“Comment of a former student:
I was certified in May and just returned home from my first dive trip to Kauai! I wanted to extend thank to you all! I had a blast and saw many sea turtles, dragon moray eels, and a white tip shark!! It was extraordinary and I’m thankful to have been certified through you guys. My dive boat was also training a few others, and I have to say that our training was much more thorough and advanced in comparison! They were so surprised that I knew how to put my gear together, being a newbie!! LOL
Again thanks for everything,
MT”
So, You Want to Learn to Dive?
Your Adventure Begins Here!
Imagine breathing underwater, swimming alongside colorful fish, exploring coral reefs, and discovering a world that most people never get to experience.
Scuba diving opens the door to an incredible new world—and your adventure starts right here at Southeastern Divers!
We are proud to be North Alabama's only 5-Star SCUBA training facility, and we've helped countless new divers discover the excitement, freedom, and adventure of scuba diving.
Ready to Get Started?
Becoming a certified diver is easier than you might think. Our beginner course combines convenient online learning, hands-on training, pool practice, and four exciting open-water dives.
And before you know it, you'll be ready to start exploring the underwater world!
Your Journey to Becoming a Diver
Step 1 — Sign Up & Start Your Adventure
Register for your class at least one week before the class begins. This gives you plenty of time to complete your online training before your first classroom and pool session.
Check our Beginner Class Schedule for upcoming dates, or call us at 256-536-8404 for current pricing and registration information.
The sooner you register, the sooner your underwater adventure can begin!
Step 2 — Learn Online at Your Own Pace
Your academic training is completed through PADI eLearning, giving you the flexibility to complete the classroom portion of your certification wherever and whenever it works best for you.
You'll learn about scuba equipment, dive planning, safety, underwater environments, and the fundamentals of becoming a confident diver.
Then we'll take what you've learned and put it into practice.
Step 3 — Get in the Water!
Your in-water training normally takes place over two weekends.
Weekend One — Pool & Skills Training
Saturday: 1:00–3:00 PM at Southeastern Divers
Sunday: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM in the pool
This is where scuba really starts to come alive!
You'll learn and practice the essential skills every diver needs while becoming comfortable breathing underwater, using your equipment, and moving confidently through the water.
Our instructors will be there every step of the way to help you build your skills and confidence.
Weekend Two — Your Open-Water Adventure!
Now it's time to take everything you've learned and experience the real thing!
You'll complete four open-water training dives—two dives on Saturday and two more on Sunday.
And depending on the time of year, your certification adventure takes you to some great diving destinations.
🌴 May–October
Bluewater Park — Birmingham, Alabama
Our summer and fall open-water training takes place at Bluewater Park, a popular destination for training and recreational diving.
💦 March, April, November & December
Vortex Spring — Florida Panhandle
We'll head south to Vortex Spring for your open-water certification dives.
🏞️ January & February
Blue Grotto & Rainbow River — Florida
Winter certification is an adventure all its own!
You'll complete three dives at Blue Grotto, followed by a fourth dive in the Rainbow River near Dunnellon, Florida.
Because these locations are approximately 600 miles from Huntsville, you'll need to plan for significant travel time. The drive from Dunnellon back to Huntsville is approximately 10 hours.
Important: Plan on Being Away for the Second Weekend
Your open-water certification weekend requires travel, so plan on being out of town for the second weekend of your class.
Think of it as your first scuba diving adventure!
Your Equipment — We've Got You Covered!
We provide virtually everything you'll need for your scuba training.
You'll just need to provide your own personal equipment:
🤿 Mask
Snorkel
Fins
Dive booties
Don't worry if you're not sure what to buy. We'll help you choose the right equipment for you.
In fact, we stand behind your purchase with our Personal Fit Guarantee.
Your equipment needs to fit comfortably—not just in the store, but in the water. Once you've had a chance to try everything in the pool, we're happy to exchange anything that doesn't fit properly.
Because when your equipment fits right, you'll be more comfortable, more confident, and able to enjoy your diving even more.
Then Comes the Fun Part...
Once you've completed your training and earned your certification, the underwater world is yours to explore.
Dive the Florida springs. Explore shipwrecks. Swim with tropical fish. Discover coral reefs. Travel to amazing destinations around the world.
Your certification is just the beginning.
One class can open the door to a lifetime of adventure.
Ready to Learn to Dive?
Don't just dream about what's beneath the surface.
Come discover it for yourself.
Sign up today and start your journey into the underwater world!
Southeastern Divers, Inc.
256-536-8404
Your adventure is waiting beneath the surface.
2026 Beginner Class Schedule
Class brochure
Call 256-536-8404 for class pricing.
Are you ready to pick a date for you class? If so, please take a little advice from SDI. If you are learning to dive for an upcoming trip, don't put off your class until the last minute. Take your class at least 2 or 3 months prior to travel. By doing so you will have time to complete your training without schedule issues. Your class could be delayed for many reasons. Illness, pools closed due to repair, hurricanes, automobile breakdowns on the way to Open Water training, etc. By starting early you will have time to reschedule if necessary. If you wait until the last minute and we are forced to change our schedule due to circumstances beyond our control, that's on you.
NOTICE: April thru October are our busiest months and classes during this time fill up. Sign up early to be guaranteed a spot in the class you want!
That's it!
Home study, one day class, one day pool, two days Open Water dives, you are certified!
Then you go do this!
Southeastern Divers, Inc. teaches SCUBA at both The University North Alabama in Florence Alabama and Oakwood University in Huntsville Alabama.
