We are primarily a Scuba Schools International (SSI) instructional Dive Center and Dive Boat affiliate. Additionally we offer Open Water Diver Scuba training from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Our instructors have thousands of dives and a desire to provide the most comprehensive and enjoyable experience possible. SSI embraces this same philosophy across the entirety of its dive education catalog and professional education standards. Frankly speaking, the SSI methods and techniques are unmatched in a “student first” and “comfort through repetition” philosophy. The SSI state of the art Digital Learning platform, exemplary training standards and the best in-class instructor training programs are the finest in the industry. A prospective student or scuba enthusiast cannot find a better training agency than an SSI affiliate to take a scuba diving course.
Compass Dive and Sail is located in Northern Virginia and utilizes a virtual brick and mortar operation for our primary offices. This model is set up to provide you the best value for your dollar, whether you decide to take a class, trip or charter with us. We do not sell/service equipment or fill tanks like a typical scuba dive center; instead, we partner with the most reputable businesses to offer gear to our customers. We utilize a local business center and pool for our in-person classroom instruction and confined water activities, and our location for open water dives is Lake Phoenix Scuba Park located in Southern Virginia.
We travel the world diving. Our sailing charters depart from the Northern Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico and St. Thomas; we also charter along the Eastern US coast. Our love for exploring the oceans and off the beaten path destinations is unmatched. It would be our pleasure to share our experiences both above and below the waterline with you. Whether we are diving a pristine reef in Bonaire, sailing the waters of the Spanish Virgin Islands or training you in a local quarry or pool, we are always by your side. We offer courses in introductory scuba certification, advanced certification, and many diving specialties. Additionally we offer SSI Professional certifications for Divemaster and Assistant Instructor. Our scuba instructors are also Divers Alert Network (DAN) Instructors. We offer safety, first aid and CPR/AED training for divers, USCG captains, individuals and corporations, both big and small. As a DAN business partner we have access to all of the latest educational information related to diving research and medicine for both on land and at sea. DAN’s Safety courses are USCG approved and meet all ILCOR standards.







ECO-FRIENDLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE
As sea going stewards we are partners with two of the finest non-profit organizations in the world dedicated to educating and promoting a more eco-friendly approach to everything we do on the planet, Blue Oceans and Project AWARE. Through these organizations we provide education and environmental training that really demonstrates how easy it is to be a better steward of the earth and her resources. As scuba divers, instructors and sailors we must take responsibility for the waters we explore. Protect them and educate people when and where possible. Our Blue Oceans and Project AWARE instructors educate divers and non-divers in the ecology of the oceans, reef systems, animal and plant life and how we all can be proactive and protect this fragile yet ultra-important ecosystem we explore. We would relish the opportunity to educate or reinforce your understanding of these areas as we protect our one of a kind ocean planet, one dive or charter at a time.
We practice what we preach when it comes to being eco-friendly. Therefore Compass Dive and Sail does everything we can to ensure a minimal carbon footprint by sailing, leaving bubbles and taking only pictures when we dive and ensuring that any effluent or grey water from Serenity is bay, sea, ocean, fish and reef friendly. To that extent we have affiliated with STREAM2SEA to provide our charter guests with the most eco-friendly and reef safe products onboard our boat. Our guest cabins are furnished with reef safe skin, hair care and sunscreen products. STREAM2SEA products are packed in an eco-friendly manner as well. All of their product containers either use recycled milk jugs or sugarcane resins and all bags are made with biodegradable PLA film.
DIVE INTO AN ACTIVE LIFE
SAIL TO NEW HORIZONS
EXPLORE WITHOUT LIMITS
MEET OUR TEAM

FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
BENEFITS OF SELECTING COMPASS DIVE AND SAIL
CONVENIENT SCHEDULING
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
SMALL CLASS AND CHARTER SIZE
FAMILY FRIENDLY
UP FRONT DISCLOSED PRICING
NO NICKEL AND DIMING