American Pro Diving Center

What American Pro Diving Center does

American Pro Diving Center is a privately held, single-location diving services business headquartered in Crystal River, Florida. The company operates as a PADI Five-Star certified dive center and has been in operation for over 30 years, offering guided eco-tours, scuba diving experiences, and PADI certification training. Its service portfolio spans three integrated lines: (1) guided tours and wildlife experiences including classic, semi-private, and private manatee swim tours ($65-$500 per booking), scenic river eco cruises, Rainbow River snorkeling/diving trips, and freshwater spring diving excursions to Blue Grotto, Devil's Den, Manatee Springs, and Paradise Springs; (2) PADI recreational and professional dive training from Discover Scuba through Dive Master, including specialty courses (Nitrox, Night Diver, Deep Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift Diver, Underwater Navigator, Search & Recovery, Fish ID), Rescue Diver, Mermaid Certification, and the Master Scuba Diver pathway; and (3) retail scuba equipment sales through a Shopify-powered e-commerce store carrying Shearwater, Sherwood Scuba, and Mares brands, with prices ranging from approximately $169.95 for backup regulators to $1,195 for the Shearwater Teric dive computer. The company also runs youth education programs (summer camps, Boy Scout/Girl Scout programs, high school dive clubs) and international dive travel events.

The business model is direct-to-consumer with no disclosed enterprise contracts, distributed across multiple booking channels including the company's website, integrated Rezdy reservation platform, phone reservations, and walk-in customers at a physical Crystal River location with private dock access. Pricing is pay-as-you-go with one-time fees for courses and unit pricing for tours. Target customer segments include recreational divers seeking certification, nature and wildlife enthusiasts (particularly those pursuing manatee encounters), families with children ages 10+, and educational institutions. The company maintains 1-10 employees, holds no institutional investment, and has no public revenue disclosures. No proprietary technology platforms, AI/ML capabilities, patents, or software products are evident in the source data. The business is differentiated primarily by its PADI Five-Star credential, 30+ years of regional brand recognition, and geographic access to Florida's natural freshwater springs and manatee habitats.

Name

American Pro Diving Center

Legal name

American Pro Diving Center Crystal River

Website

https://americanprodiving.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

American Pro Diving Center is a PADI Five-Star dive center in Crystal River, Florida offering manatee swim tours, scuba certification courses, freshwater spring diving excursions, and retail equipment sales to recreational divers, nature tourists, and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scuba Diving Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Marinas (713930), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872)

akta.pro primary industry

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Diving Experiences (Scuba Dives, Dive Trips, PADI/SSI Courses) (THAJAJAD), Diving & Snorkeling Retail (Scuba Gear) (CRAMAIAF), Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD), Dive & Snorkel Guides / Dive Masters (Boat-Based & Shore-Based) (THAAALAC), Dive & Snorkel Equipment Rental, Retail & Boat Services (compressors, gear hire) (THAAAIAL)

Keywords

• Scuba diving tours
• PADI dive training
• Manatee swim tours
• Scuba equipment retail
• Florida spring diving

Headquarters

HQ city

Crystal River

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tour and Experience Services: Revenue from guided manatee swim tours, scuba diving trips, snorkeling excursions, and eco cruises. Includes various tour tiers (Classic, Semi-Private, Private) and destination-based trips (Rainbow River, Manatee Springs, Paradise Springs, Blue Grotto, Devil's Den).
2. Dive Certification Courses: PADI-certified dive training programs including Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Master Scuba Diver, and specialty courses. Revenue from course fees including eLearning materials.
3. Scuba Equipment Sales: Retail sales of scuba diving gear including regulators, BCDs, dive computers, gauges, and accessories. Products include Shearwater, Sherwood Scuba, and Mares brands.
4. Equipment Rentals: Rental of scuba equipment including tanks, weights, wetsuits, and dive gear for tour participants and students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

American Pro Diving Center provides guided manatee swim tours and scuba diving excursions to Florida's natural freshwater springs, full PADI recreational and professional dive certification training (Discover Scuba through Dive Master), and retail sales of branded scuba equipment. It operates as a Five Star PADI facility from a single Crystal River, Florida location with tours departing from private docks.

