Think of dive sites as protected national parks; it’s our responsibility to keep them pristine for future generations. Save your graffiti for train carriages and lying down for sunbathing after the dive. Remember to leave only bubbles when diving.

Protect what you love, make sure you only leave bubble behind! And remember we are just visitors in their world, don't trash their home.

Number 5 - Respect Above the Water is Just as Important

Good dive etiquette doesn’t stop at the boat’s ladder. How you act on the surface is just as important as your behavior underwater. Whether it’s the diver on the boat who leaves equipment strewn everywhere or the guest who rinses their swimwear in the regulator wash basin, small actions can change the experience for everyone and can even be dangerous.

Sometimes we forget little things—after all, we’re human! But being mindful and courteous can go a long way. Dive boats can be tight spaces. Keeping your equipment organized helps prevent accidents and protects rental gear. Helping a new diver tighten their fin straps or reminding them to hold their mask before their first back roll can create a lasting memory.

Respect also extends to the crew. Captains and boat staff work hard behind the scenes, filling tanks, maintaining the boat, and keeping an eye out for surfacing divers. While tipping is standard in some countries, a simple thank you can mean a lot when it’s genuine.

Beyond the boat, dive etiquette extends into everyday life. Choose reef-safe sunscreen, wash your car on the grass to prevent runoff, don’t litter, and support eco-friendly businesses. Every small choice contributes to protecting the ocean.

Bonus - Be a Champion for Good Dive Etiquette

Following these rules is just the beginning. The best divers go further—they set an example. By practicing good scuba diving etiquette, you protect the ocean, keep diving safe, and inspire others. Whether it’s reminding a beginner about buoyancy, signaling marine life to your buddy, or showing respect for the boat crew, your actions create ripples throughout the dive community.

Be a champion for etiquette—because when every diver takes responsibility, we all enjoy safer, richer, and more sustainable adventures.

🌊 Ready to put these tips into practice? Book your next adventure with Salty Finns Diving Bali and dive with a team that values safety, respect, and unforgettable underwater experiences.