Find a dive buddy you'll actually click with.
Buddy Check matches divers on compatibility, not just proximity. Post where and when you're diving, then find someone whose pace, priorities and personality fit yours — for a trip abroad or a Saturday shore dive.
Free to post and search dives. Unlock a boatload of benefits for $1.99/month.
Real compatibility, not just proximity
Every diver answers the same questions about how they dive. We compare your answers and
show you how much you actually have in common — before you message anyone.
Matching you with what matters most
- Air consumption
- Breathing gas
- Dive pace
- Planning style
- Topside vibe
- Favorite dive types
- Group size
- Water temperature
- Availability
- Visibility tolerance
- Preferred sites
- Night diving
Why Buddy Check
Buddy-first. Compatibility-driven. Built by a diver, for divers.
Buddy Check matches divers on how you actually dive, not just where you are. Every match comes with a nudge to meet on land first — because you're trusting this person underwater.
How it works
Step 1
Build your diver profile
Certification, logged dives and how you actually like to dive. Self-report your agency and certification number.
Step 2
Post your dive
Destination, dates and the details — resort, boat dives, whether you're travelling solo.
Step 3
Match on compatibility
Filter by certification, pace, priority and vibe, then read the full profile before reaching out.
Step 4
Meet on land first
Every new conversation nudges you to connect in person before you commit to diving together.
But weight, there's moor!
Interactive buddy map
See dives, sites, and buddies on one interactive map
Post a dive
Post a dive and see who's heading the same way
Guide & shop directory
Free guide and dive shop directory, wherever you're heading
Conservation dives
Conservation dives, from kelp restoration to reef cleanups
Tidepool forum
Talk gear and trip reports in the Tidepool forum
Optional dating mode
Buddy-first always — dating mode is entirely optional
Want a pro instead? Find a Guide.
A directory of independent dive guides and instructors — credentials, dive shop, the waters they know and their typical rates. Browsing and contacting guides is free for everyone. You arrange the dive and payment directly with them.
Only $1.99/month.
The rest is for your gear bag.
Everything you need to be found is free. The Buddy plan ($1.99/month) unlocks full matching and messaging — and helps keep this space free of bots, scammers, and anyone who isn't serious about dive safety.
- Browse dives & post dives
- Guide & dive shop directory
- Basic profile (photo, name, cert level)
- Full compatibility profile
- Compatibility filters & search
- Direct messaging
- Forum access
- Conservation projects
- Map access
Meet the diver behind Buddy Check
Buddy Check started with a single Facebook comment, and what followed was incredible. I replied to a stranger's post looking for a dive buddy — she was free mid-week, same as me. Within an hour, we were messaging. A few days later, we met for coffee and talked about everything from dive style to planning. The next week, we were driving to Monterey together, talking the whole way, sharing a hotel room, and diving side by side. We really connected and are already planning more dives together.
I couldn't stop thinking about how easy that was — easier, honestly, than most dating stories I've heard. Turns out bonding over a shared love of the ocean says more about compatibility than any bio ever could. (For the record — my husband doesn't dive. This is my thing, and I love finding people to share it with.)
I designed Buddy Check so that story could happen for other divers too — whether they're looking for a buddy, a guide, or just someone to talk gear with in the forum. Your next adventure is already waiting — now go find your people!
— Laura Schermeister, Founder