Panama City Diving
We offer diving instruction and scuba classes through PADI, the world's largest certification agency.
Dive Classes
The progression of core recreational certifications from PADI starts with "Openwater Diver", then to "Advanced Openwater Diver", and "Rescue Diver." Upon reaching rescue diver certification if you earn 5 specialties or more you become what is know as a "Master Diver" in recognition of your diverse training and experience. The other option upon reaching rescue certification is to "Go Pro" and and become a "Divemaster" in training. Divemasters are able to help instructors teach classes, conduct Discover Scuba Diving programs, and lead certified divers on excursions.
The progression of core recreational certifications from PADI starts with "Openwater Diver", then to "Advanced Openwater Diver", and "Rescue Diver." Upon reaching rescue diver certification if you earn 5 specialties or more you become what is know as a "Master Diver" in recognition of your diverse training and experience. The other option upon reaching rescue certification is to "Go Pro" and and become a "Divemaster" in training. Divemasters are able to help instructors teach classes, conduct Discover Scuba Diving programs, and lead certified divers on excursions.
There are three different ways we can teach our diving classes.
Option 1 is the old school 6 days of straight lecture and testing followed by several days of dive training.
Option 2 (most commonly preferred) Study at home after receiving the academic books from us. Upon completeion of all the "homework" an instructor will review the material with you and administer the exam. Then several days of in water dive training.
Option 3 is the newest evolution in dive classes, E-Learning.
No matter which option you prefer and best learn by, our staff is more than happy to share their knowledge of scuba diving with you.
Click on the picture above to go to PADI's "eLearning" site. There you can complete the academic portion of your classes on a computer from home at your leisure instead of via days of lecture or simply doing homework from a book. PADI will charge you for this online scuba school session but we will not. Upon completion of the academics we will discount the cost of books from your class fee which is usually $50. (since you have already done the academics without cost to us).
Option 1 is the old school 6 days of straight lecture and testing followed by several days of dive training.
Option 2 (most commonly preferred) Study at home after receiving the academic books from us. Upon completeion of all the "homework" an instructor will review the material with you and administer the exam. Then several days of in water dive training.
Option 3 is the newest evolution in dive classes, E-Learning.
No matter which option you prefer and best learn by, our staff is more than happy to share their knowledge of scuba diving with you.
Click on the picture above to go to PADI's "eLearning" site. There you can complete the academic portion of your classes on a computer from home at your leisure instead of via days of lecture or simply doing homework from a book. PADI will charge you for this online scuba school session but we will not. Upon completion of the academics we will discount the cost of books from your class fee which is usually $50. (since you have already done the academics without cost to us).
Core PADI
Classes
Open Water Diver $250 (2 student minimum)
Open water is the basic certification for scuba divers. Certification is for up to 60'. Open Water class takes about 40 hours to complete, including 2 days of pool work (confined water) and 2 days of open water diving. Students need to have their own mask, snorkel and fins before pool work begins. Open Water Diver Flyer
Advanced Open Water Diver $250 (2 student minimum)
Advanced open water is the next step in dive training. The advanced certification requires additional bookwork and 5 specific open water dives providing introduction to 5 different specialties, deep and navigation dives are required as two of the five. Certification is for dives up to 100'. Advanced Open Water Diver Flyer
Rescue Diver $350- includes CPR/1st Aid certification (2 student minimum )
Rescue divers are trained in various scenarios that they may be encounter and offered introduction into how to best provide assistance to injured, panicked and unconscious divers. At this level students are required to own their own a complete set of gear before class. A minimum of 20 logged dives is required before enrollment of this class.
Master Scuba Diver*
Master scuba diver is the highest recognition of RECREATIONAL training PADI offers. Master scuba divers have completed both rescue class and 5 or more different specialties.
Divemaster - $500 (internship required)
Divemasters are rescue divers who have decided to Go Pro into the world of diving. Divemasters must demonstrate mastery of dive theory and all core dive skills as well as complete an internship. Divemaster candidates will sit in on charters and classes to pickup and fine tune their skills needed to accept leadership roles in the dive community as part of their internship. Divemasters must have 60 logged dives by the completion of their internship.
