FLORIDA SPRINGS WINTER PACKAGE
This package certifies divers similarly to the Classic City Package, with the difference being the check out dives occur at the Florida Springs, near Gainesville. In total this is a four day course.
We will still follow the 3 step model with Knowledge Development, Skill Development and Open Water Check Out Dives.
The package is mainly meant for divers that would like to do their check out dives during the winter and spring months, when we are not going to the lake because of the cold temperatures. The Florida Springs are crystal clear and the water temperature is 72 degrees Fahrenheit all year around. We travel to the Gainesville, FL area on Friday evening, to dive early on Saturday, typically at the Blue Grotto Springs. We complete the check out dives on Sunday morning at Devil’s Den Springs.
Dates for these weekend getaways can be found in our Events calendar. Accommodations and all fees for the dives are included in this package.
Step 1: Knowledge Development
After signing up for the course with Athens Scuba, we’ll send you an email with all necessary information and a link to the SDI website and your personal link to the eLearning materials. You’ll be able to access your eLearning materials from anywhere, on your own schedule. So far, this is the same as the Classic (City) Package.
Step 2: Skill Development
Once you’ve completed the Knowledge Development, we’ll start skill development in the Confined Water (pool) sessions. We’ll meet twice, for about three hours each session, at Oconee Aquatics to work on all required skills for the Open Water Diver certification. This gives us plenty of time to develop your skills to be ready for the open water check out dives.
Step 3: Open Water Check Out Dives
Open Water dives 1 and 2 be completed Saturday morning at the Blue Grotto Spring. Open Water dives 3 and 4 will be completed on Sunday morning at Devils Den Spring.
Dates for the check out dives in winter/spring 2025/2026
December 5th – 7th 2025
January 9th – 11th 2026
February 20th – 22nd 2026
March 13th – 15th 2026
April 10th – 12th 2026
May 15th – 17th 2026
The Full SDI Open Water Diver Course in the Florida Springs Winter Package
$1149
Included in The Florida Springs Winter Package
- eLearning materials
- Skill training in confined water at Oconee Aquatics and Recreation in Watkinsville
- Four Open Water checkout dives at the Florida Springs
- Accommodation on the weekend of the check out dives
- All tank fills while in the class
- Lifetime digital certification card
- State of the art rental dive gear (not wetsuit)
- Training logbook
Not included
- Transportation to Florida
- PADI (instead of SDI) Open Water Diver is $100 extra
- Wetsuit – 5mm wetsuit at a discounted rate for only $250
