Total harmony and joy of discovery. Diving below the surface and experiencing the mountains and valleys of the sea, the flora and fauna, the tranquillity and excitement, is a sensation that should be available to more people. A whole new world opens up when you can breathe underwater. UCPA is considered Europe's premier diving school. There are diving centers in the Mediterranean with varied underwater geography and the best quality equipment.
A typical day
Together with the group, you will meet your instructor at the dive center and go through the equipment. You then make your way to the boat together. The instructor will give a short introduction and present the dive site and its characteristics. For those who are learning, the instructor will offer various technical exercises. Then you explore the seabed together. The instructor knows the site well and can show you all the best places where you can admire the flora and fauna of the sea.
Where should I go?
Niolon, France
Located in the heart of the Côte Bleue Marine Park, the sports village of Niolon enjoys a privileged location suitable for both diving and snorkeling. The Calanque de Niolon is a small calanque full of charm that offers a perfect starting point for divers who want to explore the surrounding seabed made up of red coral, lobster, galathea, octopus, sea eels or even nudibranchs.
Almirida, Crete
On the north-western coast of the island of Crete, the picturesque and authentic little village of Almirida is located in the heart of a unique environment. The Mediterranean climate on the border of Europe and the Orient, here the landscape of the region is as varied as it is spectacular. The UCPA centre is ideally located on the Cretan coast, overlooking the sea.
Les Saintes, Guadeloupe
Discover one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Caribbean. Terre-de-Haut in Les Saintes is a small paradise far from the hustle and bustle of the world, offering a peaceful atmosphere and easily accessible dive sites. Les Saintes offers varied diving with an incredible palette of colors. You will also discover a wide variety of reef fish. Around February, even humpback whales come up the Saintes Channel.
What certificates can I get?
On most activities, there is the possibility of obtaining a certificate after a week of diving (see specific programs). In France, a CMAS certificate is most often issued and in other countries PADI certificates are generally issued.
CMAS certificates are accepted by most dive centers around the world.
If you are interested in a PADI certificate, look at booking your trip to one of our centers outside France, such as Almirida in Greece.
If you book a beginner course:
If you complete a beginner course with us at UCPA, you have the option of getting the CMAS 1* or PADI Open Water Diver (OWD) certification.
NOTE - CMAS 1* requires a minimum of 10 dives.
If you book a continuation course:
If you complete a continuation course with us at UCPA, you have the opportunity to obtain the CMAS 2* or PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) certification.
What certificates are needed?
Level 1
You have never tried diving before. The location, equipment and pedagogy are specially designed to facilitate initiation and learning.
This level requires no previous experience or level of diving. Good swimming skills are required.
Level 2
Requires PADI Open Water Diver (OWD) or CMAS 1*, diving to a depth of 20 meters, supervised by an instructor with French or international certification.
Level 3
Requires PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) and Deep Diver, otherwise CMAS 2*. Diving up to 40 meters, supervised by an instructor with French or international certification.
Choose the right Diving level
1
2
3
Where can you go?
Destination
UCPA - Freely translated to English as "National Federation for Sports and Outdoor Centers" - has a history of over 50 years. It is, in short, a non-profit, all-French organization supported by, among others, the French state. The purpose is to give ordinary people the opportunity to learn and develop in one or more sports together, in pleasant and unpretentious forms. The organization has about 80 centers in France and the West Indies, 28 of them are located at well-known winter sports resorts in the French Alps.
© 2025 UCPA Travel AB.
