Olympus Dive Center

What Olympus Dive Center does

Olympus Dive Center is a family-owned, full-service scuba diving center founded in 1976 in Morehead City, North Carolina. The company operates year-round with daily dive charters during the peak season (May through September) and organized scuba travel programs during the winter months. Its operational base is the Graveyard of the Atlantic, an area encompassing approximately 2,000 shipwreck sites off the North Carolina coast, including the German submarine U-352, which was discovered by founder George Purifoy in 1974/1975 and from which recovered artifacts are on permanent museum display at the dive shop. The company is consistently ranked #1 in North America for wreck diving by Scuba Diving magazine's Readers' Poll and #1 for Big Marine Life.

The business operates a vertically integrated portfolio of offerings across nine core product lines. Infrastructure includes two dive vessels (MV Olympus, a 65-foot aluminum-hull boat carrying 25 passengers with twin Caterpillar diesel engines, and MV Midnight Express, a 48-foot aluminum-hull boat carrying 18 passengers), an on-site 32-bunk dive lodge, a SCUBAPRO Platinum Dealer dive shop, and a fill station with a 30 cfm main compressor capable of filling 15 tanks simultaneously, plus 25,000 cubic feet of banked EANx30 nitrox and a custom mix station for decompression gases and rebreather fills. Product lines include three charter trip tiers (Full Day at $185, Shallow Full Day at $185, Half Day Shallow at $95), a full PADI curriculum from Bubblemaker and Discover Scuba through Open Water, Advanced, Nitrox, Wreck, Deep, Rescue, Tec 40, Tec 45, Divemaster, and Open Water Scuba Instructor courses, equipment rental and retail sales (SCUBAPRO, JBL, GoPro, Shearwater, Backscatter, SeaLife, and others), authorized equipment repair, air and nitrox fills, dive lodge accommodations at $45/night, and organized travel packages to Florida Springs, Cozumel, Jupiter Florida, Cayman Aggressor liveaboard, Little Cayman, Florida Keys Wreck Trek, and Bonaire.

The company holds PADI 5-Star Training Center status, SCUBAPRO Platinum Dealer status, and SCUBAPRO Authorized Service Center status. Revenue is generated through eight streams (dive charters, training courses, equipment sales, equipment rentals, air and nitrox fills, equipment repair services, dive lodge accommodations, and scuba travel trips) all sold direct-to-consumer through the company's website, in-person retail shop, and a network of 8+ local hotel referral partners. Customer segments include wreck diving enthusiasts, shark diving enthusiasts, beginning divers and families, technical divers, dive travelers, and conservation-focused divers. The company remains under family ownership with no external investors or parent company structure identified.

Name

Olympus Dive Center

Legal name

Olympus Dive Center

Website

https://olympusdiving.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Olympus Dive Center is a family-owned, full-service scuba diving center in Morehead City, North Carolina, operating since 1976, offering dive charters to the Graveyard of the Atlantic, PADI training courses from beginner through instructor level, equipment sales and rentals, and dive travel packages to recreational, technical, and conservation-focused divers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Morehead City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Dive Charters: The primary revenue driver - operating dive boat trips to shipwreck sites in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Offerings include Full Day Dive Trips ($185), Shallow Full Day Dive Trips ($185), and Half Day Shallow Dive Trips ($95). Prices include 1-2 dives and weights.
2. Scuba Training Courses: PADI certified training from beginner (Open Water Diver - $685) through professional levels (Divemaster - $1200+, Instructor - $3000). Course prices vary by certification level with e-learning options available at premium pricing.
3. Equipment Sales: SCUBAPRO Platinum Dealer offering full line of dive equipment including masks, fins, snorkels, apparel, accessories, collectibles, and gift certificates through both in-store and online shop.
4. Equipment Rentals: Rental of scuba equipment including tanks ($10-$21), regulators ($17), BCDs ($17), wetsuits ($17), dive computers ($22), cameras ($30), and accessories. Tanks available filled with air or nitrox.
5. Air and Nitrox Fills: Tank filling services: Air fills $8-$9 depending on tank size, Nitrox 30% fills $14-$16. Decompression mixes and custom blends available with advance notice.
6. Equipment Service and Repair: Full-service SCUBAPRO-authorized repair facility handling regulators ($30-$40), BCDs ($30-$40), tank inspections ($20-$25), valve service ($25), and O2 cleaning ($30).
7. Dive Lodge Accommodations: On-site dive lodge with 32 bunks across five rooms. Priced at $45/night/person plus tax. Located within two blocks of the dive shop.
8. Scuba Travel Trips: Organized dive travel to destinations including Florida Springs, Cozumel, Jupiter Florida, Panama City Beach, Cayman Islands, Little Cayman, Florida Keys, and Bonaire. Prices vary by trip duration and destination.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Olympus Dive Center operates daily scuba diving charters to shipwreck sites in North Carolina's Graveyard of the Atlantic from two dive vessels (MV Olympus and MV Midnight Express), offers PADI 5-Star scuba certification courses from beginner through instructor level, sells and rents SCUBAPRO dive gear, provides authorized equipment repair, performs air and nitrox tank fills, accommodates guests in an on-site dive lodge, and runs organized dive travel packages to Caribbean and Florida destinations.

