
WHAT IS PADI?
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world’s largest training organization for recreational scuba diving. Founded in the United States, PADI has been guiding divers safely beneath the surface of the ocean for over 50 years, while educating them about the hidden beauty of nature and the need to protect it.
The training for each level takes place in three stages:
- Theoretical training, online or at a PADI-approved dive center.
- Confined water dives to practice techniques.
- Open water dives to try out everything you’ve learned.
DIFFERENCES WITH THE FRENCH COURSES?
The main difference is the international coverage. PADI allows you to dive anywhere in the world, with over 95% of the world’s dive centers affiliated.
There are equivalencies between the two schools, but they sometimes require an upgrade from one curriculum to the other.
As instructors and trainers since the 2000’s, we have noticed discrepancies between our philosophy and teaching methods at Nature Essentielle and what is offered by the French qualification system.


At Nature Essentielle, we like to say:
Diving is not a race to the bottom, it’s a way of observing the world.
BEING A PADI DIVE RESORT MEANS
1. Educating our divers about the environment
Diving wouldn’t survive without beautiful places to visit, and divers are encouraged to take action with Project AWARE® by making every dive count towards a clean and healthy planet ocean.
To this end, we train and certify all of our young divers who participate in Operation Pelagos, awarding them the internationally recognized « Aware Specialist » card.


2. Provide an initial training program that is appropriate, progressive, standardized and recognized worldwide.
Training – PADI training standards are rigorous to ensure consistency and international quality. They are much more demanding than the French levels:
- + More training scenarios
- + More Training dives
- + More Teaching tools: e-learning, theory courses and final exams
Learning based on safety, progressiveness and performance – Technical skills are acquired in a protected environment and transferred step by step to the natural environment, creating a learning environment conducive to success.
3. Supporting divers throughout their lives through continuing education
Continuing Education in Diving – Perfecting your skills and knowledge throughout your life. Each PADI course builds on the last, and you learn techniques when you’re ready. PADI Specialties allow you to explore special interests.

OUR PADI TRAINING PROGRAM
