The upcoming Scuba Shows in Long Beach, California and Atlantic City, New Jersey will have a plethora of activities for the whole family, regardless of whether all are divers.
Under 16s get in free at both shows, and every ticket covers the Try Dive Pool, the ROV challenge, the shark cage photo and a VR dive to a warship that sank in 1564.
The exhibit hall floor will feature a heated 15,000-gallon/56,781-liter tank; gear and instruction will be provided, just bring a swimsuit and a towel.
All sessions will be supervised by certified professionals, and all gear is provided. Discover Scuba sessions will run across both days and are open to anyone aged 10 and over. If you’re already a diver who’s never tried sidemount or a CCR, there are sessions for those, too.
The shark cage photo will be another crowd-pleaser: You don’t need a certification, a wetsuit or any idea what you’re doing. Just step inside the cage and strike a pose. The photo makes a good souvenir, and it’s one of the more reliably entertaining five minutes at the show, particularly for anyone who’s spent the day arguing that this is “just a dive expo.”
Attendees will also be able to virtually explore the Mars shipwreck, a 460-year-old warship and Swedish navy flagship that was lost in 1564 and rediscovered in 2011.
For the divers in your group, it’s a famous wreck most won’t get to visit in person. For the non-divers, it’s a genuine sense of what’s down there, without needing a certification, a pool, or a plane ticket to Sweden.
ROV Dive Tank Challenge
The Atlantic City Scuba Show will have an exclusive feature where visitors can pilot a real ROV, take on the leaderboard challenge, and get hands-on with the technology behind real marine operations.
Scuba.Tech is a nonprofit using diving, underwater robotics, and 3D mapping technology to advance marine science, historical preservation, and ocean accessibility.
There will also be an ROV simulator for virtual shipwreck exploration and hands-on time with the underwater survey equipment used in real marine operations — photogrammetry rigs, the kind of kit that’s actually going into the water on research projects.
Expert team members will be on hand throughout the show for informal talks and photogrammetry demonstrations, and to answer questions about careers in marine science, offshore industries and underwater robotics. This one is genuinely worth the time for students, for anyone considering a career change and for anyone who’s already decided the ocean is where they want to work.
The Scuba Shows will also be offering the PSI-PCI Visual Cylinder Inspection course. This industry-endorsed training is designed for anyone looking to build confidence and expertise in the inspection and maintenance of high-pressure gas cylinders, with additional learning in valve repair and O2 cleaning procedures.
Spaces will fill fast on this one, so you’ll need to head to the What’s On pages to pre-book your spot.
Ticket prices for both shows are as follows:
- $33 Single-Day Entry with Unlimited Re-entry
- $60 Weekend Pass with Full Access on Both Days
- $100 VIP Weekend Pass, including Magazines and a Show T-Shirt
The Long Beach Scuba Show takes place May 30 – 31, 2026 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Get tickets here.
The Atlantic City Scuba Show takes place June 6 – 7, 2026 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Get tickets here.
