Intro Scuba Diving at Catalina Islands: 2 Open Water Dives

Breathe underwater, see sharks and rays, no certification needed

An introductory scuba diving course at Catalina Islands and North Island in Costa Rica for divers without certification. You learn basic skills with a PADI professional in confined water, then complete two open water dives in warm Guanacaste waters while searching for sharks, rays, octopus and other marine life. Hotel pickup and all diving equipment are included. The 5-hour program is geared for first-timers.

The experience

What does it feel like to breathe underwater? This course answers that without requiring you to commit to full certification. A PADI professional walks you through the basic skills and abilities you need (how to use the equipment, how to stay calm, how to move in the water) all in confined water first, where there's no current and nowhere to drift. Once you're comfortable, you move to the open water dives at Catalina Islands and North Island, where the real exploration begins.

The two dives are where the day opens up. You're searching for sharks, rays, octopus and the variety of marine species that live in these waters. Depending on the season, you might even hear humpback whales singing underwater as they pass through Flamingo Bay. The guide stays with you the whole time, and the boat carries snacks (ice tea, water, seasonal fruits, cookies), so you're not managing hunger between dives. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected areas, which means the logistics of getting to the coast are already handled.

You won't walk away with a PADI certification card, but you will know whether diving is something you want to pursue further. Many people use this course as a test run before investing in the full Open Water Diver certification. The equipment (wetsuit, tank, regulator, mask, fins) stays with you for both dives, so there's no fumbling between sites. If you want an underwater camera or a diving computer to track your depth, those are available to add at checkout.

What’s included

• All diving equipment (wetsuit, tank, regulator, mask and fins).
• a PADI professional guide in English or Spanish.
• two open water dives at Catalina Islands and North Island.
• snacks on the boat including ice tea, water, seasonal fruits and cookies.
• hotel pickup and drop-off for selected areas.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 06:45

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 2

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Pacific Coast Dive Center

Is this one for you?This is a shared-group course led by a PADI instructor, so you're learning alongside other first-timers rather than diving solo. It suits anyone who wants to try scuba without the time and cost of full certification, or who wants to know whether diving is worth pursuing before signing up for the longer course.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the difference between this course and getting PADI certified?

This Discover Scuba Diving course is an introduction without certification. You learn the basics and do two dives, but you don't earn a card that lets you dive independently. The full PADI Open Water Diver course takes longer and results in a certification you can use at dive shops worldwide. This one is designed for people testing the water first.

Do I need any diving experience to sign up?

No. The course is built for people trying scuba for the first time. You learn everything from scratch with a PADI professional, starting in confined water where you can practice without pressure before moving to the open water dives.

What marine life might I see at Catalina Islands?

Sharks, rays, octopus and a wide variety of other marine species live in these waters. During the right seasons, humpback whales migrate through Flamingo Bay and you can hear them singing underwater while you dive.

Is the 5-hour time the whole day, or just the diving part?

The 5-hour program includes the confined water training, both open water dives, and the boat time between sites. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also part of it, so factor in travel time from your accommodation depending on which area you're staying in.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

All diving equipment, the PADI guide, hotel pickup and drop-off for selected areas, and snacks on the boat are included. Lunch is not included. Underwater cameras and diving computers are optional add-ons you can choose at checkout.