If you’ve never gone scuba diving, you’re missing out on vibrant marine life, historic shipwrecks, and captivating underwater landscapes right in your own backyard. And with Summer fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to gear up and get your feet wet. Many locals pass the Down Under dive shop every day on Hwy. 59 but have you ever visited? They not only coordinate classes but also offer local dive excursions.

And once you've earned your scuba certification, the possibilities for underwater exploration extend well into Fall and Winter because our area boasts favorable diving conditions all year long thanks to warm waters and excellent visibility. Summer water temperatures usually hover around the mid-80s, the perfect environment for extended dives. And winter temperatures may dip into the 60s, but with the right wetsuit, you can still dive comfortably.

Becoming a certified scuba diver begins with a comprehensive training program focused on academic knowledge, confined water training, and open water dives. Some say the academic portion is most important because it’s when you learn about the equipment, safety procedures, and marine conservation. This helps lay the foundation for understanding the principles of buoyancy, pressure, underwater navigation, and more.

Under the guidance of a certified instructor, the water training sessions help you learn essential skills like clearing your mask, equalizing your ears, and controlling your buoyancy. Being in a controlled environment like a swimming pool helps you gain confidence before venturing into open waters.

Before heading offshore into the beautiful Alabama Gulf waters, you’ll want to get certified on land first, and there’s no shortage of dive shops in town to help. And when you’re ready to dive in, here are a few places in our area to explore that cater to divers of all levels of experience.

The Lulu:

Perhaps one of the most famous dive sites in Orange Beach, this sunken freighter rests in approximately 115 feet of water, making it ideal for advanced divers. The wreck is teeming with marine life, including schools of fish, eels, and even the occasional shark. What’s more, the San Pablo is another sunken shrimp boat near the Lulu wreck. Both are often dived together due to their proximity and offer an exciting opportunity to explore multiple dive sites in a single outing.

Whiskey Wreck:

Another artificial reef, this 200-foot-long vessel was intentionally sunk to create a habitat for marine creatures. Covered in colorful corals and sponges, the wreck attracts a diverse array of marine life, making it a favorite among underwater photographers.

Poseidon's Playground:

Poseidon's Playground is an underwater sculpture garden located in Perdido Pass. Created by local artists, the sculptures depict various marine creatures and provide a unique underwater experience for divers of all levels.