SCUBA DIVING SAN DIEGO: GUIDED TOURS

Scuba diving in San Diego typically involves shore entries, light surf navigation, and short surface swims. While suitable for most certified divers, it's not the same as tropical boat diving — you should feel comfortable entering through gentle waves and managing your gear from the beach.

Our dives are designed to be accessible yet adventurous. Before entering the water, your guide will provide a complete briefing, review ocean conditions, and ensure all participants are prepared. If you're returning to diving after a break, consider a refresher course for extra comfort.

We meet at Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla, a scenic and convenient access point for several top dive sites. Look for our setup on the grassy area near the restrooms. Arrive early — especially in summer — as parking can be limited. Your dive guide will assist with setup and store small valuables during your dive.

Please bring your certification, a valid photo ID, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Optional items include a personal dive logbook, GoPro, or mask and snorkel. All other equipment — including wetsuits, tanks, fins, and regulators — is provided and pre-checked for quality and fit.

Absolutely. Our private and semi-private courses are ideal for those with busy schedules, a desire for more focused instruction, or a bit of anxiety about learning to dive. With fewer students per instructor, you'll receive tailored feedback, more practice time, and a deeper understanding of scuba skills.

We believe in competency-based training — not rushing you through a curriculum. Whether you’re going for Open Water, Advanced, or Rescue Diver certification, we adapt to your pace and learning style. Your success in the water starts with a strong foundation, built one-on-one with a professional instructor.

Our main dive zone is La Jolla, but we serve divers from across the San Diego area and Southern California. That includes Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Coronado, Clairemont, Hillcrest, University City, North Park, Encinitas, Del Mar, and more.

If you’re traveling to San Diego or planning a local certification, we’ll help you choose the best dive sites for your experience level and interests. From shallow reef dives to deeper kelp forest explorations, there’s a perfect dive for everyone just minutes from downtown.

To keep your valuables safe, we recommend leaving any non-essential items — such as wallets, jewelry, or electronic devices — at home or locked securely in your car before the dive. This minimizes risk and lets you focus fully on your underwater experience. If you’re arriving by public transit or don’t have access to a secure location, your dive guide can hold on to small personal belongings, like keys or a phone, in a safe, dry space during the dive.

We meet at Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla, near the public restrooms in the grassy area overlooking the cove. It’s a beautiful and convenient starting point, but parking in the area can be limited, especially on weekends or during summer months. We highly recommend arriving early to give yourself time to find parking, suit up at a relaxed pace, and enjoy the view before your dive begins.

We understand that plans can change, and we strive to be flexible while also respecting our team’s time and scheduling. NO REFUNDS are issued for reservations WHEN the cancellation notification is received less than 72 hours from the start of the tour or course OR when the DIVER is a NO SHOW, at the time of the tour. If this occurs, there will be a 100% cancellation fee charged to your credit card.

• We reserve the right to cancel/reschedule the booked activity due to an unforeseen event or adverse weather/ocean condition or unsafe diving conditions.
• A full refund is given if the dive is cancelled/rescheduled 72 hours prior to the dive date or if the dive(s) is cancelled by the Dive Guide due to unforeseen events, adverse weather/ocean condition or unsafe diving conditions.
• This cancellation policy supersedes all previous credit card agreements you have with your credit card company. Cancellations will be only accepted during business hours 9 to 6. We are open 7 Days A Week. Messages left on voicemail do not constitute an accepted cancellation!
• If you are required to have a doctor's excuse for a "YES" answer on the medical waiver for any Scuba Dive or Certification class and if you fail to provide it BEFORE the start of your course you WILL NOT be permitted to dive and you WILL NOT receive a refund for the booking. Additionally, if you cannot swim and cannot complete your dives, you will not be given a refund.

The minimum age to enroll in any of our scuba diving courses is 10 years old. This applies to all entry-level programs, including the Open Water Diver course, Referral Training, and the Ultimate Refresher. Our training is tailored to the diver’s age and comfort level, and we take extra care to ensure that younger participants feel confident, safe, and supported at every step of their learning.

Minors must have written parental consent to join any in-water activities, and we encourage parents or guardians to be present before and after each session. For younger students, we emphasize fun, patience, and strong safety habits to create a positive and empowering introduction to the world of scuba diving.

While you don’t need to be an elite swimmer, being comfortable and confident in the water is important. To complete the PADI or RAID Open Water certification, you’ll be required to swim 200 yards without stopping — using any style you prefer — and tread water for 10 minutes in water too deep to stand.

These swimming requirements are designed not to intimidate, but to ensure that you’re physically ready to handle the basic demands of diving. Throughout your training, your instructor will support you with encouragement, technique tips, and safety practices so you can build both your skills and confidence. Many students start with modest swimming ability and finish the course feeling stronger and more capable in the water.

Technically, no — once you’re certified, your scuba diving certification is valid for life. However, if you haven’t been diving in a while — especially for more than six months — we strongly recommend taking a refresher course. Skills like buoyancy control, emergency procedures, and dive planning can fade over time, and a brief reorientation can make a big difference in your comfort and safety underwater.

Many dive operators, especially in places like San Diego with dynamic ocean conditions, require proof of recent dive activity or completion of a refresher before allowing you to join a tour. Our Ultimate Refresher course is designed for exactly this purpose: to get you back in the water with confidence and full awareness of your gear, your surroundings, and yourself.