Do you need a license to scuba dive in Florida?
Florida has no law that requires scuba divers to be certified. However, most diver will tell you that it is extremely unsafe to go diving without the knowledge the scuba certification program equips you with.
Is there good scuba diving in Florida?
With a rental car or your own wheels, you can visit the best scuba diving in Florida — from the Panhandle’s Oriskany to the reefs of the Keys — in one go, or wrap it into a multi-state road trip. Many of the country’s best dives are within reach of Florida divers and interlopers alike.
How do you get certified to scuba dive in Florida?
Requirements for Open Water Training:
- You must be 10 years old and students under 18 must have signed parental consent.
- You must be able to swim 200 yards continuously and do a 10 minute tread of water.
- Good overall health is required.
- You must supply your own mask, fins and snorkel.
How much is a scuba diving certification in Florida?
$550.00
Open Water Certification
| Course | Price/Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PADI Open Water Full Course | $550.00 | Includes course fee and all rental |
| PADI Open Water Diver Referral | $275.00 | Plus mask, snorkel and fins rental & cert fee if did not do online course. |
Which Florida Key is best for scuba diving?
With Key Largo being known as the Diving Capital of the World, the 120-mile Florida Keys island chain is an absolute paradise for divers and seafarers thanks to its crystal clear blue waters, exotic marine life, and historic sites.
Where is the best place to dive in Florida?
But the spring-fed caverns near the city of Williston are routinely listed as some of the best places to dive in Florida. Devil’s Den, Blue Grotto, and Ginnie Springs all offer a relatively similar experience diving in caverns filled with water from underground aquifers.
How long does a PADI course take?
The number of dives needed to complete the course means it can take anywhere between six weeks and six months to attain the certification.
What is the difference between PADI and SDI?
SDI clearly fosters diving for divers and encourages diver to press forward with the proper training. PADI feels its profit margin or liability reduction will be better served by ignoring solo diving, but than they teach towards the average. But apparently teaching toward the average is very profitable for PADI.
Do you need certification to scuba dive?
Yes, you do need certification and a license to dive. It is not technically illegal to scuba dive without one. But the skills taught in scuba courses are used on every single dive to keep you safe. This is why dive shops will not rent equipment or fill tanks for non-certified divers.
Is the PADI exam hard?
A lot of people worry about the exam, but I can tell you now that the PADI Open Water Exam questions are very easy. Especially if you have a great Dive Instructor, you will have nothing to worry about. Great PADI Dive Instructors spend lots of time explaining all the Open Water Dive Theory to you.
Does a PADI certification expire?
Your PADI certification does not expire. Participation in PADI ReActivate™ is not mandatory, but recommended as an easy way to refresh your foundational scuba safety knowledge and skills if you haven’t been diving in a while.