Product overview

American Pro Diving Center is a PADI Five-Star training facility and retail dive shop in Crystal River, Florida, offering three integrated service lines: (1) Guided eco-tours and diving experiences including manatee swims (Classic, Semi-Private, Private), Scenic River ECO Cruises, Rainbow River snorkeling/diving/night diving, and Florida spring diving trips to Blue Grotto, Devil's Den, Manatee Springs, and Paradise Springs; (2) PADI recreational and professional certification training from Discover Scuba through Dive Master, including specialty courses (Nitrox, Night Diver, Deep Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift Diver, Underwater Navigator, Search & Recovery, Fish ID), Rescue Diver, Mermaid Certification, and Master Scuba Diver pathway; and (3) Retail scuba equipment sales including Shearwater dive computers (Peregrine $575, Teric $1,195), Mares regulators (SXS 62X $478.95, Dual 15X $477.95, Octopus Rover $169.95), Sherwood BCDs (Luna $633) and consoles (Logic $460), and Mares gauge consoles (Mission 1 $179.95). The company also runs youth education programs and international dive travel events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Manatee Tours Interactive swimming experiences with Florida manatees in Crystal River, available in Classic ($65/person), Semi-Private ($89/person, max 6 guests), and Private ($500/group, up to 6 guests) formats with wetsuits, snorkel gear, and certified guides included.
• Scenic River ECO Tour Nature boat cruise through Crystal River's waterways lasting 1.5 hours, guided by conservation-focused captains, priced at $39 per person, suitable for all ages.
• Rainbow River Snorkel or Dive Trip Drift snorkeling or scuba diving experience on Rainbow River featuring 200+ feet visibility, fish, turtles, and fossils, with gear included.
• Rainbow River Night Scuba Trip Night diving experience on Rainbow River with underwater fish and turtle encounters and shark teeth hunting, guided by PADI instructors, ages 12+, 3 hours, capacity 13 divers.
• Florida Spring Diving Trips (Blue Grotto, Devil's Den, Manatee Springs, Paradise Springs) Florida freshwater spring diving tours including Blue Grotto (70ft, air bell at 30ft), Devil's Den (50ft prehistoric cavern), Manatee Springs (60ft cavern, 40ft spring propulsion), and Paradise Springs (105ft amphitheater, Advanced Open Water required).
• Discover Scuba Diving Introductory pool-based scuba experience for ages 10+, no certification required, 4 hours duration, max 4 divers, includes basic skills training and optional open water dive add-on.
• PADI Open Water Dive Class PADI Open Water Diver certification course over 2 days including e-learning materials, pool training, 4 open water dives in Crystal River springs, rental gear, and temporary certification card. Ages 10+, from $525 per person.
• PADI Advanced Open Water Course PADI Advanced Open Water certification with 5 adventure dives including Deep Diver and Underwater Navigation as required specialties, ages 12+, 2 afternoons, max 8 divers.
• PADI Specialty Courses PADI Specialty courses including Nitrox Enriched Air ($200), Night Diver ($399), Deep Diver ($449), Peak Performance Buoyancy ($299), Drift Diver ($349), Underwater Navigator ($399), Search & Recovery, and Project AWARE Fish Identification, with discounts when combined with dive trips.
• PADI Rescue Diver Course PADI Rescue Diver certification ($399) covering self-rescue, stress management, emergency response, and rescue scenarios over 2-3 days. Includes PADI eLearning ($211 value). Prerequisites: Advanced Open Water plus current CPR/First Aid.
• PADI Mermaid Certification PADI Mermaid course combining freediving and synchronized swimming techniques, ages 10+, swim 50m required, includes knowledge development and confined water training.
• Master Scuba Diver Rating Program Highest non-professional PADI certification requiring Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, 5 specialty courses, and 50 logged dives, offered through structured Path to Mastery program.
• PADI Dive Master Course Professional-level PADI Dive Master certification for leadership skills and diving career preparation.
• Kids Education Program Educational programs for children including Manatee Education, Rainbow River Experience (aquifer/spring ecosystems), Scuba Camps (4-day summer program), Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts programs, High School Dive Club, and Coastal Cleanup initiatives. Coordinated by Paul Cross.
• Multi-Day Tour Packages Extended tour packages combining multiple diving experiences over multiple days.
• Dive Travel Events International dive travel experiences to world-class dive destinations organized by American Pro Diving Center.
• Shearwater Peregrine Dive Computer Versatile dive computer with 2.2" full-color LCD display, 4 diving modes (Air, Nitrox, 3 Gas Nitrox, Gauge), Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm, vibration alerts, Bluetooth, rechargeable 30-hour battery, $575.
• Shearwater Teric Dive Computer Watch-style dive computer with 1.39" AMOLED color display, 5 OC/CC gases, Bühlmann ZHL-16C with gradient factors, 3-axis compass, optional air integration, sapphire crystal, rechargeable 30-hour dive battery, wireless charging, depth rated 200m, $1,195.
• Mares Octopus Rover Backup Regulator High-performance backup regulator with VAD vortex airflow, Fluid Dynamic Deflector, Mesh Grid Technology, robust purge button (113,000+ cycles), Technopolymer housing, 1m yellow LP hose, Nitrox up to 40%, $169.95.
• Mares SXS 62X Regulator Compact travel regulator combining 62X balanced diaphragm first stage with ultra-light SXS second stage, 75cm Superflex hose, YOKE/DIN, Nitrox ready, $478.95.
• Mares Dual 15X Regulator Balanced diaphragm first stage with DFC combined with Dual second stage (VAD, 183g ultralight Technopolymer), 80cm Superflex hose, Nitrox up to 40%, total weight 1,085g, $477.95.
• Mares Mission 1 Pressure Gauge Console Single-instrument SPG with 0-360 bar/0-5000 psi dial, color-coded zones, glow-in-dark display, shock-resistant elastomer boot, 360° swivel HP hose, Nitrox compatible to 40%, $179.95.
• Sherwood Scuba Luna BCD Jacket-style women's buoyancy compensation device with CQR-4 integrated weight system, 3D air cell, sizes XS-L, available in Magenta, Tiffany Blue, and Phantom Black, $633.
• Sherwood Scuba Logic Console Computer and SPG Puck-style recreational dive computer with Nitrox support, clear display, intuitive navigation, reliable recreational depth performance, $460.

