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LET US SHOW YOU A BRAND NEW WORLD.Welcome! Raleigh Scuba Diving is a dive shop with experienced Scuba Instructors who teach beginner, advanced and professional scuba classes. Based in the Triangle area, our primary focus is conducting scuba lessons to the highest dive agency standards for skill, safety, & enjoyment – not just pushing you through the training process. Regardless if you are taking your first dive lesson, looking for continuing education, or need your scuba gear serviced, our team can help. What sets our dive shop apart is our focused dedication to our customers and their needs while making the entire process fun. At RSD, we conduct smaller classes, longer in-water training sessions, and focus our training on enhancing the skill level of the diver, not just focusing on “completion” of training courses. Our approach provides the highest quality training possible and enables you to be the best diver you can be.
We proudly certify through the following agencies: SDI, TDI & PADI
Every instructor at RSD has been exactly where every new diver started. We begin our journey by talking with divers, called our local dive shop & was bombarded with a SLEW of information only to feel totally overwhelmed and decide we’ll simply “look into it later” because it all seems really complicated. It’s true; there is a LOT of information & equipment to go over before you get to enjoy the actual diving part but we strive to change that. We created our Raleigh scuba class training regiment with 4 things in mind:
1 – We want you to love the process; even the tests and the paperwork.
2 – We simplified the certification process and communicate exactly what is needed without confusion.
3 – We will provide the most thorough training & service possible while not overwhelming you with information.
4 – Our customers are our future. We listen to what your needs are and provide solutions that fit those needs.
With this all being said, dive training is NOT complicated but you are preparing to venture into a brand new world. For a frame of reference, astronauts train underwater to help prepare for life in outer space, so a little preparation is certainly necessary (and recommended) before you hop into the water. The information on our Open Water certification process is online for you to reference at any point. Once you earn your diving c-card (certification), it is valid for a lifetime and the agencies we teach thru are accepted around the world. So whether you want to dive on vacations only, or dive year round, we can help you achieve that goal.
Our scuba instructors are highly trained and teach everything from Open Water to Instructor Development Classes (which is required to become an instructor yourself). So if you are just starting your underwater journey, need a refresher course or wanting to pursue becoming a dive professional, we have you covered.
The first certification level in scuba diving is open water. The certification involves studying the course material online, signing waivers & finally getting into the water. The in-person training is done over 4 days with half of it in pools and the rest in quarries and/or the ocean. You can read more about the process on our Open Water Certifications page.
Absolutely! Our Discover scuba course is structured to give you a crash course in diving. Usually done in a pool (or pool like conditions), you'll work with an instructor to go through the basic skills you'll need and go on a short dive. This cost effective class will not certify you but you'll find out if scuba is for you.
Are you wanting to go deeper? How about learning how to safely penetrate a wreck? Our Rescue course is highly recommended for those who dive with family or friends. We are authorized to train certified divers in most advanced courses. Nitrox, Deep, Wreck & Rescue are just a few of the advanced diving certifications we can train you in. You can find ALL of our advanced classes on our advanced diving certifications page.
Confused with all the terminology? We know how you feel; it definitely is complicated when you start the process. In scuba diving, there are multiple certifications levels, ratings & speciality certifications; all of these qualify you for different depths and types of dives. You can read all about what they all mean on our scuba certifications explained page.
The fees for your initial training rangs from around $500 - $800 for your starting open water course. These fees usually do not include your personal gear (Scuba-grade mask, fins, snorkel, and boots). The scuba equipment rentals consisting of your BC/BCD, regulators, weights, tanks and wetsuit are usually included. More info: scuba certification cost.
Scuba has dangers like any other recreational sport. The level of danger is dependent on many factors but as a general rule, diving is a safe sport as long as you stay within your training, use gear serviced on a regular schedule and have good training. Diving within your limits is a premise we teach in ALL classes.
According to PADI, you are 10 times more likely to be seriously injured while bowling than scuba diving. See their research here.
Diving is not difficult. In fact, we often refer to it as the lazy person's sport. However, it does require practicing of skills to be efficient and get more out of each dive. The better shape you are in, the better your air consumption is (generally speaking). With that being said some of the gear is quite heavy (scuba tanks especially) so there are times where advance planning will help.
Choose your adventure to learn more about and sign up.
Let's be honest, we LOVE scuba diving! It's ingrained into our soul and has changed our lives in a way that is hard to explain.
Happy 1st birthday to us! Wow.. we realized that, one year ago today, we launched our business (and our group on Facebook). It's hard to believe that
One of the most challenging, but also one of the most satisfying skills to master in diving is buoyancy. It’s a skill that requires some
Your local & online Raleigh dive shop serving the Cary, Apex, Durham, Chapel Hill, Garner, Clayton & surrounding areas.
1041 Investment Blvd | Suite 151
Apex, NC 27502