Specialties

These are specialties that are in the program and some that may be added if time allows.

Receiving your Open Water certification is only the beginning! PADI's Continuing Education program is designed to provide divers with the opportunity to gain training and experience in a multitude of underwater disciplines through Specialty certifications.

With questions, or to register for a class, email or call us at 252-728-2265.

Class schedules are available on each course page.  If no schedule is shown, please call us for more information about scheduling your class

2023 Class Schedule

PADI Boat Diving Course

The PADI Boat Diver course is designed to acquaint divers with the aspects of boat diving including terminology, layout, storage areas, off-limit areas, location of emergency equipment, boarding/debarking techniques, water entry and exit techniques and general in-water dive procedures.

Prerequisites:

PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

12

Class Description:

Classroom Lectures will cover:

  • Layout
  • Storage areas
  • Off-limit areas
  • Location of emergency equipment
  • Boarding/Deboarding procedures
  • Water entry
  • Exit techniques
  • General in-water dive procedures

Training includes 2 boat dives.

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full Scuba including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Safety Sausage or Lift Bag
  • Wreck Reel
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • PADI Boat Diving Manual

Before Class:

  • Students should read and answer the questions in the Boat Diving manual before the first class meeting.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost:

$235.00 includes one half day of boat dives.  The PADI Boat Diver Manual is not included in the class price

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

PADI Deep Diver Course

The PADI Deep Diver course provides the diver with the necessary skills and knowledge for deeper diving. The dives will be non-decompression dives and none will be conducted over 130 feet.

Prerequisites

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age

15.

Class Description

Classroom sessions will cover:

  • Planning
  • Problems
  • Hazards
  • Decompression
  • Special Equipment
  • Buoyancy Control
  • Descent Lines
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Flying after Diving
  • Dive Tables
  • Recompression Chambers

Equipment Requirements

  • Full SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Wreck Reel
  • Safety Sausage or Lift Bag
  • PADI Deep Diver Manual

Before Class

  • Students should read the PADI Deep Diver Manual and answer the Knowledge Reviews before the first class meeting. The Knowledge Reviews will be collected by the Instructor on the first night of the class.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost

$595 per person. This includes 2 Regular Day Charters. The PADI Deep Diver Manual is not included in the class price.

Class starts at 6 pm the first day of class.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

PADI Digital Underwater Photography Course

The PADI Digital Underwater Photography course covers basic underwater digital photography with special emphasis on practical photographic techniques, covering such subjects as; available light, flash photography, camera handling, composition, photographic principles, and care and maintenance of equipment.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite certification for enrollment is PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age

12

Class Description

The PADI Digital Underwater Photography course covers the essentials of making images and is a hands-on clinic with digital systems at the heart of this course designed for both the beginner and the intermediate photographer.

Classroom Lectures will cover:

  • Available Light
  • Flash Photography
  • Camera Handling
  • Composition
  • Photographic Principles
  • Care and Maintenance of Equipment

4 Open Water Dives that include:

  • 2 Shore Dives at Radio Island
  • 2 Dives at the Indra

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full Scuba including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Digital Camera with housing (Rental Cameras are available)
  • PADI White Balance Slate
  • PADI Digital Underwater Photography Manual

Before Class:

  • Students should read and answer the questions in the PADI Digital Underwater Photography Manual before the first class meeting.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost

$260.00 includes one half-day boat dive.  The PADI Digital Underwater Photography Manual is not included in the class price.

 

Class starts at 6 pm the first day of class.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

PADI Drysuit Diver Course

The PADI Drysuit Diver course is teach you how to control the air in your drysuit along with your buoyancy.  You'll also learn about different types of drysuits, basic drysuit repairs and maintenance.

Prerequisites:

PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

12

Class Description:

Classroom sessions will cover:

  • Types of Drysuits
  • How to properly put on a Drysuit
  • Buoyancy control in different types of Drysuits

The course also consists of 1 pool session and 2 Open Water Dives.

