Our Scuba School International (SSI) certified professionals are always ready to answer your questions regarding scuba or help you start your own scuba certification for your future recreational adventures. A fun aspect of scuba is that you get to visit and dive in locations all over the world and sometimes in your own backyard!
We have both domestic and international dive tour locations. We offer a large selection of quality scuba and snorkel equipment to ensure that you will be outfitted with the best gear on the market. We are a licensed Aqualung retailer and service location as well. For more than 50 years, SSI has provided training, scuba diving certification, and educational resources for divers, dive instructors, dive centers and resorts around the world.
We have both domestic and international dive tour locations. We offer a large selection of quality scuba and snorkel equipment to ensure that you will be outfitted with the best gear on the market. We are a licensed Aqualung retailer and service location as well. For more than 50 years, SSI has provided training, scuba diving certification, and educational resources for divers, dive instructors, dive centers and resorts around the world.
Services
Being an SSI (Scuba School International) partner we believe that knowledge, skills, equipment, and experience make up the core components of creating capable divers. We offer Open Water, Advanced, and Specialty training programs. With our SSI partnership and dive experience we make sure you are a knowledgeable, safe, courtesy, and able diver.
If you have ever talked to a diver, you probably have heard the word "certification". Or perhaps you've asked about going out on a dive at a resort or cruise but were told you needed to be "certified" before you could go. Certification simply means that you have been properly trained in the use of scuba equipment and the techniques of safe scuba diving.
Just like any sport or recreational activity your equipment and gear is an important part of scuba diving. You will want to find the right equipment that makes you comfortable in and out of the water. Not only will you purchase scuba equipment for your future recreational adventures but you will want to maintain it.
Dolphin Dive Center leverages the SSI training program and our veteran experience to create a training course focused on safety and fun while diving. Throughout your chosen certification course you will access and retain all of your training materials for future use. The first step in deciding if you are ready for some truly amazing recreational adventures.
Discover Diving is an active participation class to the world of scuba diving. You will get to experience the world of scuba in a confined and controlled water environment. This class can work for a single person or group. So if you, your family, or even social circle are curious this is the perfect way to come and experience scuba diving in the safest manner possible.
Reviews (13)
Sean Weaver
Jul 15, 2021
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Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value
My wife and I were interested in scuba and we stopped in and next thing you know we are now certified. Great atmosphere and instruction. The trip to Vortex Springs for certification was great. This was a great experience and I have no regrets.
My wife and I were interested in scuba and we stopped in and next thing you know we are now certified. Great atmosphere and instruction. The trip to Vortex Springs for certification was great. This was a great experience and I have no regrets.
James Stanton
Jul 04, 2021
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My son just got open-water certified, and I was re-did my entire certification after 20 years of not diving. Tim, Van, Jeremy, Dave, and Mike are all so knowledgeable and professional. As an educator myself, I really appreciate all of their positive traits in teaching their students: patience, confidence, humor. They were able to instruct everyone from kids to adults. If you are in the Athens area and are looking to learn how to SCUBA dive, I highly recommend Dolphin Dive Center.
Todd H.
Jun 25, 2021
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Unprofessional, condescending, kept my equipment for two weeks without calling me to keep me updated I had to force them basically to do the work and they only did half of what I wanted done and gave me the excuse you have to do the rest yourself, even though I didn't want to do it myself because it involves filling a spare tank with air from the tank that they filled so do the math on the O2. I will never go back and I don't recommend them. Unfortunately they are the only game in Athens.
Adeyemi Gbogboade
May 21, 2021
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Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value
I had an awesome experience with them during my initial open water certification. I haven’t been able to dive the past 3 years due to a busy schedule and I can’t wait to get recertified with them again. Thanks again Tim for a great learning experience.
I had an awesome experience with them during my initial open water certification. I haven’t been able to dive the past 3 years due to a busy schedule and I can’t wait to get recertified with them again. Thanks again Tim for a great learning experience.
Amanda Davis
May 20, 2021
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I am so thankful for Tim and his team. I have recently taken the open water course and the advanced open water course. Best thing I’ve ever done ! I was very nervous at first, but Tim took the time to make sure that I was comfortable and learn the skills that I needed. I can’t wait explore the underwater world. Thanks so much Dolphine Dive!
Jonathan Fountain
Dec 23, 2020
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Working with Dolphin Dive Center was a fantastic experience. From signing up for my SCUBA class to graduating 4 weeks later as a certified diver, the entire process was handled with professionalism and well placed humor.
The instructional eLearning provided from SSI was informative, but was definitely a lot to comprehend all at once. The Dolphin Dive Center’s instructors did a great job simplifying the science and providing insightful anecdotes to solidify our understanding.
During the pool sessions, I felt like we had an adequate instructor to student ratio. At no point during the training
The instructional eLearning provided from SSI was informative, but was definitely a lot to comprehend all at once. The Dolphin Dive Center’s instructors did a great job simplifying the science and providing insightful anecdotes to solidify our understanding.
During the pool sessions, I felt like we had an adequate instructor to student ratio. At no point during the training
Joyce Robinson
Oct 01, 2020
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I do not trust them. I took the scientific diving class led by Dolphin Dive at UGA. They were nice during the few weeks that I got to spend in class but the class got cut short due to the COVID-19. I am very disappointed in the way they handled our SCUBA certification trip. I had already paid to go on the trip a few weeks before the school got shut down. When the school got shut down, our diving trip that I had already paid for was cancelled. They offered us later dates that we could choose to go on but I wasn't able to attend any of them. So, I asked for a refund and was told that they were not
Will Fowlkes
Oct 16, 2019
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This place has something for everybody, open water classes for beginners all the way through dive master for those that want to perfect their diving skills. They offer trips to exotic destinations as well as weekend trips to the Florida Springs and day trips to lake Jocasse SC. Whatever your interest may be Dolphin dive Center has something for you!
Jerri N.
Sep 13, 2019
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I just completed a refresher course with Tim through the Dolphin dive center. I was certified in 1978 and had not been on a dive for 38 years. Tim was very thorough in going through safety issues - certainly more safety conscious than my course 41 years ago! He also compared technology of 40 years ago versus technology today. I plan on going on a dive with the center soon so I will be ready to hit the Bahamas confident. I would HIGHLY recommend doing business with this shop.
Sarah Whatley
Sep 03, 2019
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Great place to become a certified scuba diver if you are in the Athens area. They make scuba diving fun and give you plenty of opportunities to do dives in different locations. Equipment and trips can be a little expensive, but it's worth it! defiantly satisfied with their instruction and how they helped me become a certified open water scuba diver!!
Madison Connolly
Aug 02, 2019
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Elvis B.
Mar 27, 2018
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I went with Dolphin Dive Center to get my certification dives for Open Water SCUBA at Vortex Springs and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. The staff are trained, friendly, and awesome. The store itself has a lot of variety for diving equipment. If you need diving advice & lessons in Athens, stop by here
Nicole Ducleroir
Oct 22, 2012
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The first time through the doors at Dolphin Dive Center, my husband and I were met by a friendly and professional staff that provided all the information we needed to begin our next great adventure: scuba diving. From helping us choose the best-fitting equipment to excellent classroom and confined water instruction, owner Tim Bridgham and his instructors guided us through the certification process. And we enjoyed ourselves so much, we enrolled our kids, ages 14 and 12. Now our family vacations center around scuba diving. We highly recommend Dolphin Dive Center for all your scuba needs.