Professional diving courses and unforgettable experiences in Kuwait's beautiful waters
Rio Dive Center is Kuwait's premier PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Center, offering professional diving education and unforgettable underwater experiences since 2010.
Founded in 2016 by a group of passionate instructors, Rio Dive Center was built on a love for the ocean, a commitment to professional teaching, and a spirit of adventure.
With a ZERO incident record, we take pride in safely introducing countless divers to the underwater world and organizing unforgettable trips both locally and internationally.
Our core values are simple:
• Respect for the ocean and each other
• Diversity across our diving community
• Passion for teaching and exploring
• Affordability — offering top-quality courses, trips, and gear at fair prices
At Rio Dive Center, diving isn’t just a sport — it’s a way of life. Join us and discover the magic beneath the surface.
Over the past few years, one of our proudest achievements has been introducing the ocean to hundreds of first-time divers, many of whom had never experienced life beneath the surface before. From curious beginners to young students and local communities, we’ve guided them into a world of coral gardens, vibrant marine life, and the calming rhythm of the sea.
What makes this achievement especially important is that connection sparks care — once people witness the beauty and fragility of our oceans firsthand, they become natural advocates for its protection. Our dive center has become more than a place to learn to dive; it’s a place where ocean awareness begins.
Through reef clean-ups, marine life briefings, and responsible diving practices, we’ve instilled a mindset of conservation in every diver we train. We’ve empowered a growing community that not only enjoys the sea but also actively protects it.
Why it matters:
The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth and supports life as we know it. But without awareness, it’s easy to ignore. By bringing people underwater, we create emotional connections that no documentary or article ever could. That’s why this achievement — opening minds and hearts to the ocean — is at the core of our mission and one of our greatest contributions to the environment.
Safety is our top priority
From beginner to professional, we offer a complete range of PADI-certified diving courses to suit all levels of experience.
KWD 40
Want to find out what scuba diving is like before deciding to get your PADI Open Water Diver scuba diving certification? During a Discover Scuba® Diving experience, you can try scuba diving for the first time in a pool or calm water environment. A highly-trained PADI® Professional will provide scuba gear, explain basic scuba diving skills and answer any questions you may have.
KWD 170
PADI® Open Water Diver is the first scuba certification level. A highly-trained PADI Instructor will teach you how to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment. By the end of the course, you'll have the skills and knowledge to dive at home or abroad and be an ambassador for the underwater world.
KWD 140
The Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about expanding your skills. You'll complete two required dives—deep diving and underwater navigation—then choose three additional specialty dives based on the local environment and what excites you most, for a total of five dives. Each specialty dive you complete can earn you credit toward PADI® specialty certifications. Here are a few of the many options: Deep, Digital Underwater Photography, Dive Against Debris, Dry Suit, Enriched Air Nitrox, Fish Identification, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Search & Recovery, Underwater Naturalist, Underwater Navigation, and Wreck Diver.
KWD 170
The PADI® Rescue Diver course will change the way you dive – in the best possible way. Learn to identify and fix minor issues before they become big problems, gain a lot of confidence and have serious fun along the way. Discover why countless divers say Rescue Diver is their favorite scuba course.
KWD 50
Gain the skills and confidence to save the life of someone you care about. After completing the Emergency First Response CPR & AED course, you’ll know how to aid someone who may be experiencing cardiac arrest with an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator), or by providing traditional or hands-only CPR.
KWD 450
Learn how to lead underwater tours, assist with scuba classes and inspire others to care about the ocean. Hone your skills and be the diver everyone admires. PADI Divemaster is the most popular and most recognized professional scuba certification in the world. PADI Divemasters enjoy abundant career opportunities, get paid to scuba dive and share their love for the ocean.
Contact us
We offer a wide range of PADI Specialty Courses, including Deep Diving, Underwater Navigation, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift Diving, Search & Recovery, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Underwater Photography, and more. For a personalised learning plan, course prerequisites, and pricing, please get in touch with us directly.
Join us for unforgettable diving adventures to the best spots in Kuwait and beyond.
We operate dive trips to Kubbar & Qarouh Islands on weekends & public holidays. Price includes soft drinks, snacks lunch, essential dive gear (Regulator + BCD), can also arrange for other gear items (pre-booking is a must). Cancellation Policy: Within 24hrs of trip, booking fee is non-refundable.
KWD 35
We operate dive trips to Kubbar & Qarouh Islands on weekends & public holidays. Price includes soft drinks, snacks lunch, essential dive gear (Regulator + BCD), can also arrange for other gear items (pre-booking is a must). Cancellation Policy: Within 24hrs of trip, booking fee is non-refundable.
KWD 35
Our team of PADI-certified professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best diving experience possible.
PADI Open Water Instructor
Captain Firas Kudsi brings experience, passion, and a deep love for the ocean into every dive. His favourite course to teach is The Advanced Open Water — a gateway to exploring deeper and more exciting dive environments. He’s especially drawn to the magic of Night diving, when the underwater world transforms into a completely different realm. His all-time favourite dive site is the legendary Shark & Yolanda Reef in Ras Mohammed, Egypt — a true diver’s dream. When it comes to marine life, Firas has a special admiration for the Stingray, it’s stealth, majestic & mysteriously gliding with elegance through the ocean. My most prized dive gear is any of my dive masks! My collection of masks grows by the hour!
