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 check this form to make sure you can be medically cleared for diving. Next, you will complete your academics via independent study using PADI eLearning. Minimum age 12. See below for 10-11 year old Junior PADI certifications.
2. Pool Training (Confined Water Dives)
Next you begin your pool training in our half Olympic size 12' indoor heated pool, by far the deepest and largest pool training experience in Sacramento area. Students must be able to complete a 200m swim and a 10 minute tread water.
3. Open Water "Check Out" Dives (Lake or Ocean Dives)
Once you complete your academics and pool training, you will complete the four "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!
Chose between the two course options; Complete Open Water Course or Referral Course.
Option 1: The Complete PADI Open Water Course
Do both the pool training, and open water "check out" dives 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?:
PADI eLearning $251
+
Course Tuition and Rental Gear: $399
*Does not include personal gear: mask, snorkel fins and booties.
You may add mask, snorkel, fins and booties package at checkout for $257 and pick them up the morning of your pool training.
That's it! No Hidden Costs!
Option 2: PADI Open Water "Referral" Course
Do just the 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?:
PADI eLearning $251
Course Tuition and Rental Gear: $289
*Does not include personal gear: mask, snorkel fins and booties.
You may add mask, snorkel, fins and booties package at checkout for $257 and pick them up the morning of your pool training.
That's it! No Hidden Costs!
Open Water Course Pool Training Dates 2026
All academics must be completed before starting pool training.
Exact start and end times are estimates and may vary. Classes are usually done by 4pm.
OWC 2026-11 Full!
Saturday May 16th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-12 4 More Spots!
Saturday May 23rd: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-13 2 More Spots!
Saturday May 30th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-15
Saturday Jun 20th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-16
Saturday Jun 27th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-17
Saturday Jul 18th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-18
Saturday Jul 25th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-19
Saturday Aug 1st: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-20
Saturday Aug 8th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-21
Saturday Aug 22nd: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-22
Saturday Sept 5th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-23
Saturday Sept 12th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-24
Saturday Sept 26th: 8am to 4pm
OWC 2026-25
Saturday Oct 3rd: 8am to 4pm
More dates to follow.
For custom classes, inquire within.
Step Three:
Open Water Dive Dates 2026
Group Open Water “check out" dives in Folsom Lake or Lake Tahoe.
4 dives over 2 days.
June 6th & 7th (Folsom Lake) Full!
June 27 & 28 (Folsom Lake)
July 11th & 12th (Lake Tahoe)
Aug 15th & 16th (Folsom Lake)
Sept. 19th & 20th (Lake Tahoe)
Oct 24th & 25th (Folsom Lake)
Nov. 20th & 21st (Folsom Lake)
(For Monterey dives, please remember to make cancelable hotel reservations as we may need to change venue based on ocean conditions)
Incoming referrals, inquire within.
Custom one-on-one complete classes available upon request for $799
+ eLearning & personal gear.
Contact Us to inquire. We will work with your schedule.
Note on children ages 10-14:
†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!