Chesapeake Bay Dive & Aquatic Center
1725 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Sobre o Centro
The Chesapeake Bay Dive & Aquatic Center, located in Virginia Beach, USA, is a full-service scuba diving and swim center. Established in 1986, it has been dedicated to training safe and comfortable divers. The center is certified by both PADI and SSI, offering a diverse range of courses, including freediving, snorkeling, and boat diving. Complementing its diving programs, it provides swimming lessons for all ages, from toddlers to adults, with experienced staff ensuring effective swimming skills development.
The center boasts comprehensive facilities designed for client convenience. These include a bar, accommodation options for visitors, a swimming pool for training and practice, and rental equipment for scuba diving. For more advanced divers, the center offers nitrox fills and facilitates both boat diving and shore diving experiences. Additionally, it houses a dive shop for equipment sales and provides equipment servicing and repair.
Chesapeake Bay Dive & Aquatic Center also organizes dive travel, ranging from local adventures to exotic destinations, acting as a guide for its patrons. Their shop carries a wide selection of swimming and diving gear. The center is committed to providing a complete underwater experience, from learning to exploration, catering to both diving and swimming needs for all ages.
Cursos Disponíveis
12 cursosSnorkeling
Chesapeake Bay Diving offers an introductory Snorkeling course designed for all ages, providing a gateway to the underwater world without requiring extensive scuba training. This program focuses on building water comfort and confidence, teaching essential skills such as proper mask fitting and clearing, efficient finning techniques, and safe water practices. The aim is to make your initial underwater explorations enjoyable and effortless, allowing you to fully appreciate the aquatic environment from the surface. You will learn about the necessary equipment, including masks, snorkels, and fins, and understand how to use them effectively. The course emphasizes safety awareness, including staying aware of your surroundings, understanding water conditions, and the importance of diving with a buddy. While specific dive site details are not provided, the instruction is geared towards observing marine life in shallow, calm waters, whether in a pool, lake, or ocean. This makes it an ideal activity for families, individuals, or anyone seeking a low-impact way to experience the beauty beneath the waves. It serves as a perfect introduction for those considering scuba diving or as a rewarding activity on its own. This Snorkeling program at Chesapeake Bay Diving is structured to ensure participants gain the skills and comfort needed for enjoyable surface-level exploration. The curriculum covers equipment familiarization and basic water skills crucial for a positive experience. The focus remains on accessibility and fun, ensuring that even beginners can confidently engage with the underwater realm. The instruction is tailored to build a solid foundation for future aquatic adventures. Ideal for families and individuals alike, this course provides a low-impact method to witness the underwater world. It's a fantastic precursor to scuba diving certification or a delightful activity for a vacation or a local outing. Chesapeake Bay Diving ensures a supportive learning environment, making the initial steps into underwater observation both safe and exciting. Participants leave with the confidence to explore various aquatic environments independently.
Open Water Diver
The SSI Open Water Diver certification from Chesapeake Bay Diving is your entry point into a world of underwater exploration. This foundational course is meticulously designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed for safe and independent diving. You will master crucial techniques such as dive planning, equipment assembly and management, buoyancy control, and emergency procedures. The curriculum integrates theoretical learning with hands-on practice in both confined and open water environments, ensuring a thorough understanding and confident application of dive skills. Chesapeake Bay Diving, an SSI-affiliated center, guarantees a high standard of training delivered by experienced instructors dedicated to your progress. This certification qualifies you to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet) globally, opening up countless possibilities for adventure. Whether you dream of exploring local shipwrecks or vibrant coral reefs on tropical getaways, your Open Water Diver certification is the key. The training at Chesapeake Bay Diving emphasizes building competence and confidence, preparing you not just for a certification card, but for a lifetime of enjoyable and safe diving experiences. The center's commitment is to ensure graduates are capable divers ready to embark on their underwater journeys. While specific dive site details for the Open Water course are not explicitly mentioned, the center's location in Virginia Beach suggests potential for local dives in the Chesapeake Bay area or nearby coastal waters. These environments offer opportunities to practice skills in conditions that build a solid foundation for recreational diving. The focus remains on providing a comprehensive learning experience that prepares students for a wide range of diving scenarios. Chesapeake Bay Diving ensures that the practical application of skills is paramount, mirroring real-world diving conditions as closely as possible within the training framework. Chesapeake Bay Diving offers instruction in English, ensuring clear communication throughout the course. The training methodology involves academic study, confined water sessions to hone skills in a controlled environment, and open water dives to apply learned techniques in actual dive sites. Students gain practical experience with scuba gear, learn to monitor air consumption effectively, and master techniques for comfortable and efficient underwater movement. Upon successful completion, you will be a certified diver, ready to explore the underwater realm responsibly and confidently.
