How to Open a Scuba Business

A SCUBA business can allow you to translate your love for diving into a lucrative career. However, opening a SCUBA business can be challenging, especially for the first-time business owner. Fortunately, with a little planning and a lot of hard work, you can open a successful SCUBA business.

Things You'll Need

  • Business license
  • Boat
  • Office
  • Diving supplies
  • Inventory
  • Suppliers
  • Insurance
  • Staff
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine what type of SCUBA business you want to open. Your SCUBA business can offer SCUBA tours, SCUBA lessons or it can just sell SCUBA equipment. The focus of your business will determine what steps you need to take to open it.

    • 2

      Line up suppliers for the merchandise you plan to sell at your SCUBA business. You have a couple of options when it comes to selecting suppliers. You can sell one brand exclusively or you can sell multiple brands. It is a good idea to sell brands that you believe in or that you have experience with. This will make it easier for you to recommend these products to your customers.

    • 3

      Acquire SCUBA gear for your business. This gear will need to be bought in various sizes, and you will need multiple sets of gear in each size. This gear will be lent out to your students and to people taking your SCUBA tours. Also make sure you buy the supplies needed to clean this gear and keep it sanitary for your customers.

    • 4

      Buy a boat for your SCUBA business. If you plan on offering SCUBA tours or lessons in natural bodies of water you will need a boat, a trailer and a vehicle capable of towing your boat and trailer. These purchases are going to be expensive. However, if you already have these items you are ahead of the game. To make sure your students know what boat to get on, you need to have your company logo painted on the boat or added to a specially designed canvas roof for your boat.

    • 5

      Get all the licenses, certifications and insurance products that you need for your SCUBA business. You will need a business license, liability insurance, a vendor’s license and diver’s training certification. You will also need personal property insurance for your boat, commercial auto insurance for your truck and trailer and commercial real estate insurance to cover your shop or office. If you plan on hiring employees, then you will also need to acquire unemployment insurance and workers compensation insurance.

    • 6

      Hire and train your staff. You will need a variety of employees including office/sales team members, SCUBA instructors, a boat operator and a marketing professional.

    • 7

      Plan for the grand opening of your business. This will include staffing the event, sending out press releases, planning special activities and stocking your store with merchandise. It is usually a good idea to plan your grand opening celebration for a hot tourist day like Memorial Day or the 4th of July.