Cultivating Your Inner Darwin: A Scientific Research Expedition to the Galapagos

Join us for our November social with Ocean First's Graham Casden and Klara Fejer, who recently returned from an incredible scientific research expedition to these fabled islands in conjunction with Mission Blue and the Charles Darwin Foundation. Read more. Friday, November 22nd at 6:30pm.

$50 Ocean First Gift Card with GoPro Hero 7 Purchase

The GoPro Hero 7 Black - was $399.99, now $329.99, plus get a FREE 32Gb micro HD card and a $50 Ocean First gift card with purchase! Other underwater cameras 30% off, limited stock available.

Free Suunto Computer Workshop

Get the most from you Eon Core, Eon Steel, and D5 computer! Learn why these are the hottest computers on the market and how to get the most out of their game-changing, customizable features during these free workshops, led by Dave Sturtz. Please contact us to register. 

Monday, Nov 25th and Thursday, Dec 19th from 7-8pm. 

And from now until 12/31, get a tank POD transmitter for $99 when you purchase a D5 or Core (normally $439). 

Save $339 on a Suunto Tank Pod

Savings alert! Buy an Eon Core or D5 wrist computer and get the tank pod for only $99 (regularly $439)! These are our staff's favorite computers, hands-down. Bright color screens, easy to use, and wireless air pressure integration with the tank pods. Promo ends 12/31/19. 

Thanksgiving Break Swim Programs

Go beyond swim lessons with the Swim School's new single-day experiences scheduled during BVSD's Thanksgiving Break:

• Mermaid & Shark Experience (11/25)
• Marine Science & Try Snorkel Experience (11/26)
• Try Scuba & Virtual Ocean Exploration program (11/27)

Underwater Pictures with Scuba Santa

Scuba Santa is coming to town! Ocean First is offering a special opportunity to take professional underwater photos with Santa, call us to sign up for a 15-minute time slot. $30 per family. Must pre-register. Time slots will be every 15 minutes between 1:30pm-4:30pm on Saturday, December 7th. Contact us to secure your spot!

Monday/Tuesday Open Water Class

Earn your open water certification in three weeks. Classes meet on Monday and Tuesdays for three weeks from 6pm-9pm.

Upcoming Classes:

• Aug: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20
• Sept: 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24
• Oct: 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22
• Nov: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19
• Dec: 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17

Weekend Open Water Class

Earn your open water certification in two weekends. Classes generally meet on the first and second Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the month. Friday from 6pm-9pm, Sat & Sun 10am-1pm.

Upcoming Classes:

• Aug: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11
• Sept: 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15
• Oct: 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13
• Nov: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10
• Dec: 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15

Semi-Private Weekend Open Water Class

Earn your open water certification in two weekends with personalized private instruction for you and your family or friends. Classes generally meet on Friday-Sunday. Fri from 6pm-9pm, Sat & Sun from 10am-1pm.

Upcoming Classes:

• Aug: 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25
• Sept: 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29
• Oct: 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27
• Nov: 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24
• Dec: 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22

Accelerated Open Water Class

Complete your open water certification in one weekend! Ask about eligibility. Classes meet the last Tuesday from 6:30pm-8:30pm, Friday from 6pm-9pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-4pm of each month.

Upcoming Classes:

• Aug: 20, 23, 24, 25
• Sept: 24, 27, 28, 29
• Oct: 22, 25, 26, 27
• Nov: 19, 22, 23, 24
• Dec: 18, 20, 21, 22

Open Water Practice Sessions

All current open water students are invited to our free open water practice sessions on select Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, where students can work on their comfort and skills in the pool before their open water dives. Please call ahead to ensure your space. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 10th 1-3pm
• Aug 25th 9-11am
• Sept 14th 1-3pm
• Sept 22nd 9-11am
• Oct 13th 9-11am
• Oct 26th 4-6pm
• Nov 10th 9-11am
• Nov 23rd 1-3pm
• Dec 14th 1-3pm
• Dec 22nd 9-11am

Scuba Skills Update

Refresh your scuba knowledge before your next open water dive. This three-hour class will re-introduce you to your dive skills so you can have a safe and worry-free dive trip.

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 14th 6-9pm
• Sept 11th 6-9pm
• Sept 21st 3:30-6:30pm
• Oct 9th 6-9pm
• Oct 26th 9-12pm
• Nov 13th 6-9pm
• Nov 23rd 3-6pm
• Dec 12th 6-9pm
• Dec 21st 9-12pm

Group Try Scuba Class

Get your feet wet in our exciting introductory two-hour Try Scuba class. Everything is included, just bring your bathing suit!

• Aug 7th 6:30-8:30pm
• Aug 18th 1-3pm
• Sept 4th 6:30-8:30pm
• Sept 15th 1-3pm
• Oct 2nd 6:30-8:80pm
• Oct 13th 1:30-3:30pm
• Nov 6th 6:30-8:30pm
• Dec 4th 6:30-8:30pm
• Dec 15th 1-3pm

Freediving Class

Learn how to safely explore the underwater world on a single breath in our Level 1 Freediving class. Class is generally held on the first three Thursdays of every month. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug: 1, 8, 15
• Sept: 5,19, 26 
• Oct: 3, 10, 17
• Dec: 5, 12, 19

Freediving Clinics

Our monthly freediving clinics are designed to help freedivers fine-tune their skills and learn new techniques and concepts emerging in the sport. Certified freedivers only unless otherwise specified. The drop-in cost is $20, or free for Freediving Club Members.  

