ScubaTech Destin has been a cornerstone of the Destin scuba diving community since its founding in April 1986 by Capt. Nancy Birchett. As a woman-owned and operated full-service dive shop, ScubaTech has built a reputation for excellence, safety, and a deep passion for the underwater world. Whether you're an experienced diver or just beginning your journey into scuba diving, we offer various services tailored to enhance your adventure beneath the waves. Destin, Florida, is a premier dive destination, known for its stunning natural limestone reefs and an impressive collection of artificial reefs and wrecks. ScubaTech Destin provides access to some of the best dive sites in the region, allowing divers to explore the Miss Louise wreck, the breathtaking Destin jetties, and more. As a leading dive shop in Destin, we specialize in scuba diving lessons and PADI certification courses for divers of all skill levels. Our beginner scuba diving programs introduce newcomers to the basics of diving in a safe and controlled environment, while our advanced scuba courses help seasoned divers expand their skills and confidence. If you're looking for a more specialized experience, we also offer night diving excursions, spearfishing charters, and underwater photography dives. ScubaTech Destin is more than just a dive center—we are a community of passionate ocean explorers dedicated to providing top-tier service. Our team of experienced instructors and dive masters is committed to ensuring that every dive is safe, fun, and unforgettable. In addition to our scuba diving trips, we offer Destin snorkeling tours, allowing non-divers to experience the beauty of our snorkeling reefs and marine life up close. Our full-service dive shop is stocked with high-quality scuba gear rentals, ensuring that you have everything you need for your underwater adventure. Full gear setup, tanks, or snorkeling equipment? We have you covered. We also provide equipment servicing and repairs to keep your gear in top condition. At ScubaTech Destin, we believe that scuba diving is more than just a sport—it’s a gateway to discovering the incredible underwater world that lies just off the shores of Destin to Fort Walton Beach.&nbsp;We guarantee an adventure like no other. Join us and let our expert team guide you through the wonders of the Gulf. We hope to “sea” you soon!

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<h2>Advanced Open Water Diver</h2>Already certified and ready for more? The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is your next step toward deeper dives, new adventures, and becoming a more confident diver. Join us in Destin, FL for a 2-day course that builds skill, experience, and underwater excitement.Starting from: $450.00 <h2>Next Class:</h2>July 12-13, 2025 Dives take place in the Gulf or local freshwater springs <h3>Prerequisites&nbsp;</h3><ul><li>Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver certification</li><li>12 years old&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>PADI Advanced Open Water E-Learning</h3>This portion of the course can be completed anywhere you have internet access and at your own pace. Sign up for your e-learning course here! Please note the online course is an additional fee paid directly to PADI - it is not included in our cost.<h3>What's Included?</h3>Included in the cost of this course ($450 or $550 with equipment rental + tax) are total of 5 specialty dives with your instructor over 2 days. A Deep Dive (60 - 100ft) and Underwater Navigation will be required for all students. Options for the 3 remaining dives are below. (We do try our best to accommodate student choice, but water conditions and other variables may be a factor)<ul><li>Boat Dive</li><li>Search &amp; Recovery</li><li>Peak Performance Buoyancy</li><li>Underwater Naturalist&nbsp;</li><li>Dive Against Debris</li><li>Wreck Dive</li><li>Nitrox (separate online training and extra fee required)</li><li>Night Dive</li><li>Rescue (intro dive)</li></ul><h3>Required Materials and Equipment</h3>The following items are required to begin the Advanced Open Water course:<ul><li>Completed PADI Advanced Open Water Diver e-learning</li><li>Reviewed Diver Medical Form - any "YES" answers will require a physician signature before participation in the course&nbsp;</li><li>Mask, snorkel, fins</li></ul>Please note:<ol><li>If any training takes place at Vortex Springs, there will be a $25 entrance fee&nbsp;</li><li>Courses are nonrefundable but may be rescheduled&nbsp;</li><li>Minimum course size is 4 students</li></ol><h3>Did You Know?!</h3>All of your Advanced Open Water specialty dives count towards their respective specialty certifications. Once you have completed 5 specialty certifications plus your PADI Rescue Diver course and you have 50 or more logged dives, you can apply for your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating!&nbsp;

Looking to advance your dive skills? This two-day course is for you! For course dates outside of the schedule below or private options, please give us a call at 850-837-2822.&nbsp;

Explore deeper depths, wrecks, and night dives! Check out photos from our Advanced Open Water Diver course in Destin, FL — where adventure meets expert instruction. Start your path to Master Scuba Diver today!

