I am just going to be upfront about this. Scuba diving does not come cheap. In fact it is quite an expensive adventure sport. You have to prepare yourself to invest scuba so before even starting you have to be sure that you are willing to make the commitment. However the experiences that scuba will give you are priceless. You will keep on remembering most dives till the rest of your life. I will give you an average figure so that you will have an idea how much this sport is going to cost you.

You have to understand that the cost of scuba diving, are segmented into three parts. These are Scuba Diving lessons and Scuba Diving Certification Costs, Scuba Diving Equipment and the actual Dives.

To begin with, scuba diving lessons and an accredited scuba diving certification is required before exploring the underwater environment. Expect to pay around $300-$500 for the course leading up to the scuba diving certification.

The bulk of your cost of scuba diving will however be spent on your scuba diving equipment. Be prepared to pay around $1,400 to $2,000. However if you expect to dive only few times a year, then maybe renting is the wiser choice for you to go. On the other hand if you plan to dive regularly, buying is the only option. Why? Because first of all renting is expensive. Costs vary from about $30 to $60 for a two tank dive. Besides using equipment that is not yours somehow does not feel right. If you want to be comfortable with the equipment, which in my opinion leads to successful dives, then buy your own equipment. A tip... Do not skimp on your scuba diving equipment...remember your life lays in the hands of the equipment you will be using when you scuba, so go for reputable scuba diving equipment manufactures.

Another great tip is to talk to your scuba instructor... he will, more than anyone, know about the best products to look for.

So, now let us discuss the cost of scuba diving in terms of each and every piece of scuba diving equipment:

The main piece of your scuba diving equipment is the air regulator. This is designed to reduce the compressed air within the scuba tank to a level which allows you to breath. The main key to this piece of equipment is reliability. Therefore go for the best regulators out there. Don't skimp on this one, the last thing you want when diving is a regulator failing on you. A cost for a good regulator including the air hoses is around $400 to $600.

The next piece of equipment which is mandatory in scuba is the buoyancy compensator device commonly known as a BCD. This equipment is essential to regulate your buoyancy whilst underwater. Expect to pay around $500 for a good one.

Another equipment is the scuba tank. These range in about $200 to $300 however, the cost in renting the tank is about the same as having your own tanks filled which is approximately $6 to $8. So in this case it might be wise to just rent them out.

The next part of your scuba diving equipment are your mask, snorkel and fins. The costs for a good mask ranges about $50 to $70, a snorkel about $30, whilst good pair of fins range from $60 to $100.

A Dive computer and a depth gauge are both vital pieces of equipment, if you plan to dive regularly. Dive computers are necessary for monitoring depth and time limits when diving. These cost in the region of $200 to $600 for both pieces of equipment.

Besides to the items listed above, there are several other pieces of scuba diving equipment you will need for safety and comfort. A wetsuit will be required if you are to dive on moderate to cold waters. These range from $100 to $400. Gloves, boots and hoods may set you back an additional about $20 to $50 each. If you have opted for the wetsuit then you have to also consider getting yourself a weight belt. These are not so expensive and will cost around $20 to $50.

If you think that this cost of scuba diving is over your budget, you can always buy the scuba diving equipment one piece at time. If this is the better option for you, then I suggest you start of with purchasing the regulator, then the BCD. In this time you can still rent the rest of the equipment however it will be much cheaper now that you own some of your scuba gear.

However remember that if you were to buy your scuba diving equipment in bulk you can get some great deals through discounts so maybe the overall costs may be reduced. Hope that this information has helped you.