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Divers during the Search and Recovery course in the Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh
The Wave Diving Center Since 1995 · Sharm El Sheikh · PADI 5★

PADI Search & Recovery

Learn to locate and recover lost objects underwater — over 4 dives.

★★★★★ 4.9 · 1,283 reviews
📅 2 days · 4 dives 🔍 Search & lift bags 🎓 Advanced divers
Max 4 per instructor

Small groups for real, personal attention.

Equipment included

All well-maintained diving gear provided.

Runs every day

Start any day, around your holiday plans.

Take it further

Build on your certification with new skills.

Loved by Divers Worldwide
★★★★★

“Recovering a lost object with a lift bag on the final dive was so satisfying. Essam explained every search pattern clearly and made the whole course fun and rewarding.”

Daniel
PADI Search and Recovery · Verified review
★★★★★

“Tito taught me to run reels and lay out proper search patterns, then rig and fill a lift bag safely. Four brilliant dives that genuinely made me a more capable diver.”

Lukas
PADI Search and Recovery · Verified review
★★★★★

“I’d always wanted to learn how divers find things underwater. Mohammed made estimating depth and distance feel easy, and the two days flew by.”

Sofia
PADI Search and Recovery · Verified review
★★★★★

“Essam was patient and thorough with the search techniques and safe lifting drills. I finished feeling confident I could plan and run a recovery dive myself.”

Marco
PADI Search and Recovery · Verified review
★★★★★

“The best specialty I’ve done. Tito is calm and professional, and the problem-solving side really improved my planning and buoyancy while working a search.”

Elena
PADI Search and Recovery · Verified review
Smiling diver swimming toward the camera with her dive group behind on an Open Water dive

Find it, lift it, recover it — in 2 days

Do you want to learn how to safely locate and recover lost objects underwater? The PADI Search and Recovery Diver course is designed to teach divers the skills needed to search for and recover items from underwater, whether for recreational, professional or emergency purposes.

Over 2 days and 4 training dives you’ll combine practical skills, problem-solving and effective planning to recover objects efficiently from a range of underwater environments — including wrecks, caves and open water — guided by a PADI-certified instructor with a maximum of 4 students.

Requirements to join the course

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certified
Minimum age 15 years
Medically fit to dive
Course curriculum

What you’ll learn

1

Search Patterns

Learn the various search techniques used to locate lost items underwater, and how to estimate depth and distance so you can plan and cover a search area accurately and efficiently.

2

Using Search Equipment

Get hands-on with specialized equipment — lift bags, reels and dive knives — and learn how to use each one correctly to search, mark and recover objects underwater.

3

Safe Lifting & Problem-Solving

Master safe lifting techniques to raise objects with a lift bag under control, and build the problem-solving skills to handle real recoveries calmly from wrecks, caves and open water.

Day by day

Your 2 days

1 Day 1 · Dives 1–2

Search & Locate

After a knowledge review, your first two dives introduce the search techniques: running reels, swimming different search patterns, and estimating depth and distance to pinpoint a lost object.

2 Day 2 · Dives 3–4

Recover & Certify

Practise safe lifting techniques, rig and fill a lift bag, and problem-solve a full recovery — bringing an object up under control to earn your certification.

See what your course looks like

Real moments from our divers in the Red Sea.

Search and Recovery course at The Wave Diving Center — photo 1
Search and Recovery course at The Wave Diving Center — photo 2
Search and Recovery course at The Wave Diving Center — photo 3

What’s included

  • Transfer from and to your hotel
  • PADI instructor (maximum 4 students)
  • 4 instructor-led training dives
  • All diving equipment (lift bags, reels & dive knives)
  • Lunch and drinks on the boat

Not included

  • × PADI Search and Recovery manual & certification fee (€100) — add at checkout
  • × Underwater photography
What you earn

Your certification

PADI logo
You’ll be certified as
PADI Search and Recovery Diver

A worldwide-recognised PADI specialty certification that proves your ability to safely and effectively conduct search and recovery dives — locating and raising lost objects with a qualified buddy.

Lifetime Certification
Never expires under PADI standards.
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What is the PADI Search and Recovery Diver course?
The PADI Search and Recovery Diver course teaches you how to safely locate and recover lost objects from underwater. It includes learning various search patterns, using specialized equipment like lift bags, reels and dive knives, and employing safe techniques for lifting and recovering items.
Who can take the PADI Search and Recovery course?
You must be at least 15 years old and already hold a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification, and be medically fit to dive. The course builds on those skills over 2 days and 4 dives.
What equipment will I use?
You’ll learn to use specialized search and recovery equipment, including lift bags, reels and dive knives. All the equipment you need is included and provided in your size.
Can I use this certification for professional purposes?
While the PADI Search and Recovery Diver course is recreational in nature, it can be valuable for professional divers involved in search and recovery operations, archaeological dives, and wreck diving.
Do you offer hotel pick-up?
Yes — we offer a door-to-door pick-up service from any hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your preferred date, especially in peak season. We also accept last-minute bookings depending on availability — contact us anytime to check for open slots!
When will I receive my pick-up time?
After your reservation is confirmed, our team will contact you with your exact hotel pick-up time and all the details you need for your trip.

Why choose
The Wave Diving Center

🏆 30+ Years Experience

Award-Winning Excellence

PADI EMEA Bronze Professional Development Excellence Award 2026

PADI EMEA Bronze Professional Development Excellence Award 2026 certificate awarded to The Wave Diving Center
VERIFIED GOOGLE REVIEWS

Trusted by divers worldwide.

Every review is independently posted on Google by real guests who have dived with The Wave Diving Center.

Why learn with
The Wave Diving Center

Established in 1995, The Wave Diving Center has decades of experience training divers of all levels.

PADI-certified instructors

Professional, patient and safety-first, every dive.

Small groups

Maximum 4 students per instructor for real attention.

World-class dive sites

Learn on the Red Sea’s legendary reefs and walls.

Modern equipment

Well-maintained, comfortable gear in all sizes.

Flexible options

Courses run every day, around your holiday plans.

Marine conservation

We dive responsibly and protect the reef we love.

Accredited & certified by

Ready to breathe underwater?

Reserve your spot in minutes, or message us on WhatsApp — we’ll sort your dates, hotel pickup and everything else. Let’s make some bubbles!

WhatsApp us
Duration2 days · 4 dives
You getPADI Search & Recovery certification
Need help? We’re online — ask us!