Scuba Diving Calories Burned Calculator

Calculate how many calories you burn scuba diving based on your weight, duration, and dive conditions

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How Many Calories Does Scuba Diving Burn?

Scuba diving burns approximately 250-400 calories per 30 minutes for a 155-pound person depending on dive depth and conditions. Technical diving can burn up to 400 calories in the same time.

Scuba diving is a unique full-body workout that combines cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and breath control in an underwater environment. Understanding your energy expenditure helps optimize dive planning and fitness tracking.

This calculator uses the scientifically validated MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula from the 2024 Compendium of Physical Activities. Scuba diving MET values range from 3.0 (surface prep) to 11.0 (technical diving), making it a moderate to vigorous activity. Compare your results with snorkeling or swimming.

Factors That Affect Calorie Burn

  • Dive depth: Deeper dives require more energy for buoyancy control
  • Water currents: Swimming against currents significantly increases burn
  • Equipment weight: Heavier gear increases energy expenditure
  • Water temperature: Cold water diving burns more calories

Calories Burned by Scuba Diving Type & Duration

Calories by Duration (70 kg / 154 lbs)

DurationSurface (3.0)Easy (5.0)Moderate (7.0)Technical (11.0)
15 min5592129202
30 min110184257404
45 min166276386607
60 min221368515809
90 min3315517721213

Calories by Weight (30 min moderate dive)

120 lbs (54 kg)
198 cal
140 lbs (64 kg)
235 cal
160 lbs (73 kg)
268 cal
180 lbs (82 kg)
301 cal
200 lbs (91 kg)
334 cal
220 lbs (100 kg)
368 cal

Scuba Diving vs Other Activities (30 min, 70 kg)

ActivityCalories
🤿Technical Scuba Diving404
Advanced Scuba Diving331
🦋Swimming (butterfly)506
🐠Snorkeling with Diving276
🌊Moderate Scuba Diving257
🛶Kayaking (moderate)184

Source: MET values from 2024 Compendium of Physical Activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Manish Kumar

Reviewed By

Manish Kumar

NASM-Certified Personal Trainer • 10+ Years Experience