Know Where You Are. Know Where You’re Going.
The PADI Underwater Navigator Specialty Course sharpens your navigation skills so you can dive with confidence and awareness. This course focuses on using natural references and compass techniques to help you move deliberately underwater and return accurately to your exit point.
It’s a foundational skill that improves safety, teamwork, and overall dive enjoyment.
Course Details
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Dives Required: 3
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Course Fee: $250
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Prerequisite: PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent)
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Minimum Age: 10 years
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Certification: PADI Underwater Navigator Specialty
Dive locations vary based on conditions and scheduling.
Where This Course Is Conducted
Underwater Navigation training may be completed in multiple environments:
Local Shore Dives
Navigation skills are commonly practiced during local shore dives, where divers can apply compass and natural navigation techniques in real conditions.
Boat Dives
This specialty can also be completed on scheduled boat trips, allowing navigation practice in deeper or less familiar environments.
Pool Sessions (When Appropriate)
Certain skills may be introduced or refined in the pool before moving to open water.
Your instructor will select locations that best support learning and safety.
What You’ll Learn
During three scuba dives, you’ll practice:
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Estimating distance underwater
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Compass navigation with multiple turns
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Navigating using natural references
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Marking and relocating submerged objects
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Creating simple underwater maps
The first dive of this specialty may count as an Adventure Dive toward the Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
Gear Requirements
Required Gear
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Standard scuba equipment
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Underwater compass
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Underwater slate or wet notes
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Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
Recommended / Specialty Gear
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Marker buoy or line
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Reel or spool (as advised by your instructor)
Full gear rentals are available. Specialty gear requirements will be confirmed prior to diving.
Specialty Bundle Option
This course is included in our Specialty Diver Bundle.
Complete any two PADI Specialty courses for $350 and receive:
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2 PADI Specialty certification cards
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Credit toward Master Scuba Diver
Available specialties include:
Peak Performance Buoyancy, Deep Diver, Underwater Navigation, Fish Identification, Night Diver, Wreck Diver, and Enriched Air (Nitrox).
Note:
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PADI eLearning / course materials are not included
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Boat trips, site fees, and gear rentals are not included
Course Flow
After purchase:
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An instructor will contact you by email or phone
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You’ll coordinate scheduling and dive locations
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Orientation and skill review are completed before diving
Exact dates and locations vary. Please refer to our Dive Calendar.
How to Book
Ready to improve your navigation skills and dive with more confidence?
📞 Call us at (323) 641-7416 to:
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confirm prerequisites
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discuss scheduling options
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learn more about specialty bundling