Opening a dive shop sounds like a dream — sun, saltwater, and gear-packed walls. But before you take the plunge, there’s one big question to answer: How much does it cost to start a dive shop?
Whether starting from scratch or buying an existing dive business, knowing your numbers upfront can help you break even faster. Most businesses turn a profit in two to three years, depending on location, tourism demand, and initial investment.
This blog breaks down the major costs, from gear and staffing to rent and insurance, to help set you up for success from the outset.
So, how much does it cost to start a dive shop? The cost typically ranges between $111,884 and $355,584 — the exact number is based on your location, business model, and what services and equipment you plan to offer.
Here’s a quick breakdown of where that money goes:
Equipment and gear: $27,500–$150,000
Retail space and setup: $36,800–$142,000
Licensing, insurance, and certifications: $10,550–$14,550
Staff and training (three months for three staff members): $33,534
Marketing and promotions: $3,500–$15,500
Your startup costs will vary depending on what you already have in place — like certified staff, retail space, or gear — and whether you’re starting small or launching a larger operation.
Outfitting your dive shop with gear will likely be your biggest upfront cost. Expect equipment costs to rise as you add more services, like rentals, retail, and air tank refills with a compressor.
Some of the costs associated with equipment and gear include:
Stock retail inventory: Invest in retail gear, including a wide range of styles, sizes, and prices. You’ll need tanks, regulators, wetsuits, buoyancy control devices (BCDs), and basic snorkel sets. The brands, quality, and quantity of your inventory will determine the exact costs, but you could spend between $12,000 and $55,000.
Buy rental gear: Plan to spend $10,000 to $50,000 on rental sets for tours, classes, and guided dives. Each set includes a BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins. The overall cost for rental gear will vary based on how many divers you expect to outfit at once.
Invest in additional equipment: Consider adding an air compressor for tank refills. This can cost between $5,000 and $43,000.
Expect to spend between $27,000 and $150,000 to fully gear up your dive shop.
New dive shop owners often overspend on high-end gear before they know what their customers actually want. Instead, start with reliable, mid-range equipment and scale up as demand grows.
Renting and setting up your dive shop usually costs between $36,800 and $142,000. Your location, space, and how upscale you want the shop to look are the most influential cost factors. Most new shops aim for practical layouts in moderate-traffic areas to balance visibility and cost.
Expect to budget for the following:
Budget for lease costs: Estimate your retail lease rates, which vary by area. Suburban spaces typically cost $24,000–$60,000 annually, tourist-facing spots run $48,000–$120,000, and shopping centers average around $40,020. These prices are based on a 1,200-square-foot store. Also, plan for deposits, which often add one to three months of rent upfront.
Outfit your shop with fixtures: Set up your store with basic displays. This will usually cost about $12,000. Many shops save money using modular shelving, vendor-supplied displays, or repurposed furniture instead of custom builds.
Add storefront signage: Install professional signage to increase your store’s visibility. Signs can range from $800 to over $10,000, with size, lighting, and installation impacting the final cost. Simple, professional signage is often enough to make a strong first impression without overspending.
Location affects more than just rent. Shops in seasonal resort towns may need to budget for off-season downtime or invest in marketing to attract year-round traffic. Building relationships with local tourism boards or hotels can boost visibility and bookings.
To open a dive shop legally and safely, you need to factor in professional certifications, business licenses, and liability insurance. Exact costs vary by state and business structure.
Before opening your doors, check off the essential legal and safety requirements to help you maintain a compliant and trustworthy dive shop:
Train your staff: Have all staff undergo dive instructor training, which typically costs around $3,500 per instructor through agencies like PADI or NAUI.
Receive your business license: Secure a standard business license for $50 to $550, depending on the state or municipality.
Insure instructors and purchase liability insurance: Expect to pay between $1,000 and $4,000 per year per instructor. Business insurance should total around $6,000 annually for a small to mid-sized dive shop.
Earn other required licenses: Apply for any other necessary license or permits for operating boats or running classes in protected waters, like a Captain’s License, commercial vessel registration, or a Passenger Vessel License.
Because permit rules vary by state, it’s best to check with local and coastal authorities during the planning phase. Shop around for quotes early, so you’re not caught off guard by hidden fees or policy exclusions.
Establishing a small business in the diving industry requires careful planning for staffing and training expenses. You need qualified scuba divers to handle dive operations and knowledgeable retail staff to sell diving gear.
If you start your shop with one certified dive instructor and two retail associates to manage both service and sales, your costs may look like:
That works out to roughly $9,745 monthly in payroll for a lean team of three.
Training costs vary according to your services and how experienced your team is from the start. One source estimates that small businesses spend an average of $1,433 per employee per year on training — but if you can handle most of this in house, you can cut costs without sacrificing quality.
Many business owners forget to factor in marketing when determining how much it costs to start a dive shop. From launch promos to paid ads, every dive shop needs a marketing budget — especially if you’re in a competitive or seasonal location.
Set aside at least $1,000 to build a professional-looking website, with higher costs for custom design. Most small businesses also budget $2,500 to $12,000 monthly for online ads across platforms like Google, Instagram, and Facebook.
Instead of paying for a separate booking platform, choose a point of sale (POS) system that includes built-in booking and marketing tools. It saves money, helps you promote classes and tours, and keeps your schedule in one place.
Launching a dive shop — whether a PADI dive center, resort, or a local dive school selling scuba courses — takes a business plan, budget, and tools. From retail inventory and rentals to certifications and scuba diving excursions, running a dive shop is like operating multiple businesses in one.
Dive Shop 360 is a specialty POS system for dive shops — it tracks inventory and rentals, handles multiple sales channels, and even preloads your inventory with vendor catalogs. Plus, you can manage course bookings and run loyalty programs without juggling separate tools or spreadsheets.
Now that you understand how much it costs to start a dive shop, you need to make sure you have the tools and resources in place to make it succeed. Schedule a demo to see how Dive Shop 360 can support every part of your operation and help control your costs.