Frequently Asked Questions

Scuba diving is a safe activity when conducted properly with the right training and equipment. At our dive club, safety is our top priority. All our instructors are professionally certified, and we maintain our equipment to the highest standards. We conduct thorough briefings before each dive and follow strict safety protocols.

Yes, basic swimming skills are required for scuba diving. To enroll in an entry-level course, you need to be able to swim 200 meters/yards without stopping (no time or stroke requirement) and tread water/float for 10 minutes. These requirements ensure you have basic water comfort and skills needed for diving safely.

For full certification courses, the minimum age is generally 10 years old for Junior Open Water certification (with restrictions) and 15 years old for standard Open Water certification. Children as young as 8 can participate in confined water experiences like our Bubblemaker program. All minors require parental consent and supervision during training.

All student divers must complete a medical questionnaire before beginning diving instruction. If you answer "yes" to any of the medical questions, you'll need to have a physician sign a medical statement indicating that you're fit to dive. Certain medical conditions like severe asthma, heart conditions, or recent surgeries may require additional evaluation. We can provide you with the medical form before your course.

The Open Water Diver certification typically takes 3-5 days if done intensively, or can be spread over several weekends. The course includes knowledge development (online or in-classroom), confined water skills practice (in a pool), and four open water dives. We offer flexible scheduling to fit your needs, including weekend courses, intensive weekday courses, and semi-private lessons.

Our course fees include all instruction, course materials (digital or physical), use of scuba equipment during training, certification fees, and logbook. For open water dives, boat fees are included where applicable. Items not included are personal gear (mask, snorkel, fins, boots) which we recommend you purchase for proper fit, and any accommodations needed for travel to dive sites. We offer student discounts on personal equipment purchased during your course.

We offer a full range of PADI certifications, including:

• Discover Scuba Diving (introductory experience)
• Open Water Diver (entry-level certification)
• Advanced Open Water Diver
• Rescue Diver
• Specialty courses (Nitrox, Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, Underwater Photography, etc.)
• Divemaster (professional level)
• Instructor Development Courses

We also offer specialized programs like Bubblemaker for children, Adaptive Techniques for divers with disabilities, and technical diving courses.

Our standard class size is a maximum of 8 students per instructor for classroom sessions, and 4 students per instructor for in-water training. This ensures you receive personalized attention and quality instruction. For those who prefer more individualized training, we also offer private and semi-private lessons at an additional cost.

While we provide all necessary equipment during your training, we recommend purchasing your own personal gear (mask, snorkel, fins, and boots) for proper fit and hygiene. After certification, you can continue to rent equipment from us for dives or gradually build your own complete set. Many divers start with personal items and add major components (BCD, regulator, computer) over time. Our shop offers a full range of equipment with special pricing for newly certified divers.

The cost of scuba equipment varies widely depending on brand, features, and quality:

• Basic personal gear (mask, snorkel, fins, boots): $200-$400
• Mid-range complete set (adding BCD, regulator, wetsuit, computer): $1,500-$2,500
• High-end equipment: $3,000+

We recommend starting with quality personal gear and renting the rest until you've gained more experience and know what features are important to you. Our staff can help you find equipment that fits your needs and budget.

Most manufacturers recommend regulator servicing annually or every 80-100 dives, whichever comes first. BCDs should be inspected annually, with more thorough internal servicing every 2 years. Dive computers typically need battery replacement every 1-2 years depending on usage. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific equipment. Regular maintenance increases both safety and equipment lifespan. Our service department is authorized to work on most major brands.

Yes, we offer equipment rentals for certified divers. You can rent individual pieces or complete packages. Our rental fleet is regularly maintained and includes options for cold water diving. Club members receive discounted rental rates. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season. For extended trips, we offer multi-day rental packages at reduced rates.

Our club membership includes:

• Discounted rates on equipment rentals (15% off)
• Priority booking for dive trips and exclusive member-only trips
• 10% discount on equipment purchases and service
• Free air fills (regular air, not Nitrox)
• Access to club events and social gatherings
• Monthly newsletter with dive information and updates
• Access to our online member forum to connect with dive buddies
• Discounts on continuing education courses

Annual membership fees are $199 for individuals or $299 for families (up to 4 members).