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Safety Sausage or Lift Bag
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Drysuit
  • PADI Drysuit Diver Manual
  • SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Wreck Reel
  • Safety Sausage
  • Pocket Mask
  • PADI Rescue Manual with Slate

Before Class:

  • Students should read the PADI Drysuit Diver Manual and answer the Knowledge Reviews before the first class meeting. The Knowledge Reviews will be collected by the Instructor on the first night of the class.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost:

$240.00 per person. The PADI Drysuit Diver Manual is not included in the class price.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Course

The PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) course is designed to give the necessary skills and knowledge for diving with Enriched Air Nitrox. The course consists of a minimum of four hours of lectures and classroom exercises. The student will develop a working knowledge of Enriched Air Nitrox, physiological aspects of breathing oxygen at elevated partial pressures, computation of equivalent air depths, use of dive tables, oxygen analysis, dive planning, and special equipment requirements.  The Class is scheduled from 8am - 5 pm.

Prerequisites:

PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

12

Class Description:

Classroom Lectures will cover:

  • A working knowledge of enriched air
  • Physiological aspects of breathing oxygen at elevated partial pressures
  • Computations of Equivalent Air Depths
  • Use of dive tables
  • Cylinder content analysis
  • Dive planning
  • Special equipment requirements

Equipment Requirements:

  • PADI Enriched Air Student Pack.  This contains:
    • PADI Enriched Air Manual
    • Use of Tables Manual
    • PADI 32% Enriched Air Table
    • PADI 36% Enriched Air Table
    • DSAT Equivalent Air Depth Table
  • PADI Air Table
  • Calculator (recommended)

Before Class:

  • Students should read the PADI Enriched Air Manual and the Use of Tables Booklet, answer the Exercise Questions, and complete the Knowledge Review before the first class meeting.
  • Practice using the PADI Tables.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost:

$149.00  This does not include the PADI Enriched Air Student Pack.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

Equipment Specialist Course

The PADI Equipment Specialist course is designed to be an introduction to new types of equipment and to familiarize divers with the operation and maintenance of equipment.

NOTE: This is not an equipment repair certification course.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite certification is PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or an equivalent rating.

Minimum Age

12

Equipment Requirements

None

Scuba Equipment Care and Maintenance Manual recommended.

Cost

$265.00

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

Fish Identification Course

The PADI AWARE Fish Identification course is designed to give the diver adequate knowledge to correctly identify North Carolina tropical reef fish, temperate water fish, as well as some of the more frequently encountered Caribbean reef fish.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite certification is PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent certification.

Minimum Age

12

Class Description

Training consists of:

  • Classroom Lectures
  • 2 Open Water Dives

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full Scuba including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Slate with Pencil
  • Reef Fish Identification Book

Before Class:

Cost

$305.00 includes half-day boat dive.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

Full Face Diver Course

The PADI Full Face course is designed to educate divers about the use of Full Face Masks, with emphasis on the OTS Mask and the Ocean Reef Masks. This program will introduce the participants to Full Face Masks and the use of underwater communication equipment.

Prerequisites:

PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

15

Class Description:

Classroom Lectures will cover:

  • Preparation of the Full Face Mask
  • Adjustment of the nose pocket of the Full Face Mask
  • Clearing the Full Face Mask
  • Potential Problems and Hazards of Full Face Masks
  • Communication Equipment

Training includes 1 Pool session and 2 Open Water dives.

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Full Face Mask
  • Standard Scuba Mask

Before Class:

Cost:

$240.00 includes.  The use o a Full Face Mask is not included in the class price

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

Lionfish Population Control Course

The PADI Lionfish Population Control course is designed to educate divers about Lionfish and their invasion of the coast of the United States and in the Caribbean. This program will introduce the participants to the habitat of the Lionfish and the ways to live capture, shoot, and document their populations off of the coast of North Carolina.

Class book is Invasive Lionfish A Guide to Control and Management

Prerequisites

Prerequisite certification for enrollment is PADI Open Water Diver or an equivalent rating.

Minimum age

15

Class Description

Classroom sessions will cover:

  • General information about lionfish
  • Theories of how lionfish got to NC
  • Techniques for shooting Lionfish
  • Techniques for live catching Lionfish
  • Potential Problems and Hazards of Lionfish
  • Cleaning lionfish

Equipment Requirements

  • Full Scuba including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer

Before Class

Cost

$385.00  This includes 1 Regular Day Charter.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

PADI Night Diver Course

The PADI Night Diver course is designed to prepare the diver to dive safely at night.

