High Sierra Divers was founded in 1985 by three passionate divers—Tom Minch, Dave Albright, and Jim Nordstrom. Their vision was simple: introduce people to the incredible underwater world while creating a welcoming dive community.
Doug Novelly first walked through our doors as a student in 1988. After taking his first scuba class, he instantly fell in love with diving and knew he wanted to make it his career. He began working at High Sierra Divers as a salesperson, continued his training through the instructor ranks, and discovered his true passion—teaching others to dive and sharing the excitement of the underwater world.
In 2001, Doug and Tina Novelly purchased High Sierra Divers and have proudly continued its tradition of providing exceptional scuba education, quality equipment, and outstanding customer service.
From the moment you walk through our doors, we want you to feel like part of our family. We often say we strive to be like Cheers—a place where everyone knows your name. Today, our daughter is also part of the family business, helping us connect with the dive community through our social media.
At High Sierra Divers, we offer both group and private scuba certification courses. Our goal is not simply to certify divers, but to develop confident, comfortable, and safe divers who are excited to continue exploring the underwater world.
Northern California offers some of the most spectacular diving anywhere. From the kelp forests of Monterey to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe, our dive adventures introduce students to an amazing variety of marine life, including playful sea lions, curious sea otters, colorful nudibranchs, giant Pacific octopuses, and countless other fascinating underwater creatures.
We proudly carry only the brands we trust, dive with, and stand behind. With so many styles and options available, we’re here to help you choose the equipment that best fits your diving goals, experience, and budget.
Most importantly, our relationship with our customers doesn’t end after a class or a purchase. Whether you have questions about your equipment, need advice before a trip, or simply want to stop by and share stories from your latest dive adventure, our door is always open. We genuinely enjoy watching our divers grow and hearing about the unforgettable experiences they have beneath the surface.
For over 40 years, High Sierra Divers has been more than a dive shop—we’ve been a family, introducing generations of divers to the incredible underwater world. Whether you’re taking your very first breath underwater or planning your next great adventure, we’d be honored to be part of your journey.
At High Sierra Divers, you’re more than a customer—you become part of our diving family.