Costs & Certification
How Much Does Scuba Diving Cost?
What you'll actually pay to try diving, to dive regularly, and to build your own kit — plus the smartest order to buy gear.
Scuba diving costs less to start than most people expect. A first try-dive runs about $60–$150, an Open Water certification about $300–$600, and fun dives roughly $40–$120 each once you're certified. You don't need to own any gear to begin — rent first, then buy slowly.
- Try-dive (DSD)
- $60–$150
- Open Water course
- $300–$600
- Fun dive (per dive)
- $40–$120
- Gear rental
- $20–$50 / day
Diving has a reputation for being expensive. The truth is that getting started is cheap, and the costs you control — owning gear, travelling to dive — only grow if you fall in love with it. Here's exactly where the money goes.
The cost of trying scuba diving
Your cheapest first step is a Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) or "try-dive": a guided shallow dive with an instructor, no certification required. Expect $60–$150 depending on location, usually with all equipment included. It's the best money you'll ever spend to find out if diving is for you before committing to a full certification course.
The cost of diving once you're certified
After certification, you pay per dive. A single guided fun dive is typically $40–$120; a two-tank boat trip runs $80–$180. Gear rental adds about $20–$50 a day if you don't own kit. Prices are lower in places like Egypt, Thailand and Indonesia, and higher in the US, UK and Australia.
| What | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Discover Scuba / try-dive | $60–$150 |
| Open Water certification | $300–$600 |
| Single fun dive (guided) | $40–$120 |
| Two-tank boat dive | $80–$180 |
| Full gear rental | $20–$50 / day |
Buying your own gear — in the right order
Don't buy a full set on day one. Rent first. As you dive more, buy the pieces that most affect your comfort, in this order:
- Start with a mask: A mask that fits your face is the single biggest comfort upgrade. Check the fit by holding it to your face (no strap) and inhaling gently through your nose — it should seal and stay put. Choose tempered glass, and prep a new mask so it won't fog (see below). Budget $30–$120.
- Then your own fins: Most rental fins are tired, ill-fitting, or the wrong stiffness — and they directly affect how tired you get. Your own fins are a worthwhile early buy. Budget $60–$200.
- Then a BCD and regulator: Once you know diving is your thing, invest in a BCD ($300–$800) and regulator ($300–$900). These are the pieces you most want to be reliable and familiar — but they're a big commitment, so wait until you're sure.
- A dive computer, when you're ready: A computer ($200–$1,500) tracks depth, time and no-stop limits. Many divers buy one early because it travels light and keeps you safe across rental setups.
New-mask defog trick: A brand-new mask has a silicone film on the lens that makes it fog. On tempered glass only, gently pass a lighter flame across the inside of the lens for a second or two at a time until it turns lightly grey, let it cool, then scrub with toothpaste or baby shampoo and rinse. Repeat once or twice. After that, a daily defog (spit or anti-fog gel) keeps it clear.
So what does scuba diving really cost?
To try it: under $150. To get certified: $300–$600 once. To keep diving: roughly the price of a nice meal per dive, or far less per dive if you travel to dive-rich, low-cost destinations. Owning a full kit ($1,500–$3,000+) is optional and best built up over time.
Learn the scuba basics — free
Before you spend a penny on a course, learn the fundamentals in the Diving Standard app. Free scuba, freediving and snorkeling lessons, built by divers.
Get the Diving Standard appFrequently asked questions
Is scuba diving an expensive hobby?
It can be as cheap or expensive as you make it. Trying it costs under $150 and certification is a one-time $300–$600. After that you only pay per dive ($40–$120), and you can rent gear instead of buying. Owning a full kit is optional and best built up slowly.
Do I need to buy gear to start diving?
No. Dive centres rent everything you need. Rent at first, then buy your own mask, then fins, and only later a BCD and regulator once you know you'll keep diving.
What's the cheapest way to get into diving?
Do a Discover Scuba dive ($60–$150) to try it, then get certified somewhere with low prices and great diving — Egypt, Thailand or Indonesia all offer Open Water courses from around $300.