San Diego Scuba Certifications
Scuba diving is the most intimate way to experience the beauty of the ocean. Become a certified scuba diver today and discover all that’s happening under the sea!
We keep our classes capped at 4 students so you’ll receive more attention and personalized guidance from your instructor — giving you the confidence to embark on your own scuba diving adventures far and wide.
Train with an experienced, first-rate instructor with thousands of logged dives in San Diego and around the world.
Your course fee includes:
- PADI / RAID certification fees
- Full Rental Gear
We don’t require you to rent or purchase gear for this class. However, your experience will be more comfortable if you buy personally-fitted equipment, like your:
- Scuba Mask and Snorkel
- Fins
- Boots and Gloves
We’re proud to offer the open water diver course for both PADI and RAID.
Scuba Courses in San Diego
Open Water Diver Course
The open water diver course is the jumping-off point on your scuba journey! This introductory course will teach you the fundamentals and prepare you for worldwide dive adventures.
Advanced Open Water Diver Course
This course is all about advancing and refining your skills. You can enroll immediately after your Open Water Diver Course, but we do recommend you log a minimum 15 dives.
Open Water Referral Program
This program is for students who are visiting from out of town. If you’ve completed the classroom and pool sessions in your hometown, or if you’re returning from a vacation course, you can complete your open water dives here in beautiful San Diego.
Course Prerequisite: Age 13 years or older; proof of completed online study and pool/confined water training.
Dive California's Ultimate Refresher Course
Feeling a little rusty? A scuba refresher course is a great way to brush up your skills if you’ve taken a long break from diving. We offer both PADI ReActivate and RAID refresher courses. (any required online study materials are not included and will be paid separately to the training agency.)
Scuba Course Info
Open Water Diver
Pricing does not include PADI eLearning and certification fee of $246
Private One-on-One: $1,995
Semi-Private (2 Students): $1,295 per student
Semi-Private (3-4 Students): $1,095 per student
Advanced Open Water Diver
Duration 2 Days – 5 Shore Dives
Pricing does not include PADI eLearning and certification fee of: $231
Private One-on-One: $695
Semi-Private (2 Students): $495 per student
DC’s Ultimate Refresher
Duration 4-5 hours – 2 Shore Dives
Includes essential diving theory, equipment setup, and review of all necessary and practical scuba skills.
PADI ReActivate on special request available, Pricing does not include the PADI ReActivate fee of $81
$350 per student (max 2 students per course)
Open Water Referral Program
Duration 2 Days – 4 Shore Dives
Minimum Age 13 Years
Private One-on-One: $695
About Your Instructor
Michael Timm is a scuba, freediving, and emergency first response instructor with decades of teaching experience.
Michael is an instructor-of-instructors, with certifications as:
- PADI Freediver Instructor Trainer
- PADI IDC Staff Instructor
- SSI Instructor Trainer
- SSI Level 3 Freediving Instructor
- RAID Instructor Trainer
- Military Water Competency Instructor
- Trauma-Informed Aquatic Specialist
Michael began his professional diving career in the German Navy as a combat diver. Afterward he managed dive operations at dive resorts all over the world before making landfall in San Diego.
He has over 35 years of teaching experience, and over 20 years experience working with physically and cognitively-impaired people – including military personnel and veterans that have been injured in combat. He also trains lifeguard teams and conducts specialized water competency training for special forces members.
In his free time, Michael enjoys trail running and underwater photography!
FAQs
Here’s why you might want to take a private or semi-private scuba course:
- You have a busy or complicated schedule
- You want to get certified within a short amount of time (maybe you have an upcoming vacation!)
- You want a more individualized learning experience with more attention from your instructor
- You’re nervous about scuba diving and want the most stress-free training experience possible
Scuba diving is a safe sport when you’re properly trained. Sometimes, beginning scuba divers receive poor training because of:
- Large Class Sizes: When your scuba class has more than 4 students, you’ll receive far less guidance from your instructor and it will be more difficult to master your basic skills.
- Rushed Courses: Some scuba diving instructors want to rush through your training as quickly as possible so they can book the next group of students.
At Dive California, we want you to feel safe and confident when you head off on your dive adventures. That’s why we only offer private and semi-private scuba courses. A small class size ensures that you’re going to get the best scuba training possible.
The minimum age for each of our scuba courses is:
- Open Water Diver: 13 Years Old
- Referral Training: 13 Years Old
- Ultimate Refresher: 13 Years Old
Minors must have parental consent.
You’ll be more comfortable in the water if you’re a proficient swimmer. However, the swimming requirements for the PADI / RAID Open Water Course are modest. You must be able to perform a 200-yard swim without stopping, but you may choose any swim style. You must also be able to tread water for 10 minutes (in water that’s too deep for standing).
Your certification will not expire. However, if you don’t go scuba diving for an extended period, you’re highly encouraged to refresh your skills through a scuba refresher course. Some dive operators may not allow you to dive with them if you haven’t been diving in over 6 months.