Phantom Training Center
School Street, 180, Lower Valley, New Jersey, CYM
About the Center
Phantom Training Center, located in Lower Valley, CYM, is an SSI-certified training facility dedicated to scuba diving courses for all levels. From introductory experiences like Discover Scuba Diving to professional development through its Instructor Development Course, it offers a comprehensive path to becoming a certified diver or a dive professional.
The center is particularly noted for its commitment to veterans and military personnel, facilitating the use of GI Bill® benefits for recreational or professional certifications. Phantom Training Center partners with SSI to unlock opportunities within SSI's global job locator and placement tool for professionals.
Facilities include lockers, a swimming pool for training, equipment rental, a dive shop, and air fills (including nitrox). It also provides opportunities for boat diving and shore diving, catering to various forms of underwater exploration. The staff speaks English and is equipped to guide students on their underwater adventures in the Central Texas region.
Available Courses
6 cursosOpen Water Instructor Bundle (Assistant Instructor & ITC)
The Open Water Instructor Bundle at PTC combines the Assistant Instructor course and the full Instructor Training Course into a single $1,100 package. That combined format, offered three times a year (January, June,…
Try Scuba
The Try Scuba program at Phantom Training Center is the entry point for anyone who's never breathed underwater. No prior experience needed — the session pairs you with a certified instructor in a controlled environment,…
Enriched Air and Nitrox
The Nitrox specialty at PTC is listed at $100 and is available as a standalone course or as part of the Open Water + Nitrox combo ($295). That combo is worth noting — pairing the two means a newly certified diver can…
Divemaster Bundle (Pro Class)
The Divemaster Bundle at PTC runs $600 and covers the Dive Guide and Science of Diving courses required to qualify for the SSI Divemaster rating. It's the first step in the professional track and the prerequisite for…
Open Water Diver
The Open Water Diver course at Phantom Training Center runs on a twice-monthly schedule from February through November, typically over a 4-day block (Thursday through Sunday). That cadence means you're not waiting long…
Advanced Open Water
PTC's Advanced Open Water Diver course runs monthly from February through November, scheduled the weekend immediately after the corresponding Open Water dates. That alignment makes it straightforward to continue training…
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Frequently asked
What people ask before booking
Yes. PTC is an SSI Training Center enrolled in the GI Bill® reimbursement program. Veterans verify their eligibility at va.gov, register an SSI account affiliated with PTC, complete the course, then file VA form VBA-22-0803 with the paid invoice and certification copy. The program covers everything from Try Scuba to professional instructor ratings.
Twice a month, February through November. Typical session runs Thursday through Sunday (4 days). Advanced Open Water runs on the same schedule, usually the following weekend.
Both SSI and SDI. Classes are listed under each agency separately in the store, so you can choose the certification track that fits your goals.
Yes. Tank fills are $9, yearly visual inspections $15, BCD service $30, and BCD with air control or air trim servicing runs $65–$75. Regulator servicing is also available through Mares, APEX, and Aqualung.
The list is extensive: wreck, deep, nitrox, sidemount, night and limited visibility, DPV/scooter, photo and video, search and recovery, navigation, full face mask, perfect buoyancy, stress and rescue, science of diving, and a range of ecology specialties including shark, sea turtle, manta and ray, coral, fish ID, and marine invertebrates.
Tuesday and Thursday 9am–5pm, Friday 1pm–7pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am–5pm. Closed Monday and Wednesday.
PTC hosts the annual Polar Plunge at Stillhouse Hollow Lake each January. They also organize the Diver Across Texas contest (January–October 2026), which challenges divers to log verified dives at as many Texas locations as possible — prizes include a full dive kit, regulator set, and dive computer.
Yes. The shop carries Mares, APEX, and Aqualung across BCDs, regulators, masks, fins, wetsuits, drysuits, dive computers, and lights. There's also PTC-branded apparel and a dive knife.