Humans have long envied fish for their ability to breathe underwater and swim naked without everybody getting all weird about it. Get slippery with this Groupon.
$287 for Open Water Diver Certification (Up to $595 Value)
Students earn their lifetime open water diver certification and card during the express certification class, which is spread over two weekends. The thorough session, which boasts a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, includes study materials, a pre-class 90-minute fitting for provided diving equipment, all needed scuba gear, two pool sessions, two ocean sessions, and a graduation ceremony. The hours are as follows:
- First Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- First Sunday from 7 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.
- Second Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Second Sunday from 7 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m., followed by graduation
Though this merchant sometimes offers a discounted price online, this Groupon is still the best deal available.
Eco Dive Center
Eco Dive Center’s dedication to water conservation shines through in its educational programs—the dive team teaches its students not only about scuba diving, but how to properly care for and respect the underwater world. It’s much more than just a water-safety school and aquatics emporium, although it does house dive gear from renowned brands such as Bare and Oceanic in its 5,000 square-foot store. And it does, of course, certify students in both basic open-water PADI skills and more advanced specialties, such as rescue and first-response.
Eco Dive has led underwater cleanup expeditions off of Santa Monica Pier, removing hundreds of pounds of trash in the process, and has enlisted the help of school children to spruce up local beaches. It has also partnered with area non-profits such as Heal the Bay, an organization that educates the public about reducing water pollution and administering splints if waves sprain their ankles.