Quantifiable outcome

• PADI Open Water certification enables independent diving worldwide to 60ft depth
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Pro Diving Center operates as a Five Star PADI certified training facility, offering PADI dive courses and certifications. This is a premier partnership status within the PADI network, indicating the highest training standards.
• RezdycoreTechnology or IntegrationRezdy provides the online booking and reservation platform integrated into American Pro Diving Center's website for managing tour schedules, class registrations, and customer bookings.
• ShearwaterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShearwater dive computers (Peregrine, Teric) are featured products sold through American Pro Diving Center's retail store.
• Sherwood ScubaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSherwood Scuba products including regulators, BCDs, and dive computers are featured brands sold through American Pro Diving Center's retail store.
• MaresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMares scuba equipment including regulators, octopus, gauges, and consoles are featured brands sold through American Pro Diving Center's retail store.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): Parent certification body for American Pro Diving Center; not a peer but the standards-setting, marketing, and discovery platform on which the company's training business depends.
• Shearwater Research: Manufacturer of dive computers (Peregrine, Teric) sold through the company's retail channel — upstream supplier whose brand, pricing, and DTC strategy directly shape the retail margin.

Broad incumbents

• SSI (Scuba Schools International): Global scuba training and certification organization with a comparable recreational/professional certification ladder — competing broad incumbent for dive instructor affiliations.
• NAUI Worldwide: Global scuba certification body competing with PADI for dive training affiliation — relevant incumbent whose membership and standards directly compete for the same dive instructor network.

Direct peers

• Fun 2 Dive Scuba: Florida scuba diving and instruction provider offering PADI courses, dive trips, and gear — direct peer in the Florida recreational dive training and tour market.
• Plantation Dive Shop: Long-established Florida PADI Five Star IDC center offering scuba certification, dive travel, and retail — comparable as a multi-decade, multi-service Florida dive operator.
• River Ventures: Manatee tour and kayak operator based in Crystal River offering guided swim-with-manatee experiences and Florida spring tours, directly competing for the same Florida ecotourism customer.
• Birds Underwater Dive Center: Florida Keys-based PADI Five Star dive center offering scuba certification, dive trips, and equipment retail — a closely comparable multi-revenue dive shop model in a different Florida geography.
• Crystal River Dive Center: Crystal River-based PADI dive center offering manatee tours, scuba certification, and spring diving — directly competing with American Pro Diving Center in the same geography and service mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/manateeswim
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3net7FwbeV3bZnxB2bCLnA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanProDiving
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanprodivingcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-pro-diving-center-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 American Pro Diving Center