Junior Open Water Diver
The Junior Open Water Diver certification at Chesapeake Bay Diving is designed for young adventurers aged 10 to 14, providing a safe and engaging introduction to scuba diving. As an SSI training center, Chesapeake Bay Diving ensures that this foundational course adheres to the highest safety standards while making the learning process enjoyable. Participants will gain essential knowledge in dive theory, master fundamental scuba skills in confined water, and complete open water dives under direct supervision. This program is meticulously structured to build confidence and competence in young divers, preparing them for future underwater exploration. This certification is the first step for junior divers into the underwater world, focusing on core scuba concepts like equipment familiarization, buoyancy control, and essential safety procedures. The curriculum is presented in an age-appropriate manner, ensuring that younger individuals can grasp the principles of safe diving. Chesapeake Bay Diving emphasizes a supportive learning environment, allowing junior divers to develop a solid understanding of diving techniques and an appreciation for marine environments. The course aims to foster a lifelong passion for the aquatic realm while instilling a strong sense of responsibility and awareness. Upon completion, Junior Open Water Divers are qualified to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet) and must always dive with a certified adult or a dive professional. This ensures continuous supervision and support as they gain experience. The training at Chesapeake Bay Diving covers all necessary skills for safe entry, exit, and underwater navigation, along with emergency procedures. The focus is on building a strong foundation that prepares them for more advanced diving experiences in the future, always prioritizing their safety and enjoyment. Chesapeake Bay Diving offers this course in English, catering to a broad range of young enthusiasts. While specific dive site details and monthly climate data are not provided in the input, the SSI curriculum is globally recognized for its thoroughness. The program structure typically involves theoretical sessions, confined water training, and open water dives, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. This certification unlocks the door to a new dimension of recreational activities and family adventures, allowing junior divers to explore the wonders beneath the surface with confidence and skill.
Enriched Air Nitrox
Unlock extended bottom times and enhance your safety with the Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) specialty course offered by Chesapeake Bay Diving. This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to plan and execute dives using EANx, a breathing gas mixture with a higher percentage of oxygen than standard air. By mastering EANx, you can significantly increase your no-decompression limits, allowing for longer dives and potentially reducing the risk of decompression sickness. This specialty is a highly recommended step for any diver aiming to maximize their underwater exploration. The curriculum at Chesapeake Bay Diving focuses on the practical application of EANx principles. You will learn to analyze your tank's oxygen content accurately and determine the appropriate gas mixture for your specific dive profile. Understanding the benefits of higher oxygen concentrations is paired with a thorough explanation of potential risks associated with increased oxygen exposure, ensuring a comprehensive approach to gas management. This training empowers you to make informed decisions about your breathing gas, leading to more enjoyable and safer dives. Completing the Enriched Air Nitrox specialty can transform your diving experience, especially for those who frequently dive or plan multi-dive trips. By utilizing EANx, you can enjoy longer bottom times on repetitive dives or shorten your surface intervals, fitting more exploration into your day. This practical skill is invaluable for optimizing your dive schedule and overall enjoyment of the underwater world. Chesapeake Bay Diving provides this accessible specialty, which can typically be completed relatively quickly, offering immediate benefits to your recreational diving activities. This specialty certification is offered in conjunction with leading agencies like PADI and SSI, recognized globally for their high training standards. While specific details on the practical components are not provided, the theoretical training covers essential dive planning and safe gas management techniques tailored for EANx. Chesapeake Bay Diving ensures that you gain a solid understanding of the principles behind enriched air diving, preparing you for a more advanced and efficient diving future. The focus remains on safe gas management and dive planning with EANx, a crucial skill for modern divers.
Night & Limited Visiblity
The SSI Night & Limited Visibility specialty course offered by Chesapeake Bay Diving unlocks a new realm of underwater exploration, allowing you to experience the aquatic world when natural light fades. This specialized training is designed to equip you with the essential techniques and safety considerations for navigating and enjoying dives in low-light or complete darkness. You will learn about specialized lighting equipment, including primary and backup dive lights, and their effective deployment. Key skills covered include navigation techniques adapted for reduced visibility, crucial buddy procedures, and strategies for managing potential disorientation. This course reveals a different facet of marine life, as many species become more active after sunset. Participants will learn to identify nocturnal creatures and observe their unique behaviors that emerge in the dark. Responsible interaction and observation of these animals are integral components of the training. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on safety protocols specifically tailored for night and low-visibility diving. This includes mastering proper signaling techniques, understanding emergency procedures, and the critical importance of thorough pre-dive planning. By completing this specialty, you will gain the confidence and competence to explore wrecks, reefs, and other dive sites under the cloak of darkness or in conditions where visibility is naturally reduced. It's an exciting and rewarding way to add variety and adventure to your diving repertoire. Chesapeake Bay Diving is committed to expanding your diving horizons through this unique specialty. This specialty builds upon foundational diving skills, preparing you for more challenging yet rewarding dive environments. It is an excellent step for divers looking to enhance their capabilities and explore the underwater world in a completely new way. The skills learned are transferable to various diving scenarios where visibility might be compromised, ensuring you are a more versatile and confident diver.
