Certification Dive Options

Once you have completed your class and pool work, you are ready to do your "open water" dives and achieve your Open Water Diver Certification. Every agency requires at least four dives in a body of water larger than a pool, being conducted over the course of at least two days.

The purpose of this additional step is to expose students to a controlled, "real world" situation to gain more practical experience. Your four dives will be conducted with a qualified instructor, where you will demonstrate the necessary skills to be a proficient diver. During your last dive, you will go on your "Tour Dive", where you dive with your instructors to experience, first-hand, the need for additional skills such as buoyancy, buddy awareness, and navigation.

You have several choices for your open water experience. You may either join us on a "local dive" to the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, at the Homestead Crater in Midway Utah, or you may finish your dives in a tropical destination on your own or, better yet, with us. We offer many Denver Divers' sponsored trips around the world that will allow you to dive with a Denver Divers instructor for your final dives in a warm and clear water environment. If you cannot join us on a local dive or group trip, you will always have the option to do your dives at the destination of your choice on a referral. Whatever you choose, we will be here to provide the best possible experience and to welcome you to the underwater world!

Cost of Certification Dives: $250

Equipment Rental Cost: $50-$90

Required Documentation: Training Record or Referral (supplied by your class & pool instructor)

Additional Costs: $20-$30 park fee, Transportation, Hotel room - 2 nights, meals - 2 days

Cost of Certification Dives: $260

Equipment Rental Cost: BC/Regulator/Computer rental included

Required Documentation: Training Record or Referral (supplied by your class & pool instructor)

Additional Costs: $20-$30 park fee, Transportation, Hotel room - 2 nights, meals - 2 days

Cost of Certification Dives: $175

Equipment Rental Cost: FREE

Required Documentation: Training Record or Referral (supplied by your class & pool instructor)

Additional Costs: Cost of the group trip

Cost of Certification Dives: Appx. $200-$500 (depends on what your destination instructor or resort will charge)

Equipment Rental Cost: Depends on destination/resort

Required Documentation: SSI Referral Form(supplied by your class & pool instructor)

Additional Costs: $35 for referral paperwork

Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, New Mexico

This geological phenomenon is a natural, bell-shaped pool. It is 80 feet deep, has astonishing clarity, and maintains a constant water temperature of 61 degrees. The cost of $250 includes your certification dives and certification card. In addition, if needed, you can rent a BCD, regulator, and dive computer from us for between $50 and $90 based on the type of gear you prefer. Cost does NOT include your hotel accommodations, transportation, food, and drink, or the park fees (estimated between $20-$30, depending on the season). The drive to the Blue Hole is approximately six hours.

Homestead Crater, Midway, Utah

A geothermal hot spring, hidden in a 55-foot tall cavern, the Homestead Crater is one of the only warm water destinations in all of the continental United States. Whether it is winter or summer, the water stays heated between 90-96 degrees Fahrenheit, so no wetsuit needed! The cost of $260 includes your BC, regulator, and computer rental, your certification dives and certification card. In addition, if needed, you can rent your personal gear from us for between $25 and $40 based on the type of gear you prefer. Cost does NOT include your hotel accommodations, transportation, food, and drink, or the park fees (estimated between $20-$30, depending on the season). The drive to the Crater is approximately eight to nine hours.

Denver Divers' Group Trip

We offer a variety of trips to tropical destinations around the world. Each trip is carefully planned to include the best dives with the best operators available. Trips are led by Denver Divers instructors, so you are ensured the same quality instruction you received during your class and pool sessions. This is the best way to learn to dive – in warm water – with an instructor you know and trust – with equipment you have used! The cost of $175 includes your certification dives, as well as your equipment rental (BC, regulator, and computer) for the whole trip! Visit our Group Travel page to learn more!

Personal Vacation

Have a great vacation planned? You can always do your certification dives on your own trip! Denver Divers will provide the necessary paperwork, help set you up with a reputable dive shop, and send you on your way. The $35 referral fee includes the referral processing and certification card. Costs for certification dives at destination resorts and/or dive shops range from $200-$500, depending on the location of your vacation. Talk to a Denver Divers staff member about how to arrange your certification dives at your destination. Once you complete your dives, you will bring back the referral signed by an instructor at your destination so that we can process your certification and print your card.

Upcoming Course Dates

Testimonials

“I took my open water certification at Denver Divers with Nelson and Lin and then traveled to the Blue Hole with Mark and Heather. The experience with Denver Divers from start to finish could not have been any better. The staff are all very thorough and use high quality equipment. Everyone was very patient. I learned to dive for an upcoming vacation and have absolutely fallen in love!! If you want to learn to dive don't bother looking anywhere else!!

Cindy P.”