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Diving in Kosrae

One of Kosrae's crowning jewels is her stunning fringing reef. The abundance of marine life and pristine hard corals make this a prime destination for divers throughout the world. Many of our best dive sites have mild currents and are good for novice divers. However, to help keep our pristine corals healthy, you'll need to have good buoyancy skills. This coral reef is unique in that novice divers can enjoy an easy diving experience, while their more experienced dive buddy will marvel at the sea life.

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) has a new E Learning program for beginning divers. Now it is possible to complete the academic portion of the Open Water class online, when it's convenient for you. This is perfect for busy people who want to be divers, but don't have time to attend a traditional class. Click the link above for more information.

With continuing research on the effects of water pressure, Divers Alert Network is an organization that benefits all divers.
If you are not a supporting member, you can join today.

In addition to membership, DAN offers dive insurance, an inexpensive safeguard for traveling divers.

The following instruction and courses are available at Sleeping Lady Divers:

• Introductory and Experiential training, completion of referral training as well as the Full Open Water Diver course
• Advanced training through Dive Master and Assistant Instructor
• Specialized training in Nitrox, Deep Diving, UW Naturalist, and more
• Tec Deep Diver certification for those who have to go see what that is "way down there"

Our fully equipped classroom (including DVD's and Cdrom's, current instructor's manuals and class outlines) are available for group leaders and instructors use at no extra charge.

Sleeping Lady Divers is an Aqualung, Sherwood, Mares and Dive Rite dealer, and Kosrae's only factory authorized repair center. Our repair technicians are certified to repair and maintain most major brands of equipment. Not bringing your own gear? Our rental department offers a complete line of equipment including Air/Nitrox computers and oxygen clean regulators, not to mention SCUBA tanks in all sizes from 30 to 160 cf doubles, yoke or DIN valves. With two large compressors and a twelve tank bank system, we can guarantee the continuous availability of certified pure compressed air and Nitrox.

Our six pack boats allow small custom dive and snorkel tours. Although it's never been needed, our boats are fully equipped with safety equipment, including oxygen, binoculars, flares, radio, and PFDs. Our dive guides are experienced local divers who must be certified to Rescue diver before they can begin leading tours.

The night before you go diving, we'll talk with you about the kind of dive experience you enjoy, complete the paperwork and get you set up with weights and any other gear you may require. (This is a good time to mention any special considerations or concerns as well). In the morning, have a leisurely breakfast in our renown Inum restaurant, while the staff loads tanks and equipment (we like guests to verify that we do have ALL their equipment, but we'll load it)! When you're done with breakfast, just a short drive and we'll have you (and your gear) on the boat in a few minutes.

We like to setup the scuba units with the first tanks while we're still at the dock—it's just plain easier! We'll set up your gear, or you can set up your own—whatever you prefer. Extra tanks, safety equipment, and dry items are safely stowed in the hatches. The awning is up, the equipment is secure, and off you go!

Depending on conditions and the type of diving you want to do, the ride to the dive site will take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. If you are changing into a wet suit or skins, as a courtesy to the village residents, please wait until you've left the breakwater area. When you reach the dive site, the captain will usually tie up to the closest mooring buoy and the dive guide will brief you on the site, boat procedures and a suggested profile.

Note: Our guides are guides, not sheriffs. They are very experienced and very, very good. They are there to introduce you to one of the best hard coral reefs in Micronesia and to provide you any assistance that you may need. But, unless you ask them to (or they see an unsafe situation) they will not monitor your depth, bottom time or air consumption.

When it is time enter the water, you are free to make any entry that you like, however, we suggest that you put on your weight belt and sit at the side of the boat next to your equipment (feet over the water) then put on your fins. The captain or the guide will help you with your scuba unit. When you are ready, put on your mask, and holding on to the side of the boat, turn and lower yourself into the water just like you were at the pool. It's only about 1 1/2 to 2 feet from the deck of the boat to the water and this entry is quiet and easy. As you make your descent, you will notice (when you can look away from the breathtaking corals!) that the guide is towing a small float. This allows the boat to easily follow the divers and the divers are free to float with the current knowing that the boat will be near by.

At the deepest point of your dive you might be over the wall, or just at the edge of the reef top. As you gradually work your way to the shallower sections of the reef you will be amazed at the rich diversity of life and the vibrant, healthy corals. You may also have an chance to watch coral monitoring teams at work, or local skin divers hunting for their dinner. As you near the end of your dive, look for a shallow coral head to hover over during your safety stop. When you surface, the boat will be nearby with the boarding ladder over the back. Hand up your weight belt and scuba unit, remove your fins just before you climb the ladder.

During the surface interval, the crew will change tanks and move the boat if it's necessary. Then it's time to go diving again! It's a tough life, but someone has to make the sacrifices!

Want to do something out of the ordinary? Technical divers, snorkelers, beginners and people needing refreshers will all have a wonderful experience.

* Some of your group want to snorkel? That's easy, we'll add a snorkel guide to the crew and everybody can go together.

* Your skills are a little rusty or you're a new diver and concerned that you'll hold back the group? Don't worry, one of our instructors will dive with you.

* You've got 8 people? - That's fine - we'll take two boats! (We like to limit the boats to 6 divers each).

* You're a technical diver and want to plan some deep exploration? - no problem - we've got the equipment, training and experience to support expeditions.

* You are a blue water hunter (breath hold) and want to spend time out from the reef? - also not a problem, we have enough boats and experienced divers / hunters / guides that we can set you up on your own.