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United States

Divesites
673
Centers
283
Courses & Events
798
Wildlife
30
© iStock/TomasSereda

Explore The United States

Diving in the United States offers a rich tapestry of underwater experiences that cater to divers of all skill levels. From the vibrant coral reefs of the Florida Keys to the awe-inspiring shipwrecks off the North Carolina coast, the U.S. is a treasure trove of diverse marine environments. In Hawaii, divers can marvel at lava tubes and unique marine life, including manta rays and Hawaiian green sea turtles, while the Pacific Northwest provides a stunning contrast with its kelp forests and encounters with giant Pacific octopuses.

The country's extensive coastline and island territories mean divers can explore a variety of sites, whether preferring the ease of shore diving in California or the adventure of boat and liveaboard options in the Gulf of Mexico. Seasonal changes bring unique opportunities, such as swimming with whale sharks off the Gulf coast in summer or exploring the kelp beds during the cooler months in California. Each region offers its own slice of underwater wonder, making the U.S. a special dive destination full of surprises and unforgettable experiences.

Power Plug Type
A, B
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DIS, DC, Cir, Plus, Chase, Barc
Tipping
15–20% / Service Staff / Tipping is expected in restaurants, bars, taxis, and for delivery and personal services.
Currency
USD
Dial Code
+1
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Time
UTC−10 to UTC−5

Places to explore

iStock-Lunamarina

Florida

The Sunshine State Florida offers many great and divers dive sites from the tropical Florida Keys to deep shipwrecks and crystal clear freshwater springs.
Courses & Events
106
Divesites
157
Centers
46
iStock/ventdusud

California

California, the third largest state in the United States of America, boasts some of the best cold-water diving in the country.
Courses & Events
6
Divesites
77
Centers
18
iStock/ericfoltz

Texas

Texas isn’t the obvious choice that comes to mind when you think of diving in the USA, but Texas is actually rich in many different types of diving.
Courses & Events
29
Divesites
44
Centers
22
iStock-Art Wager

Hawaii

Every possible type of adventure can be found in ’tropical paradise’ Hawaii including dramatic jagged cliffs, active volcanoes and clear turquoise waters.
Courses & Events
8
Divesites
62
Centers
11
Shutterstock/ESB Professional

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s shoreline consists of dozens of islets, cays, and white sand beaches perfect for snorkeling and diving
Courses & Events
9
Divesites
29
Centers
6
iStock/NeoPhoto

Massachusetts

About 1/3 of the state of Massachusetts boarders the Atlantic Ocean, offering a plethora of diving opportunities.
Courses & Events
10
Divesites
16
Centers
5
iStock/FredericProchasson

The Great Lakes

The five lakes, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario make up the ’the great lakes’ that offer the best dive sites of the world.
Courses & Events
7
Divesites
15
Centers
6
iStock-Ultima_Gaina

New York

Diving in New York, you will see an area with a rich maritime history and with hundreds of shipwrecks just waiting to be explored.
Divesites
14
Centers
7

Courses and Events

Open Water Diver

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

11 February +1 More
EUR 378.27
USD 450.00

Scuba Skills Update

It is easy for dive skills to get rusty and to lose confidence when you have not dived for a while. With the SSI Scuba Skills Update, we will get you back in the water and diving with ease in no time. This scuba refresher course allows you to review and practice scuba skills you learned in your Open Water Diver program, under the guidance of an SSI Professional. This is a great course to take just before a dive holiday, so you spend less time worrying about your skills and more time admiring the marine life. If you are a non-certified Open Water Diver student, a Scuba Skills Update is ideal for practicing your dive skills before your open water training dives. With no fixed course duration, you can take your time and focus on the skills you need help with.

11 February +4 More
EUR 168.12
USD 200.00

Try Scuba

Discover Scuba Diving with Sharky’s Scuba! Interested in trying scuba diving for the first time? Sharky’s Scuba schedules SSI Try Scuba sessions as needed—just give us a call at 405-759-3759 to book your experience! The SSI Try Scuba program is the perfect way to take your first breaths underwater in a safe, confined water environment. Under the guidance of a certified instructor, you'll experience the thrill of scuba diving while feeling completely supported. At the end of this short course, you'll earn your SSI Try Scuba recognition card and, most importantly, gain an unforgettable introduction to the underwater world. Your scuba adventure starts here—call us today to schedule your dive!

11 February +38 More
EUR 33.62
USD 40.00

Basic Diver

In the SSI Basic Diver program, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to try diving up to 12 meters deep with an SSI Professional. It is a great way to explore the underwater world more fully as you try diving. The entire Basic Diver program can be credited towards the Scuba Diver or Open Water Dive programs within 6 months, so you can take the next step in your dive adventure.

11 February +50 More
EUR 79.86
USD 95.00

Open Water Diver

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

11 February +50 More
EUR 252.18
USD 300.00

Scuba Skills Update

It is easy for dive skills to get rusty and to lose confidence when you have not dived for a while. With the SSI Scuba Skills Update, we will get you back in the water and diving with ease in no time. This scuba refresher course allows you to review and practice scuba skills you learned in your Open Water Diver program, under the guidance of an SSI Professional. This is a great course to take just before a dive holiday, so you spend less time worrying about your skills and more time admiring the marine life. If you are a non-certified Open Water Diver student, a Scuba Skills Update is ideal for practicing your dive skills before your open water training dives. With no fixed course duration, you can take your time and focus on the skills you need help with.