Prerequisites

PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age

12

Class Description

Classroom Lectures will cover:

  • Planning and preparation for night diving
  • Procedures and techniques for night diving
  • Problems and hazards
  • Dive lights
  • Navigation
  • Buddy systems
  • Communication
  • Buoyancy control
  • Disorientation
  • Nocturnal marine life

Training includes 3 shore dives. (All 3 may all be done in a single night, if tides permit)

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full Scuba including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Dive light – Primary
  • Dive light – Back up
  • Compass
  • Dive knife
  • Whistle
  • Personal marker light
  • Depth gauge
  • Bottom timer
  • PADI Night Diver Manual

Before Class

  • Students should read and answer the questions in the PADI Night Diver Manual before the first class meeting.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost

$305.00  The PADI Night Diver Manual is not included in the class price.

Class starts at 6 pm the first day of class.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

PADI Search and Recovery Course

The PADI Search and Recovery course is designed to teach you how to find lost objects underwater.  You’ll practice different types of underwater search patterns and learn how to use a lift bag as you plan and execute searches.

Prerequisites:

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

12

Class Description:

Classroom Lectures will cover:

  • Planning
  • Search Patterns
  • Problems and hazards of Search and Recovery
  • Navigation
  • Limited visibility diving
  • Marking objects underwater
  • Using lift bags to recover objects

Training includes 4 Open Water dives

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive knife
  • Whistle
  • Safety Sausage or Lift Bag
  • Wreck Reel
  • Depth gauge
  • Bottom timer
  • PADI Search and Recovery Manual

Before Class:

  • Students should read the PADI Search and Recovery Manual and answer the Knowledge Reviews before the first class meeting. The Knowledge Reviews will be collected by the Instructor on the first night of the class.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost:

$305 per person.  The PADI Search and Recovery Manual is not included in the class price

Class starts at 6 pm the first day of class.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

PADI Wreck Diver

The PADI Wreck course is designed to provide the diver with the necessary skills and knowledge for safe wreck diving.

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite certification for enrollment is PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

15

Class Description

Classroom sessions will cover:

  • Planning
  • Organization Procedures
  • Techniques
  • Problems and Hazards of Wreck Diving
  • Wreck Penetration (The 4th dive will be a penetration dive)

The course also consists of 4 Open Water Dives.

Equipment Requirements

  • Full SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Safety Sausage or Lift Bag
  • Wreck Reel
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Dive Light – Primary
  • Dive Light – Back-up
  • PADI Wreck Diver Manual

Before Class

  • Students should read the PADI Deep Diver Manual and answer the Knowledge Reviews before the first class meeting. The Knowledge Reviews will be collected by the Instructor on the first night of the class.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost

$595 per person. This includes 2 Regular Day Charters. The PADI Wreck Diver Manual is not included in the class price.

Class starts at 6 pm the first day of class.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

Manatee Awareness Course

The PADI Manatee Awareness is an entry-level course designed to educate the general diving public about the manatee. The dive for this course is conducted on the Florida Springs Trip.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite certification for enrollment is PADI Open Water Diver or an equivalent rating.

Class Description

  • Classroom Lectures will cover:
    1. Types of Manatees
    2. Habitat of the Manatee
    3. Laws concerning Manatees
    4. Conservation of the Manatee
  • 1 Dive

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full Scuba including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Educator Guide (Downloadable).

Before Class:

Cost

$50.00

PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Course

The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course will enhance the diver’s buoyancy control ability through knowledge development and practical skills. By the end of the course you will be able to successfully run through a buoyancy course.Prerequisite certification for enrollment is PADI Open Water Diver or to have an equivalent rating.

Minimum Age

12

Training consists of:

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full Scuba including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer

Before Class:

  • Students should read and answer the questions in the Peak Performance Buoyancy Section of the PADI Adventures in Diving manual before the first class meeting.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost

$195.00  Class is only offered on Florida Springs trip.

 

 

2025 Dates 
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class is only offered on Florida Springs trip.

PADI Shark Awareness Course

The PADI Shark Awareness course is a Distinctive Specialty that was written and is taught by Lee Moore to educate divers about sharks, with an emphasis on the Atlantic Sand Tiger.  This course will also give an understanding into the true nature of sharks and dispel any preconceived notion about sharks.

