Why Gap year scuba diving??

Established Company

Gap Year Diver is and established UK Limited company. We have been offering carefully selected scuba diving trips for both gap year students and career breakers since 2006 and our operations continue to expand year-on-year.

Vetted Destinations

All destinations and dive centres are vetted and checked by a member of staff. Having these checks in place ensures customers are placed overseas in locations which meet our rigorous safety standards.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of all our participants is paramount. Gap Year Diver Limited, in colaboration with our local dive centres, ground staff and liveaboard vessels, have compiled strict procedures and teaching methods (in line with PADI International) for the well-being of all our divers. Incidents diving or otherwise of a serious nature are extremely rare, however we have a full risk assessment in place and a crisis management plan. We have also retained the services of Covert Protection Ltd as our specialist providers. Your safety is our number one priority!

Know Before You Go...

Gap Year Diver supporter the FCO Know Before You Go Campaign. The better prepared you are when you travel abroad, the safer you will be. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers ‘Know before you go’ travel advice, including simple precautions you can take before and during your trip. To find out more, check out their website: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

We only specilise in scuba diving for people taking time out

We were the first gap year company to specialise in scuba diving trips for people taking time out. Our firm knowledge and understanding of the travel and diving industry ensures that you travel with a company that knows what it's doing!

Year Out Group - Full time Member

Gap Year Diver are considered to be a respectable and legitimate gap year travel provider. Our business operations have been assessed and approved by the Year Out Group. We also have crisis management and risk assessments in place, public liability insurance of £5 million and agree to support the Year Out Group's aims and abide by its code of conduct.

General Note
Please ensure when looking at gap year programmes that you check credentials of companies before booking.  A number of dive centres may offer programmes that target gappers as a key customer, but they are just lumping products together and calling it 'gap...'. Things to check are insurance, bonding, emergency plans and protocols, 24 hr contact, experience etc. Maybe ask to get in touch with a previous gap year customer.

Financial Protection

All our trips are financially protected. What does this mean to you? It means that in the unlikely event of our financial failure before you travel, you will be refunded your money. If you are already away on a programme and we cannot continue with our obligations, arrangements will be made to ensure you can either continue with your programme or you will be refunded for any part of a programme you have been unable to complete.

PADI Dive centres

Gap Year Diver Limited mainly uses and recommends the services of current, in status PADI International Resort and Retailer Association Members. When PADI dive centres are not used, we have compiled our own comprehensive safety checks to ensure each dive centre meets our high safety standards.

Pre-departure support / briefing days

We are at-hand with all the information you may require before you depart. Whether it's assistance with passports, visas or suggested packing lists; we are here to help! We also hold a number of briefing days throughout the year for specific programmes which prove to be fun and informative sessions when you can meet old GYD customers, meet the team and ask any questions you may have in person.

24/7 UK Support and overseas staff

When you travel with us we ensure you are safe and comfortable during your placement. We have a 24 hour UK landline for emergencies (gets re-directed to a mobile outside office hours) as well as a 24 hours SMS text service. We also have UK speaking ground staff, medical staff and British representatives in each country.

GYD membership

After you travel with us we don't like to lose contact. You will remain on our database as a GYD member who has travelled with us before and receive news and offers exclusive to members.

UK company

Things can go wrong when overseas trips are booked and you may need to pursue a company for a refund or legal reasons. You need to know that Gap Year Diver Limited is a registered company in England and Wales ( #05684018) and is subject to English Law and Jurisdiction.