Navigation Specialty Course
Mastering underwater navigation is a fundamental skill for any confident diver, and the SSI Navigation Specialty Course at Chesapeake Bay Diving provides the expertise to navigate effectively. This course focuses on developing your ability to plan and execute underwater compass courses, understand natural navigation techniques, and maintain your orientation throughout a dive. You'll learn how to use a compass accurately, calculate headings, and execute precise square patterns and other search patterns. The training involves both theoretical knowledge and practical application, with dives designed to build proficiency in diverse underwater environments. Effective navigation skills are vital for locating dive sites, finding your way back to entry points, and conducting search patterns for lost items or specific underwater features. This SSI specialty course will equip you with the tools to become a more self-reliant and capable diver, reducing reliance on guides for basic orientation. By completing this specialty, you'll not only improve your safety but also gain the ability to explore dive sites more thoroughly and independently. It's an essential skill that complements all other diving certifications and experiences. Chesapeake Bay Diving offers this crucial specialty to enhance your safety and enjoyment underwater. While specific dive site details for this specialty are not provided, the focus is on practical application of navigation techniques. The course covers how to use natural landmarks and other environmental cues to stay on course, ensuring you can adapt to various underwater conditions. The goal is to build your proficiency and confidence, making every dive more rewarding. This course is an excellent next step for certified divers looking to expand their capabilities. Building upon your existing certification, the Navigation Specialty enhances your understanding of underwater environments and your ability to manage dives independently. It directly supports skills needed for advanced training and provides a solid foundation for exploring new dive locations with confidence. The practical skills learned are transferable to any diving scenario, making it a valuable addition to your diving resume.
Wreck Diving Specialty Course
The SSI Wreck Diving Specialty Course offered by Chesapeake Bay Diving provides a unique opportunity to explore submerged historical sites. This course focuses on the specialized techniques and safety protocols essential for navigating the underwater environments of shipwrecks. You will learn about the formation of artificial reefs, the types of wrecks encountered, and the inherent risks such as entanglement and structural instability. Emphasis is placed on safe entry and exit procedures, along with methods for exploring wrecks without causing environmental disturbance. Key skills developed include understanding wreck penetration guidelines, identifying potential hazards, and the proper use of equipment like reels for guideline security. The curriculum also touches upon the historical significance of these underwater artifacts and their role in supporting marine ecosystems. Chesapeake Bay Diving ensures that participants gain a thorough understanding of wreck diving principles. This specialty training typically involves classroom sessions followed by practical open water dives conducted on actual shipwrecks. This hands-on approach allows students to apply learned skills under the direct supervision of experienced instructors. The goal is to equip divers with the necessary knowledge and caution for responsible wreck exploration. Chesapeake Bay Diving is committed to providing a safe and informative learning experience. This course is ideal for divers intrigued by history and the allure of exploring unique underwater landscapes. It significantly enhances your diving repertoire, enabling you to discover submerged relics and observe the diverse marine life that has claimed these wrecks as their habitat. The SSI certification adds a valuable credential to your diving qualifications, opening up new avenues for exploration.
Deep Diving Specialty
The SSI Deep Diving Specialty course offered by Chesapeake Bay Diving provides essential knowledge and skills for divers looking to safely explore beyond the standard recreational limits, typically between 18 and 40 meters (60-130 feet). This specialty focuses on the physiological effects of deeper dives, including nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness, and the specialized equipment and procedures required. You will learn meticulous dive planning, gas management, and emergency procedures relevant to deep diving. Training involves classroom sessions covering the theory of deep diving, followed by practical open water dives under direct instructor supervision. Chesapeake Bay Diving emphasizes conservative dive profiles and adequate safety margins, teaching you to meticulously monitor depth, time, and gas supply. The course ensures you are prepared for the unique challenges of deep environments, including proper ascent techniques and safety stops. This specialty is designed for certified divers who wish to visit deeper reefs, explore larger shipwrecks, or access other sites that lie beyond typical recreational depths. It serves as a crucial step towards more advanced diving, requiring a solid understanding of risk management and dive physics. By completing this course, you gain the confidence and competence to plan and execute deep dives responsibly. Chesapeake Bay Diving is committed to providing high-quality training, with instructors certified by SSI. While specific details on dive site locations for this specialty are not provided, the curriculum is structured to prepare you for a variety of deeper environments. The course aims to enhance your diving capabilities and open up new possibilities for exploration.
