The Ultimate Guide to Adventure Licenses: Dive, Fly, and Explore

Published in the Sunday Indian Express Magazine - Eye on 22 September, 2024

Think a scuba license is exciting? Wait until you see what else can take your adventures to the next level!

I spent the last weekend planning a trip to Bali later this year, and one thing that will definitely be on my packing checklist is my PADI Scuba Diving license. Whether it's diving into crystal-clear waters or exploring the vibrant coral reefs, having that license opens up a whole new world of experiences. But it got me thinking what other licenses do I need to truly fulfill my travel goals? So, why not dive into some of the most exciting licenses that every adventurer should have on their bucket list? Let’s explore the thrilling certifications that not only take you deeper, but higher, further, and beyond.

Scuba Diving License

Scuba diving was my first venture into the world of adventure licenses, and it’s been nothing short of transformative. I earned my open water scuba diving certification in the Andaman Islands, a place that feels like a diver’s paradise. If you have never been to the Andamans, imagine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and an underwater world bursting with life. From ship-wrecks and manta rays to colourful coral gardens, it was the perfect destination to get certified.

Learning to dive was challenging but incredibly rewarding. The Open Water Diver license lets you explore depths of up to 18 meters (60 feet), and while the training may seem daunting at first  learning underwater breathing, buoyancy control, and emergency protocols  it’s all worth it once you make that first plunge into the ocean. And here's a fun fact: Did you know that divers burn up to 600 calories per hour underwater? It’s one of the few adventure sports that combines serenity with a bit of a workout.

Since earning my PADI scuba certification, I have been diving all over, from coral reefs to shipwrecks. In fact, I recently sat down for a Travel Explore Celebrate Life podcast episode with Sushant Joshi, founder of Scuba Reels, a company that films underwater exploration. We did an episode together on scuba diving tips, and it’s packed with advice for beginners and seasoned divers alike. You can check out the full episode by scanning the QR code below:

Skydiving License

Next on my adventure bucket list Skydiving. I have yet to even do a tandem skydive, but there’s something about getting my skydiving license that calls to me. The idea of jumping solo from a plane at 14,000 feet is both terrifying and exhilarating.

One of the fastest and most popular ways to get your skydiving certification is through the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) program. Unlike tandem skydiving, where you are attached to an instructor, AFF is designed to get you freefalling solo in as few as 8 jumps. The process starts with ground training, where you will learn essential skills like body positioning, deploying your parachute, and handling emergency scenarios. Then, during your first jump, you will be accompanied by two instructors who will help you maintain stability in the air until you deploy your parachute.

As you progress through the program, you will need to demonstrate stable freefall, turns, and safe landings  all while gradually gaining more independence. By your 7th or 8th jump, you will be exiting the plane entirely on your own, with the freedom to control every aspect of the dive. Once you have completed the required jumps and passed the practical assessments, you will earn your AFF license, qualifying you to skydive solo anywhere in the world. Just imagine stepping out of that plane door at 14,000 feet, knowing it’s just you and the sky, with no instructor tethered to your back!

Drone License in India

If there’s one thing that adds an entirely new perspective to travel, it’s a drone. For a long time, I have wanted to get my drone license in India, especially as drones become a vital tool for capturing travel photography and videography. Whether you are hiking in the Himalayas or exploring the backwaters of Kerala, a drone allows you to film breathtaking shots that ground-level cameras simply can’t. And what prompted me to include this license in this write-up is that Veena World's Tour Manager, Amol Salgar, recently got his license, and when I heard him talk about it, I seriously had big FOMO (fear of missing out). So, yup, it's now on the list.

Flying drones in India requires some legal know-how. If your drone weighs more than 250 grams, you will need to get a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) License. The process includes passing a ground training exam, registering your drone, and adhering to Indian regulations, which limit where and how high you can fly.

India is one of the few countries that categorises drones into five types, from tiny Nano Drones (weighing less than 250 grams) to Large Drones (over 150 kilograms). Each category has specific rules, including the requirement to fly within visual line of sight and below 120 meters.

The possibilities are endless once you are licensed. Imagine flying a drone over the terraced tea fields of Assam or capturing the sunset from above Havelock Island's iconic beaches. With the right certification, you can film your entire travel adventure from a bird’s-eye view.

Paragliding License

Now, for those who prefer to soar a little closer to the earth, there’s paragliding. If you have ever watched people gliding gracefully through the sky, suspended beneath a colorful wing, and thought, ‘I would love to try that,’ you are not alone. Paragliding is one of the most accessible and thrilling ways to experience flight, and getting a paragliding license opens up the skies around the world for exploration.

The first time I tried paragliding, it was a tandem flight, with a professional handling all the technical stuff while I sat back and took in the incredible views. But after that first taste, I was hooked  I wanted to be the one in control, steering my own flight. The process of getting a paragliding license involves ground school to learn about weather conditions, flight mechanics, and safety, as well as a series of training flights where you practice launching, controlling, and landing your glider.

Once you have completed the necessary training  usually about 10-15 days depending on your location and skill level  you will be licensed to fly solo in designated paragliding zones all around the world. Imagine launching from the hills of Switzerland’s Interlaken, catching thermals to glide high above the snow-capped peaks, or soaring over the rolling landscapes of Spain’s Andalusia! One of the best parts about paragliding is the sense of connection with nature. Unlike powered flight, paragliding is a silent, peaceful experience. You are riding the air currents just like birds do, moving with the wind, not against it.

Now, let’s take a moment to acknowledge something important - you don’t need these licenses to travel the world or have an epic adventure. You can absolutely enjoy a tandem skydive, explore the underwater world with a guide, or hire a licensed drone operator to capture your perfect aerial shots without needing to invest the time, effort, and money into getting certified yourself.

Many adventure companies and tour operators offer guided experiences that allow you to sample these activities without any prior experience or licensing. Then you may ask, why spend weeks training for a scuba diving or paragliding license when I could just show up and enjoy the experience under someone else’s watchful eye? The answer is simple: freedom and mastery. When you hold one of these adventure licenses, it’s like having a golden key that opens up a whole new level of autonomy, exploration, and confidence. Freedom is, hands down, the biggest reason why I want to start pursuing adventure licenses.

The second reason is mastery. I think there is something deeply satisfying about gaining a skill that allows you to connect with nature in a more immersive way. Mastery brings a sense of confidence and self-reliance. When you are certified to skydive solo, you don’t just participate in an adventure  you command it. You know how to handle yourself in different environments, read the conditions, and navigate challenges. It’s the difference between watching the action from the sidelines and stepping into the lead role of your own adventure story.

That’s why, while these licenses aren’t mandatory, they are incredibly fulfilling for those of us who want to dive deeper into our adventures. They are about pushing boundaries, gaining independence, and adding new dimensions to the way we travel.

In the end, it all comes down to what you are looking for in your travels. So, have I convinced you to add a new license to your travel list? Or did I miss out on any other such unique licenses from around the world? I would love to know your thoughts, so write to me at neil@veenaworld.com. Until next time, adventure is waiting, so take the leap and Celebrate Life!