PERSONAL
Four divers max, usually fewer. Your pace, your schedule, and one-on-one attention from your first breath underwater to your final certification dive. No sales floor, no pressure, ever.
BLUE MONKEY DIVERS
VETERAN-OWNED · INDEPENDENT · PADI® MASTER SCUBA DIVER TRAINER
EXPLORE THE OTHER 70%
Train with Coach McCain, a veteran-owned, independent PADI® Master Scuba Diver Trainer in Braselton, Georgia. Classes of four or fewer, everything included, for about a third of what the big shops charge.
- 1 TO 4DIVERS PER CLASS
- 5.0 ★EVERY REVIEW, FIVE STARS
- ≈ 1/3OF BIG-SHOP PRICES
- AGES 8+FAMILIES WELCOME
DEPTH 010 FT · WHY BLUE MONKEY
NOT A DIVE SHOP.
A DIVE MENTOR.
Train with the person who signs your card.
PROFESSIONAL
Coach McCain is a 26-year U.S. Army veteran, a PADI® Master Scuba Diver Trainer, an Emergency First Response Instructor, and a full-time coach. You learn from the person who signs your certification, not a rotating cast of part-time shop staff.
AFFORDABLE
No storefront means no overhead. Gear, eLearning, and every dive are included in one honest price, roughly one third of what Georgia's big-box dive shops charge. No hidden fees, period.
"Lifetime memories, not just a plastic card."
DEPTH 020 FT · YOUR INSTRUCTOR
MEET COACH
McCAIN
Dive Beyond the Norm.
My name is Coach Vegas McCain, and I have dedicated my life to serving others. First as a 26-year U.S. Army veteran, then as a 20-year high school teacher and championship soccer coach, and now as a professional scuba instructor helping people discover the underwater world safely and confidently.
I have been diving since 1986, and over the years I earned the credentials to become a PADI® Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Emergency First Response Instructor. I have personally trained more than 100 divers, from complete beginners taking their first breath underwater to experienced divers expanding their skills through advanced certifications.
Blue Monkey Divers was founded on a simple belief: your scuba training should never feel like you are just another number. Unlike traditional dive shops that train large groups at once, I specialize in private and small-group instruction. Every student gets personalized coaching, moves at their own pace, and builds real confidence in the water. My goal is not simply to help you pass a course. It is to help you become the kind of diver who feels comfortable, competent and excited every time you enter the water.
Safety is at the heart of everything I do. My military background instilled discipline, preparation and attention to detail, and those qualities carry into every class I teach. My years in the classroom and on the soccer field taught me how to communicate clearly, motivate different learning styles, and help people perform with confidence when it matters most.
Scuba diving is more than a certification card. It is a passport to adventure, a way to connect with nature, and a chance to create unforgettable memories with family and friends. Whether you are earning your first certification, continuing your education, refreshing your skills or training in Emergency First Response, you will receive the highest level of personal attention from someone who genuinely cares about your success.
Thank you for considering Blue Monkey Divers. I look forward to helping you discover a world that most people will never experience.
TRAIN WITH COACH McCAIN→- 26 YRSU.S. ARMY VETERAN
- 1986DIVING SINCE
- 100+DIVERS TRAINED
- MSDTAND EFR INSTRUCTOR
DEPTH 030 FT · TRAINING
THE CERTIFICATION
PATH
Every course is all-inclusive: gear, eLearning, and every dive.
DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING
No experience? No problem. One guided pool session, all gear provided, zero commitment. And if you catch the bug, 50 dollars of it comes back as credit toward your full certification. You will catch the bug.
$125PER DIVER
→
OPEN WATER DIVER
The certification that opens the other 70 percent of the planet. PADI® eLearning, confined-water training, and four open-water dives with every piece of gear included. Valid worldwide, for life.
Prefer Florida springs? Devil's Den $1,200 · Blue Grotto $1,250
$1,000ALL-INCLUSIVE
→
ADVANCED OPEN WATER
Five adventure dives, precision navigation, and depths to 100 feet. Choose three specialty dives: wreck, night, buoyancy, drift, search and recovery, and more. Every adventure dive counts toward the full specialty later.
$650ALL-INCLUSIVE
→
RESCUE DIVER
The most rewarding and fun course you'll ever take. Learn to read diver stress, manage emergencies in the water, and become the diver other divers rely on.
