Where is the cheapest place to scuba dive & price?

Question

Where is the cheapest place to scuba dive in USA or Carribeans? I have never scuba dived before, so it should be a place for beginners. Anywhere is nice as long as it is cheap & safe. What is the price?

Answer 1

In Cuba , Haiti,  or Honduras.

Answer 2

There's your problem - "cheap & safe".  Be prepared to pay for quality equipment, instructors and experiences.  Scuba can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.

Answer 3

Since you have never been scuba diving, you won't be able to rent the required gear from most dive shops. So you will need to take a class at a local dive shop.

In terms of cost, all boat diving is going to run $60 + gear rental. So, anything involving the ocean will cost more. Lakes, springs, rivers and sink holes (like in Florida) are going to be free or perhaps a small entrance fee if it is in a park.

After you take the class, I would suggest going to some clear water springs or rivers like in Florida (just don't go into the caves!). I would say the clear shallow springs are pretty safe. If its clear and less than 60 feet deep, you should be safe. Just remember to always dive with a buddy!

Ocean diving can be physically exerting if you dive from the shore or expensive if you take a boat, so I would stay away from it until you get some experience. It can also be dangerous, if you don't know what you doing, because of ocean life and currents.

Answer 4

Since you've never dived before, how do you know you'll like it? I've seen some, pay the course fees and as soon as their head gets under, rocket out of the pool in a panic. They had no idea they had issues with claustrophobia.

Fortunately, there is a way to find out and it's cheap, usually free even. It's called a Discover Scuba course. PADI ( Professional Association of Dive Instructors) offers this course at most PADI affiliated dive shops. At most, the shop may charge a small fee to help cover pool rental costs ( under 10 bucks). All you'll need is your swim suit and towel, they'll provide the rest of the equipment. You'll get some basic instruction on the gear and procedures and be set free to dive the pool for about 30 minutes under the supervision of an Instructor. If you like it, then by all means, sign up for the Open Water course ( usually 250-350 bucks anywhere on the planet). When you complete that, you're a certified open water diver, able to buy and rent equipment as well as get tanks filled. You will be allowed to dive anywhere to a depth of 60 feet but NOT in an overhead environment (inside wrecks or caves).

That discover scuba course is as cheap and safe as it gets.