Blue Water Divers, Rochelle Park

Try Scuba is the dream project of Lorraine and Dave Riscinti, who have more than 30 years of combined experience in the diving industry. Along with a number of capable instructors—many of whom started as customers—this husband-and-wife team assists divers as they take their first steps into the deep or learn new skills for underwater exploration. They lead introductory courses, such as Discover Scuba, and more advanced sessions, like rescue diving or wreck diving.

The modular open-water course, for example, teaches newcomers the basics and provides ample time to build confidence through practice dives in the onsite heated pool. Eventually, students can attend Try Scuba's expeditions to farflung locales, like Turks and Caicos, or more local hot spots, including Dutch Springs, a spring-fed lake with 100-foot depths and excellent visibility.