No, you don't need to be a member to participate in most of our dive trips or courses. Non-members are welcome but will pay standard rates. Some special events and trips are exclusively for members. If you dive with us regularly, membership typically pays for itself through the various discounts and benefits.

Joining is easy! You can sign up online through our website or in person at our dive center. You'll need to complete a membership application and provide proof of certification. Membership is open to all certified divers regardless of certification agency. For those taking a certification course with us, we offer a discounted first-year membership rate when you sign up during your course.

We offer a variety of dive experiences:

• Local day trips to nearby dive sites (beginner to advanced)
• Weekend getaways to regional destinations
• Specialized trips (night dives, wreck dives, underwater photography)
• Conservation and clean-up dives
• International dive expeditions (1-2 major trips annually)
• Training dives for continuing education

Our trip calendar is updated quarterly, with special trips announced in our newsletter. Check our website for the current schedule or visit the dive center.

For local day trips, fees typically include:

• Boat fees and captain services
• Professional dive guide
• Tanks and weights
• Light refreshments and snacks
• Marine park fees where applicable

Not included: Personal dive equipment (BCD, regulators, wetsuit, etc.), which can be rented separately if needed. For international trips, inclusions vary and are detailed in the specific trip information.

Most of our local day trips include 2 tank dives with a surface interval between them. For some nearby locations, we offer 3-tank trips with two morning dives and one afternoon dive. Specialty trips like night dives typically include one extended dive. All dives are led by professional dive guides who provide site briefings and ensure safety protocols are followed.

We offer trips suitable for all experience levels, from newly certified divers to experienced technical divers. Each trip is clearly marked with the required experience level and any prerequisite certifications. For beginner-friendly trips, our guides provide additional support and choose dive sites with easier conditions. If you're unsure whether a trip is appropriate for your experience level, our staff can help you choose the right option.

For local day trips:

• Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance: Full refund
• 24-48 hours: 50% refund
• Less than 24 hours: No refund

If WE cancel a trip due to weather conditions or insufficient participants, you'll receive a full refund or credit toward a future trip. For international trips, specific cancellation policies are outlined in the trip details due to varied deposit requirements and booking terms with our partners.

We primarily offer PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certifications, the world's largest and most recognized scuba training organization. However, our dive center recognizes certifications from all major agencies including SSI, NAUI, SDI, and CMAS. No matter where you were certified, you're welcome to dive with us.

Yes, PADI certifications are recognized worldwide. Once certified, you can dive with dive operators nearly anywhere in the world. Your certification has no expiration date, though many dive operators may require a refresher course if you haven't been diving for an extended period (typically 1-2 years). We recommend keeping your certification card with you while traveling and bringing your logbook to show your experience level.

If you've lost your certification card, we can help you obtain a replacement. For PADI certifications, you can order a replacement card directly through the PADI website or mobile app. If you were certified with us, we may have your certification information on file and can assist with the replacement process. For certifications from other agencies, we can guide you through their replacement procedures. Many divers now also use digital certification cards available through apps.

Environmental protection is central to our mission. Our conservation efforts include:

• Regular underwater and beach cleanup events
• Training in proper buoyancy control to prevent reef damage
• Education about marine ecosystems and conservation challenges
• Partnerships with marine conservation organizations
• Sustainable diving practices (no touching, no taking)
• Use of reef-safe sunscreens
• Reduction of single-use plastics in our operations
• Coral restoration project participation

We believe that divers should be ambassadors for ocean conservation, and we integrate environmental responsibility into all our training and trips.

There are many ways to get involved with our conservation initiatives:

• Join our monthly underwater cleanup dives
• Take the PADI Project AWARE or Coral Reef Conservation specialty course
• Participate in our citizen science programs (reef surveys, fish counting)
• Volunteer for our coral nursery and restoration projects
• Attend our marine conservation workshops and presentations
• Support our partner conservation organizations

We welcome all levels of involvement, from beginner divers to experienced conservationists. Check our event calendar or speak with our staff about upcoming conservation activities.