Upcoming Clinics (topics TBA)

• Aug 24th: Open Practice
• Sept 21st: Dynamic No Fins (DNF)
• Oct 19th:  Competitive Freediving

Scuba Rangers

Introduce your child (ages 8-12) to the underwater world with Scuba Rangers! Start with the developmental program and then move into the specialty programs. Learn more.

Upcoming Developmental Programs: 

• 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21 - Thursdays 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Aurora Reservoir, Colorado

Complete your certification dives closer to home at Aurora Reservoir, only an hour from Boulder. Summer water temperatures are generally 65-70ºF. Available July through October.

Upcoming Dates:

• June 22-23
• July 27-28
• Aug 24-25
• Sept 28-29

Blue Hole, New Mexico

Located in Santa Rosa, New Mexico along old Route 66, the Blue Hole is an 80ft deep natural sinkhole filled with cool, crystal clear springwater. Trips run year-round.

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 17-18
• Sept 21-22
• Oct 26-27
• Nov 23-24
• Dec 21-22

Homestead Crater, Utah

Complete your dives in the geothermally heated Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah. The toasty 95ºF water makes this a truly unique dive experience. Trips run from the fall through the spring.

Upcoming Dates:

• Oct 5-6
• Nov 2-3
• Dec 7-8

Cozumel, Mexico

Complete your open water dives in the warm waters of Cozumel. Fly in on Saturday, have five days of diving, and return on Saturday. Open Water students who choose to complete their Open Water certification dives on this trip can apply the certification fee towards the overall trip cost. Trips run Jan/Feb and Sept/Oct. Visit our Upcoming Adventures page for more information.

Looking for something more exotic?

Ocean First Travel offers a variety of group trips to exciting international dive destinations, and are able to help plan a custom trip for all types of divers.

Enriched Air Nitrox

Nitrox allows for longer bottom time and larger safety margins. One of our most popular con-ed courses, and can be completed without pool time. Class times are from 1-4pm

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 3rd 
• Sept 7th
• Oct 5th
• Nov 2nd
• Dec 7th

Ecology Programs

These programs offer a wealth of knowledge about different aspects of the underwater world, including how to identify fish based on physical appearance and behavior, the life-cycles of sea turtles, the unique reproductive cycle of corals, and how human behaviors impact the marine environment. Class generally runs from 6-8pm.

• Oct 23rd - Fish ID
• Dec 18th - Shark Ecology

React Right

Learn the the basics of First Aid, CPR, AED and Oxygen administration in diving emergencies and how to properly evaluate an emergency situation. Required prerequisite for Stress & Rescue. Class runs from 5:30-9:30pm. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 8th
• Oct 17th

Stress & Rescue

Learn how to avoid, recognize, and solve problems on the surface and underwater and be prepared for an unexpected emergency. Class time is from 6-9pm for three days in a row. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 26-28th
• Oct 28-30th

Science of Diving

This program provides an in-depth and detailed study of physics, physiology, decompression theory, the aquatic environment and diving equipment. It is required training for most SSI Dive Professional programs.

Upcoming Dates:

• Sept 23-25th

Underwater Navigation

Learn how to use a compass, natural navigation skills, estimate distances, perform search patterns, and find your way back to the exit point. Class time is from 10am-12pm.

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 3rd
• Sept 7th
• Oct 5th
• Nov 2nd
• Dec 7th

Wreck Diving

Wreck dives offer a glimpse into the past and a hearty history lesson. Learn how to stay safe while navigating these exciting nautical artifacts. Class time is from 10am-12pm.

• Aug 17th
• Sept 21st
• Oct 19th
• Nov 16th
• Dec 21st

Perfect Buoyancy

Proper buoyancy control is best mastered with proper training. The Perfect Buoyancy course will teach you how to reduce your effort and improve air consumption underwater, while preventing you from accidentally damaging the reef. Class time is from 6-9pm. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Sept 26th
• Oct 24th
• Nov 19th from 11-2pm

Deep Diving

This course will give you the knowledge, skills, and experience to safely dive to deeper depths. Class time is from 12-2pm.

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 4th
• Sept 8th
• Oct 6th
• Nov 3rd
• Dec 8th

Night & Limited Visibility

This course will teach you about planning and conducting safe night and limited visibility dives. Class generally runs from 2-4pm

Upcoming Dates:

• Aug 4th
• Sept 8th
• Oct 6th
• Nov 3rd
• Dec 8th

Waves, Tides, and Currents

The motion of the ocean can have a big effect on your enjoyment of a dive. This course will teach you how to interact with a variety of water conditions. Individually scheduled.

Boat Diving

This course covers the knowledge you need to make your first boat diving vacation a true success, and how to prepare for diving from all sizes and types of boats. Individually scheduled.

Drysuit Diving

With a Dry Suit Diving speciality course, never fear cold water again! Learn the basics of dry suit diving in this specialty course, and ensure your comfort and safety underwater. Typically individually scheduled. 

Upcoming Class: Wednesday, September 18th  – Join us at Blue Mesa Reservoir on October 12th to put your new skills to use! 

Photo and Video

This program teaches you the skills needed to dive with an underwater camera, and provides the in-depth knowledge and experience required to properly use, maintain and store your equipment. Our goal is help you capture your amazing underwater experiences. Individually scheduled. 

Equipment Techniques

Become one with your Total Diving System. In this course, you will learn about equipment selection, care and maintenance of your gear, and proper gear storage. Your equipment will thank you! Individually scheduled. 

Altitude Diving

When diving at altitudes higher than 1000’, your dive table changes. Altitude Diving teaches you how to safely plan dives at high altitudes. Individually scheduled. 

Upcoming Class: Thursday, September 12th  – Join us at Blue Mesa Reservoir on October 12th to put your new skills to use!