Do I need to be an Open Water Certified diver to join?

Yes, a basic Open Water certification is required before enrolling in the Advanced Diver Class.

Are all dives conducted from a boat?

Most dives in the program are boat dives, providing access to diverse underwater sites including wrecks.

What is the maximum depth for the deep dive?

The deep dive goes beyond 60 feet, typically reaching depths up to 100 feet depending on conditions.

Will equipment be provided?

Rental gear is available, but it’s recommended to bring your personal equipment for comfort and fit.

Is night diving safe for advanced divers?

Yes, under expert supervision and with proper preparation, night dives are safe and reveal unique marine life.

How long does the Advanced Diver Class last?

The course usually takes 3 to 4 days depending on weather and scheduling.

Master the Depths: Advanced Diver Class for Certified SCUBA Enthusiasts in Norfolk, VA

Diving deeper into adventure, the Advanced Diver Class offered in Norfolk, Virginia, is tailored for certified SCUBA divers seeking to elevate their underwater skills. Norfolk sits on the southeastern coast of the United States, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, providing diverse dive sites ranging from historic wrecks to vibrant marine ecosystems. Known for its maritime heritage and naval base, Norfolk is an ideal gateway for aquatic exploration and technical underwater training.

This advanced course is structured around six engaging dives that push the limits of typical recreational diving. Among these, divers will experience the adrenaline rush of a deep dive extending beyond 60 feet, where the subtleties of buoyancy, decompression theory, and gas management come alive. The night dive introduces an entirely different sensory world underwater, unveiling nocturnal marine life and enhancing navigation skills in low visibility.

Navigation-focused dives refine map-reading, compass use, and situational awareness underwater. This rigorous but rewarding training hones a diver's confidence and independence beneath the waves. Complementing these key skill dives are boat dives and wreck dives, immersing participants in Norfolk’s unique underwater environments. The region’s sunken shipwrecks offer a glimpse into naval and commercial maritime history while supporting thriving fish communities and colorful invertebrates.

Guided by expert instructors, the Advanced Diver Class emphasizes safety, technique, and environmental responsibility. The supportive classroom and waterfront environments provide essential briefing and debriefing sessions, ensuring divers understand dive profiles, equipment configurations, and contingency plans. Norfolk’s local diving operators are recognized for meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to local conservation efforts, making this course as sustainable as it is thrilling.

What sets this class apart in the region is the combination of technical skill development and the rich aquatic landscape of Norfolk’s waterfront. This is a destination where history, nature, and education converge, offering a unique context for advancing your diving capabilities. Whether you’re aiming to improve your dive confidence for deep or night conditions, or simply want to explore wrecks with a seasoned team, this course is a springboard to more ambitious underwater adventures.

From the moment you board the dive vessel to your last surface interval, the Advanced Diver Class offers not just an upgrade in certification but a profound underwater experience shaped by the distinctive marine environment of Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic seaboard waters.

About Kraken Charters - Virginia Beach

Kraken Charters - Virginia Beach operates out of Norfolk, Virginia, offering guided dive charters, shared fishing trips, and scuba training. The operation runs walk-on dive charters to sites such as the Cuyahoga and Brass Spike with depths from 50 to 130 feet and a maximum of six divers per trip. Fishing options include shared inshore, offshore, and wreck charters ranging from 4 to 12 hours and, on offshore trips, travel of over 35 miles to the continental shelf. Captain Tom leads shared fishing charters that target species like cobia, drum, Spanish mackerel, yellowfin tuna, marlin, tautog, black sea bass, triggerfish, and flounder. Training and certification offerings include Open Water Scuba classes (ages 10+), Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures, Intro to Tech, and Solo Diver courses. Many courses combine e-learning, classroom instruction, pool practice, and open water dives; some require personal gear and prior certification. Shared and walk-on formats make bookings accessible for solo anglers, small groups, and individual divers seeking guided experiences. Safety and skills development are emphasized through small group sizes, structured instruction, and experienced guidance. All shared fishing trips provide gear; divers are expected to bring required personal equipment when specified.

Kraken Charters - Virginia Beach serves recreational and technical divers as well as anglers on the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Beach oceanfront, providing locally focused maritime experiences designed for maximum enjoyment, skill building, and safe exploration of regional wrecks and offshore waters. Booking information and current schedules are available online or by phone and email contact.