Recreational Diving Starts Here
Learn to Scuba Dive in NYC
If you have ever wanted to explore the underwater world, recreational scuba diving is the place to begin. At Gotham Divers, we help new divers take their first steps toward confidence, safety, and adventure through professional scuba diving training in New York City.
Our Open Water course and other open water certification options are designed for beginners who are ready to learn the skills, knowledge, and comfort needed to become certified divers. Whether your goal is warm-water reef diving, local Northeast wreck diving, vacation diving, or eventually continuing into advanced training, Gotham Divers can help you start the right way.
Begin Your Scuba Diving Adventure
Recreational Diving Classes
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Try Scuba / Discover Scuba
Price range: $200.00 through $250.00 -
Open Water: Course Materials, Classroom, and Pool Sessions
Price range: $650.00 through $725.00 -
Open Water Checkout Dives
$500.00 -
Refresher, pool and open water dives
Price range: $300.00 through $360.00 -
Advanced Open Water
Price range: $525.00 through $600.00 -
Advanced Wreck Diving
$450.00 -
Boat Diving
Price range: $400.00 through $460.00 -
Buoyancy
Price range: $300.00 through $360.00 -
Deep Diving
Price range: $400.00 through $460.00 -
Dry Suit Diver
Price range: $450.00 through $525.00 -
Enriched Air Nitrox
Price range: $250.00 through $325.00 -
First Aid, CPR, AED, O2 provider
Price range: $250.00 through $275.00 -
Navigation
Price range: $390.00 through $450.00 -
Night Time and Limited Visibility
Price range: $390.00 through $450.00 -
O2 Provider
Price range: $100.00 through $125.00 -
Science of Diving
$350.00 -
Stress and Rescue Diver
Price range: $475.00 through $560.00 -
Wreck Diving
Price range: $400.00 through $460.00
What Is the Open Water Course?
The Open Water course is one of the most recognized entry-level scuba certifications in the world. It teaches new divers the foundational skills needed to dive safely with a buddy within recreational limits.
During open water scuba diving training, students learn about dive equipment, underwater communication, buoyancy, dive planning, safe ascent procedures, emergency skills, and how to become more comfortable in the water.
The goal is not just to “pass a class.” The goal is to help you become a safer, more confident diver who is ready to continue exploring.
Start Your Scuba Diving Adventure Here
Try Scuba
Have you ever wanted to try Scuba diving just to see if you like it? Well, this class is for you. Class includes all the equipment you need to try out scuba diving for yourself.
Open Water
Part 1
Continue your diving adventure by completing the online course materials to prepare you for the Open Water Classroom and Pool sessions.
Open Water
Part 2
Continue your diving adventure by completing the online course materials to prepare you for the Open Water Classroom and Pool sessions.
Refresher
It is easy for diving skills to get rusty and to lose confidence when you have not dove for a while. A Refresher, we will get you back in the pool and open water and diving with ease in no time.
How Long Does Open Water Certification Take?
The full open water certification process typically takes a few weeks, depending on class schedules, pool availability, checkout dive timing, and student availability. Gotham Divers recommends budgeting around three weeks for the process, although faster options may be possible depending on schedule and availability.
If you are trying to get certified before a trip, contact Gotham Divers early so the team can help you review your options.
Why Choose Gotham Divers for Scuba Diving Training?
Gotham Divers is more than a place to take a scuba class. We are a local NYC dive community where students become divers, divers become dive buddies, and training often leads to new adventures.
Students choose Gotham Divers because we offer:
- Beginner-friendly scuba diving training
- 1:4 Instructor to Student Ratio (Industry Standard is 1:8)
- Open Water course options
- Open water certification through recognized agencies
- Experienced and knowledgeable instructors
- Pool and classroom training in NYC
- Local dive shop support
- Gear guidance and rentals
- Continuing education and specialty classes
- Recreational, advanced, and technical training paths
- A welcoming community of divers
We focus on safety, comfort, and long-term confidence. Our goal is to help you become a diver who understands the “why” behind the skills, not just the steps.
Recreational Diving FAQs
What is recreational scuba diving?
Recreational scuba diving is non-commercial diving done for fun, travel, exploration, training, and personal adventure. Recreational divers follow established depth, time, buddy, and safety limits based on their certification and experience.
What is the Open Water course?
The Open Water course is an entry-level scuba certification course that teaches new divers the knowledge and skills needed to dive safely with a buddy within recreational limits.
Can beginners take the Open Water course?
Yes. The Open Water course is designed for beginners. You do not need previous scuba diving experience to get started, although you should be comfortable in the water and able to meet course requirements.
What is open water certification?
Open water certification is the first major scuba diving certification for many recreational divers. It shows that you have completed classroom or online learning, confined water skill practice, and open water checkout dives.
How do I get open water certified with Gotham Divers?
Start by signing up for Open Water class and pool training. After completing the required learning and pool sessions, you will complete open water checkout dives to finish your certification.
How long does scuba diving training take?
The full process often takes about three weeks, depending on class schedules, pool sessions, checkout dives, and student availability. Faster options may be available, so contact Gotham Divers if you are working toward a specific travel date.
What type of courses does Gotham Divers offer?
Gotham Divers offers scuba diving training through multiple internationally recognized agencies, including PADI, RAID, SSI, SDI, and TDI. For beginner open water certification, the team can help you choose the right path.
What will I learn in open water scuba training?
You will learn scuba equipment setup, safety procedures, underwater communication, buoyancy control, mask clearing, regulator skills, dive planning, buddy procedures, and emergency skills.
Do I need my own scuba gear for the course?
New divers do not always need to own a full gear system right away. Gotham Divers can help explain what gear is required, what can be rented, and what personal items may be recommended for comfort and fit.
Why take scuba diving training with Gotham Divers?
Gotham Divers offers professional instruction, a welcoming NYC dive community, gear support, continuing education, and a clear path from beginner open water certification to advanced recreational and technical diving.