text: what is approx cost for scuba cert incl gear,boat rental...? want to take classes near home and get certified on vacatation it depends based on where you are.  in bonaire, the cost is around $350 here (if you buy an expensive mask) http://www.caribinn.com/diving.html .  your approach makes sense but will cost you more -- for example in bonaire the open water dives would be $175.  and a class locally would be around $200 but you would also need to buy some equipment (mask, fins, snorkel, booties, etc.)