Small dive shop and training centre

New divers, regular local divers, dive clubs and people booking group dive trips.

Course fees, gear sales and servicing, tank fills and rentals, and commission or margins on dive trips.

• Scuba instructor or divemaster background
• Retail and stock management
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping

• Commercial general liability and professional liability insurance, plus property cover for stock
• Compressor, air quality testing and cylinder inspection rules, check with your provincial regulator
• Zoning, municipal business licence and sales tax registration
• Employer coverage through WCB or WSIB once you hire staff, rules vary by province
• Strong seasonality in colder areas, so keep cash aside for slow winter months
• Quebec has French-language requirements for signage and customer materials, check them if you operate there

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $50,000 to $200,000, depending on your premises, stock, rental gear, compressor and fit-out. Costs vary widely by location, so build your own budget from local quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on courses, tank fills, rentals, gear sales and trips. Colder areas see strong seasonality, so keep cash aside for slow winter months.

Check compressor, air quality testing and cylinder inspection rules with your provincial regulator. Also check zoning, municipal business licence, sales tax registration, insurance, WCB or WSIB coverage when you hire, and Quebec French-language requirements if you operate there.