Frequently asked questions

Yes. Rubelis Presence Diver was reviewed by PADI as a Distinctive Specialty. Your certification is processed through the PADI system and issued as a PADI eCard.

Anyone with a PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver certification or the equivalent from another organisation. CMAS and TSSF divers can also join. The minimum age is 12; for under-18s, a parent or guardian registers and pays.

The 12 chapters take about 10 hours of reading. You work at your own pace; all 12 chapters must be completed before the first dive.

No. You are assessed on your in-water performance and a short written reflection after each dive.

Once you meet every performance requirement, your certification is processed through the PADI system and issued as an eCard. You can also download Rubelis's own certificate from your account and add it to the wallet on your phone. Paying the fee does not guarantee certification; it is earned by meeting the performance requirements.

The digital certificate is free for everyone. If you like, you can order a plastic card from the certificate page in your account: €9.90 including shipping within Türkiye, plus €19.90 shipping outside Türkiye.

No. The course focuses on managing ordinary diving stress. For anything beyond that, we recommend speaking to an appropriate professional.

€249. The theory programme, two open water dives, briefing and evaluation, the PADI certification fee and all dive equipment used on the dives are included. Travel and accommodation are not included.

Payment is taken in euros on Stripe's secure payment page; the seller is Rubelis OÜ. Citizens of Türkiye who live in Türkiye pay in Turkish lira through Garanti BBVA. The price and seller that apply to you are shown in the registration form before payment.

The details are needed to check eligibility and to process your PADI certification: your existing certification, your diving experience and your contact details. You enter them once; your account opens automatically after payment.

Registration is made with the details of the person taking the course. If you want to give it as a gift, you can complete the form with the participant's details or write to us.

At a Rubelis partner dive centre in Istanbul, Türkiye. The price applies to this location. The dive centre's name, TSSF registry number and address are given to you in writing when your dive date is planned. For training elsewhere, contact us.

After you register, we agree your dive day with you, depending on availability, the season and sea conditions. Both dives are usually done on the same day; each takes about 35–40 minutes.

Monthly average surface water temperature in the Sea of Marmara (Turkish State Meteorological Service, 1970–2025): Jan9.3°Feb8.2°Mar8.7°Apr11.3°May15.4°Jun20.2°Jul23.4°Aug24.2°Sep22.3°Oct18.8°Nov15.2°Dec12.0° The water can be colder at depth. All dive equipment, including an exposure suit suited to the water temperature, is included in the price. Source

The maximum depth is 18 m; for divers aged 12–14, it is 18 m or the shallower limit of their certification. Groups have no more than 4 divers.

Bring your certification (card or eCard), your logbook, swimwear and a towel. Dive equipment is included. The PADI medical statement and liability release are completed with your instructor at the dive centre before diving.

That is why the registration form asks for the date of your last dive. If you have not dived for a long time, your instructor will review this with you before the dives and may suggest refreshing your basic skills first. If that would involve any extra cost, we will tell you clearly in advance.

Before diving you complete the PADI medical statement. If you answer "yes" to any of its questions, you need a physician's approval to dive before your dives.

Safety comes first. If conditions are not suitable, your dives are moved to a new date agreed with you, free of charge.

If you cancel within 14 days of payment, or 7 or more days before the dive date, the amount paid is refunded less the theory price. After 14 days and fewer than 7 days before the dive date there is no refund, but you may change the date once, free of charge. Full details are in Cancellation & Refunds.

Yes. Because we plan the date together, just write to us as early as you can; we set the new date with you, subject to availability.

No. The price applies to training in Istanbul; you arrange your own travel and accommodation. The dive centre's address and meeting details are given to you in writing when your dive date is planned, and we plan the date around your travel.

Both the theory programme and the in-water training are available in English and Turkish. Just tell us your preferred language when we plan your dive date after you register.

You can take the theory now and complete the dives where you live with a Presence instructor who is authorised for this course and holds a current Rubelis licence. You can find instructors on the Presence map.