When booking a class, there is an option to add additional classes at a discounted rate. For example, when signing up for the Open Water course, the Advanced Open Water class may be added for a remarkable $150 savings.
EVERYTHING TO KNOW BEFORE A PADI COURSE
start here
We are a 5-Star PADI IDC Facility—holding the highest ranking available for a PADI Dive shop. This means we offer training for beginner scuba divers—all the way to instructor training.
Almost all of our courses are available with a Spanish or Portuguese instructor upon request. We limit our students to a maximum of 5 per class for a more personal experience. There is a captain and crew on board at all times to supervise the diving and snorkeling activities from the boat.
Course Schedules
Our courses have slightly different schedules— depending on the day you choose. To see a specific course schedule, click below to open the booking calendar and select "class schedule" under your preferred course.
our courses
Here is a preview of our courses. Click on a course name to view full details, requirements and pricing:
Open Water Diver – The Open Water Diver certification is the first certification needed to become a certified scuba diver. Certified scuba divers may join recreational dive trips around the world without needing to be enrolled in a class. This certification allows for a maximum 60-foot dive depth.
Advanced Open Water Diver – Take diving to the next level by building experience and confidence in different types of diving. This certification allows for a maximum 100-foot dive depth.
Specialty Courses – We have more than 20 specialties that can be started as an Open Water diver. Specialty courses expand diver skills and explore specific areas of diving, such as deep diving, night diving, wreck diving, drift diving and more. Each specialty focuses on a particular type of diving and helps to build experience and confidence.
Rescue Diver – Learn how to prevent and manage diving emergencies while developing stronger problem-solving and rescue skills. This course prepares students to assist other divers and become more confident and capable as a diver.
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Divemaster – The first professional-level PADI certification. Divemaster training develops leadership skills as well as the ability to supervise & assist with recreational diving activities. This is the first step toward becoming a PADI dive professional.
Technical Courses - Take diving beyond recreational limits with advanced training in deeper diving, special equipment, gas management and decompression procedures. Diver's Paradise offers the following open circuit Tec Diving courses: Tec 40, Tec 45, Tec 50, Gas Blender, Tec Trimix. We also offer instructor-level training for divers looking to teach technical diving, including Gas Blender Instructor, Tec Instructor, Tec Deep Instructor and Tec Sidemount Instructor.
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Refresher Course – Our refresher course is a great way to get comfortable in the water again if you have not been diving for awhile. Review essential scuba skills, practice equipment setup & handling and refresh dive knowledge with an instructor before getting back out on a dive trip. This course is required for divers who have not logged a dive in 18 months+.
our Boats & Location
Our boat amenities include shaded areas, dry bag areas, a bathroom, hot showers, water, sodas and oranges. We recommend bringing a towel, lunch or snacks; there are limited food options nearby.
Free on-site parking is available
Our spacious Newton dive boats are on-site, making boarding and loading diver gear quick and easy. We have two boats—a 46-foot Newton and a 40-foot Newton—both conveniently located steps from the shop.
How to find us:
We are located inside the Crandon Marina in Key Biscayne. Enter "Diver's Paradise" into your maps app or 4000 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, 33149.
When inside the marina, take the first right and follow the winding road to the other side of the marina.
General Safety Guidelines & weather policy
Health & Boarding Requirements
For guest safety and the safety of our crew, we reserve the right to refuse boarding if a guest presents a significant health or safety risk or if we are unable to safely assist them from the water back onto the boat. Please review the most current diving health guidelines from Divers Alert Network (DAN) here before the trip.
Weather Policy
Seas less than 2 feet
This is what South Florida is all about.
Seas 2 - 3 feet
Diving is great, but only strong snorkelers.
Seas 3 - 4 feet
Diving is still great, but no snorkelers.
Seas 4 - 5 feet
Experienced divers only.
Seas 5+ feet
We will not run.
South Florida is a tropical environment. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer. These storms are usually isolated, move on quickly and will not cause us to cancel a trip. We make our decisions based on wind strength and wave height. Rain or sunshine do not affect our final decision.
Weather Cancellation
If we have to cancel, guests may reschedule or request a refund. We will advise customers via e-mail or a phone call as soon as we are sure the trip will be canceled. This typically happens around noon the day prior. Please monitor your e-mail regularly during the hours leading up to your trip.
Pregnant Passengers on Diver’s Paradise Charter Boats
Diver's Paradise is not in a position to allow expectant mothers on our charters. Our beautiful ocean is unpredictable. We would not advise placing yourself in that situation.
Bumpy rides and big waves can harm you and your child when riding in these particular boating environments. It is better to be safe because the coast guard will not always be available to assist in a timely manner.
save by bundling classes
Food & Beverages
We provide ice water, sodas and oranges on all our dive trips. Our boats have a large cooler with ice for housing store food and drinks. Guests may bring their own coolers for food and drink storage.
Alcoholic beverages may be brought and consumed if the guests are older than 21 and have finished diving or snorkeling for the day. Guests will not be allowed back in the water when drinking alcohol.
When taking a course, we recommend bringing a lunch. There are limited food options near our shop, other than a small convenience store inside the marina. Everything else is about a 10-minute drive away.
We also have chips, string cheese, chocolate nut bars and a limited drink selection for sale inside our dive shop office.
Cancellation Policy
Discover Scuba and Refresher classes require 72-hour notice to cancel for a refund or to reschedule without a fee.
All other PADI certification classes are non-refundable. Classes require 72-hour notice to reschedule without a fee. If a second guest rescheduling occurs, a $100 fee will be added. Be sure to meet the requirements for the class prior to making a reservation.
