"With Columbia Scuba, diving is as much a social event as a sport. I have as much fun on the surface, making friends and hanging out, as I do on the dives themselves."

"The crew at Columbia Scuba really know how to make every dive an exciting adventure!"
Eddie Albert -
  AOW Certified diver since 2002

 Why Learn to SCUBA Dive?
Diving is a sport that appeals to many different people for many different reasons. For some, a sense of adventure is the reason they choose to dive. For others, a desire to be a part of something that has the appeal of exclusivity. When diving, you feel like you are in a special world that few other have seen.

Diving is the closest thing a normal person can do to being an Astronaut. We wear special suits, make that shka-sssssss sound when we breath. We float, weightless through a world that is both alien and familiar. And yet, many new divers are surprised to learn that diving can be incredibly peaceful and relaxing.

Like learning any new skill, fears can attempt to play with your head. Can I do this? Is this too hard, too dangerous, too this... to that....

One of the great things about diving with Columbia Scuba is that EVERY single staff member does this because they  L-O-V-E  diving. They love teaching others to appreciate the 3/4 of the earth that is hidden from the average person.

They are masters at helping you overcome self doubt and fears through solid instruction and caring attention. The team at Columbia Scuba puts safety over all else and takes it as a personal challenge to create excellent divers. Divers who can respect the environment, others and themselves.

Diving offers something for everyone.
There are many different types of diving activities and experiences available, there is something to capture the imagination of every member of the family.  
During their family vacation Junior divers can enjoy the thrills of rainbow colored fish, or watching a hermit crab wobble along in the oversized home he just moved into.  History enthusiasts have a treasure trove of artifacts in the rivers and coastline of South Carolina, whether you are collecting items from the civil war era, or fossils from prehistoric times.  There are even opportunities to participate as a volunteer in underwater archaeology.

If you enjoy photography learning to dive will open up a whole new world of subject matter, and if you are not an expert photographer the digital cameras we stock will help the novice photographer take great pictures to adorn your home and office walls!

For the adventure seekers and explorers there are the mysteries of sunken wrecks to be discovered; vessels from the Civil War, W.W.II and even New York Subway Cars as artificial reefs lie along the Carolina Coastline. Just a few hours drive will take you to some of the worlds best spring systems. Crystal clear water and curious fish, more than used to divers, are always hanging around waiting in case you brought them a left over hot dog from lunch! While there take the whole family snorkeling with friendly Manatees, they love a belly rub!

Whether you are looking for an escape from the hubbub of work, and some rest and relaxation in the calm and crystal waters of the Caribbean,  if you are looking for exotic travel to islands with mythical names in the south pacific, or you want to rise to the challenge of wreck diving in the Atlantic; the expert instructors at Columbia Scuba will help you with learning the skills to enjoy the type of diving that fits your interests and skill level.

How do I get started?
There are several things you can do. Explore this web site, read throught the FAQs, take a look at the PADI site. Then, call us or come by the Dive Shop and bring a friend. You don't have to have a buddy to take the training, but you fill find the experience even more rewarding when you do it with a pal.

Open Water Certification
Advanced Open Water
Diver Profile 1
Linda - School Teacher, 32
Linda is a science teacher who has always loved the beach but never felt comfortable with "all those little fish swimming around her feet". A friend who was a certified diver encouraged her to take a beginners course to see if she would like to see some of the sea life she talked about in her class first hand.

Linda discovered that being in the clear water where she could see the fish and other sea life made her much more comfortable than the "unknown" creatures in 2 foot of beachwater.

Diver Profile 2
Edward - Programmer, 43
While sitting around with his brother-in-law watching the discover channel, he looked over and said, "how come we always talk about sky diving, bungee jumping and scuba diving, but never do anything."

After talking about it, they decided to call around and learn more about what was involved in SCUBA. After talking with the folks at Columbia Scuba over the phone and then checking out the web site, they came in to ask some additional questions and signed up for the Open Water Certification class.

"What we really did not realize, was how much fun it is getting to know the other divers, going out together for dinner or just hanging around talking after a dive."

Diver Profile 3
Pam - Retired, 64
Pam has raised her kids, is in good health and was looking for something to do to add some spice to her life. She discovered Scuba along with her daughter and they take scuba vacations together a couple of times a year. She has absolutely no desire to go very deep or to venture into a cave. But she has a blast enjoying coral formation in 30-45 feet of water in Cozumel!

Diver Profile 4
Tim - 7th Grade, 13
Tim tried scuba equipment on for the first time at a friends birthday party. "Lucy and the others at Columbia Scuba were great at working with all the kids in the pool", he says, and everyone had a great time playing games and experiencing the feeling of their first breaths underwater.

He is now signed up for the SEAL TEAM program at Columbia Scuba where he will learn more scuba skills and be on his way to becoming a certified diver. His Dad, Erik, has joined him.