Search & Recovery Specialty Course
Master the art of underwater object location and retrieval with the PADI Search and Recovery Specialty Course offered by Chesapeake Bay Diving. This practical specialty is designed to equip you with the essential skills and techniques for efficiently finding and recovering submerged items. You will learn systematic search patterns, including grid and circular searches, and how to execute them effectively using compass and natural navigation. The course also emphasizes the proper use of specialized equipment such as search reels and lift bags, crucial tools for any successful recovery operation. Chesapeake Bay Diving focuses on the practical application of search and recovery principles. The curriculum involves classroom sessions covering the physics of lifting, calculating buoyancy for lift bags, and executing controlled ascents of recovered items. Safety is a paramount concern, with detailed instruction on preventing entanglement and ensuring the stability of the object during ascent. This hands-on approach, combining theory with open water practice, ensures you develop the proficiency needed to handle real-world scenarios. This specialty certification is highly beneficial for recreational divers looking to enhance their underwater problem-solving abilities. It prepares you for common situations where objects might be lost, whether it's personal equipment or assisting in minor search efforts. By mastering these techniques, you add a valuable and rewarding dimension to your diving capabilities, making you a more competent and prepared diver. The skills learned are transferable to various diving environments and situations. While specific dive site details are not provided, the open water training at Chesapeake Bay Diving is conducted under the guidance of experienced instructors. The center is certified by PADI, a globally recognized agency, ensuring a high standard of training. This course builds upon your existing diving knowledge and prepares you for more advanced or specialized diving activities, making you a more versatile underwater explorer. The focus remains on practical skill development and safe execution of search and recovery procedures.
Stress & Rescue Diver
The PADI Stress & Rescue Diver specialty course, offered by Chesapeake Bay Diving, is designed to equip you with the essential skills to prevent, recognize, and manage diving emergencies. This course significantly enhances your safety and that of your dive buddies by teaching you how to handle stressful situations and perform rescues effectively. You will learn to identify the causes of stress in divers, understand how stress can lead to accidents, and develop techniques for preventing and managing it. The training covers self-rescue skills, recognizing signs of distress in others, and performing various rescue techniques for tired, panicked, or unresponsive divers. Key components of the training include emergency management, assisting a diver with a suspected Decompression Illness (DCI), and basic first aid for dive-related injuries. You'll practice scenarios that simulate real-life emergencies, building your confidence and competence in handling them. The course combines theoretical knowledge with extensive practical exercises, including simulated rescue scenarios to hone your skills both in and out of the water. The emphasis is on proactive prevention and decisive action when needed. Completing the Stress & Rescue Diver course not only makes you a safer diver but also a more valuable member of any dive group. It's a challenging yet highly rewarding course that instills a deep sense of responsibility and preparedness. Chesapeake Bay Diving offers this critical training to prepare you for the unexpected, ensuring you are ready to assist others in potential dive emergencies. This specialty is often considered a prerequisite for further professional dive training, making it a pivotal step in your diving education. This course is offered in English, aligning with Chesapeake Bay Diving's commitment to providing accessible training. While specific dive site details for rescue scenarios are not provided, the practical application of learned skills is paramount. The curriculum focuses on developing a calm and competent response to stressful situations, a hallmark of a well-trained diver. The course structure ensures a thorough understanding of rescue principles and their application in real-world diving environments.