11 February +323 More
EUR 126.09
USD 150.00

Enriched Air Nitrox

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox certification. This is a 1/2 Day course and may be coupled with dives (for an additional charge) for a full day experience.

11 February +139 More
EUR 210.15
USD 250.00

Enriched Air Nitrox (40%)

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. This course is open to Certified Open Water Divers only. Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.
On request

Computer Diving

SSI designed the Computer Diving program to help certified divers become familiar with the features and benefits of using a dive computer. By understanding and knowing how to use all the functions of a dive computer, you will not only increase your dive safety but also make planning and executing your dive easier. The SSI Computer Diving program explores the functions and capabilities of different dive computers and explains how to use these functions before, during, and after your dive. Often, divers purchase a computer and only use it for its basic information. Get the most out of your investment by learning to use your dive computer to its full potential. Start your SSI Computer Diving specialty online today!

11 February +123 More
EUR 63.05
USD 75.00

Dive Centers

Dolphin Swim School, Inc.

1530 El Camino Ave, 95815 Sacramento, CA - USA

Ocean First

3015 Bluff Street, 80301 Boulder, CO - USA

Denver Divers

557 Milwaukee Street, 80206 Denver, CO - USA

Toms Dive & Swim

5909 Burnet Rd, 78757 Austin, TX - USA

Macs Sports

2126 Drew St, 33765 Clearwater, FL - USA

A-1 Scuba and Travel Aquatics Center

1603 W. Belleview, 80120 Littleton, CO - USA

Lynnhaven Dive Center

1413 N Great Neck Road, 23454 Virginia Beach, VA - USA

Phoenix Scuba

8502 North Black Canyon Hwy., 85051 Phoenix, AZ - USA

Diventures Colorado Springs

4940 Rusina Rd, 80907 Colorado Springs, CO - USA

Hawaiian Diving Adventures

1125 Ala Moana Blvd slip A-03, 96815 Honolulu, HI - USA

Mermet Springs Inc.

6724 N. US Highway 45, 62908 Belknap, IL - USA

Divers Supply Indy, Inc.

7560 Old Trails Rd, 46219 Indianapolis, IN - USA

Scuba Savvy

2000 E. Albany, 74012 Broken Arrow, OK - USA

Dive Sites

SSI USA North Central Training Ctr - no certs, 33487 Boca Raton

Bonne Terre Mine (★4.4)

This unique adventure can be your “Dive to the Center of the Earth.“ Bonne Terre Mine, a national historic site, is the world’s largest fresh water dive resort. Water conditions remain constant with over 100 foot visibility.
Sarah S. (#4020708)

Molasses Reef (★4.3)

Molasses Reef is one of the most popular dive areas in the Florida Keys. There are 30-33 specific dive sites located on Molasses Reef alone. The reef is shallow and very clear with lots of life, making it a great area for divers of all levels and snorkelers as well.
SSI USA West Coast Training Center - no certs -, 33487 Boca Raton

Casino Point Dive Park (★4.5)

Casino Point Dive Park, also known as the Avalon Underwater Dive Park, is the most popular dive site on Catalina Island and one of the most popular dive sites in all of Southern California. Catalina Island is only accessible via private boat or ferry from the mainland so check ferry schedules.
Force-E, 33404 Riviera Beach

Blue Heron Bridge at Phil Foster Park (★4.3)

One of the most popular dive sites in South Florida, Blue Heron Bridge is an easily accessible shore dive sitting just under the Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach. SPECIAL NOTE: check the tide schedule as this dive can only be made during slack tide otherwise currents will be too strong through the bay.
Aqualung

Mala Wharf (★4.7)

Mala Wharf is one of Maui’s best dives and easy to get to! It’s a shore dive just off of Lahaina. Watch out for boat traffic and rough sea conditions.

Top Wildlife Sightings in the United States

The United States offers a diverse array of marine life for divers to explore, especially around coastal regions like Florida, California, and Hawaii. In reef environments, divers can typically spot colorful reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. These species are common in warmer waters and provide a vibrant underwater experience year-round. Seasonally, divers may encounter larger marine species, such as sharks and rays. For example, nurse sharks and lemon sharks are frequently seen in Florida, particularly during the summer months. Similarly, manta rays are a highlight in Hawaii, often sighted between April and October. Sea turtles, like the green and loggerhead species, are also regularly encountered in these regions, with peak sightings occurring during nesting seasons in the spring and summer. Divers are most likely to encounter these species by visiting well-known dive spots at optimal times of the year.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
17k Sightings
J
1.6k
F
1.2k
M
1.3k
A
1.2k
M
1.3k
J
1.7k
J
2k
A
1.4k
S
1.2k
O
1.2k
N
1.3k
D
1.5k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
16k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
932
M
1.2k
A
1k
M
1.4k
J
1.7k
J
2k
A
1.5k
S
1.1k
O
1.2k
N
1.2k
D
1.3k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
13k Sightings
J
954
F
620
M
986
A
896
M
1.2k
J
1.6k
J
1.9k
A
1.2k
S
944
O
829
N
751
D
890

