Gary Conner, owner of Woodlands Dive Center, said he first became interested in underwater diving on a whim when he was driving past a dive store just south of The Woodlands almost a decade ago.

Conner said he has since worked his way up a ladder of instruction, certification and traveling throughout the world for diving experiences before purchasing that dive shop in late 2019 and rebranding it as Woodlands Dive Center.

“I started doing this, and I said, ‘Holy mackerel, I like this. I like it a lot,’” Conner said.

Operating under Conner and his team of instructors, the dive center at 25701 I-45 N., Spring, offers services and activities both above and below the surface of the water. The facility features a retail store full of diving essentials and accessories alongside classroom space and a heated pool. Woodlands Dive Center also organizes excursions for those seeking to explore larger bodies of water.

Those looking to gear up for the first time or find new equipment can browse the store’s selection of branded masks, fins and wetsuits alongside more complex gear such as buoyancy compensator packs, regulators, diving computers and gauges. Woodlands Dive Center also offers repair services.

Woodlands Dive’s classes range from a low-cost, entry-level experience that takes visitors beneath the surface of the center’s pool to several levels of open water and emergency training. Specialized scuba classes include night and limited-visibility diving, wreck exploration and photography.

Conner said instructors always maintain a focus on diver security before sending students out into deeper waters.

“We won’t let them go to open water unless they’re nice and calm and they can do all the skills,” Conner said. “Everything is safety.”

Although there are some regional diving experiences as close as Huntsville and the Gulf of Mexico, Conner said one of his favorite components of the activity is the chance to take in unique underwater sights in locations ranging from the Caribbean Sea to the coasts of Europe.

“The ocean is 70% of the world, and there’s always something new. There’s always places to go and things to see. You can go to areas to see big sharks, mantas, whale sharks, all the different animals,” he said. “It’s always an opportunity.”