Product overview

Olympus Dive Center is a family-owned, full-service scuba diving center offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. The core offerings include dive charters (Full Day, Shallow Full Day, and Half Day trips) aboard two dive vessels (MV Olympus and MV Midnight Express), a full range of PADI scuba training courses from beginner through professional instructor levels, equipment rental and sales (as a SCUBAPRO Platinum Dealer), authorized equipment repair services, air and nitrox tank fills, on-site dive lodge accommodations, and organized scuba travel packages to Caribbean and Florida destinations. An online e-commerce shop offers dive gear, apparel, and accessories. The company operates from Morehead City, North Carolina, targeting divers interested in the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic' shipwreck diving and Gulf Stream marine life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dive Charters Scuba diving charter trips including Full Day Dive Trips (two dives, depths 90–120 ft, $185), Shallow Full Day Dive Trips (two dives, depths 50–70 ft, $185), and Half Day Shallow Dive Trips (one dive, depths 50–70 ft, $95). Operates daily during peak season May–September, visiting wreck sites such as U-352, Papoose, Schurz, Aeolus, Spar, Caribsea, and Atlas aboard MV Olympus and MV Midnight Express.
• PADI Scuba Training Courses Full range of PADI scuba certification courses from beginner (Open Water Diver from $685, Bubblemaker $115, Seal Team $205, Discover Scuba $85) through professional (Divemaster from $1,200, Open Water Scuba Instructor from $3,000), including specialty courses in wreck diving, deep diving, nitrox, U-Boat 352, USS Schurz, lionfish removal, technical diving (Tec 40, Tec 45), and underwater photography. Class sizes limited to 4–6 students.
• Equipment Rental Rental of scuba equipment including regulators ($17), BCDs ($17), wetsuits ($17), dive computers ($22), aluminum 80 tanks ($10), aluminum 100 tanks ($12), nitrox tanks ($18–$21), masks, fins, booties, and underwater cameras (GoPro $30, SeaLife $30). Tanks available filled with air or nitrox.
• Dive Gear Sales Retail sale of full-line dive equipment as a SCUBAPRO Platinum Dealer, also carrying JBL and AB Biller Spearguns, GoPro cameras, Backscatter, Shearwater, Trident, XS Scuba, Innovative Scuba Concepts, SeaLife, Catalina and Luxfer scuba tanks, masks, fins, snorkels, apparel, accessories, collectibles, and gift certificates through in-store and online shop.
• Equipment Repair Services Authorized SCUBAPRO Service Center providing regulator service ($30–$40 per stage), BCD service ($30–$40), visual tank inspection ($20), hydrostatic inspection ($25), valve service ($25), O2 cleaning ($30), and computer battery changes for most scuba brands. Technicians combine over 25 years of experience.
• Air and Nitrox Fills Tank filling services providing clean air fills ($8 up to 99 cf, $9 above 100 cf) and EANx30 nitrox fills ($14 up to 99 cf, $16 above 100 cf). Features 30 cfm main compressor with backup compressor, Haskel booster, and large bank system capable of filling 15 tanks simultaneously. Custom decompression mixes (50% or 100% O2) and rebreather fills available with advance notice.
• Divers' Lodge Accommodations On-site lodging with 32 bunks in five rooms located within two blocks of the dive shop. Priced at $45 per night per person plus tax. Includes Wi-Fi, lounge area with TV/DVD, microwave, refrigerator, and separate male/female restrooms with shower facilities. Guests provide own linens. Quiet time 9 PM.
• Scuba Travel Packages Organized group dive travel to destinations including Florida Springs (2-day, $475), Jupiter Florida Drift Diving, Cozumel Drift Diving, Panama City Beach, Cayman Aggressor liveaboard, Little Cayman, Florida Keys Wreck Trek, Bonaire, and Roatan. Prices vary by trip duration and destination.
• Online Dive Shop E-commerce storefront at olympusdivecenter.dive360.biz selling dive gear, apparel, accessories, collectibles, masks, fins, snorkels, and gift certificates online for direct consumer purchase.

