Guide · WhatsApp for dive centres

12 WhatsApp replies every dive shop needs (with templates)

Most messages a dive centre gets are the same dozen questions. A good saved reply for each one saves your team hours, and travellers get a clear answer instead of a wait. Copy these, put in your own prices and details, and save them as Quick Replies in WhatsApp Business.

What makes a reply work

When we sent 67 enquiries to dive centres on Koh Tao, the replies that moved us forward had three things in common. They answered the actual question, they gave the price or a date, and they said what to do next. The templates below follow that pattern. Words in [brackets] are yours to fill in.

Tip: in WhatsApp Business go to Settings → Business tools → Quick replies, add each template with a shortcut such as /ow or /fun, and type the shortcut in any chat to insert it.

First contact

1. The first reply to a new enquiry

Hi [name]! Thanks for your message 🙂 I'm [your name] from [centre]. Happy to help. Are you thinking about a course, or are you already certified and looking for fun dives? And roughly which dates are you on [island]?

Two short questions are enough to send the right answer next. Don't ask for everything at once.

2. Night or day off: the honest out-of-hours reply

Hi! Thanks for your message 🙂 Our team is out diving / closed right now, and we'll answer properly by [time] [timezone]. In the meantime: our Open Water course is [price], [days] days, and courses start almost every day. Prices for everything are here: [link]

An auto-reply that only says "we'll get back to you" answers nothing. Put the most-asked answer in it.

Courses and dives

3. Beginner asking about the Open Water

Great choice! The Open Water course takes [days] days and costs [price]. Included: [gear, learning materials, certification, accommodation if any]. You start with theory and the pool, then [number] dives in the sea with your instructor. Which date would you like to start? I can check it for you right away.

4. "I'm a bit nervous" or "I'm not a strong swimmer"

Totally normal, a lot of our students feel that way at first 🙂 You start in shallow water at your own pace, with your instructor right next to you. If you want to try first, the [try dive / Discover Scuba] is one day and costs [price], and you can continue with the full course afterwards.

Reassure first, then offer a small step. Medical questions always go to your instructor or a doctor, not a template.

5. Certified diver asking about fun dives

Nice! Which certification do you have, and when was your last dive? Fun dives are [price] per dive / [price] for [package]. Boats leave at [times], and gear is [included / extra]. If your last dive was more than [months] months ago, we'll start with a short refresher.

6. Price list in one message

Here are our main prices: • Try dive: [price] • Open Water: [price] ([days] days) • Advanced: [price] ([days] days) • Fun dives: [price] per dive, [price] for [number] • Nitrox: [price] Everything includes [what is included]. Which one are you interested in?

Turning a question into a booking

7. Confirming dates and the next step

[Date] works 🙂 To keep your spot, we ask a deposit of [amount]. You can pay it here: [payment link] The rest is paid at the shop. Can I have your full name for the booking?

A link is easier than a bank transfer. In our test not one centre sent one, so this alone puts you ahead.

8. Booking confirmed

You're booked! 🎉 [Course] · [date] · [number] divers Deposit paid ✅ The rest: [amount] at the shop. Please be at [address / map link] at [time] on [day]. Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. See you soon!

9. Gentle follow-up when they go quiet

Hi [name], just checking in 🙂 Any questions I can help with about [course]? Spots for [date] are still open.

Send it once, about a day later. Only 3 of the 67 centres we tested ever followed up, and it costs nothing.

Everything after the booking

10. Change of date or delayed travel

No problem, these things happen. Which new date would suit you? Your deposit stays valid for [period] according to our policy: [link to policy].

11. Cancellation or refund question

Thanks for letting us know. Our policy is: [short policy in one or two lines]. I'll pass this to [manager name] so they can sort it out with you personally.

Policy questions and complaints deserve a person. A template only buys you time.

12. After the course: review and next step

Congratulations on your [certification], [name]! 🎉 It was great having you. If you enjoyed it, a short review would help us a lot: [review link] And if you want to keep going, the Advanced course is [price] and you can start [when].

Keep them honest and up to date

• Check prices every season. A wrong price in a saved reply goes out a hundred times.
• Answer in the traveller's language when you can. A short reply in their language beats a long one in yours.
• Measure the time to a real answer, not to the first auto-reply.
• Hand over what templates can't do: medical questions, complaints and special requests go to a person on your team.

When templates are not enough

Saved replies help when someone is there to send them. The hard part is the night, the boat and the busy season. That is why we built Talay, an inquiry assistant that answers WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger in seconds with your own prices and texts, follows up once, and hands everything else to your team. Try our demo dive centre or write to info@talay.io.

These templates are free to use and adapt, with or without Talay. Numbers quoted come from our mystery shop of 67 enquiries on Koh Tao, October 2026.