Welcome to the underwater world of scuba diving!

Our experienced team of instructors have been teaching people the skills they need to safely enjoy the beautiful and unexplored natural wonders of the ocean for over 30 years, and have an unequaled reputation for quality instruction. You can rest assured knowing you'll receive quality instruction that has been proven through the test of time! Our instructors teach courses that are fun, but also stress the techniques needed to become a safe and comfortable diver. If you are in good health and are free from serious heart and lung problems, you can learn to SCUBA dive!  

We offer the SSI Open Water Certification Course, an internationally recognized diver certification program that we consider to be the finest in the world. As the second largest certification agency, Scuba Schools International offers flexible and comprehensive instruction that will take you all the way from Open Water Diver to Master Diver and beyond! As an SSI Platinum Facility, we can offer classes all the way from Discover Scuba through Instructor Trainer, the highest level of diving certification.

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE WE OFFER DIFFERENT DIVING PROGRAMS:

1. Weekend Courses meet for pool and classroom sessions Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am to 3pm. The ocean dives are conducted the following weekend on the Sonoma Coast; usually at Salt Point State Park or Stillwater Cove Park. Monterey can usually be done by request.
2. Private lessons are available at your convenience. They can be conducted at our facility or in the privacy of your own home and pool. These courses are the most flexible and really cater to your needs. The cost varies with the number of students. Please call for pricing.

GETTING STARTED!

Courses begin with choosing a class that works with your schedule. Next, come on in and get the SSI Student Kit. This kit really is the start of your Scuba Class: It has everything you need to know to become a Scuba Diver. Read your book, watch the DVD, and do your homework- now you're ready for the fun to begin!

Depending on the type of course you choose, the dates and times of your pool sessions will vary. But essentially, you'll spend 2-4 days doing pool and classroom work. Here we'll go over all the information you learned in your Student Kit. Now you're starting to become familiar with the terminology and skills from your homework and DVD, this allows us to really focus on the hands-on portion of the course! We'll answer all your questions and you'll get to spend more time IN THE WATER than trying to learn all this information during class. We offer a 2-day pool session because we believe spending 2 days in the pool develops your skills and makes you a better, more comfortable diver. On the last day of class, you'll take your written test and have your picture taken. Now you're ready for the ocean!

READY TO DIVE!

Our ocean dives are usually conducted at the Salt Point State Park on our beautiful North Coast. Gerstle Cove, in the Salt Point State Park, is a marine sanctuary that is protected from the wind and swell, and brimming with life! If you've never taken a look beneath the California Coast, prepare to be surprised! Our coastline is home to the richest marine environment on the planet! You'll see abalone, lingcod and other rockfish, starfish, sunstars, kelp fish, nudibranchs, snails, crabs, scallops, hard corals and maybe even the resident octopus! For more information on what you'll see and about California diving, check out our California Diving Page! Your Scuba course includes one optional skin dive (snorkel) and 4 open water scuba dives.

WHAT YOU NEED:

The Course fee is $195.00. The SSI Student Kit which contains the manual/workbook, dive tables, DVD, student record folder, carry-bag, and other paperwork is $59.95. If more than one person from the same household is attending the course, a Companion Kit is available for a reduced cost. An SSI log book is required for the course and they begin at $19.95. We will supply all the SCUBA equipment for the pool training sessions. Rental of the exact SCUBA equipment you used in the pool for the ocean weekend is available for $106.50.

Because fit and comfort are essential for enjoyment and safety, each student must provide their own personal snorkeling equipment – mask, fins, snorkel, boots, and gloves. We sell a variety of most major brands of SCUBA equipment, and our professional staff will be happy to assist you in the proper selection of your equipment. Having equipment that is comfortable and fits you properly, as well as having some equipment that is the same every time you dive is essential to a divers' enjoyment and comfort in the water. We have student packages available starting at about $175. As a special offer to our students, we give 10% off the personal snorkeling equipment package while they are enrolled in our program. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the store or drop by! Our staff will be happy to assist you in all your diving needs. A $50 deposit holds your place in the class session of your choice. Due to staffing logistics there will be a $50 transfer fee if class dates need to be changed less than two weeks before the first session. Please be certain of your dates before you enroll. 

VIEW OUR OPEN WATER CLASS SCHEDULE

As with any physical activity, there are certain medical issues that may preclude you from scuba diving. Exercise or stress induced asthma or certain heart and lung conditions can be a problem. Please give us a call if you are not sure about these requirements and we can help you. The Medical Waiver and Doctor's Form are available in the store, they will be posted here as soon as possible. Diving is a fun and easy sport, but we want to make sure our students are safe and healthy enough to enjoy their diving adventures!