$795 with Emergency First Response included: CPR, AED, primary and secondary care
$595ALL-INCLUSIVE
→
GO DEEPER · PADI® SPECIALTIES
Open Water Diver is the only prerequisite. Nothing else stands between you and any specialty on this list.
| SPECIALTY | DIVES | COURSE | ELEARNING | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enriched Air Nitrox | No dives, classroom | $250 | included | $250 |
| Peak Performance Buoyancy | 2 | $400 | + $180 | $580 |
| Underwater Navigator | 3 | $400 | + $180 | $580 |
| Night Diver | 3 | $400 | + $180 | $580 |
| Wreck Diver | 4 | $400 | + $180 | $580 |
| Deep Diver · 60 to 130 ft | 4 | $400 | + $180 | $580 |
| Search & Recovery | 4 | $400 | + $180 | $580 |
| Boat Diver | 2 | BY QUOTE | ||
SUPPORT & REFRESHERS
| Emergency First Response, CPR & first aid | Required for Rescue | Braselton, GA | $225 |
| Emergency Oxygen Provider | Pairs with Rescue | Braselton, GA | $150 |
| Scuba Refresher, pool | Been dry 6 months or 6 years | Braselton, GA | $100 |
| Scuba Refresher, Blue Water Park | Plus park fees | Pelham, AL | $100 |
Most training happens at Blue Water Park in Pelham, Alabama, with pool work closer to home and trips further afield when a course calls for it. Group discounts for three or more divers. Specialty dives completed during your Advanced course can be prorated toward the full specialty.
DEPTH 060 FT · DIVE SITES
WHERE WE DIVE
Springs, caverns, quarries and reefs across three states.
DEVIL'S DEN WILLISTON, FL
A prehistoric spring inside a dry cave, 72 degrees year round. One of the most unique dive sites in North America.
BLUE GROTTO WILLISTON, FL
Florida's favorite freshwater dive. Training platforms, upper caverns, and a resident softshell turtle named Virgil.
BLUE WATER PARK PELHAM, AL
Crystal-clear freshwater with depths to 140 feet. A premier inland site for training and fun dives alike.
RAINBOW SPRINGS DUNNELLON, FL
A stunning first-magnitude spring known for its clarity and relaxing drift dives.
KEY LARGO FLORIDA KEYS
Reef and wreck trips for Advanced, Rescue, and specialty courses in the dive capital of the continental United States.
Local training happens at Lake Lanier, Kraken Springs, and pools near you. We come to you across metro Atlanta and northeast Georgia.
DEPTH 080 FT · THE COMPARISON
SEE THE BLUE
MONKEY DIFFERENCE
Not all dive shops are created equal.
| BLUE MONKEY DIVERS | TYPICAL DIVE SHOPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | Custom to your availability | Fixed schedules, group only |
| Instruction | 1-on-1 or small group, 4 max | Larger classes, less attention |
| Consultations | Always free, always included | Often unavailable or rushed |
| Availability | Seven days a week, by appointment | Business hours only |
| Payment | Venmo, debit, credit, cash | Limited or outdated options |
| Training locations | Georgia, Alabama and Florida sites | Often restricted to one location |
| Beginners | Absolutely, no experience needed | Some require pre-certification |
| Continuing education | Advanced + 8 specialty courses | Limited course offerings |
| The vibe | Patient, relatable, experienced | Varies greatly by shop |
DEPTH 100 FT · THE LOGBOOK
FROM THE
LOGBOOK
Eleven reviews. Eleven five-stars. One instructor.
"He is simply the best instructor you will find."
GREG HILL · CERTIFIED AT 68 · BLUE WATER PARK
"I got open water certified a few days ago under the instruction of Vegas McCain from Blue Monkey Divers; located in Braselton, Georgia. He and I drove to a wonderful spring called Blue Water Park in Pelham, Alabama; only a little over 2 hours from Atlanta area. This is one of the most awesome experiences I've ever had!!! Vegas was so patient with me (I'm 68 years old), and he took his time to explain, in great detail, actions needed to complete certification. We practiced each skill on top of the water and at different water depth levels. If any issues, we would simply ascend and discuss each skill. After I completed my certification training, we both took a "fun" dive and explored the underwater spring. We saw many "friendly" harmless fish and saw an old jet aircraft and a few sunken boats. I reviewed many PADI diver certification sites on google, but Vegas was my choice. He is simply the best instructor you will find, if you want an extremely safe method of instruction and just the nicest guy (I believe he is a master diver) you will meet. Have fun diving!"
