Open water diver course
Become a Certified SCUBA Diver in 3 simple steps!
PHASE 1
Online
E-lEarning
Begin your dive education with self-paced eLearning from the comfort of home. Then, on the same day as your first pool dive, we’ll meet for a classroom session to review dive theory, equipment basics, safety, and answer any questions you have.
PHASE 2
Confined Water
(Pool dives)
Your first in-water experience happens in a warm, comfortable pool at the YMCA! Across two fun-filled days, you’ll build confidence, master essential scuba skills, and complete your confined-water training in a calm, low-stress environment.
PHASE 3
Open Water
(Ocean dives)
The grand finale, your Open Water Weekend! Either complete your final four ocean dives right here in New England with Finn’s Up, or choose the referral program and finish during your next getaway with a dive shop at your travel destination!
Complete Certification Price- $749
- 2 Days in the Pool - 2 Days in the Ocean - Certified for Life! -
Learn to Scuba Dive in Connecticut
Finn’s Up Dive School provides personalized PADI and SDI scuba certification in Connecticut for adults, families and children ages 10 and older. Based in Naugatuck, CT, our beginner Open Water Diver course combines self-paced online learning, classroom instruction, two days of pool training at the Naugatuck YMCA and four open-water certification dives in New England.
Unlike large, crowded scuba classes, Finn’s Up keeps class sizes small so every student receives patient instruction, individual feedback and enough time to become comfortable underwater. Owner and lead instructor Mike Hess is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, scientific diver and public safety rescue diver who specializes in helping first-time and nervous students become safe, capable and confident divers.
The complete course includes the use of major scuba equipment, a complimentary personal-gear fitting and support throughout the certification process. Students may complete their full PADI or SDI certification locally or finish their classroom and pool training in Connecticut before completing their open-water dives with a participating dive center while traveling.
Finn’s Up serves new divers from Naugatuck, Waterbury, New Haven County and communities throughout Connecticut. Whether you want to learn scuba diving for an upcoming vacation, explore New England dive sites or begin a lifelong hobby, we will guide you through every step of earning an internationally recognized scuba certification.
Open Water diver Certification FAQs
How much does scuba certification cost?
Finn’s Up Dive School’s complete Open Water scuba certification course costs $749. This includes eLearning, classroom instruction, two days of pool training, four open-water certification dives and use of major scuba equipment. Students provide their own properly fitted mask, snorkel and dive boots.
How long does scuba certification take?
The course includes self-paced online learning, one classroom session, two days of pool training and two days of open-water certification dives. Most students complete their in-person training over two weekends, although scheduling options may be available upon request.
Where does scuba training take place?
Classroom instruction and confined-water training take place at the Naugatuck YMCA in Naugatuck, Connecticut. Open-water certification dives are generally completed in Stonington, Connecticut and at Fort Wetherill in Jamestown, Rhode Island during the New England diving season.
What scuba equipment is included?
Finn’s Up provides the major scuba equipment required during training, including a buoyancy compensator, regulator, cylinders, weights, exposure protection and other essential equipment. Students need their own mask, snorkel and dive boots. Every student also receives a complimentary personal-gear fitting.
Have another question? Visit our complete Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Finn’s Up Dive School.