easy
4–6 hours total
Participants should be comfortable swimming and in generally good health but no advanced fitness level is required.
Jump into scuba diving with Tilden's one-day Resort Course in Marathon, Florida. This package combines a thorough pool session and classroom instruction with a guided reef dive, ideal for newcomers ages 10 and up.
Starting at $400 per Person | Appetizer for the open water class | 4 hours
Experience the thrill of scuba diving in just one day! This unique program combines a comprehensive 4-hour pool and classroom session with a guided two-tank dive at a stunning shallow reef. Perfect for ages 10 and up, it's an exciting introduction to the underwater world under professional supervision.
Student (Ages 12+) : $400 pool and boat 1 day Junior Student (Ages 10-11+) : $450
4 Hours
Please select the date on the calendar you would like, then we will follow up after your booking to confirm the details and make more detailed plans for times and days.
We do a very thorough job of getting you acquainted with your scuba equipment during our 4-hour pool/classroom session. Then you are guided by your instructor at the reef for a two-tank, shallow reef dive. At the end of this program you will NOT be certified to dive without an instructor, however, you will be invited to continue to dive under the supervision of dive professionals.
You can choose to do the class all on one day, or break the pool session and boat trip into two separate days, whichever fits your vacation schedule. This course is rated for ages 10+yrs. Our reefs are ideal for resort courses as most of them are in less than 25 feet of water. Booking your diving early in your trip is important as you need 24 hrs between your dive and fly times.
Tilden's philosophy of teaching is to hone your scuba ability and confidence as a safe, knowledgeable confident diver and buddy. We have no preference as to which agency you choose to represent, as we teach all 3 of them, (NAUI, PADI, SSI) We can accept referral students from any agency as both NAUI and SSI are part of the Universal Referal system. Choosing an agency is a personal choice. Our course is amalgamated to cover all skills from all of the agencies, which makes our student's training as thorough as possible. Although each agency has slightly different learning material, the core requirements of diving are the same.
Here are some of the qualities of each Worldwidely Accepted agencies.
NAUI - Regarded as one of the most thorough academic programs in the industry, Naui will come to you in the form of a traditional book, workbook, tables, and log book. This system is really great for all divers but especially for those wanting the reasons why you do everything.
SSI - Innovative, easy to initiate, Start TODAY with no additional fees. This all-digital system allows you to start your academics today and take them with you on multiple devices. SSI is perfect for all ages and covers the material well without oversimplifying the knowledge. You can preview this course online divessi.com. Once your review is complete you will need to choose Tilden's Scuba Center as your shop to proceed.
PADI - This system can be done online, (which has an additional fee) or per our recommendation, with a traditional learning system. There are 5 chapters in this book that need to have their corresponding " knowledge reviews" completed before completing your traditional lecture with us. PADI was the first to allow 10 yr olds to certify and in that process, has made the academic material a breeze to complete. Please, call before signing up for e-learning as this is a fee from PADI, not Tilden's.
Fatigue and dehydration can increase the risk of decompression sickness, so drink plenty of water and rest well before your dives.
Protect your skin while helping preserve the local marine ecosystem by using environmentally friendly sunscreen before your dive.
Use the classroom and pool time to become fully comfortable with your gear—this foundation makes reef dives safer and more enjoyable.
Avoid flying within 24 hours after diving to reduce the risk of decompression sickness, a crucial safety guideline for all divers.
Marathon grew from a fishing village into a hub for Keys diving in the mid-20th century, contributing to reef conservation awareness.
Tilden's promotes reef-safe practices and operates within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary guidelines to minimize environmental impact.
Keeps divers warm in the cooler parts of the year and protects skin from abrasion.
fall|winter|spring specific
Essential for underwater visibility and surface breathing if needed.
Helps monitor dive time and depth for safety, especially if continuing beyond the course.
Protects skin from UV rays while minimizing environmental impact.
summer|null specific