The 13 Best Dives for Certified Divers in the USA

1.2 Tank Lanai Cathedral Scuba Dive Via Boat for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 548 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $306Our pick

Meet Dive Maui at 6:30 AM for a boat ride from Lahaina to Lanai. You’ll make two sessions in clear water, often visiting a Cathedral site plus another location, with caverns, arches, lava formations, and swim-throughs. Guides such as Abbi, Jess, Brian, and Scott are known for careful briefings and personal help.

“Great Whale watching on the way to the scuba site! Nick and crew were great! Very informative and helpful!”

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2.Wreck and Bridge Span Dive for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 521 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $115

Join Panama City Diving for about four hours on two underwater sites off Panama City Beach. Certified scuba divers visit a shipwreck and bridge span at 50 to 75 feet, with Ben and the crew handling safety, site guidance, snacks, drinks, and optional rental gear.

“Safety is the key word for this dive shop. Set my mind at ease being by myself for the dive to say the least. The DM (Ben) could not have been more accommodating to the less experienced onboard. He (and the boat captain) made sure everyone knew how to use not only the rental gear, but also customers own gear that they weren’t sure how to setup. Visibility was decent given the recent storms (15-25’). All in all, definitely recommend for the novice as well as beginners in the diving world.”

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3.Certified Diver: 2-Tank Deep Wreck and Shallow Reef Dive Off Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 331 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $248

Join a scuba-certified group from Kewalo Basin Harbor for two guided underwater sites off Honolulu. You may visit the Sea Tiger wreck at about 105 feet, then a shallower reef near 50 feet, with gear, tanks, snacks, and drinks included. Guides such as Nacho, Matt, Heather, and Jordan help with equipment and route-finding.

“The dives were great. The boat was clean and well kept. The crew and dive masters where professional while still being relaxed enough to have fun. They rotate dive sites throughout the week so be sure to check the full schedule if you are interested in a particular site or multiple sites.”

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4.Certified Diver: 2-Tank Shallow Reef Dives off Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $141

Join Dive Oahu at Kewalo Basin Harbor for two guided shallow-water scuba sessions near Honolulu. PADI professionals such as Nacho, Heather, Jordan, and Lindsey lead small groups to sites including Turtle Canyons and Kaiser's, with free gear, snacks, and refreshments. Expect depths of 25 to 50 feet and frequent turtle sightings.

“It’s truly a pleasure to review my experience with Dive Oahu on 6/27/24. Nothing stands out as “ the best” because everything was 5 star super fine. The dive masters were all very professional and easy to be with including Ami, Coulter(Coulton) and Heather. Nacho was our boat captain and kept all the great gear in clean orderly shipshape condition. The pace of my two 40 feet depth dives was perfect and allowed ample time to ogle sea turtles, eels, strange fish and coral. Booking my dives was easy and everything advertised went according to plan and even better than I had anticipated. The value also exceeded my expectation. I…”

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5.Small-Group Shark and Turtle Dive for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $135

Start at 7:30 a.m. in Lahaina for a guided shore scuba outing at Mala Wharf, where sunken pier wreckage shelters turtles, white-tip reef sharks, eels, octopus, and frogfish. Groups are limited to four, gear is supplied, and guides such as Joe, Abbi, and Matt provide careful briefings and personal attention.

“Great dive at Malo pier! We saw nurse sharks, turtles and huge schools of fish. Very clear water. I recommend this dive!”

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6.Waikiki 2 Tank World Class Wreck SCUBA Diving – Certified Only

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 205 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $269

You’ll start with a wreck such as the Sea Tiger, YO-257, or San Pedro, then visit a Waikiki reef for your second tank. Guides including Ron, April, Dylan, Yoshi, Alex, and Marcia have led these trips. Bring proof of certification, comfort with deep water, and the ability to carry a 30-pound tank.

“We had a great time diving. Marcia was awesome and very patient. Sea Tiger Wreck was pretty amazing to see. The rest of the crew was very helpful and the gear was great.”