Prerequisites:

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or an equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

15

Class Description:

Classroom Lectures will cover:

  • Classroom Lectures will cover:
    1. Habitat of sharks
    2. Characteristics of sharks
    3. Atlantic Sand Tiger Sharks
    4. Bull Sharks
    5. Great White Sharks
    6. Hammerhead Sharks
    7. Conservation of sharks
  • 2 Open Water Dives

Training includes 2 boat dives.

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Safety Sausage or Lift bag
  • Wreck Reel
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer

Before Class:

Cost:

$385.00 This includes 1 Regular Day Charter.

 

2025 Dates

Coming Soon

 

 

 

Class also offered upon request

PADI SOBX Wreck Diver Course

The PADI SOBX Wreck Diving course is a PADI Distinctive Specialty that was written and is taught by Lee Moore.  It is designed to educate the diver about the unique conditions on the wrecks of the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina.  This program will teach the history of the wrecks of the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina, including, but not limited to, the U-352USS SchurzUSNS AeolusUSCGC SparUSS IndraWE. HuttonArioCaribsea, and the Papoose.  This course will also teach about the hazards on the wrecks of the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina

Prerequisites:

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or an equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

15

Class Description:

Classroom Lectures will cover:

  • Classroom Lectures will cover:
    • History of the Wrecks of the Southern Outer Banks (SOBX)
    • Current conditions of the Wrecks of the Southern Outer Banks (SOBX)
    • Diving off of boats
    • Hazards of Wreck Diving
  • 2 Open Water Dives

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Safety Sausage or Lift bag
  • Wreck Reel
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer

Before Class:

Cost:

$365.00  This includes 1 Regular Day Charter.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

PADI Underwater Hunter (Spearfishing) Course

The PADI Underwater Hunter course is a Distinctive Specialty that was written and is taught by Lee Moore centered on hunting with spear guns and pole spears. The course will also be used to develop the required knowledge and skills for underwater collecting of items such as shells, artifacts, or tropical fish.

Prerequisites:

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or an equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

15

Class Description:

  • Classroom Lectures will cover:
    1. Safety
    2. Operation
    3. Maintenance
    4. Target Identification
    5. Types of Spearfishing Equipment
    6. Conservation
    7. Fish and Game Regulations
  • 4 Open Water Dives (2 shore dives and 2 dives on a Regular Day Charter)

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Safety Sausage or Lift Bag
  • Wreck Reel
  • Goody Bag for your catch
  • N.C. Saltwater Fishing License (CRFL)

Pole spears and Goody Bags are supplied, but students should feel free to use their own if they wish.

Spearfishing and Underwater Hunting Handbook is recommended.

Before Class:

Cost:

$450.00 includes one half day of boat dives.  This includes a Regular Day Charter.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

Underwater Naturalist Course

The PADI Underwater Naturalist course is designed to be an introduction to the underwater aquatic environment and to help the student diver develop safe and responsible interaction with aquatic life.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite certification is PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent certification.

Minimum Age

12

Class Description

  • Classroom Lectures
  • 2 Open Water Dives

Equipment Requirements

  • Full Scuba including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Slate with Pencil
  • Reef Creature Identification Book

Before Class

Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost

$230.00 includes half-day boat dive.

 

2025 Dates
Coming Soon
 
 
 
Class also offered upon request

PADI Underwater Navigator Course

The PADI Underwater Navigator course fine tunes your observation skills and teaches you to more accurately use your compass underwater.

Prerequisites:

PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent rating.

Minimum Age:

12

Class Description:

Classroom Lectures will cover:

  • Natural Navigation
  • Compass Navigation
  • Mapping Skills
  • How to handle obstacles while using a compass
  • Compass use will be conducted on land for the dives

Training includes 3 open water dives.

Equipment Requirements:

  • Full SCUBA including submersible pressure gauge and an alternate air source
  • Compass
  • Dive Knife
  • Whistle
  • Safety Sausage or Lift Bag
  • Depth Gauge
  • Dive Timer
  • Dive Slate
  • PADI Underwater Navigator Manual

Before Class:

  • Students should read the PADI Underwater Navigator Manual and answer the Knowledge Reviews before the first class meeting. The Knowledge Reviews will be collected by the Instructor on the first night of the class.
  • Complete the PADI Medical Form prior to first day of class.

Cost:

$305.00  The PADI Underwater Navigator Manual is not included in the class price.

 

2025 Dates

Coming Soon

 

 

 

Class also offered upon request