* Training can take up to as long as several weeks to complete depending on the rate at which students become comfortable in the water and cooperative weather and water conditions.
Private classes are available for Open Water and Advanced classes at additional cost.
Open Water Diver $250 (2 student minimum)
Open water is the basic certification for scuba divers. Certification is for up to 60'. Open Water class takes about 40 hours to complete, including 2 days of pool work (confined water) and 2 days of open water diving. Students need to have their own mask, snorkel and fins before pool work begins. Open Water Diver Flyer
Advanced Open Water Diver $250 (2 student minimum)
Advanced open water is the next step in dive training. The advanced certification requires additional bookwork and 5 specific open water dives providing introduction to 5 different specialties, deep and navigation dives are required as two of the five. Certification is for dives up to 100'. Advanced Open Water Diver Flyer
Rescue Diver $350- includes CPR/1st Aid certification (2 student minimum )
Rescue divers are trained in various scenarios that they may be encounter and offered introduction into how to best provide assistance to injured, panicked and unconscious divers. At this level students are required to own their own a complete set of gear before class. A minimum of 20 logged dives is required before enrollment of this class.
Master Scuba Diver*
Master scuba diver is the highest recognition of RECREATIONAL training PADI offers. Master scuba divers have completed both rescue class and 5 or more different specialties.
Divemaster - $500 (internship required)
Divemasters are rescue divers who have decided to Go Pro into the world of diving. Divemasters must demonstrate mastery of dive theory and all core dive skills as well as complete an internship. Divemaster candidates will sit in on charters and classes to pickup and fine tune their skills needed to accept leadership roles in the dive community as part of their internship. Divemasters must have 60 logged dives by the completion of their internship.
* Training can take up to as long as several weeks to complete depending on the rate at which students become comfortable in the water and cooperative weather and water conditions.
Private classes are available for Open Water and Advanced classes at additional cost.
PADI Specialties offered
EANx (nitrox) Diver $125
Learn to extend bottom times by safely adding oxygen to your breathing mix. This is the most diving class gives you the most bang for your buck and time.
Boat Diver $180
Wreck Diver $200
Oxygen Provider $150
Deep Diver $200
Night Diver $200
With the exception of EANx diver and oxygen provider, which do not require offshore trips, the specialty classes are subject to boat minimums (3 divers) to make the trip a go. They do however include the cost of the boat trip.
EANx (nitrox) Diver $125
Learn to extend bottom times by safely adding oxygen to your breathing mix. This is the most diving class gives you the most bang for your buck and time.
Boat Diver $180
Wreck Diver $200
Oxygen Provider $150
Deep Diver $200
Night Diver $200
With the exception of EANx diver and oxygen provider, which do not require offshore trips, the specialty classes are subject to boat minimums (3 divers) to make the trip a go. They do however include the cost of the boat trip.
Dive Insurance
All of our employees carry DAN insurance and we recommend it to all of our students and customers. With the cost of only $100 dollars per year you can have $250,000 in coverage. Since a chamber ride can cost over $10k per treatment...... its a smart and affordable move. This covers all in water accidents from dive ladders to eel nibbles. (ask Pat about the eels)
All of our employees carry DAN insurance and we recommend it to all of our students and customers. With the cost of only $100 dollars per year you can have $250,000 in coverage. Since a chamber ride can cost over $10k per treatment...... its a smart and affordable move. This covers all in water accidents from dive ladders to eel nibbles. (ask Pat about the eels)
Capt Pat Green of Panama City Dive Charters freediving with some "blow sharks."
A sea turtle encounter diving on Stage 1
A close up of a beautiful anemone of Span 12, thank you Jennifer from UltraMarine photo.
Dense bait shoals are common on Panama City's dive sites in the Summer time.
Panama City has put their old bridge to good use as a dive site!
The diversity of life found in the ocean can be pretty crazy sometimes. You never know what is waiting for you non the dive spots off Panama City and Panama City Beach, Fl.
Divemaster Kelly Davis of Better Bottom Time with dinner for 6!