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted #1 Wreck Diving in North America by Scuba Diving magazine Readers' Poll
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SCUBAPROcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOlympus Dive Center is a SCUBAPRO Platinum Dealer (highest dealer status) and authorized SCUBAPRO Service Center. They carry a full line of SCUBAPRO equipment and perform warranty and non-warranty repairs on SCUBAPRO products. This partnership provides equipment sales revenue and service income.
• Divers Alert Network (DAN)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDAN insurance is recommended on dive charter pages with promotional links. Olympus receives referral commissions for DAN scuba dive insurance and trip insurance sign-ups through their booking pages.
• North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll ShoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOlympus Dive Center is a proud sponsor of the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Dive Program. The aquarium features a replica of the U-352 in their Living Shipwreck Exhibit, creating cross-promotional opportunities.
• Local Hotels Network (Hampton Inn, Bask Hotel, Beaufort Hotel, Holiday Inn, Crystal Coast Oceanfront Hotel, Palm Suites)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with 8+ local hotels offering special Olympus diver discount rates. Hotels provide referred customers mentioning Olympus Dive Center. Discounted bookings confirmed directly by hotels.
• Local Accommodations - Vacation Rentals (Atlantic Beach Realty, NC Vacations, Emerald Isle Realty, Blue Water GMAC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partnerships with vacation rental agencies for divers needing longer-term accommodations. Links provided on accommodations page.
• Carolina Princess Fishing ChartersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended non-diving activity for families accompanying divers. Located nearby at www.carolinaprincess.com. Cross-referral relationship for complete Crystal Coast vacation experiences.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Aggressor Adventures: Global liveaboard and dive travel operator running scheduled itineraries including Cayman Aggressor — a vessel and route that Olympus resells. Comparable in destination itineraries and customer demographic, though operating at larger scale.
• PADI Worldwide: The dominant global scuba certification body that grants Olympus its 5-Star Training Center status. Sets industry training standards, curriculum, and consumer marketing that any PADI dive center operates within.

Direct peers

• Rainbow Reef Dive Center: Key Largo, FL full-service dive operator with daily charter trips, PADI training from beginner to instructor, equipment sales, and dive travel packages — a comparable vertically integrated model in the same South Atlantic/Caribbean geography.
• Dressel Divers: Multi-location international dive operator (Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico) with similar mix of dive charters, PADI training, equipment retail, and dive vacations.
• Liquid Dive Adventures: Cayman Islands-based dive operator running scheduled dive trips, training, and accommodations — overlapping destination geography with Olympus's Cayman Aggressor and Little Cayman trips.
• Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas: Full-service dive center in Nassau, Bahamas offering daily charters, PADI training, equipment sales/rentals, and shark dive operations. Closely aligned with Olympus's full-service wreck/shark dive charter model and direct-to-consumer offering.
• Pro Dive International: Caribbean/Mexico dive center chain running multiple locations offering charters, PADI certification, and dive travel — comparable vertically integrated PADI training and charter model.
• Captain Slate's Scuba Adventures: Florida Keys dive center running daily charters, beginner PADI training, and dive trips. Similar coastal full-service operator competing for East Coast recreational divers.

Regional players

• The Scuba Shop: Multi-location East Coast dive retailer with training and travel; competitor to Olympus's equipment sales and training in regional geography, though smaller-scale charter operations.

Others

• Divers Alert Network (DAN): Olympus's insurance and safety partner — adjacent ecosystem participant providing dive accident insurance and safety resources, included for ecosystem completeness.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OlympusDiving
• Facebookfacebook.com/olympusdivecenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/olympus-dive-center

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Olympus Dive Center