Scuba Certification
Get Your SCUBA Certification with Scubahaus!
We teach all levels of Scuba Certification, from beginning Open Water Diver certification to Advanced. Specialty classes include Rescue, First Aid, Nitrox, Navigation, Wreck Diving, and more. We can even teach you to become a Dive Instructor yourself. We work with everyone: individuals, production crews, schools, universities and private groups.
Photo credit: Leon Brocard
Open Water Scuba Certification Los Angeles
2017 Course Dates:
- Call store for current schedule – (310) 828-2916
The certification program consists of 3 parts, which can be taken individually or all together.
- The first part is your “eLearning” online homework, which generally takes between 8 and 15 hours on line at home and is fun and informative.
- The second part is a short classroom and pool session (usually done in 1 day, but may require additional pool time if necessary.)
- The third, and most exciting part, is a trip to Catalina Island for 2 days, which is usually a weekend. During Summer months and for private classes, we can potentially arrange your checkout dives for weekdays.
Course Schedule
The class schedule consists of one Friday night orientation followed by two consecutive weekends of training.
First Weekend
Friday night we start at 6:30pm for orientation and scuba gear fitting. You will meet your instructor and the other students in your class, try on your rental scuba gear, fill out some paperwork, and watch an introductory video. This usually goes until 9pm or so.
On the first weekend, Saturday and Sunday begin with classroom training at Scubahaus from 8:00am-12 noon. We break for lunch for one hour, then meet again for the confined water portion.
Pool Training takes place at the Santa Monica Swim Center from 1:00pm-5:30pm. In addition to all the scuba gear, students should bring a towel, sunscreen, bottle of water and swimsuit for the pool sessions.
Photo Credit: Ed Bierman
Second Weekend
On the second weekend, we go to Catalina to complete the Open Water portion of the class. We meet in Long Beach both days at 5:45am to take the Catalina Express out to Avalon to dive Casino Point.
Because we book our course dates months in advance, it can be hard to predict underwater visibility. Catalina is ideal because the inside of the island is protected from swells and therefore has consistently great visibility. If you choose, you can stay on the island for the weekend, but overnight accommodations are not included.
Physical Requirements
Students must successfully pass a swim test at the pool consisting of
- 50 foot underwater swim
- 220 yard swim
- 10 minutes treading water
You should also be able to transport your own SCUBA gear.
Final Exam
Academic proficiency will be evaluated with a multiple choice exam at the end of the class. Students must score a minimum of 75% to successfully complete the academic portion of the course.
Certification is not guaranteed. Students must successfully pass each of the class exams and demonstrate proficiency in each SCUBA diving skill to obtain their certification.
Scuba Certification Costs:
The price for our Open Water Scuba Certification is $599
We also offer Referral Courses, which allow you to skip your 4 Open Water checkout dives in Catalina, and complete your training with another instructor at another location. Perfect for wimps who only want to dive in warm water! The cost for the referral certification course is $340, which includes the eLearning course work and
pool session plus free rentals of the BCD, regulator, wet suit, weights and tanks for the class. You will pay the dive center on your trip directly for their fees.
Upon successful completion of classroom and pool training, you will receive a Universal Referral Form, which is recognized by all major certifying agencies, including PADI, NAUI, SSI and more.
Reactivate with a Refresher Course
Has it been a while since you’ve been in the water? Your scuba certification is good for life, but if it’s been a couple years and your skills are rusty, we recommend joining one of our open water classes. The refresher course is $199 and allows you to sit in on as much or as little of the lecture and pool portions of our Open Water scuba class. If you want to go on the Catalina dives, you need to be enrolled in the full class.
All prices are subject to change.
What is included in the course tuition?
Almost everything! Your course fees cover the following:
- PADI eLearning
- PADI Dive Tables
- Confined Water Dives
- Open Water Ocean/Check-Out Dives: Two-Days at Casino Point, Catalina Island
- Ferry Transfer aboard “Catalina Express” from Long Beach to Avalon, Catalina
- Taxi Transfers and Air Fills at Casino Point
- Divers Alert Network (DAN) Student Insurance for Duration of Course
- SCUBA Equipment (BC/Vest, Regulator, Tank, Weight Belt, Wetsuit and Hood)
What isn’t included?
- Mask and Snorkel
- Fins and Booties
- Gloves
- Gear bag
You need to purchase these items if you don’t already own them. Receive a 10% discount on Scuba Gear at Scubahaus when enrolled in our class, plus the ability to try out your new purchases in the pool and make sure you’re happy with everything!
Are there any other hidden costs?
Some students choose to stay overnight on the island. Overnight accommodations are not included in tuition.
Other costs to keep in mind: parking at the Catalina Express, meals, drinks, taxi cabs, tank and weight rentals on the island or dive boat (if you choose not to carry the weight and tank rentals from Scubahaus), and gratuities.