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
4.7k Sightings
J
412
F
236
M
355
A
335
M
372
J
430
J
525
A
474
S
420
O
371
N
406
D
330

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
4.1k Sightings
J
288
F
177
M
256
A
211
M
386
J
536
J
730
A
420
S
312
O
274
N
253
D
228

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 19

iStock-ANDY_BOWLIN

Bass
75k Sightings
J
1.8k
F
1.8k
M
2.7k
A
3.3k
M
7k
J
11k
J
13k
A
13k
S
10k
O
6.9k
N
2.7k
D
1.4k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

Shutterstock-zsolt_uveges

Catfish
33k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.1k
M
1.3k
A
1.6k
M
2.8k
J
4.2k
J
5.4k
A
5.2k
S
4.6k
O
3.2k
N
1.6k
D
1k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

iStock-jpa1999

Perch
31k Sightings
J
655
F
564
M
948
A
1.2k
M
3.1k
J
5k
J
5.7k
A
5.6k
S
4.2k
O
2.7k
N
1.1k
D
591

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 360

iStock-ChristinaPrinn

Turtle
29k Sightings
J
2k
F
2.1k
M
2.3k
A
2.1k
M
2.5k
J
3.3k
J
3.3k
A
3.3k
S
2.4k
O
2.5k
N
1.8k
D
1.5k

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
17k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
878
M
1.2k
A
1.2k
M
1.6k
J
2.2k
J
2.6k
A
1.8k
S
1.4k
O
1.1k
N
1.1k
D
1.1k
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
14k Sightings
J
961
F
640
M
1k
A
900
M
1.3k
J
1.8k
J
2.3k
A
1.4k
S
1.1k
O
866
N
855
D
958

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
12k Sightings
J
801
F
638
M
758
A
768
M
1.1k
J
1.5k
J
1.8k
A
1.1k
S
955
O
808
N
780
D
837

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
11k Sightings
J
870
F
614
M
758
A
764
M
921
J
1.3k
J
1.6k
A
1.1k
S
766
O
694
N
724
D
911

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

Shutterstock-dushkovladimir

Crayfish
10k Sightings
J
250
F
187
M
204
A
360
M
730
J
1.5k
J
1.8k
A
2k
S
1.6k
O
867
N
329
D
215

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-Rostislav Stefanek

Carp
9.3k Sightings
J
300
F
261
M
328
A
361
M
712
J
1.4k
J
1.6k
A
1.5k
S
1.2k
O
895
N
378
D
238

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
8.9k Sightings
J
560
F
391
M
496
A
635
M
842
J
1.2k
J
1.4k
A
1.1k
S
731
O
525
N
501
D
533

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
8.1k Sightings
J
397
F
392
M
481
A
648
M
815
J
964
J
1.2k
A
911
S
664
O
667
N
551
D
416

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
7.4k Sightings
J
662
F
401
M
544
A
471
M
662
J
888
J
1k
A
682
S
540
O
459
N
477
D
585

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak

Nurse Shark
7.2k Sightings
J
417
F
318
M
521
A
470
M
678
J
880
J
1.3k
A
755
S
530
O
427
N
481
D
474
k

Common Bream
6.9k Sightings
J
222
F
326
M
305
A
304
M
473
J
797
J
1.2k
A
1.2k
S
831
O
626
N
379
D
216

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
6.2k Sightings
J
459
F
291
M
418
A
443
M
517
J
820
J
938
A
685
S
459
O
379
N
392
D
349

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
6k Sightings
J
480
F
281
M
390
A
338
M
474
J
795
J
936
A
566
S
426
O
401
N
466
D
455

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
5.6k Sightings
J
406
F
302
M
323
A
284
M
520
J
754
J
773
A
487
S
473
O
381
N
481
D
368

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
5.3k Sightings
J
353
F
239
M
413
A
320
M
419
J
668
J
750
A
621
S
422
O
467
N
355
D
279

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
5.1k Sightings
J
333
F
239
M
317
A
318
M
486
J
763
J
809
A
570
S
374
O
316
N
305
D
305

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
4.9k Sightings
J
383
F
220
M
288
A
318
M
396
J
763
J
738
A
500
S
398
O
259
N
281
D
310

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
4.7k Sightings
J
340
F
184
M
308
A
287
M
433
J
741
J
771
A
450
S
338
O
294
N
282
D
285

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
4.5k Sightings
J
413
F
187
M
233
A
350
M
388
J
439
J
673
A
417
S
279
O
312
N
387
D
376

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 35

Shutterstock-divedog

Trout
3.8k Sightings
J
52
F
40
M
34
A
30
M
251
J
541
J
801
A
872
S
645
O
397
N
103
D
65

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7

k

Gar
3.8k Sightings
J
316
F
395
M
434
A
277
M
282
J
360
J
410
A
279
S
211
O
312
N
291
D
210