Scuba May Be Taken Alone Or In Combination With Spanish, Surf Or Yoga
There are only 8 spaces available in each session. Please book early to guarantee enrollment
**Scuba certification programs require a minimum of 2 weeks at LEDS.
SEATTLE CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Diving in Montezuma
The Central Pacific Ocean is home to many different reefs,
the majority of these are made of volcanic and coral formation with depths
ranging between 8 and 35 meters (25 - 115 feet). The
temperature of the water varies between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius (78 - 84 F) with a
visibility ranging from 10 to 30 meters (30 - 100 feet) depending on the season.
There are numerous dive sites all along the coast, including
in and around Tortuga Island, famous for its excellent visibility and large
variety of coral and tropical fish. Each
day, we make a careful selection of our dive sites based on changes in currents
and visibility among other factors. Our
32 foot boat is fully equipped with dive and safety equipment, indoor cabin,
bathroom, kitchen and sundeck.
The Fish!
Each day is a different experience and the fish you see will
vary. That said, we commonly see several
of the following: Spotted Eagle and Manta Ray, Zebra, Jewel and Fine-spotted
Moray Eels, Blue-spotted and Golden Jacks, Trumpet Fish, Rainbow
Runner, Blue-and-Gold Snapper, Spotted and Rainbow
Scorpionfish, Bloody Frogfish, Mexican Goatfish and
Mexican Hogfish (not making this up!), Bicolor Parrotfish, Angelfish, Pacific Boxfish, Spotted Sharpnose and Spotted Green Puffer, Freckled and
Spotted Porcupinefish, as well as White Tip Sharks (non-aggressive), Dolphin, Starfish
and many more surprises around every corner!
The Dive Sites!
Aquarius – This site gets its name from the huge quantity
and variety of tropical fish which surround divers during their immersion (I
think they meant to name it “Aquarium”).
The area is comprised of canyons and large elephant ear corals. The depth varies between 3 and 30 meters
which makes this site an excellent spot for divers of all levels of experience.
Bye Bye Reef – This exciting dive follows a current between large
volcanic rock walls on the eastern tip of Tortuga Island. Here you will come across many Spotted Jacks,
Manta Rays and Eagle Rays.
Cocalito – In front of the famous
“El Chorro” waterfall, this area offers three different sites with between 8
and 16 meters depth. Here you will swim
through clouds of tropical fish and White Tip Reef Sharks (non-aggressive).
Cañones – This site was
appropriately named for the numerous canyons that cover the ocean floor. In the caves you will find many lobsters,
various types of Moray and Parrotfish.
The depth ranges from 5 to 30 meters and has excellent visibility. It is also common to see Giant Turtles and
Southern Stingrays.
La Chancha – Located at the mouth of Bahia Ballena (Whale
Bay), this site is famous for its incredible Gorgonias, Scorpion Fish and Eagle
Rays found at depths of 8-24 meters.
Franklin Chang – This recent ship wreck lies at a depth of
23 meters, with its top reaching up to 17 meters below the surface. It is quickly attracting more and more marine
life including hundreds of different Snappers and Jacks.
We offer the CMAS 1 Star Diving Certification, recognized as the equivalent
of PADI’s Open Water Diving Certification.
CMAS – Confederation Mundial de Actividades
Subacuaticos (World Underwater Federation)
CMAS began as the world’s first international diver training
organization, under the guidance of the late, great, Jacques Cousteau. While its popularity has been surpassed in
recent times by PADI Dive Centers, CMAS has managed impressively to grow to a
membership of over one hundred countries.
Additionally, it is important to note that CMAS and PADI are not
mutually exclusive companies, as each association recognizes the other and
offers dives and courses to certificate holders of both companies.
CMAS takes diver training seriously and places the utmost
emphasis on three key areas: safety, diver competence and marine
conservation. To insure quality
instruction, CMAS programs provide comprehensive training at both the diver and
instructor levels. According to the
official website: “CMAS programs are based on a system of teaching and
mentoring that when combined produce divers who are superior in knowledge,
skills and abilities. As a result of
this comprehensive training, CMAS divers are not only safe and competent in the
water, but are also more appreciative of the marine environment.”
Once certification is obtained, you will be able to enjoy
fun dives at CMAS and PADI dive centers throughout the world!
Taking the CMAS 1
Star Diving Certification will involve the following:
Week 1
Monday - 2.5 hours of classroom instruction
Tuesday - 2.5 hours of classroom instruction
Wednesday - 3 hours in training pool
Thursday - 3 hours in training pool
Friday - 2 hours in training pool - Review and Skills Assessment Test
Saturday - 2 open water dives
Sunday - 2 open water dives
Week 2
Monday - Day off from Scuba/Alternate dive day
Tuesday - Last open water dive for certification (early morning or late afternoon)
Wednesday - Fun Dive (2 tanks; early morning or late afternoon)
Thursday - Fun Dive (2 tanks; early morning or late afternoon)
Friday - Day off from Scuba/Alternate dive day
Please note that due to weather, logistical and sometimes
unforeseen constraints, we may alter the above schedule to complete the course
in the most efficient and safest manner possible.
1 Star Diving Program
(equivalent to PADI Open Water Dive Certification)
The content of your
classroom study will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Course aims and administration
Introduction to diving equipment
Elementary signals
Pressure/volume relationship
Principles and use of Scuba
Basic physiology
Buoyancy devices
Diving suits and ancillary equipment
Equipment Care
Self rescue and buddy rescue
Safe diving practices
Site selection and conservation
The content of your practical lessons will include, but will not be limited to:
