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Specialty Dive Courses
Specialty Dive Courses
Dive World Austin is thrilled to offer so many PADI core specialties.
Some of our specialties, such as Enriched Air-Nitrox, are regularly scheduled on our calendar. Others arrive as specialties of the month or as single courses on the calendar.
Give us a call to check on our specialty course offerings. We can make it happen for you!
Diving Specialties
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Cost: $225
Excellent buoyancy control is what defines skilled scuba divers. Buoyancy allows divers to glide effortlessly, use less air, ascend, descend, or hover almost as if by thought, and easily observe aquatic life without disturbing their surroundings.
This two-dive specialty course can be completed in a single day. We like to utilize Spring Lake in San Marcos, and we also offer this class at Windy Point Park on Lake Travis. Must be at least 10 years old and have (Junior) Open Water Diver or higher.
Underwater Photography
Cost: $250
Contact Us for Course Availability
Underwater photography is one of the most popular diving specialties, and with so many underwater cameras to choose from, it has become easier and more fun than ever to capture images of your underwater scuba adventures. The PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course gets you going quickly, whether you use a point-and-shoot camera or a sophisticated dSLR like the pros.
Complete the academics for this course online prior to meeting with your instructor. Then meet for a quick in-person review followed by pool dive. To finish the course you will do an underwater photo shoot at Spring Lake or Lake Travis with your instructor.
We do have cameras/smart housings available for purchase at a discounted student rate!
Dive Against Debris
$200
Contact Us for Course Availability
Make a difference on every dive. Gain the knowledge and skills to activate your inner citizen scientist by taking the Dive Against Debris® Specialty. Learn to complete Dive Against Debris surveys under the guidance of a PADI® Professional and help keep your local dive sites healthier by removing trash.
If you’re a PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver who is at least 12 years old, you can enroll in the Dive Against Debris Specialty course.
Boat Diver
$200
Contact Us for Course Availability
Much of the world’s best scuba diving is accessible only by boat. Whether you’ve never made a boat dive or you’ve logged dozens, the PADI Boat Diver Specialty course will benefit you because boats in various parts of the world do things differently. Scuba diving from a boat is fun and relatively easy because you usually descend directly onto your dive site.
This course is conducted in a single day and is taught on Lake Travis utilizing The Giant Stride. The course does not include includes two-tank boat charter. We will book the charter and add that cost to the final cost of your course. Must be at least 10 years old, and (Junior) Open Water Diver or higher.
Dry Suit Diver
Cost: $250
Contact Us for Course Availability
Want to stay warm and extend your scuba diving season? Then dive dry. A dry suit seals you off from the water and keeps you comfortable, even in surprisingly cold water. There is incredible diving in the world’s cooler regions and in some areas, conditions are even better in colder months. Becoming a dry suit diver allows you to expand your boundaries and dive more places, more often.
This course is taught locally in Lake Travis or Spring Lake in San Marcos. It does not include a dry suit, if you would like to purchase one, you get a 15% discount when signed up for the course, or rent one for $150 dollars per day. This course is typically taught in a single day, or can be added to any core course. Must be at least 10 years old, and (Junior) Open Water Diver or higher.
Underwater Navigation
Cost: $250
Contact Us for Course Availability
Be the scuba diver everyone wants to follow because you know where you are and where you’re going. The PADI Underwater Navigator course fine-tunes observation skills and teaches you to more accurately use your compass underwater. If you like challenges with big rewards, take this course and have fun finding your way.
This course can be conducted over a single day or two. We can do this course locally or during a trip. Must be at least 10 years old and (Junior) Open Water Diver.
Underwater Naturalist
Cost: $200
Contact Us for Course Availability
Take the PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty course and you’ll see new things, even on the most familiar scuba diving sites. Why? When knowing more about symbioses, underwater ecology, and aquatic plant and animal habitats, you notice behaviors and see creatures you may have previously missed. Learn more about the local ecosystem and take a closer look on your next scuba diving adventure.
This course is conducted over a single day and is typically taught locally at Spring Lake in San Marcos or during a Trip. Must be at least 10 years old, and (Junior) Open Water Diver.