Favorite Dive Site: Shark & Yolanda Reef, Egypt
Loves: Stingrays
Essential Gear: My collection of dive masks - my window to the sea"
PADI IDC Staff Instructor
With over 20 years of diving experience, Captain Samer Al-Ardah brings unmatched knowledge, calm confidence, and a deep passion for the ocean. His favorite course to teach is the Open Water Diver, where he finds true joy in introducing beginners to the magic of the underwater world. His top dive site is Marsa Breika in Ras Mohammed, Egypt — a place known for its rich marine life and stunning reef formations. Among the ocean’s many wonders, Samer’s favorite creature is the nudibranch, admired for its vibrant colors and delicate beauty. As for his favorite piece of gear? His camera. It’s more than just an equipment — it’s his tool for capturing the beauty of the sea and preserving memories from beneath the waves.
Favorite Dive Site: Marsa Breika, Egypt
Loves: Nudibranchs
Essential Gear: "My camera - preserving underwater memories"
PADI Master Scuba DIver Trainer
With a passion for the underwater world, a heart for teaching & a wealth of experience of nearly 16yrs, Captain Bader Amiri thrives when introducing new divers to the ocean through his favorite course — Open Water Diver. He’s especially drawn to the thrill of drift diving, letting the currents guide unforgettable underwater journeys. The breathtaking Komodo Island in Indonesia and the vibrant ecosystems of the Red Sea are Bader’s favorite dive sites. When underwater, he lights up at the sight of majestic Mantas and graceful Turtles, his favorite marine companions. And if you ask him about his most essential piece of gear? Without hesitation: “My wetsuit — it’s like my second skin”.
Favorite Dive Site: Komodo Island, Indonesia & Red Sea
Loves: Mantas & Turtles
Essential Gear: My wetsuit - it's like my second skin"
PADI Open Water Instructor
With well over ten years of diving experience, Captain Waleed Al-Akhras stands out as a skilled and passionate instructor who brings calm professionalism to every dive. His favorite course to teach is the Rescue Diver course — a powerful and rewarding journey where he trains divers to handle emergency situations with confidence and control. His top dive site is the iconic Blue Hole in Dahab, Egypt — a world-renowned location known for its depth, beauty, and mystique. Among all marine life, Waleed holds a special admiration for the sea turtle, whose grace and calmness reflect the spirit he carries beneath the waves. His favorite piece of dive gear? His fins — a true master with them, Waleed considers them an extension of his body, allowing him to glide effortlessly through the water with strength and precision.
Favorite Dive Site: Blue Hole, Dahab
Loves: Sea Turtles
Essential Gear: "My fins - an extension of my body"
Divemaster & DSD Leader
Meet Divemaster Farah Al-Akhras: is a passionate and dedicated Divemaster with around 5 years of diving experience. She loves guiding underwater tours and sharing the wonders of the sea with fellow divers. Farah has progressed steadily into a responsible and capable Divemaster, often assisting instructors during training sessions and contributing to the team with her calm, supportive presence. Her favorite dive site is The Canyon in Dahab, a place she holds close to her heart for its dramatic underwater landscapes. Farah’s favorite marine animal is the elusive Octopus, and she has a special eye for spotting this shy and intelligent creature where others might miss it. You’ll often recognise Farah underwater by her signature gear — a bright red pair of fins that have become her personal trademark.
Favorite Dive Site: The Canyon
Loves: Octopus
Essential Gear: Her famous RED Fins!
Divemaster & DSD Leader
Known for sheer organizational excellence
Divemaster Raafat Al-Battat is a skilled and charismatic Divemaster with around 10 years of diving experience. Known for his natural leadership and attention to detail, he brings both confidence and humor to every dive. Raafat excels at guiding groups with precision and care, often taking charge of tours to Kuwait’s islands and beyond. His favorite dive site is Anemone City in Sharm El-Sheikh — a vibrant reef teeming with life, where he feels most connected to the underwater world. Raafat’s favorite piece of gear is his trusty pointer stick, which he uses like a maestro’s baton to guide and organize divers with grace and clarity. Whether signaling marine life or maintaining group cohesion, it has become his signature tool. Certainly his favourite Marine animal is the Clown Fish. Above all, Raafat is admired for his calm presence, sharp eyes, and ability to make every dive feel like a well-conducted symphony beneath the waves.
Favorite Dive Site: Anemone City
Loves: Eel
Essential Gear: The Green Aluminum Pointer stick
Divemaster
Abdullah brings calm confidence and solid expertise to every dive. A well-rounded and knowledgeable Divemaster, he’s known for his passion for underwater photography—always ready with his camera to capture epic shots of fellow divers. Ask him about his favorite marine creature, and you’ll hear stories about the majestic Napoleon wrasse. Abdullah is also a very seasoned boats & Yachts skipper, he's most likely the first to seek his opinion on Sea conditions, tides, visibility, best timing for diving, fishing or snorkelling, in addition to his great expertise in every aspect of Mechanics, being a Mechanical Engineer as his profession during weekdays. Whether guiding a group or framing the perfect photo, Abdullah makes every dive a memorable experience.
Favorite Dive Site: Jackfish Alley
Loves: Napoleon Fish
Essential Gear: GoPro
Master Scuba Diver Candidate
At just 15 years old, Mohammad is already making waves as a future Divemaster candidate. With a natural presence both in and out of the water, he demonstrates maturity, focus, and an impressive grasp of dive theory and practice well beyond his age. Mohammad absorbs every bit of knowledge, technique, and guidance shared by the experienced team around him. With his passion and dedication, there's no doubt he’s on a fast track to becoming not only an outstanding Divemaster but a remarkable instructor in the near future.
Favorite Dive Site: 3 Pools
Loves: Stingrays
Essential Gear: GoPro
Explore the underwater beauty through the lens of our divers and instructors.
Have questions about our courses or dive trips? Get in touch with our team.
Kuwait City, Kuwait