If you're interested in scuba diving lessons in the Sacramento area, you found the right place! We are Sacramento's only PADI Dive Center and California's only scuba training center with 100% 5-star Yelp ratings. Our up-front pricing with no hidden costs separates us from our competition.
Minimum age : 10 years old with exceptions. Divers 10-15 years old will receive a PADI Junior Open Water certification that comes with some restrictions. Although PADI allows children as young as 10 to be certified, due to ratio and depth restrictions, 10 and 11 year old's can not participate in the group lessons shown on this page. Contact us to discuss semi-custom and custom options. Also. the cold water of Monterey, Lake Tahoe, and Folsom Lake in winter are generally not appropriate for 10 and 11 year old's there fore we only offer "referral" courses for 10-11 year old's so they can complete their training in warm water with one exception: Folsom lake in late June through mid-October when the water warms to near or above 80*f.
Steps to Scuba Certification
1. Academics
First you will complete your academics via independent study using PADI's online training program (aka PADI eLearning).
2. Pool Training (Confined Water Dives)
Next you begin your pool training in our half Olympic size 12' indoor heated pool, the deepest and largest pool training experience in Sacramento area.
3. Open Water "Check Out" Dives (Lake or Ocean Dives)
Once you complete your pool training, you will complete the "check out" open water dives either with us (local lake or Monterey) or in a tropical destination of your choice (aka. referral). As soon as your open water training dives are completed and approved by your instructor you will be a certified PADI Open Water Diver!
Start by choosing between the two course options; Complete Open Water Course or Referral Course.
Option 1: The Complete PADI Open Water Course
Do all of your course with Sac City Scuba!
Includes the following:
Orientation and academics session, pool instruction (aka. "confined water dives"), four "check-out" dives (aka. "open water" dives)
and rental of the major pieces of scuba gear.
So what's the full certification cost?:
Course Tuition and Rental Gear: $559 Winter Sale: $399!
-PLUS-
PADI eLearning/PADI Certification Fee: $246 Winter Sale: $219!
*Includes rental gear but does not include personal gear: mask, snorkel fins and booties.
Personal gear costs vary but starts at about $300.
No Hidden Costs!
Option 2: PADI Open Water "Referral" Course
Do just the PADI eLearning and pool (aka. confined water dives) with us but do the "check-out" dives (aka. open water dives) elsewhere, like in warm tropical waters! Who doesn't love warm water!!??
"Referral Course" means the student will arrange with a dive shop/instructor of their choosing to complete their open water "check out" dives in another location. We can help make that connection.
Includes the following:
Orientation orientation and academic session, pool instruction (aka confined water dives), and rental of the major pieces of scuba gear:
So what's the referral course cost?:
Course Tuition and Rental Gear: $399 Winter Sale: $199!
-PLUS-
PADI eLearning/PADI certification fee: $246 Winter Sale: $219
*Does not include personal gear: mask, snorkel fins and booties.
Personal gear costs vary but starts at about $300.
No Hidden Costs!
Open Water Course Pool Training Dates 2025
All academics must be completed before starting pool training.
Exact start and end times are estimates and may vary.
Custom Dates Available.
OWC 2025-05
Saturday Feb 15th: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-06
Saturday Mar 1st: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-07
Saturday Mar 15th: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-08
Saturday Mar 29th: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-09
Saturday Apr 12th: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-10
Saturday May 3rd: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-11
Saturday May 17th: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-12
Saturday May 24th: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-13
Saturday May 31st: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-14
Saturday June 7th: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-15
Saturday June 21st: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-16
Saturday June 28th: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-16
Saturday July 19th: 8am to 5pm
OWC 2025-16
Saturday July 26th: 8am to 5pm
Custom Dates Available.
*Exact starting/ending times may vary
Custom one-on-one classes available upon request for $699.
Contact Us to inquire. We will work with your schedule.
Step Three:
Open Water Dive Dates 2024-2025
Group Open water “check out" dives in Monterey.
4 dives over 2 days.
Saturdays and Sundays
March 22nd & 23rd (Monterey)
April 26th & 27th (Folsom Lake)
May 10th & 11th (Folsom Lake)
July 12th -13th (Lake Tahoe)
(For Monterey dives, please remember to make cancelable hotel reservations as we may need to change venue based on ocean conditions)
Note: If the above group Open Water Checkout Dives do not fit your schedule, ask about our local check-out dives in Lakes Folsom or Natoma. We offer these year round done on your schedule for an additional $199 per person.
†Students ages 10-14 will receive a PADI Junior Open Water certification. 10-11yo maximum depth of 40ft and must buddy with a dive professional or parent. 12-14 maximum depth 70 ft and must dive with an adult. Open water "check out" dives with 10-11yo require a max 4-1 student to instructor ratio thus are only taught in a custom format. Contact us for more info
*Does not include personal gear: Mask, snorkel, fins and booties. Visit our training center to be professionally fitted. We have a fit and price guarantee. Please do not buy these sight-unseen off the internet. This is not just "snorkeling gear", it's part of your life support equipment. Most students end up buying a second set when they realize that the fit is not right or the quality sub-standard. You do not want to have issues with your sight or propulsion during a dive.
*All packages include major pieces of rental gear, pool fees, instructor fees, PADI certification fees.
**1 on 1 or 2 on 1 custom classes my be in a smaller pool.
Please download and read the PADI Medical Waiver to determine if you need to have a doctor sign you off prior to participating in SCUBA activities.
Refer to our FAQ for our cancellation policy.
Custom 1-1 or 2-1 courses format courses available upon demand.
The small print: Prices includes all PADI fees, instructor fees, tuition, and rental gear but does not cover optional eLearning, park access fees (if applicable) nor personal gear which must be scuba quality, in good condition and properly fitting mask, snorkel, fins and booties. We will bring several options for you to try on before purchase. We offer the best prices and proper fit guaranteed. (Support your local businesses! )
What's next?
Once you've become a PADI Open Water Diver, your education is just beginning. Why not take on a new challenge with PADI Advanced Open Water Diver? If you did a warm water referral and would like to be able to dive in the temperate waters of California, the Advanced Open Water Course is one way to convert your warm water certification to a temperate water certification! And don't forget, the PADI Advanced Open Water Course counts towards your specialty and PADI Master Scuba Diver rating!
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PADI is the world’s most recognized and well-known authorizing bodies when it comes to scuba. If you’re interested in learning this skill and becoming a certified diver, you can register with us. We’re Sacramento’s only PADI diving center.
Get your PADI lessons, training and certification under truly skilled experts and trainers with years of experience in navigating open waters. Follow a step-by-step program starting from basic training all the way to open water certification that allows you to explore the open sea safely.
Our PADI lessons begin with academics, and then move to confined waters and controlled environments so you can build a strong foundation. Eventually, you move onto open waters and test the skills you’ve worked so hard to develop. Work with trainers and go on guided dives, explorations and learn the correct and safe use of your equipment, gear and diving methods that allow for the richest experience possible.
On clearing the check-out dives, your instructor will be able to certify you and grant you the title of a PADI diver. It’s challenging but so worth it and once you have the taste of open water, there’s no going back.
Register with us today and get started on your journey toward becoming a scuba diver with a PADI certification!