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Cost: $200
Contact Us for course availability
DPVs offer a thrilling way for scuba divers to see a lot of underwater territory in a short amount of time. They scoot you through the water allowing you to glide over reefs, buzz around a large wreck, or weave through a kelp forest. Whether making a shore or boat dive, a DPV is a great way to see more and have fun doing it.
This course can be done in a single day, and is typically taught locally. Must be at least 12 years old, and (Junior) Open Water Diver or higher.
Night Diver
Cost: $250
Contact Us for Course Availability
The thought of dipping below the surface at night seems mysterious, yet so alluring. At night, drop into a whole new world and watch it come to life under the glow of your dive light. The scene changes as day creatures retire and nocturnal organisms emerge. If you’ve wondered what happens underwater after the sun goes down, sign up for the PADI Night Diver Specialty course.
Typically conducted either a single night or over two evenings. We try to organize this course locally (Lake Travis or Spring Lake) This specialty can be added on to travel and dive and drives. Must be at least 12 years old, and (Junior) Open Water Diver or higher.
Search and Recovery Diver
Cost: $250
Contact Us for Course Availability
It happens: People accidentally drop things from docks, off boats, or even while scuba diving. If you’ve ever lost something in Lake Travis and wanted to go find it, then the PADI Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course is for you. Learn effective ways to search for objects underwater. Discover methods to bring up small, large or awkward items. Search and recovery can be challenging, but a whole lot of fun. Find your next pair of sunglasses on your dive!
Deep Diver
Cost: $250
Contact Us for Course Availability
It happens: People accidentally drop things from docks, off boats, or even while scuba diving. If you’ve ever lost something in Lake Travis and wanted to go find it, then the PADI Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course is for you. Learn effective ways to search for objects underwater. Discover methods to bring up small, large or awkward items. Search and recovery can be challenging, but a whole lot of fun. Find yo
Non-Diving Specialties
Enriched Air-Nitrox
Cost: $225
Our Nitrox Course is so popular, it gets its own page.
Equipment Specialist
Cost: $200
Don’t miss a dive due to minor issues with your scuba diving equipment. Whether it's a missing o-ring, wetsuit tear, or a broken fin strap, the PADI Equipment Specialist course teaches you to manage basic repairs and adjustments. Learn more about how your gear works, making you more comfortable with it and better prepared to take care of your investment.
Typically taught in a single day in-store or in addition to any course classes or trips. Must be at least 10 years old and a (Junior) PADI Scuba Diver or higher.
Emergency Oxygen Provider
Cost: $140
Contact Us for Course Availability
Knowing how and when to use emergency oxygen is a great skill to have and means you’re ready to help others should the need arise. Becoming a PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider lets you breathe easy knowing that you can recognize scuba diving illnesses treatable with emergency oxygen, and are prepared to offer aid.
Typically taught along with Emergency First Respondse and/or Rescue Diver, this course takes a single day. There are no age or training prerequisites for this course. Check out our Rescue Diver training bundles here.
Project Aware Specialist
Cost: $100
Contact Us for Course Availability
Project AWARE’s philosophy is to mobilize a global force of scuba divers and water enthusiasts who care about protecting the world’s water resources and choose to make a difference one dive at a time. By earning the Project AWARE Specialist certification, you’ll be aware of the most pressing problems facing vulnerable aquatic environments and know what everyday actions you can take to help protect them.
This course does not have an age or training prerequisite. Can be completed in a single day.
General Information
All of our specialties will have the same included and not included items listed below.
Included
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Training Materials (e-learning or manual)
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Rental DVD
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Tanks (or Air Fills)
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Weights
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Instruction & Pool Fees
Not Included
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Entrance fee to Open Water Dive locations
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Basic scuba equipment: BCD, Regulator, Dive Computer, Wetsuit, Hood, Gloves, or Underwater Photography camera/Kraken Smart Housing. 50% discount on gear rental when you sign up for a specialty.
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Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Dive Booties, Lights, or other unique equipment necessary for dive completion. 10% student discount is available for any necessary gear purchases.
ALL Diving Specialties require the Diver Medical Form. Please read the form carefully to determine if you need a physician's approval to participate. Your diver medical is valid for one year barring any changes in your medical history.
Non-Diving specialties DO NOT require the diver medical form. This includes Nitros, EFR, O2 Provider.
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