Portsmouth Scuba - Home of Diver's Den

Located at 915 Sagamore Ave in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Portsmouth Scuba carries a deep-rooted history in the diving community. As the home of Diver's Den, it holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating PADI dive shop in the world, having been established in 1968.

The centre serves as a central hub for divers across New England, offering everything from local shore and boat dives to fully organised international adventures. Whether you are looking to take your first breaths underwater or are a seasoned professional, the shop provides the expertise and infrastructure required for both local coastal exploration and global travel.

As a PADI 5 Star centre, the team is comprised of highly qualified professionals, including PADI Master Instructors and Divemasters. This level of expertise ensures that training is handled with a high degree of technical proficiency and safety.

Beyond instruction, the centre maintains a dedicated team of service and repair technicians to look after equipment. This professional approach extends to their community-focused atmosphere, supported by the Diver's Den Dive Club, which helps foster long-term relationships between divers.

The training programme is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. New divers can begin with the Discover Scuba Diving programme before progressing through the Open Water Diver course. Advanced training includes the Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, and Wreck Diver courses.

For those looking to move into professional ranks, the centre offers the Divemaster Course. Specialised training is also available, such as the Enriched Air (Nitrox) course, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and the Cold Water Diver programme. Environmental education is integrated through Project AWARE and Coral Reef Conservation courses.

The shop is fully equipped for both training and recreational diving. For those needing to rent kit, a complete range is available, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, fins, masks, and snorkels. They also provide specialised items such as drysuits, gloves, hoods, and boots.

For local excursions to the Isles of Shoals, cylinder and weight rentals are available. The centre also provides on-site equipment servicing and maintenance through their technical staff.

The local waters are rich with crustaceans, including Maine lobster, blue crabs, and various species of crabs. You will frequently encounter various fish such as sea bass, pollack, and flounder among the kelp forests and rocky structures.

In the shallower areas and seagrass beds, look for hermit crabs and various small invertebrates. The rocky reefs and walls are often home to anemones and sea stars, providing a textured backdrop for the local marine life.

Macro life is a significant draw for many divers, particularly during the winter months when the area is known for its abundance of nudibranchs. In the spring, you may also encounter lompes moving through the water.

On the more exposed sites and during boat trips, you may observe larger species such as grey seals and harbour seals. The kelp-rich environments also support a variety of species including scorpionfish and various species of crab.

Diving in this region requires an understanding of local tidal and weather patterns. Currents can be very strong in the Piscataqua River and at specific sites like Mingo Rock, where diving is often best timed with the slack tide.

Swell and wind can significantly impact conditions, particularly at exposed sites. Many shore entries, such as those at Nubble Lighthouse or Fort Stark, are much easier and safer to conduct at high tide to avoid difficult or slippery rocky entries.