When people talk about diving, it’s often about locations, depth or special encounters.
For me, something else is just as important: the dive buddy. Because no matter how spectacular a dive site may be, if the connection between two people underwater doesn’t feel right, the dive rarely feels truly good.
A good dive buddy is not a coincidence. For me, it’s about attitude, mutual respect and a shared understanding of what makes a dive enjoyable.
It has to feel right on a personal level
What matters most to me is that my dive buddy fits me as a person. I’m not a daredevil who needs to push limits, go deeper or rush from one spot to the next. Naturally, I feel most comfortable diving with people who approach things in a similar way. And the same applies the other way around: I wouldn’t be the right buddy for someone looking for constant adrenaline.
A good buddy team means being compatible—not better or worse, just aligned.
Comfort comes before pushing on
If my dive buddy feels uncomfortable with a situation, a dive plan or an environment, that’s a clear signal for me. In those moments, I don’t push to continue just because it was planned that way.
Diving should feel good—for both people involved.
And it should always stay within each diver’s personal limits.
Similar skills, shared expectations
Beyond personality, diving skills also play a role. A good dive buddy matches not only in character, but also in experience level, calmness and expectations. That doesn’t mean both divers need identical skills—it means they can understand and read each other.
Most importantly, it means avoiding unnecessary pressure.
Sharing calmness
I’ve often experienced situations where a dive buddy wasn’t fully present at the start of a dive. Maybe everyday life was stressful, or their mind was somewhere else. In moments like these, diving can be incredibly grounding—if you allow it to be.
When there’s no rush, no pressure and nothing to prove, things often shift during the dive itself. Breathing slows down. Focus returns. And after surfacing, everything feels different.
Staying calm when things don’t go perfectly
Small issues are part of diving. A mask strap breaks. Something doesn’t sit quite right. These things happen. For me, that’s no reason to add stress. I don’t get upset or create pressure by insisting something needs to be fixed quickly.
Calm helps. Patience helps.
And that’s exactly what I look for in a good dive buddy—and try to offer myself.
Enjoying the dive together
In the end, diving is about enjoyment. About sharing a good experience underwater, without stress or expectations. Not about ticking boxes or forcing plans.
That’s why I truly appreciate good dive buddies.
And just as importantly, I want others to feel the same way about diving with me.