The 10 Best Beginner Scuba Dives in the USA

1.First-Time Scuba Diving in Honolulu + Free Videos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,123 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89Our pick

Meet your instructor at Magic Island Lagoon for a beginner-friendly scuba lesson in waist-deep water, followed by a guided swim to about 15 feet. Alex, Nick, Danny, Dan, and Rida are among the instructors praised for calm guidance. Gear, safety instruction, and underwater videos are included.

“Excellent time spent! Danny (the instructor and guide) was very patient and friendly in teaching and guiding while underwater.”

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2.Beginner Scuba Diving Experience with Video Package in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 877 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $77Best value

Learn basic scuba skills in Honolulu’s protected Magic Island Lagoon with instructor Kyle and a group of no more than four. You’ll practice in shallow water, then spend 20 to 30 minutes underwater among Hawaiian fish and marine life. Gear, instruction, and an underwater video package are included.

“Kyle was very knowledgeable and very patient with us. This was our first time to dive and we had a great time.”

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3.Beginner Scuba Dive in Lahaina: Swimming Required

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $229

Learn basic scuba skills in shallow water at Kahekili Beach Park, then swim out with an instructor for an underwater look at Maui’s reef life. Guides such as Simon, Shane, Kevin, and Jen are praised for calm instruction. You must swim comfortably in the open ocean, carry 30 pounds briefly, and wait 18 hours before flying or going above 1,000 feet.

“Simon was phenomenal! My boyfriend and I were first time divers and Simon was extremely knowledgeable and made us feel so comfortable in the water!!! Definitely the highlight of my trip!”

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4.Beginner Scuba Diving Experience With Videos in West Palm Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 206 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

You’ll learn basic scuba skills from shore, practice in waist-deep water, then follow a guide into the Atlantic for a beginner-friendly underwater tour. Felipe, Tabitha, and Ryan are among the instructors praised for patient teaching and good videos. The session lasts about 90 minutes, though your underwater time depends on comfort and group size.

“Filipe did it again! Another fantastic scuba diving experience with our friends this time! We saw a huge puffer fish and giant orange starfish! This is our second time with Filipe in the last two months. We have decided to make this an annual event for us. We live in Atlantic Beach, FL and gladly will drive the four hours to paradise. Scuba diving in Phil Foster Park and snorkeling in the ocean. Warmest thanks for the awesome videos of our amazing time in the water! #teamFilipe”

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5.Panama City Scuba Diving Activity for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 205 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Meet instructor Malin at St. Andrews State Park for a two-hour beginner scuba session. You’ll learn equipment and safety basics, practice in about 3 feet of water, then swim to roughly 7 or 8 feet when ready. No certificate or swimming skills are required. Gear and videos are included.

“We had a great time, as first time scuba divers. We felt safe, all worked out well, and would love to go again. Malin made an extra effort taking and providing pictures of and to everyone! Thank you!”

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6.Waikiki: Honolulu Beginner Scuba Diving with Videos

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 94 reviews · from $79

You’ll learn basic scuba skills from an English- or Spanish-speaking instructor, starting in waist-deep water at Magic Island Lagoon before exploring the reef on a one-tank ocean session. No prior scuba or swimming experience is required. Equipment and GoPro videos are included, and guides such as Alex, Ryan, Nick, and Scott lead the tours.

“Alex was a great guide and it was a perfect first experience diving. We didnt see a lot of fishes as the water wasn’t very clear today, but we ll do a next dive for sure! Thank you😊!”

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7.Honolulu: Beginner Scuba Diving Tour With Free Videos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 1h 30m · from $89

Join instructor Kyle for a gentle first scuba experience at Magic Island Lagoon, close to Waikiki. You’ll learn basic skills in shallow water, then spend about 20 minutes underwater among tropical fish and other marine life. Gear, guidance, and a free video package are included for adults and children age 10 and older.

“It was an amazing experience! Kyle was a great guide and he took us down onto the sea to discover different fishes and even an octopus! We enjoyed it a lot and definitely recommend the experience in Hawaii!”

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8.Maui: Beginner Discovery Scuba Dive Excursion from Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 46 reviews · 2h 30m · from $238

Learn scuba basics with a PADI e-learning lesson, then meet a certified instructor for a small-group session of up to four people. After fitting your gear and practicing key skills, enter shallow coastal water near Lahaina to look for coral, tropical fish, rays, and green sea turtles. Instructors include Michael, Kevin, Rick, Bruce, and others.

“Great first diving experience. Emma was very knowledgeable about everything and made the trip a blast! I definitely recommend this opportunity for people who want to try scuba diving without getting a certification, as it is a great introduction to the hobby!”

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9.Panama City Beach: Beginners Scuba Diving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 23 reviews · 1h 30m · from $99

Meet instructor Malin Mutafchiev at St. Andrews State Park for a 90-minute beginner scuba session. You’ll learn breathing, safety, and hand signals in 3 feet of water before exploring the local marine area. No swimming skills or certification are required, and free GoPro photos and videos are included.

“It was our first time ever diving! Our guide was nothing short of amazing and patient! The marine life was beautiful”

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10.Oahu: Beginner SCUBA Dive at Electric Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10 reviews · 3 hours · from $175

Meet your PADI instructor at Kahe Point Beach Park for a safety briefing, one-on-one skills practice, and a guided first scuba experience at Electric Beach. Groups are limited to six, and the guide takes underwater photos for you. No prior certification is needed, but you must be a swimmer and carry about 50 pounds of gear a short distance.

“The instructor, Randy was everything I was hoping for, experienced, patient and easygoing. This was my first experience diving and I’m hooked. Randy did an amazing job making sure I was comfortable and confident. Safety was the number one priority. Everything about my experience was better than I imagined. I strongly recommend this awe inspiring experience.”

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