Exploring the ocean deep was once a privilege limited to Russian scientists and cosmonauts, except for occasional enthusiasts with the courage to build their own equipment. Today, though, scuba diving is becoming a leisure sport in Russia, with certification programs, sophisticated equipment and techniques that make it accessible to just about anybody.
Recreational diving courses and certification programs began in the West in the early 1960s and were generally a grueling experience - a far cry from today's relatively risk-free activity. The two most recognized certification programs are run by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), though the first offers the most widespread programs in Russia.
Divers owe their hobby to underwater pioneer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who invented the Aqua-Lung in 1943 with the help of his partner Emile Gagnan. His lightweight invention made it easy and convenient for the average Joe to explore the ocean blue. Of course, it took years after he came up with his invention for the pastime of recreational diving to take hold.
Today, beginners usually shoot for a basic open-water certification program that qualifies you to dive as deep as 10 meters, an easy distance to safely surface from. Though it doesn't sound extraordinarily deep, even two or three meters is a heart-pounding depth to linger at in the open sea, especially when visibility is limited. Central Russia's climate isn't conducive to diving, with a short season that runs only from June to September. Beyond that, lakes become far too cold for all but the bravest adventurers, of course. The winter months are a good time for experts to practice dry suit diving skills.

Where To Take Scuba Lessons in Moscow:

Aquanaft
One of the largest diving centers in Moscow and centrally located at Prospekt Mira metro. They offer classes in the Olympisky swimming pool, though it doesn't get any deeper than six meters. For a bit more adventure, the club organizes occasional weekend trips to Pirogovo reservoir, near Moscow, with a depth of 11 meters and an area of 2.5 km to explore. They also offer trips to Bezdonnoye Lake, 270 km outside of Moscow in the Kaluga region. Although visibility is low, it's one of the more interesting places to dive, since the creation of the reservoir flooded an entire village. Divers can take a peek at sunken churches and houses.

Klub Kusto
Offers a full range of classes including the full-spectrum of PADI, NAUI and CMAS (a French certification) classes. Students can become qualified as open-water divers all the way up to rescue divers, regarded as the highest level of certification before becoming a diving instructor. The group takes trips outside of Moscow and abroad. Their next trip is from July 19-31 and is a pretty frosty one, even for summer, to the White and Barents Sea. A trip to the White Sea alone will cost $250; for just the Barents, it's $400; and for both, the cost is $650.

Extreme Club
This club offers scuba certification courses in addition to extreme driving, shooting and even swimming lessons. They only offer NAUI courses, but with a full range of instruction - from introductory diving to instructor. You can also take part in monthly trips to the Red Sea; prices vary, but this month it will be $850. They also sponsor regular trips to Malaysia and other exotic destinations. If you're feeling cheap, or just less adventurous, you can swim with the dolphins at the Moscow Dolphin Aquarium on Saturdays and Sundays for $50, including the cost of renting equipment and a photo.

Star Dive Center
A club headed by Alexander Shurubkin, a former cosmonaut, meaning that you can train not only for your PADI or NAUI certificate, but you can be certified under any of the old Soviet systems as well. Lessons are among the cheapest in town too, with beginner open-water diving courses starting at $100, including four lessons in a pool, or at Beloye Lake in the summertime.

Crocodile
Named after the club founder's Turkish diving instructor, Crocodile first opened its doors in 1995. In a local news story, founder Sergei Artyomenko claimed that realized that he was in the wrong business after his first scuba experience and immediately set about opening up a school. Beginner PADI open-water diving courses cost $200 and include six lessons. They usually offer lessons for individuals or small groups. Instruction includes a trip to a local reservoir to complete certification. They take weekly trips out to lakes surrounding Moscow and try to take a trip to an ocean once a month.

Locations

Aquanaft
16 Olympisky Pr.
Metro: Prospekt Mira
Tel: 288-5645

Klub Kusto
3 1st Miusskaya Ul.
Metro: Novoslobodskaya or Mendeleyevskaya
Tel: 973-5669/70

Extreme Club
4/2 Gospitalnaya Nab., Office 317
Metro: Elektrozavodskaya
Tel: 263-2048

Star Dive Center
7 Ulitsa Krasina
Metro: Mayakovskaya
Tel: 999-5418/526-2617

Crocodile
2 Olimpyiskaya Derevnya, Michurinsky Prospekt
Metro: Yugo-Zapadnaya
Tel: 437-4765

Torpedo Stadium
4 Vostochnaya Ul.
Metro: Avtozavodskaya
Tel: 275-1686

Luzhniki Stadium
24 Luzhnetskaya Nab.
Metro: Sportivnaya
Tel: 201-1164

Dynamo Stadium
36 Leningradsky Prospekt
Metro: Dynamo
Tel: 213-7781

Olympiisky Sports Complex
16 Olympiisky Prospekt
Metro: Prospekt Mira
Tel: 239-1994