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7.Kauai’s Ultimate South Shore 2 Tank Dive (Certified Divers Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 190 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $210

Join Dive Kauai at Koloa Landing for a four-hour, two-tank shore excursion in protected Hanaka’ape Bay. Certified divers swim only a short distance from the ramp, with a guide such as Jimmy, Logan, Dominic, or Josh leading small groups to turtles, eels, octopus, tropical fish, and other reef life. Gear, snacks, water, and a marine ecology briefing are included.

“This is a fantastic dive! The staff was fantastic, friendly and I was able to see different species.”

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8.Half-Day Small-Group 2-Tank Scuba Dive in Key Largo (CERTIFIED DIVERS ONLY)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 125 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $114Best value

Join Amoray Divers in Key Largo for a four-hour, two-tank scuba trip for certified divers. You’ll ride a shaded 45-foot catamaran through Pennekamp State Park to two reef sites selected by the captain. Tanks, weights, snacks, water, and snorkeling gear are included. Recent trips have featured guides Aaron and Kalen.

“All the staff members were very, very nice and extremely helpful. The equipment was very nice and well maintained. They spent alot of time on safety, doing roll to make sure they had everyone back on board. I will be back.”

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9.Guided Shallow 2 Tank Dive Trip for CERTIFIED SCUBA DIVERS ONLY!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 123 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $250

Join Silent World Dive Center in Key Largo for a guided two-tank trip reserved for certified scuba divers. You’ll visit two shallow sites, perhaps Christ of the Deep, Molasses Reef, or another Florida Keys site, with gear, snacks, soft drinks, and reef-safe sunscreen included. A recent dive within 18 months is required.

“Great trip, Gabe was awesome. We dove in Molasses Reef and it was very nice. Would definitely recommend it.”

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10.Maui Certified Shore Diving from Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $199

Join Extended Horizons Scuba for a guided shore-based scuba outing on Maui’s shallow reefs. In a group of no more than four, instructors such as Gabi, Bruce, and Phil point out turtles, eels, octopuses, and reef fish. Equipment and water are included, but confirm the beach meeting point before you go.

“The beauty of the beach. Very easy swim to the coral and rock formations. I’m very buoyant. Fortunately, the dive master was skilled enough to carry extra weights with her. She attached two to my BC. Also, she brings a writing tablet into the water and writes the names of all of the fish. If you’re looking for an easy, low impact dive experience, this is it.”

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11.Kauai’s Ultimate Dive Boat Adventure (for CERTIFIED Divers Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $285

Join Dive Kauai from Poipu for a four-hour, two-tank outing aboard the 26-foot Ho'onui. Limited to six certified scuba divers, the trip visits south-shore reefs with lava formations, caverns, turtles, eels, and tropical fish. Crew members including AJ, Captain Nick, Dominic, and Drew have led outings with strong local insight.

“Easily travel to locations, but good reefs with plenty of turtles. Easy dives, calm waters. Worth the trip!”

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12.Certified Diver: 2-Tank Night Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $248

Join Dive Oahu at Kewalo Basin Harbor for a guided two-tank scuba outing that begins before sunset and continues after dark. You’ll use included premier gear, pause for ocean views and snacks between descents, and look for creatures such as eels, lobsters, octopus, cuttlefish, and reef fish with a PADI professional.

“The crew was great , the dives were outstanding! Super friendly people with a lot of knowledge of the area . Will dive with them again in the future!”

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13.Certified Divers: Best 2-Tank Wrecks & Reef Boat Dive All Inclusive From Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $259

Join Waikiki Dive Center at 6:45 am for a small-group, two-tank scuba outing for certified divers. Visit the Sea Tiger, YO-257, or San Pedro wreck, then explore a local reef with guides such as Scott, Yoshi, April, or Alex. Gear, snacks, and bottled water are included.

“Easy location, great dive staff, good equipment. The experience isn't complete until K puts on the captain hat.”

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