Advanced Open Water Diver Course – Elevate Your Diving Skills

Enhance your diving skills with our Advanced Open Water Diver course in Destin, FL. 5 specialty dives, expert instruction, and certification. Book today!

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ScubaTech Destin has been a cornerstone of the Destin scuba diving community since its founding in April 1986 by Capt. Nancy Birchett. As a woman-owned and operated full-service dive shop, ScubaTech has built a reputation for excellence, safety, and a deep passion for the underwater world. Whether you're an experienced diver or just beginning your journey into scuba diving, we offer various services tailored to enhance your adventure beneath the waves.Destin, Florida, is a premier dive destination, known for its stunning natural limestone reefs and an impressive collection of artificial reefs and wrecks. ScubaTech Destin provides access to some of the best dive sites in the region, allowing divers to explore the Miss Louise wreck, the breathtaking Destin jetties, and more.As a leading dive shop in Destin, we specialize in scuba diving lessons and PADI certification courses for divers of all skill levels. Our beginner scuba diving programs introduce newcomers to the basics of diving in a safe and controlled environment, while our advanced scuba courses help seasoned divers expand their skills and confidence. If you're looking for a more specialized experience, we also offer night diving excursions, spearfishing charters, and underwater photography dives.ScubaTech Destin is more than just a dive center—we are a community of passionate ocean explorers dedicated to providing top-tier service. Our team of experienced instructors and dive masters is committed to ensuring that every dive is safe, fun, and unforgettable. In addition to our scuba diving trips, we offer Destin snorkeling tours, allowing non-divers to experience the beauty of our snorkeling reefs and marine life up close.Our full-service dive shop is stocked with high-quality scuba gear rentals, ensuring that you have everything you need for your underwater adventure. Full gear setup, tanks, or snorkeling equipment? We have you covered. We also provide equipment servicing and repairs to keep your gear in top condition.At ScubaTech Destin, we believe that scuba diving is more than just a sport—it’s a gateway to discovering the incredible underwater world that lies just off the shores of Destin to Fort Walton Beach.&nbsp;We guarantee an adventure like no other. Join us and let our expert team guide you through the wonders of the Gulf. We hope to “sea” you soon!

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Bringing his extensive experience and concern for safety, Captain Jon has taught several hundred student divers from ages 10 to 82 how to enjoy scuba diving and make it a lifelong endeavor. He started scuba diving when he was 9 years old and earned his PADI Junior Openwater certification at age 11. At age 16 he earned his PADI Advanced Openwater certification and joined the Destin Search and Recovery Team, a volunteer Public Safety Dive Team affiliated with the Destin Fire Department. He later became a full-time Deputy with the Sheriff's Office, tasked with running the Sheriff’s Office Underwater Investigation Unit and did so until he retired in 2011. In retirement, Captain Jon continues to teach SCUBA, Snorkel Squad, and his latest passion - Mermaiding. This opens up new ways to share the underwater world with more people- both young and old. Capt. Jon’s hope is to create a passion for the oceans, rivers, lakes and waterways of our planet in as many people as he can reach. If he can do that, he knows that each and every one he reaches will develop a passion to protect our planet’s waters

Wendy found her passion for SCUBA at age 14, after a DSD experience. In 2017 was introduced to how she could share that passion with other while living on the beautiful island of Oahu. In 2021 she because a full fledged PADI instructor after moving to the beautiful emerald coast. Her claim to fame is a Bubbly personality and a passion for the underwater world!&nbsp;

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Read what our divers are saying about their scuba diving and PADI certification experiences in Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Our reviews highlight our commitment to safety, quality, and memorable underwater adventures. See why ScubaTech is the top choice for diving in Destin and book your dive today!

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We work hard to keep our calendar updated. Our schedule is the most updated information so please book online. We will contact you after to make your drive trip as positive an experience as we can.

