Hayley ThomasWhen you think of Nashville, you probably picture cowboy boots and country music rather than scuba gear. Getting ready to explore the underwater world might seem tough in a landlocked city.
I used to think the closest I’d get to deep-sea diving here was fishing a dropped phone out of the Cumberland River. Before tackling open waters, many locals build water confidence by taking a swimming lesson at one of the local swimming pools.
Finding the right instructors makes a huge difference, and Middle Tennessee actually has a thriving community of aquatic explorers ready to help.
To get you ready for your next underwater excursion, we checked out the local centers to see who offers solid refresher courses, certifications, and reliable gear repair.
How much do scuba diving lessons cost in Nashville?
Scuba diving certification and training packages in Nashville generally range from $100 for beginner pool sessions to around $499 for full open-water courses.
| Service | Average Cost |
| Discover Scuba / Try Scuba | $100 – $150 |
| Refresher Course | ~$100 |
| Advanced Lessons | ~$199 + eLearning fees |
| Full Open Water Certification | $449 – $499 |
| Quarry Access Fees | ~$25 per person/day |
1. Ohana Dive Company
Website: https://ohanadiveco.com/
Address: 1101 Bell Grimes Lane
Contact: (615) 517-9294
Schedule:
- Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sat – Sun 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Stepping into this shop genuinely feels like joining a close-knit family. The staff here builds their programs around your busy schedule instead of making you fit into theirs.
We recently stopped by to check out their beginner lessons, and the crew immediately made us feel at home with a quick tour and friendly chat.
While their pool-based introductory sessions really help build water confidence, they do not hand you a full certification right away. You’ll need to book an extra open-water course and pay quarry fees to get officially licensed.
Still, their instructors show incredible patience with nervous beginners. They can set up a clear path if you want to turn your aquatic passion into a professional career.
Customer Reviews
Anything you need related to scuba diving
Sarah is an awesome resource for anything you need related to scuba diving and equipment. The store has a good amount of inventory to get exactly what you need. I’m looking forward to going on a trip with them in the future.
- Shelly Carman | Google Review
Had the most enjoyable time diving with Ohana
From the moment I met the staff at Ohana, I couldn’t stop smiling. These instructors are genuinely happy to be working there, and have a spark about them that is truly magnetic. I had the most enjoyable time diving with Ohana, and can’t wait until I get to do so again. The day I went diving with them we were testing out scuba gear, including dive computers, fins, and full face masks. I found the staff to be professional, genuine, and most importantly — fun. If you’re anywhere near the Southeast of the US, head on over to NashVegas and dive with Ohana Dive Co.
- Gily Raz | Google Review
2. Island Hoppers Scuba
Website: https://www.islandhopperscuba.com/
Address: 2806 Bransford Avenue
Contact: (615) 712-9354
Schedule:
- Mon-Fri 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sat 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Finding a shop with decades of solid history is a big plus, and Nashville’s oldest dive center fits the bill. Operating since 1989, they actually have in-house Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Course Directors on staff to guide you.
This is a huge deal because Course Directors are the highest-level trainers who actually teach other instructors, meaning you get top-tier expertise right at home.
Their training programs map out accelerated learning paths and even help you plan your next global dive trip.
Because they hold such high instructional standards, you might notice their pricing sits a bit higher than that of other local competitors. So, you definitely want to weigh that cost against what you actually get in their educational packages.
On top of that, the slightly higher price tag usually includes essential perks like gear use and learning materials. Their regular social events also create a great space for meeting fellow local divers.
Customer Reviews
Incredibly patient crew who love what they do!!
6-stars!! I cannot say enough about Island Hoppers from Rob (owner) to his amazing crew. I haven’t dove in almost 10 years and needed a ‘refresher’ course before we head to the Galapagos for a week. After spending a half day reviewing everything from equipment to scuba skills then diving I’m feeling much more confident jumping in and diving. Incredibly patient crew who love what they do!!
- Susan Wright | Google Review
The superior dive operation in the middle Tennessee area
Island Hoppers is by far the superior dive operation in the middle Tennessee area. Every level of training from beginner, advanced to Pro courses offered with all of the fun specialties in between. Full line of industry leading equipment for purchase and demo. World class, hosted, group travel. Rob Harris is incredibly experienced in all there is to know about scuba diving! You won’t be disappointed! Experience the difference from being “certified” in scuba and educated in the underwater world. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
- Josh | Google Review
3. Scuba Nashville
Website: https://scubanashville.com/
Address: 315 W Main Street
Contact: (615) 955-3483
Schedule: Daily 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Scuba Nashville offers flexible, multi-agency certifications through PADI, the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), and Scuba Diving International (SDI).
