Discover Scuba Diving
No certification, no experience needed. IDC's Discover Scuba program takes you from first breath underwater in the pool to two real coral reef dives — all in a single day.
About this Course
None
Discover Scuba is a one-day introduction to scuba diving — no certification required, no prior experience needed. By the end of the day you'll have completed a pool session with an instructor and two shallow coral reef dives in the Florida Keys.
What's Included
Everything. All scuba gear, mask, fins, snorkel, the morning pool session, and both afternoon reef dives — taxes included. Bring a swimsuit and a towel. That's it.
Thinking About Getting Certified?
Discover Scuba is not a certification, but it counts. If you decide you want to continue — and most people do — the time and cost of your Discover Scuba course applies directly toward the PADI Open Water certification, reducing what's left to complete.
After purchase, we'll send a confirmation email with instructions for scheduling your session.
How the Course Works
The morning starts at IDC's on-site pool, where your instructor walks you through the basics: how to breathe underwater, how to use the equipment, and the fundamental skills you'll need before heading offshore. Most students are comfortable in the water within the first hour.
After a lunch break, you'll return to the dive shop to check in for the afternoon boat trip. The rest of the day is spent on the reef — two dive locations, your instructor in the water with you the entire time.
Course Schedule
- 7:30 a.m. – Paperwork and Instructor meet & greet in the shop
- 8:00 a.m. – Head to the ON-SITE pool for pool session
- 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. – break for lunch
- 12:00 p.m. – Check in at dive shop for afternoon boat dives
- 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Two location dive trip with instructor
What's Covered
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need to take the Advanced Open Water course?
A PADI Open Water certification and a minimum age of 12. From there, the Advanced course builds on what you already know through five guided dives with an instructor. It’s the natural next step — and a practical one, since AOW opens up deeper sites and the wreck charters.
How many dives are in the Advanced Open Water course?
Five specialty dives for Levels 1 through 3: Underwater Navigation, Deep, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Dive Against Debris, and either Wreck or Drift. Level 4 adds two more dives and a fourth specialty card. Every dive happens on Islamorada’s reefs and wrecks — never a pool.
How much does Advanced Open Water cost?
It starts at $500, which covers instruction and all your course dives. Gear rental isn’t included. You’ll also need a cutting tool, a timing device or dive computer, and a compass — rent the computer and compass from us if you don’t own them.
Do I need Advanced certification to dive the Eagle wreck?
You do. IDC’s Thursday and Sunday charters to the Eagle — a 269-foot freighter resting in more than 100 feet of water — require Advanced certification. The Deep and Wreck dives in this course are exactly the training that makes those sites safe and worth it.
What are the four course levels in the Advanced program?
Each level completes the same five core dives but differs in which specialties count and how many certification cards you walk away with. Level 1 earns your Advanced Open Water card. Level 4 adds two dives and a fourth specialty cert. Tell us your goal, and we’ll point you to the right level.
Book Your Course Online
Morning and afternoon charters run year-round from Three Waters Marina. Whether you're booking a charter, a course, or just have questions — we're here.