Scuba Courses
Diving Catalina offers a lifetime of exciting adventure and the ideal way to begin that adventure is with Diving Catalina's Open Water Diver course. Under the guidance of a professional Dive Instructor, you will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to enjoy a lifetime of underwater exploration.
Scuba diving is a great way to explore the beautiful and fascinating world under the oceans, seas, and lakes. Suitable for those over the age of 12, scuba diving certification provides those with a sense of adventure, and love of the water, the opportunity to explore the waters all over the world.
INTRODUCTION TO SCUBA
- NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY -
For those who have always wanted to try scuba diving but who do not have dive certification, this scuba dive adventure is for you!
An Introductory Scuba Dive is an orientation to scuba diving that allows those who don’t have dive certification to experience diving in the ocean. Enjoy the Introductory Scuba Dive in the Casino Point Dive Park, one of few underwater parks in the world, and marvel at the complex marine environment found in the kelp forests.
Participants must be at least 12 years of age and be medically cleared before being able to take the Introductory Scuba Dive.
What you will learn:
You learn the basic safety guidelines and skills needed to dive under the direct supervision of an Open Water Scuba Instructor.
- Basic safety guidelines and skills needed to scuba guide
- You will be briefed on the scuba equipment
- Skills that you’ll use on every dive
- Breathe underwater
- Swim around Casino Point
- How to become a certified scuba diver
About the Introductory Dive:
- The Introductory Dive includes a knowledgeable and experienced Open Water Scuba Instructor that is an expert on Catalina Island marine life
- If applicant signs yes to any of the medical history questions, you must consult your physician for approval with our medical release form.
- All scuba equipment, including a thick 7mm wet suit
- Please allow approximately 2 hours for this adventure
- No underwater photography is permitted on this dive
- Reservations are required
Pricing:
- $129.00 per person, per dive.
- The price above includes all rental equipment except gloves.
- If you are the only participant on your dive, a $20 private dive fee will be applied. If you request your dive to be private with no other guests joining you, we will close off all bookings for that dive(s) and charge double the internet rate.
Consider having your dive videotaped by a diving professional. $149
UPGRADE TO OPEN WATER DIVER
The certification “Scuba Diver” is a subset of the “Open Water Diver” course. As a “Scuba Divers” you are trained to dive under the direct supervision of a Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor to a maximum depth of 40 feet.
In order to complete an Open Water Diver course, from beginning to end, you need to complete 4 certification dives – dives that take place in an open water environment. These dives can only take place after you have completed the academic and pool portion of the certification process. The certification dives take place over two days where you will be tested on the skills that were taught to you during the pool portion of the class. On completing the four certification dives you are then issued your Open Water Certification Card. The Scuba Diver certification gets you about half way through your Open Water class.
All referrals must be complete within one year of original Scuba Diver certification.
To enroll in this course, you must be 12 years old or older.
What to bring?
- eLearning verification sheet
- A photocopy of your “Scuba Diver” certification card
- Your Log Book
What to expect:
- Complete a 200-yard continuous surface swim.
- Pre-assess the diver’s knowledge and skills, and remediate as necessary
- Confined Water Dives 4-5, and all remaining Dive Flexible Skills.
- Open Water Dives 3-4, and all remaining Dive Flexible Skills.
Duration:
This is a 2 or 3-day course. Should you require additional dives, $195 per dive for a private or $145 per person, per dive for 2 or more participants.
Pricing:
1 participant...$995
2 participants...$795 per person.
If you request your dives to be private with no other guests joining you, we will close off all bookings for that course and charge double the internet rate.
Reservations are required
The above-mentioned course reflects proven time requirements to finish the course. Occasionally, a student may require additional time to work with the instructor in order to become certified. In these cases, an additional fee will apply to cover charges not covered by the initial course fee.
ALL PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST HAVE A SIGNED WAIVER FROM A LEGAL GUARDIAN.
eLEARNING MUST BE COMPLETE PRIOR TO ARRIVING ON CATALINA ISLAND.
