San Francisco PADI Scuba Diving Courses, classes, Lessons

Welcome to the Underwater world!
Learn the basics and begin investigating the secrets of the sea.

Our Bay Area, PADI Open Water Diver Course is the entry level program through which most people begin the adventure of diving.

Learning to dive consists of two phases.

Phase One: Knowledge Development & Pool Training.
(Tropical Referral Certification Course)
Here you gain the Knowledge and skills necessary for safe diving. This is often referred to as the "Referral Program". This begins with you reviewnig an enjoyable, Home Study program. Once the home studies are completed, you are eligible to join any of our pool training sessions. In the pool session you will have time to become comfortable with the diving equipment under the guidance of our professional dive staff, trained by PADI Master Instructor, Craig Gillespie. Once completed you will be ready for Phase 2, the ocean training dives.

Phase Two: Open Water, Ocean Training Dives.
In the ocean training dives you will participate in four dives. Under the guidance of a professional diving instructor, you will practice the skills learned in Phase One.

You can complete the Phase Two training with us in Monterey, or at any PADI facility in the world. We do all of our training in the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. You will join us for four exciting dives. Once completed you will receive the internationally recognized, PADI Open Water Diver Certification. You will be ready to join the adventure that is diving!

If you decide the do the Phase two diving at another PADI Resort, we will issue you all necessary forms. You will be able to go to any PADI facility in the world to complete the training and gain certification.

Through San Francisco Scuba Schools, we offer two pool training facilities, one in Pacifica (5 minutes from Stonestown Mall), and one in San Jose. You have the choice of participating in the required pool sessions at any of our facilities.

The Open Water Certification requires one evening of pool training and two days of Open Water Training.

Pacifica Pool: (541 Oceana Blvd, Pacifica 94044)
If you choose the Pacifica pool session, one evening of training will be required. The sessions begin at 6:00 PM and finishes about 11:00.

San Jose Pool: (2245 El Camino Real, Santa Clara 95050)
If you choose the San Jose pool session, one evening of training will be required. The sessions begin at 5:00 PM and finishes about 10:00.

The remaining two days we will be diving in the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. Upon successful completion of the training you will receive the PADI Open Water Diver Certification. During this excursion you will practice with the dive equipment under the safety and guidance of your professional PADI instructor.

In only 3 days, you can become a PADI Open Water Diver.

Beginning Open Water Diver Full Certification Course

(Complete both Phase One & Phase Two and gain certification here at home)

You will not be required to rent any additional gear, and there are no additional rental charges for the use of the equipment. All PADI registration fees are included in the cost of our programs.

Our PADI Open Water Diver Course is the entry level program through which most people begin the adventure of diving. The course begins with an interesting CD ROM Home Study program. Upon completion of the home studies you will be ready to participate in the swimming pool practice where you will learn about the skills and equipment necessary for safe, enjoyable diving. The pool training will take one or two evenings, depending upon which pool program you choose to join.

Once the pool training is completed you will progress to two days of diving with us in Monterey. Our ocean training sessions are conducted in the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. Upon successful completion of the training weekend you will become certified as a a PADI Open Water Diver.

Two or more divers, registering together receive 10% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Five or more divers registering together receive 15% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Protection personnel registering together receive 15% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Full Certification Tuition:

$325

Study Kit:

$70

Course Total:

$395

2, 3 or 4 divers receive 10% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

5 or more divers receive 15% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Protection personnel registering together receive 15% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Tropical Referral Certification Course
(Complete Phase One, Knowledge Development & Pool training, here at home and be ready for the Phase Two, ocean training when you go on vacation.)

When joining our Scuba Schools pool or ocean training sessions,
use of all diving gear, including mask, snorkel and fins, is included in the cost of the program.
You will not be required to purchase equipment. You will not be required to rent any additional gear, and there are no additional rental charges for the use of the equipment. All PADI registration fees are included in the cost of our programs.

Through our Tropical Resort Certification Program you don't have to spend your valuable vacation time sitting in a classroom. Begin your dive training with our Home Study program, in your free time, in your own home. Once that is completed you will join us in the pool for an introduction to the equipment. Once that is done, you will then be ready to complete the ocean training. You can now choose any PADI Resort in the world to finish the program. With thousands of Resorts to choose from worldwide, you can pick the destination of your dreams at which to go diving.

Fees for the ocean training dives will vary widely and will be levied by the resort at which you choose to do the training. We can supply you with list of PADI training facilities in the destination of your choice. You will be responsible for making arrangements for your training dives and for all fees incured in said training.

Two or more divers, registering together receive 10% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Five or more divers registering together receive 15% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Protection personnel registering together receive 15% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Getting started in diving has never been this easy, and now with our giant selection of resort facilities at which you can complete the diving, it has never been this fun.

Referral Tuition:

$189 / diver

Study Kit: $70

Course Total

$259

2, 3 or 4 divers receive 10% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

5 or more divers receive 15% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Protection personnel registering together receive 15% discount off the tuition portion of the program.

Fees for the ocean training dives will vary and will be levied by resort at which you choose to do your training.

All you need do is check our training schedule page to see which of our diving excursions fits your needs.

Dedicated to making diving safe and fun, our staff works hard to make our programs memorable experiences. Their professionalism, level of knowledge, experience and caring attitude will give you an experience you will remember throughout your life. The knowledge and experiences gained will give you the ability to safely enjoy the aquatic environment anywhere in the world.

So what are you waiting for?
You'll never find a more enjoyable, thorough or safer diving course. Take the plunge! Enroll in a Scuba Schools Open Water Diver Course today and join the adventure. The underwater paradise is waiting for you!