FAQs

Our indoor pool is about 75 by 40 feet or a normal 6-lane racing pool. However, our pool is kept at a warm 88 degrees to cater to divers and younger kids learning to swim. The pool starts at 3 feet and slowly slopes to 5 feet for half of the pool. Then, it steadily drops to 12 feet for the last half.

Onsite! We have our own indoor heated pool that is kept at 88 degrees year-round. This means that we don’t have to work around pool availability at a different pool, rent out available lanes, or work around open hours. We also don’t have to worry about toting around equipment or tanks. The cylinders and weights are kept on the pool deck with the dive shop within talking distance. So if you need to swap out equipment in the middle of training, or want to try something new, just ask!

Everything is here to make sure anything you might need is available for your training journey!

Yes! You can call us to set up time to dive the pool. Pool dives are $25 and include cylinders and weights. However, depending on how long it’s been or how comfortable you feel, we also suggest our custom 1-session refreshers.

Once you are done diving, if you use the SSI app, come up to the shop and you can verify your SSI dive using our QR code.

Pool dives are generally done early afternoon on weekdays, Saturday afternoons, or Sundays. Since our pool availability changes based on scuba classes, give us a call before you come in and we can recommend good times.

We are located at 3651 Bastion Lane, Raleigh NC 27604.

We are off the main road, behind the Tower Shopping Center at the corner of New Bern Ave and Trawick Rd.

Yes. However, we don’t always recommend learning in groups larger than 4.

Depending on the size of the group, it could limit each person’s time with the instructor and ultimately lead to the whole group needing more than 4 sessions. One of the primary reasons we teach on a custom basis is to keep classes small and built to the need of the students. If there are too many people, it could disrupt our desired outcome of having well-trained, comfortable, and safe divers.

Since groups usually require more than 4 sessions, and larger groups can require secondary instructors, there are no group rates. Instead, larger groups can be more expensive.

We do understand wanting to learn a new sport with friends, so if you want to get a group done together, please contact us and we can talk through options.

Our training agency, Scuba Schools International, offers the written materials in over 40 options. For in-class and pool sessions, we offer Spanish as another language option. If you would like your pool sessions taught in Spanish, let us know and we’ll pair you with our Spanish-speaking instructors.

If it’s been a while since you’ve been in the water, it might be time for a refresher! When registering people for refreshers, we usually ask how long it’s been since you last dove. Then, and most importantly, how active of a diver were you then.

If it’s been some time, but you had hundreds of dives, and are a comfortable diver, you can dive the pool for a small fee or tag along on our guided dives at the quarry socials.

However, in both of these instances, we probably won’t have the availability to spend a lot of one-on-one time with you. So if you got certified, then immediately took a long break, or don’t remember a lot of the basics, a scuba refresher would be best.

Technically, the training agency we use has a minimum age for certification. However, we treat this on a case-by-case basis. What we generally ask guardians is “Would you trust your child with your life in an emergency situation?”.

Scuba diving is a ‘buddy’ or pair sport and while emergencies don’t happen often, if they do, it’s up to your buddy to help you. The classes are set up to train you to react to these emergencies so that when they do happen, you can help yourself or your buddy in a calm and safe manner. So, even though the training material and guidelines are created to certify a 10-year old, you have to decide if your 10-year old is mature enough to go through the course.

If you want to talk with our staff about any concerns or questions, let us know! We have seen both sides with staff members certified at young ages that have turned around and taught young children as adults.

If you have more questions regarding children divers, please see our children’s page outlining the various options and age groups.

Yes! Just bring your certification card in with you when you show up for class. If you want to transfer anything you’ve previously done to your SSI profile, let us know!

Not much. They are all recognized around the world and can be used to signify certifications across each agency. If you get your SSI Open Water Certification with us, you can still take specialties with other agencies.

For us, working with SSI, Scuba Schools International, means that all our dive instructors have to be affiliated with our store.

If you have any questions about transferring specialties to your SSI profile, what the different agency’s levels mean, or anything else, let us know!

No! You just need to pass a simple swim test at the beginning of the course. The test is a 200-yard swim without fins and mask, untimed. Then a 10-minute treading water test, where you just need to keep your head above water.

If you don’t think you can pass the test, or want to become a better swimmer, check out our swim school! We have programs for all ages or you can sign up for private lessons and focus on this scuba test.

You have a few options locally. When it’s warm enough, we normally use the local rock quarry and scuba park, Fantasy Lake. If it’s too cold, we head down to Florida Springs or Key Largo in Florida.

While you can do referral dive at most locations, like on your planned trip, we suggest getting your checkout dives out of the way before your trip. That way you can have tons of fun on your dives without having to stress about passing any tests.

Once you are certified you can schedule time to dive the pool. The pool is a great place to practice skills, get more comfortable, try out new gear, or just have fun!

Pool dives are $25 per person and include tank and weights. We do ask that you use hard weights, or the weights provided, since the pellets in soft weights can be damaging to pool filters. We also ask that you have either a dive buddy or bobble-watcher. If you don’t, call in to schedule time when we’ll have enough staff to keep an eye on you.

Pool dives are generally done early afternoon on weekdays, Saturday afternoons, or Sundays. Since our pool availability changes based on scuba classes, give us a call before you come in and we can recommend good times.

Yes! We luckily have two great dive parks in old quarries in the area. Fantasy Lake is in a quarry located in Wake Forest and the $20 payment is made in cash at the entrance. Mystery Lake is located in Wendell and reservations can be made online. They each have their own charms and specialties, let us know if you want information on either!

We do not run any charters through the store. However, there are amazing dive locations off the NC coast and we suggest going! If you want to head out, let us know and we’ll suggest a dive shop for you!

In our store! Located within our building, we have AirTech Scuba Services! They are wonderful, highly skilled, and experienced in many manufactures. This is partly due to the fact they service equipment from all around the world, including end users and government entities! If you have questions about AirTech, all of our Gypsy Divers staff also work in AirTech and can help you out!