Having these options means you can easily pick a curriculum that matches your specific learning style or build on past courses you might already hold.
When we chatted with their lead instructor about getting a friend certified, we really appreciated how easily they customized private lessons for us. They even use a specific local quarry for your checkout dives.
But their confined water training happens at a public facility instead of an in-house pool. Carrying heavy gear across town can honestly feel a bit inconvenient.
That being said, their hybrid learning setup easily makes up for the travel time. You can knock out the academic bookwork right at home before you actually jump into the water to build your practical skills.
Customer Reviews
Would recommend Scuba Nashville to anyone
All the people of Scuba Nashville are very professional and helpful with any questions that I had. They were also very patient with me until I got used to the regulator part of the diving. I would recommend Scuba Nashville to anyone. I’m already working towards my next certification with them.
- Mtitan1 | Google Review
Can get you anything you need for your level of experience
Marcos and his team were awesome. Explained everything diving very well and work with you to achieve your certification. All of them have great patience and understanding when teaching and helping you understand and learn the new underwater world. Scuba Nashville has great prices on gear and can get you anything you need for your level of experience.
- Jeff Taylor | Google Review
4. Neptune Diving & Ski
Website: https://www.neptunediving-ski.com/
Address: 5827 Charlotte Pike
Contact: (615) 356-5051
Schedule: Mon-Sat 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
As Tennessee’s longest-running dive school, Neptune Diving & Ski brings decades of history, outfitting local adventurers since 1973.
Beyond running a full retail space, this family-owned shop provides specialized instruction through the Multinational Diving Educators Association (MDEA).
Focusing heavily on strict safety guidelines and deep dive theory, the curriculum gives you an incredibly thorough educational base. Inclusive youth programs also make it super easy for families to get into the water together.
While the training covers all the necessary bases, the MDEA certification path might look unfamiliar to divers seeking mainstream credentials.
If you plan to travel extensively, just double-check that your destination resorts recognize this specific agency.
Minor hurdles aside, every student gets a ton of personalized attention during the hands-on training sessions.
Plus, solid student discounts on gear help make buying your own equipment much more affordable.
Customer Reviews
Full of everything you need for skiing, snowboarding and scuba diving!
Wow! Who knew that Nashville had a place like this? It’s full of everything you need for skiing, snowboarding and scuba diving! Everything from clothing to equipment for the whole family. They even have rental equipment there. Better ski’s and boots, and much cheaper to take with you rather than get at the resorts.
- Julie Fay | Google Review
Got scuba certified through Neptune
My whole family and I got scuba certified through Neptune and I couldn’t have chosen a better place. Hands down the nicest people around. It’s a family business and not only do they know their stuff, they love what they do and it shows. I initially chose Neptune because all the other local businesses had their classroom online. Neptune conducts its classes in person by their pool and they even managed to make it interesting! Thanks Shane & Wally & Steve & Kerry & Dennis & Shred. Hope to dive with you guys soon!
- Suzy Armstrong | Google Review
5. Scuba Shack
Website: https://www.scubashacknashville.com/
Address: 7020 Church Street East, Suite 12
Contact: (615) 847-2822
Schedule:
- Tues-Fri 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sat 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you need a really capable facility, you’ll definitely appreciate Scuba Shack’s solid approach to training and equipment maintenance.
By pairing Scuba Schools International (SSI) digital learning tools with PADI’s global recognition, the shop lets you build a customized path from basic safety all the way to advanced technical skills.
They also work as an authorized dealer for major gear brands. When we called them up to ask about retail gear, our experience was a little hit-or-miss, and we noticed a few past customers had mentioned similar communication bumps at the counter.
Just make sure to double-check your booking details before committing to a lengthy course. Even with those minor hiccups, the teaching team brings decades of combined experience right into the classroom.
Small class sizes ensure you get the direct coaching you need for safe underwater exploration.
Customer Reviews
Highest caliber service
I reached out to this school to get my wife and daughter certified as well as to take a refresher course for me as I had not dived in awhile. Dan and his school were very accommodating in scheduling us in. The course work and dives were fantastic and done at a pace that worked well for all to learn what was needed. I have been diving since 1983 and can say from experience that Scuba Shack is of the highest caliber service.
- Robert Plunkett | Google Review
My family continues to go to scuba shack for all their needs
This review is long overdue. Scuba Shack helped certify my Girl Scout troop and family during COVID-19. Dan was very patient with all my questions and scheduling private classes during the week that fit all of our busy schedules and accommodate using a private pool. The gear the girls used was well maintained. These girls still love diving and my family continues to go to scuba shack for all their needs. Thank you Dan and the rest of scuba shack for making quarantine a little more fun!
- Christy Goo | Google Review