Try Scuba
Embark on your initial underwater adventure with the Try Scuba program at CB Diving, your gateway to exploring the marine world. This program is specifically designed for individuals curious about scuba diving but not yet committed to a full certification course. You will gain fundamental scuba skills under the direct guidance of an SSI Dive Professional, ensuring a safe and engaging introduction to breathing underwater. The experience begins with a convenient academic session, covering essential topics such as equipment familiarization, equalization techniques, buoyancy control, and crucial diving safety protocols. This preparation ensures you are well-informed before entering the water, setting the stage for a successful and enjoyable pool session. The practical component of the Try Scuba program consists of two dedicated pool sessions. The first session focuses on mastering the use of scuba equipment, including proper assembly, donning, breathing comfortably from the regulator, and essential skills like mask clearing. You'll practice basic watermanship and begin to develop an understanding of buoyancy control in a controlled, shallow water environment. The second pool session progresses to deeper water, allowing for further practice of buoyancy control and the simple joy of exploring the underwater realm. This hands-on approach is crafted to build your confidence and demonstrate just how accessible and enjoyable scuba diving can be. To participate in the Try Scuba program, you must be a minimum of 13 years old and complete a signed medical waiver. All necessary scuba equipment, including mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, BCD, regulators, dive computer, and scuba cylinder, is provided by CB Diving as part of the program fee of $100.00 USD. This all-inclusive approach means you can focus entirely on learning and enjoying your first dive experience without worrying about additional gear costs. CB Diving offers this introductory experience with SSI certification standards, providing a solid foundation should you choose to pursue further dive training. The program's structure, with its emphasis on safety and skill development in a controlled environment, makes it an ideal first step. Upon completion, you'll have a clear understanding of what scuba diving entails and the confidence to decide if it's a passion you wish to pursue further, perhaps with their Open Water Diver course.
Drysuit Specialty Course
Mastering the SSI Drysuit Specialty Course with Chesapeake Bay Diving is your gateway to comfortable, year-round diving. This course focuses on the essential techniques for using and maintaining a drysuit, crucial for diving in colder waters or extending your season. You will gain confidence in managing buoyancy, a key difference from wetsuit diving, and learn how to properly don and doff your drysuit. The curriculum covers various drysuit types, materials, and their thermal protection capabilities. Chesapeake Bay Diving ensures you are prepared for potential in-water emergencies, such as uncontrolled ascents due to over-inflation, and the proper procedures to handle them. This specialty is highly recommended for divers looking to expand their diving horizons into temperate and cold water environments. While specific monthly climate data for the dive sites is not provided, the course is designed to prepare you for the challenges of cooler water temperatures often encountered in many popular diving destinations. Chesapeake Bay Diving's location offers access to diverse underwater environments suitable for practicing drysuit techniques. The focus on buoyancy control within the drysuit is paramount, allowing for precise depth adjustments and improved air consumption. You will learn to manage the air within your suit effectively, not just for warmth but also for maintaining neutral buoyancy throughout your dives. This skill is fundamental for enjoying longer and more comfortable dives in conditions that might otherwise be prohibitive. The training structure at Chesapeake Bay Diving combines essential classroom instruction with practical application. You'll begin by understanding the theory behind drysuit diving in a controlled classroom setting. This is followed by hands-on pool sessions where you can safely practice buoyancy skills and emergency drills. The culmination of the course involves open water dives, allowing you to apply your newly acquired drysuit diving techniques in real-world conditions. These dives are designed to build your confidence and demonstrate the significant advantages of drysuit diving, such as enhanced thermal protection and increased comfort. To enroll in the SSI Drysuit Specialty Course, you must be a certified Open Water Diver or higher. Chesapeake Bay Diving provides the necessary training materials and guidance from experienced instructors. While specific equipment details are best confirmed directly with the center, participants typically need to have their drysuit certification or be enrolled in this course to use one during training dives. The course emphasizes proper maintenance and care for your drysuit, ensuring its longevity and optimal performance. This attention to detail is part of what makes diving with Chesapeake Bay Diving a superior experience. Completing the SSI Drysuit Specialty Course with Chesapeake Bay Diving opens up a new realm of diving possibilities. It is the logical next step for divers who wish to explore temperate or cold water regions, or simply seek greater comfort and thermal protection on their dives. This certification allows you to confidently plan and execute dives in locations and seasons previously considered too challenging due to temperature. It significantly broadens your diving opportunities, enabling you to experience a wider variety of marine life and underwater landscapes throughout the year.
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What people ask before booking
Our Spring/Summer hours are Monday - Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. We are closed on Sundays.
Yes, we rent regulators, BCs, air cylinders (including Nitrox), and exposure protection suits for local diving or vacation trips. Proof of Open Water certification is required for regulators and air cylinders, and Nitrox certification for Nitrox cylinders.
You can register for courses online or stop by the store. For trips, it's best to visit the store, attend a dive club social night, or email us for the latest availability and trip application details. Trip applications need to be approved before confirmation.
We offer swim lessons for infants, toddlers, and children aged 3-14, including survival swim lessons and programs for children with special needs. Lessons are taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors.
Yes, we are an authorized service center for many types of SCUBA equipment and offer inspection and repair services for regulators, BCs, and cylinders. Annual service is recommended for maintaining equipment warranties.