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Explore Destin’s top dive sites, from Miss Louise Tugboat to offshore wrecks—unforgettable adventures for all skill levels!

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We offer some of the most unique dive trips in the Destin area. But don’t just take our word for it, check out what customers like you have to say about their experiences with ScubaTech Destin.

Join our 4-hour, 2-tank dive in Destin, exploring reefs and wrecks at 60-90 feet. Perfect for certified divers seeking adventure! Equipment rental is available for an additional fee. A Divemaster is recommended (or may be required) if you're newly certified, haven’t dived in 12+ months, or are unfamiliar with Gulf waters. Book now and discover Destin’s vibrant marine life!

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For your scuba diving trip with Scubatech Destin, bring your certification card, completed Diver Medical Form (if required), and your scuba gear—or rent from our shop. A wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins are recommended for comfort. Don't forget a towel, dry clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, and water to stay hydrated. If you want to capture the experience, bring an underwater camera. Need rentals? Add them at checkout, including full packages of tanks & equipment. See you underwater!

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The&nbsp;Sea Cobra&nbsp;is the fastest, most comfortable dive boat in Destin. She is 45′ of diving pleasure. The&nbsp;Sea Cobra&nbsp;has a spacious deck with&nbsp;bench seats, tank racks and two easy-entry, giant stride points. She also has two drop-down ladders for easy access getting back on board the vessel. Below deck you will find a large cabin for dry storage and passenger comfort. She&nbsp;is also equipped with a clean marine toilet. Powered by twin 892 Detroit Diesel Engines, she will get you to the dive sites quickly, allowing divers maximum dive time and maximum FUN!

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Destin JettiesThe Destin Jetties are one of the most popular dive and snorkeling sites in Destin, Florida, offering an easily accessible shore dive with diverse marine life. Located at the entrance of East Pass, this site provides calm, clear waters during high tide, making it ideal for beginner and experienced divers alike. The jetties are made of large boulders that create a thriving ecosystem, attracting tropical fish, octopuses, crabs, and even the occasional sea turtle. Due to the strong tidal changes, diving here is best planned around slack high tide for optimal visibility and safety.Miss Louise Tugboat The Miss Louise Tugboat is one of the most well-known wreck dives in Destin, located just three miles offshore in about 60 feet of water. Sunk intentionally as an artificial reef, this site attracts schools of snapper, spadefish, Goliath grouper, and barracudas. The wreck sits upright on the sandy bottom, making it a perfect dive for intermediate-level divers looking to explore a sunken vessel teeming with marine life. Over the years, coral and sponges have begun to grow on the structure, adding to its appeal as an underwater photography hotspot.Natural Limestone Reefs Unlike many other Florida dive locations, Destin boasts natural limestone reefs that have existed for thousands of years. These reef formations, located at varying depths, provide a habitat for a diverse range of marine species, including angelfish, grouper, sea turtles, and nurse sharks. The rocky ledges and outcroppings create excellent hiding spots for marine life, making these reefs a favorite destination for divers seeking a more natural underwater environment. These reef sites are found at depths ranging from 40 to 100 feet, offering something for both recreational and advanced divers.Destin’s Offshore Deep WrecksFor advanced divers looking for deep wreck diving in Destin, the offshore sites provide an exhilarating challenge. Destin is home to several large wrecks and artificial reef structures located in deeper waters, typically between 80 and 120 feet. These offshore sites attract bigger marine species, such as eagle rays, amberjack, and even the occasional whale shark. The deep wrecks, including former military vessels and barges, are a fantastic option for divers with Advanced Open Water certification looking to experience the thrill of deep diving in the Gulf of Mexico.Why Destin, Florida is a Top Diving DestinationDestin is known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”, but it’s also a hidden gem for scuba divers. With emerald green waters, diverse marine ecosystems, and a mix of natural and artificial reefs, it offers something for every diver. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico create ideal conditions for diving most of the year, with the best visibility and marine life activity from May to September. Whether you’re exploring the Miss Louise Tugboat, Destin Jetties, or offshore wrecks, diving in Destin provides a unique and unforgettable underwater adventure along Florida’s Emerald Coast.

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