"I had an incredible experience learning how to scuba dive with Vegas. I was initially worried that I would not be able to complete the dive certification prior to my vacation. However, Vegas was responsive, flexible, and able to get me certified within weeks. Not only did he certify me, but he gave me confidence and made me feel safe in the water. I loved having the individual class experience, rather than being in a large group. I would recommend Blue Monkey to ANYONE looking to become a certified diver!"
"Best instructor EVER! Extremely patient and never in a hurry to teach. With our BIG family of 8 divers and ages ranging from 16 to 66, taking over mid-stream from another dive company, KUDOS to Vegas in every aspect from coordinating and working with us all to get us all certified. 10 stars."
"Definitely one of the most amazing experiences I've EVER had! Vegas is an awesome instructor! He took the extra time I needed to get more comfortable with a couple of skills that I struggled with. He was great at building my confidence as I went through each skill. He was very professional and safety was the number one thing for him. He gave me comprehensive guidance above and underwater. The location was great with training pools onsite and the dive sites were clear. He provided me with the gear I needed for each dive. He was available any time I needed him during my online courses. He was prompt in getting my license to me after I did my final dive. Most of all...he was a lot of fun! We even played rock, paper, scissors at the bottom of Blue Grotto. He really made my whole experience something I'll never forget!! Thanks Vegas!!"
"...Vegas took over and gave him 1 on 1 instruction and helped rebuild his confidence to get him certified! Now he can dive with my husband and me!"
"Phenomenal experience! Arranging lessons required coordination between a household in Georgia and a household in Texas. Vegas worked with our schedules and made the lessons for my daughter smooth and fun. They were very flexible on the final checkout dive location and recommended some beautiful dive sites. Very glad we found such a professional operation! Well done."
"Vegas was an amazing instructor! His patience, fortitude, expertise, and flexibility made us feel safe and capable while enjoying every moment of learning. Vegas made getting scuba certified fun and streamlined. He tailored the dives to our needs, knowledge and experience to ensure we were successful. He's just a cool guy to hang with too! Thank you Vegas for introducing us to life under the water!"
"Vegas is an exceptional instructor. It was an honor to learn from him. He instructed my wife, my daughter and myself and I must admit he has the patience of Job. Can recommend him enough!!"
"Excellent and Experienced training. Vegas went through each section with us and explained everything very clearly. Areas that we were not comfortable with Vegas went over with us until we were comfortable with each task to make sure we will be safe, aware and comfortable with diving."
"McCain is an amazing instructor. Very patient and thorough. He made the whole experience enjoyable. I highly recommend Blue Monkey Divers for anyone wanting to certify."
"McCain was a great instructor for diving. He spent the time to make sure you understood the activity you were doing and made sure you did it correctly."
SIGN THE LOGBOOK
Trained with Vegas? Leave a review. It takes a minute, and it is how the next diver finds their way here.
DEPTH 115 FT · QUESTIONS
BEFORE YOU ASK
Do I need to know how to swim?
Basic swimming ability and comfort in the water are important. You don't need to be a competitive swimmer, you just need to swim a short distance and float comfortably.
What is Discover Scuba Diving?
An introductory experience that lets you try scuba without committing to a full certification course. It's the best way to find out if diving is right for you.
What's included in the Open Water course?
Knowledge development through PADI eLearning, confined-water pool sessions, and four open-water dives. Everything you need to dive safely and confidently, gear included.
How long does certification take?
Most students finish in 2 to 4 days depending on availability and learning pace. We schedule around you.
How do I pay?
Venmo, debit cards, and credit cards. Payment plans may be available, just ask during your free consultation.
What days are you available?
Seven days a week with flexible, around-the-clock scheduling. We work with you to find times that fit.
Where do the dives take place?
Trusted sites throughout Georgia including Lake Lanier and Kraken Springs, with excursions to Florida's springs and Key Largo. Sites are matched to your level and course requirements.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. We'll talk through your goals, answer every question, and help you pick the right path. No pressure, just helpful guidance.
SAFETY STOP · 3:00 AT 15 FT
Every good dive ends with a pause. Take one, then let's talk. Consultations are always free and the pressure is zero.
CALL (678) 939-8310→DEPTH 130 FT · RECREATIONAL LIMIT
PLAN YOUR DIVE
130 feet is the recreational limit. Your training starts at zero.
(678)
939-8310
939-8310
- BASE
- Braselton, GA 30517
- HOURS
- Seven days a week, by appointment
- PAYMENT
- Venmo, debit, credit, cash