Kailee TonesToronto might not be the first place you think of for underwater adventures, but the local dive scene is actually pretty lively. In fact, there are deep pools and some unique water holes in the area where you can practice your skills.
And if you’re looking for the best scuba diving in Toronto, you’ll find a bunch of reputable schools that make it easy to get started. Once certified, you can start exploring the best lakes just outside the city.
Without further ado, read on to meet our top picks!
How much does scuba diving experience cost in Toronto?
In Toronto, a one-time trial scuba diving experience usually ranges from $85 to $100, while completing a full Open Water certification generally costs between $750 and $900 in total.
| Service Type | Estimated Cost |
| One-Time Trial Experience | $85 – $100 |
| Full Open Water Certification | $750 – $900 |
1. Aquarius Scuba
Website: https://aquariusscuba.com/
Address: 4020 Dundas Street W – Unit 2
Contact: 416 604 4203
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Saturday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Aquarius Scuba is a huge, full-service shop that’s been helping people in Toronto dive into underwater adventures for over thirty years. Their main focus is SSI training, and with more than 40 active instructors, you’re sure to get plenty of support.
A friend who tried their Try Scuba program told us it was really easy to follow, even for someone brand new to diving.
Besides lessons, they offer one of Canada’s largest selections of dive gear, and you can check out top brands in-store or get your air and tech fills done on site.
But make sure to double-check your receipts and calendar, since a few divers have mentioned running into unexpected service fees or last-minute class cancellations.
Professional, patient, and very knowledgeable
Mario was an excellent instructor. He was professional, patient, and very knowledgeable. He focused on teaching us strong fundamentals and building good habits right from the start, which made me feel confident and comfortable in the water. The whole experience was well organized and enjoyable. I’d highly recommend Aquarius Scuba to anyone looking to get started with diving or continue their scuba journey.
- Trevor C. | Google Review
An amazing scuba diving experience!
Our group took a PADI Open Water Referral class last weekend with instructors Mario and Qiao. It was an amazing scuba diving experience! From the careful selection of diving gear to learning in the pool, the course was thoughtfully designed and very well organized. We sincerely appreciate the instructors’ patience and effective teaching. Thank you for making this such a memorable experience!
- Haiyan Li | Google Review
2. Dive World
Website: https://diveworld.ca/
Address: 3138 Lake Shore Blvd W
Contact: (416) 503 – 3483
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Wednesday, Friday, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Dive World is Ontario’s only 100% Project AWARE dive shop, so part of every student’s fee goes straight to important conservation projects. Their Try Scuba package is beginner-friendly and comes with all your equipment rentals and a shallow-water intro.
Experienced PADI instructors are here to help you every step, taking complete beginners up to advanced levels. They also organize lots of local trips, giving you more chances to dive even after you’re certified.
Plus, the staff are happy to help properly fit your gear, even if you’re just browsing.
Unfortunately, open-water group certification dives run only in the summer. If you want to certify outside of June to September, you’ll need to set up a private class.
Looking to get into scuba diving or advance their skills!
I completed two courses with this dive center and had an incredible experience! The team is amazing, super friendly, highly skilled, and clearly passionate about what they do. The dive site is close by and easy to get to, which made everything even more convenient. They teach you everything you need to know to dive safely and confidently. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to get into scuba diving or advance their skills!
- Nerso Mardirosian | Google Review
A great scuba diving experience !
We had a wonderful experience with Dive World ! Instructor Daniel Negrea was absolutely fantastic with our son and his friend. He taught them all the essential scuba skills in a fun and engaging way, ensuring they felt comfortable with the equipment. Daniel is very calm and empathetic which made the whole experience even better. Most importantly, he prioritized safety throughout the session, giving us peace of mind. The kids enjoyed every minute of their session! Highly recommend Daniel and Dive World to anyone looking for a great scuba diving experience !
- Diana Valler | Google Review
3. Scarborough Underwater Club Inc. (SUCI)
Website: https://suci2.ca/
Address: 875 Morningside Ave, Scarborough
Contact: ++14162835222 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
At Scarborough Underwater Club Inc. (SUCI), community really comes first. This not-for-profit club, run by volunteers, has been safely training new scuba divers with PADI professionals since 1961.
When our team joined a dive with them at Humber Bay last summer, the super-friendly and social vibe immediately made us feel welcomed.
And if you take their Open Water course, you’ll get free club membership for the year.
This membership comes with awesome benefits, like regular practice sessions at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre pools and a packed calendar of Great Lakes dives and winter tropical trips.
Keep in mind, though, general membership is only for certified divers. If you just want to try diving casually, you can’t join until you’re certified.
4. Hart House Underwater Club
Website: https://universitydivers.ca/
Address: 7 Hart House Cir
Contact: (416) 978-2452
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Saturday-Sunday, Holidays, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Hart House Underwater Club is a classic part of the University of Toronto and offers way more than just basic scuba training. Their structured NAUI certification includes pool sessions, online classes, and a weekend of open-water diving.
They also keep things interesting with unique activities, like underwater hockey and breath-hold exercises. You don’t need to be a student to join, as their programs are open to everyone in Toronto.
Once you become a member, you’ll get easy access to drop-in pool practice sessions and can rent scuba gear during summer.
But keep in mind that the course fee only covers the pool and classroom sections. Basic gear, accommodation, and the certification weekend cost extra.
5. Toronto Scuba Centre
Website: https://torontoscubacentre.com/
Address: 1175 Queen Street East
Contact: 416-792-3483
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Sunday, By Appointment
As a full-service hub right in the city, Toronto Scuba Centre handles everything from gear servicing to travel planning and retail. They’ve been around for almost twenty years and have certified over six thousand students, so you can trust their experience.
Their beginner-friendly Discover Scuba classes run at the nearby Jimmie Simpson Pool. You don’t have to drive out of the city just to get started.
And I love that class sizes are kept small, with just eight students per instructor. You’ll definitely get lots of personal guidance here.
They also put together awesome international dive trips to places like the Galapagos and Indonesia.
The only hassle comes when you move past the basic Open Water course. For advanced training, you’ll need to sort out your own equipment.
To anyone looking to learn scuba diving!
We had Jemma as our scuba instructor, and we couldn’t have asked for anyone better! She was fantastic at making sure we all felt comfortable and confident in the water. Her patience, clear communication, and positive energy made the entire experience unforgettable. Highly recommend Jemma to anyone looking to learn scuba diving!
- Kyle Friesen | Google Review
Made the whole learning process both fun and comfortable
amazing experience with Toronto Scuba Centre! The entire team is incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and supportive, which made the whole learning process both fun and comfortable. They take the time to explain everything clearly and make sure you feel confident every step of the way. Not only did I gain valuable skills, but I also had a lot of fun along the journey. Highly recommend them to anyone looking to get into scuba diving!
- Oleg Skorokhod | Google Review