Referral Dives or Certification Dives
If you have completed your online or classroom training, and your pool or Training Dives, at another location, you can complete your open water training dives with us in the Casino Point Dive Park. In order to complete your Open Water Diver certification, you need to complete 4 Checkout dives. These dives must take place in an open water environment. These dives can only take place after you have completed your online or classroom training, and pool portion of the Open Water certification class. These final 4 dives take place over two days where you will be tested on the skills that you learned during the pool portion of your class. Once you have completed the 4 Checkout Dives, you will be issued your Open Water Certification Card.
Our staff is certified to teach SSI, PADI, and NAUI certification dives.
To enroll in this course, you must be 12 years old or older.
What to bring?
- A signed referral from your Dive Instructor
- Copy of your Medical form if you had to have it signed by a doctor. If applicant signs yes to any of the medical history questions, please consult your physician for approval. Click here to download the Medical Statement.
- Your Log Book &Training Record signed by your Dive Instructor
- Universal Referral signed by your Dive Instructor.
What to expect:
The Checkout dives are taught by our staff of professional Dive Instructors who are dedicated to teaching diving in a fun, safe and stress-free manner. Your 4 Checkout dives can be done 2 days in a row, or spread out over 2 weekends. You will be required to demonstrate your proficiency in all the dive skills according to Standards for Open Water Certification.
Pricing:
- 1 participant...$199 private per dive
2 or more participants...$149 per person, per dive
Reservations are required
If you request your dives to be private with no other guests joining you, we will close off all bookings for that course and charge double the internet rate.
The above mentioned course reflects proven time requirements to finish the course. Occasionally, a student may require additional time to work with the instructor in order to become certified. In these cases an additional fee will apply to cover charges not covered by the initial course fee.
OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE
Scuba Diving offers a lifetime of exciting adventure and the ideal way to begin that adventure is with Diving Catalina’s Open Water Dive course. The Open Water Dive Course is the most widely recognized scuba course in the world. Millions of people all over the world have learned to scuba dive and discovered the wonders of oceans, lakes and rivers.
To enroll in the Open Water Diver course (or Junior Open Water Diver course), you must be 12 years old or older. You must be able to swim comfortably and confidently in the open ocean, as well as be in good physical health. No prior experience with scuba diving is necessary, but an interest in exploring the water is definitely required! All training takes in the open ocean.
What will you learn:
- Basic principles of scuba diving
- How to use basic scuba gear
- Moving in the water with ease
- Breathing normally under water
- Controlling buoyancy so you neither descent nor ascend
- The easiest ways to enter and exit the water
- Getting water out of your mask, or mask clearing
- Knowledge Development (online or independent study called eLearning) to understand basic principles of scuba diving
- eLearning MUST be complete prior to arriving on Catalina Island
- 4 Training Dives to learn basic scuba skills
- 4 Checkout Dives to use your skills and explore!
What is eLearning?
Electronic learning (eLearning) is an important and necessary part of the delivery of education online, using web-based technology. eLearning allows you to begin your dive education at your convenience, on the internet, and finish your training in the water with a diving Professional. eLearning must be complete prior to arriving on Catalina Island.
Your class includes:
- The online course (eLearning); you will study on your own at home before arriving for your dives
- All quizzes and tests (eLearning); you will take several quizzes and tests at home before arriving for your dives
- 4 Training Dives in the open ocean with one of our Dive Instructors
- 4 Checkout Dives in the open ocean with one of our Dive Instructors
- Rental of all scuba gear (except dive gloves) for all of the required dives
- Certification card
eLEARNING MUST BE COMPLETE PRIOR TO ARRIVING ON CATALINA ISLAND.
Please allow 3 days on Catalina Island to complete the diving portion of this course.
The above mentioned course reflects proven time requirements to finish the course. Occasionally, a student may require additional time to work with the instructor in order to become certified. In these cases an additional fee will apply to cover charges not covered by the initial course fee.
Pricing - 2 Person Minimum
2 or more participants...$795.00 per person.
If you request your dives to be private with no other guests joining you, we will close off all bookings for that course and charge double the internet rate.
Should you require additional time after 3 days of training, $195 per person, per dive.
Please call 310-510-8558 for information.
ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE
That’s what the Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about. You don’t have to be “advanced” to take it – it’s designed to advance your diving, so you can start right after earning your Open Water Diver certification. The course helps build confidence and expand your scuba skills through different types of dives. The dives you log helps develop capabilities as you find new ways to have fun scuba diving.
Who should take this course?
Any Open Water Diver who is at least 12 years of age and ready to step up to a higher level of learning may enroll in the Advanced Open Water Diver course.
What will you learn:
You’ll plan your learning path with your instructor by choosing from a list of dives. There are two required dives – Deep and Underwater Navigation – you and your instructor choose the other three, for a total of five dives.
Your Class Includes:
- Advance Open Water manual; you study at home on your own time, prior to arriving for your dives
- 5 dives with one of our Dive Instructors
- Rental of all scuba gear (except dive gloves) for all of the required dives
- Certification Card
Please allow 2 days on Catalina to complete this course.
Pricing
- 1 participant...$895 private
2 or more participants...$695.00 per person
If you request your dives to be private with no other guests joining you, we will close off all bookings for that course and charge double the internet rate.
RESCUE DIVER COURSE
The Rescue Diver course has been described as the most challenging, yet most rewarding, scuba diving course available. You will learn to prevent and manage problems in the water, and become more confident in your skills as a diver. The course prepares you to deal with emergencies that you might encounter while diving. You will learn what to look for and how to respond quickly. You will learn to become a better buddy by practicing problem solving skills until they become second nature.
Who should take this course?
Any Advanced Open Water dives who is at least 12 years old can enroll in a Rescue Diver course. You also need to have taken and passed CPR and First Aid training within the past 12 months. You can also choose to complete this training during the Rescue Diver course.
Advance Open Water divers who are at least 12 years old may enroll in a Rescue Diver course. You also need to have CPR and First Aid training within the past 24 months. You can complete this training during the Rescue Diver course.
What will you learn?
- Self rescue
- Recognizing and managing stress in other divers
- Emergency management and equipment
- Rescuing panicked divers
- Rescuing unresponsive divers
What scuba gear will you use?
- You will use basic scuba equipment
- You will need a pocket mask to practice in-water resuscitation
- Your Instructor will explain the equipment that you need and may suggest additional gear, such as your own first aid kit
Your class includes:
- Rescue Diver manual; you study at home on your own time, prior to arriving for your dives
- Complete instruction with one of our Dive Instructors
- All in and out of water rescue scenarios
- Certification card
Pricing:
- 1 participant...$1295
- 2 participants or more participants...$895.00 per person
- Reservations are required
Please allow 3 days on Catalina to complete the course.
If you request your dives to be private with no other guests joining you, we will close off all bookings for that course and charge double the internet rate.
Please call 310-510-8558 for information.
DIVEMASTER COURSE
Divemasters are looked upon by other scuba divers as leaders who motivate, and mentor, others. The Divemaster course is the initial level of professional training. During the course, you will work closely with one of our Dive Instructors and fine-tune your dive skills. You will gain confidence and knowledge so you can become a role model to divers everywhere you dive.
Once you complete the Divemaster Course, you will have the knowledge to supervise scuba diving activities and assist with diver training. Divemaster Certification can open up many opportunities if you wish to work abroad at a dive destination, or close to home at your local dive shop.
What will you learn:
The Divemaster course teaches you to take charge of dive activities, and be a leader in the dive community. You will learn the skills necessary to organize and direct all kinds of scuba diving activities. Topics and practical workshops include:
- The role and characteristics of the Divemaster
- Supervising dive activities and assisting with student divers
- Diver safety and risk management
- Divemaster conducted programs and specialized skills
- Business of diving and your career
- Awareness of the dive environment
- Dive setup and management
- Mapping an open water site
- Conducting dive briefings
- Organizing a search and recovery project and a deep dive
- Conducting a scuba review and skin diver course
- Assisting with Discover Scuba Diving and leading Discover Local Diving programs
Prerequisite:
- Rescue Diver certification
- 18 years of age
- CPR and First Aid training within the past 12 months
- A medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months
- At least 40 logged dives to begin the course, and 60 logged dives to earn certification
Your class includes:
- Divemaster manual; you study at home on your own time, prior to arriving for your dives
- Complete instruction with one of our Dive Instructors
- Certification card
If you request your dives to be private with no other guests joining you, we will close off all bookings for that course and charge double the internet rate.
Please call 310-510-8558 for information.