Independent Diving Skills with Paragon Diving in Big Pine Key
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
3 days
Fitness Level
Participants should be in good physical shape to handle multiple boat dives and self-rescue scenarios.
Overview
Paragon Diving in Big Pine Key offers an intensive Independent Diving course, ideal for certified divers ready to strengthen their solo diving skills with expert-led boat dives to vibrant reefs and wrecks.
Independent Diving
Ages 18+ • 3 Days • Struggling to find a dive buddy?
Select participants and date
About This Adventure
Duration
3 days
About
Are you constantly looking for a dive buddy? With the SSI Independent Diving course you will learn all of the skills and techniques to be your own buddy. You will learn critical thinking and evaluation skills to effectively mitigate risk when you choose to go it alone.
If you have no interest in diving alone, this course will hone your existing skills and teach you new ones that will make you a better diver overall.
More Info
Once you have booked your course, you will receive your online academic materials (typically within 24 hours) and a course introduction letter laying out schedule and expectations for the course.
This course requires the student to have and use specialty equipment specific to the course. This will be discussed with your instructor prior to the first day of class.
This course includes 1 boat trip to the reef and 1 boat trip to the deep reef or wreck (4 total dives).
Prerequisites
- 18 years of age
- Certified as an Open Water Diver
- 75 or 50hrs of logged dives (verified on day 1)
- Certifications in Deep Diving, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility, and Diver Stress & Rescue specialties (or equivalent from a recognized training agency)
Adventure Tips
Verify Specialty Certifications
Make sure you have the required certifications (Deep Dive, Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility, Diver Stress & Rescue) before enrolling.
Bring Your Specialty Gear
Independent diving requires specific equipment; check with your instructor ahead of time to prepare properly.
Practice Dive Planning
Use the course to hone your dive planning and risk evaluation skills—critical for safe solo dives.
Boat Dives Demand Readiness
Expect four boat dives; bring seasickness remedies and hydration to stay comfortable on the water.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Spotted Eagle Rays
- Hawksbill Sea Turtles
History
Big Pine Key has a storied maritime heritage with numerous wrecks serving as underwater time capsules.
Conservation
Paragon Diving emphasizes low-impact diving practices to protect delicate coral reefs and foster sustainable tourism.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Key West
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Dive Computer
Crucial for tracking depth, time, and decompression limits during independent dives.
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
Essential for signaling your position during solo dives, enhancing safety on the surface.
Dry Bag
Keeps personal items dry on the boat and during shore transfers.
Full Wetsuit or Drysuit
Provides thermal protection in cooler water and prolonged dive comfort.
fall|winter specific