America's 250th Hero's Dive
To celebrate America's 250th birthday, we're giving back to the people who protect it. Free scuba charters — and when we say free, we mean free. All you need is your certification card, we've got the rest — for veterans, active military, and first responders. Every single month from July through November, we draw 6 divers and fill the entire boat — that's 5 chances to win a full-boat Inshore & Nearshore charter. Advanced Open Water or above? You're also in the grand drawing of 6 divers for the 3-Tank Deep Wreck Trek, weather permitting Saturday December 5 or December 12.
Built for Those Who Served
This drawing is open to any veteran, active military member, or first responder who holds a current scuba certification. No purchase necessary. No strings attached.
Veterans
Honorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. All eras of service welcome.
Active Military
Currently serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard.
First Responders
Law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs — active or retired.
Two Drawings. Real Dives.
Two drawings, two formats. Inshore & Nearshore: we draw 6 divers and fill the entire boat — once in July, once in August, once in September, once in October, and once in November. That's 5 separate full-boat charters given away. Deep Wreck Trek: one grand drawing of 6 AOW+ divers, with the dive taking place weather permitting Saturday, December 5 or December 12. Enter once, you're automatically in every drawing you qualify for.
🌊 Inshore & Nearshore Charter
6 divers drawn every month. Each drawing fills the full boat — a complimentary 2-tank charter aboard our private 31ft Twin Vee. One drawing in July. One in August. One in September. One in October. One in November. Five full boats of heroes on the water before the year is out. Open Water certified and above. Enter once and you're automatically in all five.
⚓ 3-Tank Deep Wreck Trek
One drawing. One full boat. Winners drawn from all Advanced Open Water qualified entries for our signature offshore wreck expedition — three tanks, serious depth, and Gulf history beneath you. The dive goes out weather permitting, Saturday December 5 or December 12, 2026. The ultimate way to mark America's 250th.
What's on the Boat
Private charter (no strangers), Nitrox available, Captain Chris Grimes at the helm, experienced Divemaster aboard, all standard safety equipment, and post-dive debrief. Winners coordinate a mutually available date through December 2026.
Simple. Transparent. Fair.
Fill Out the Form
Enter your name, contact info, service type, and scuba certification below. Takes under two minutes.
Entries Stay Active
Inshore & Nearshore drawings run monthly July–November. Deep Wreck Trek grand drawing at close of entries. Enter once — no re-entry needed.
6 Divers Drawn
Inshore & Nearshore: 6 divers drawn monthly, filling the full boat. Deep Wreck Trek: 6 divers drawn from all AOW+ opt-ins, charter weather permitting Saturday, December 5 or 12. Winners contacted by email and phone.
Go Diving
Coordinate your date, bring your C-card, and get in the water. All charters completed by December 31, 2026.
Claim Your
Entry
Fill out the form to be entered in the America 250 Hero's Dive drawing. Entries are accepted through November 30, 2026.
- Free to enter — no purchase required
- Open to all qualifying service members and first responders in the U.S.
- Inshore & Nearshore: 6 divers drawn every month, July through November — enter once, you're in all five
- Advanced Open Water or above? Opt into the Deep Wreck Trek grand drawing — 6 divers, one full boat, weather permitting Saturday December 5 or December 12
- Winners contacted directly by Florida Gulf Coast Scuba
- Your information is never sold or shared with third parties
This promotion is operated by Florida Gulf Coast Scuba, LLC (diveflnow.com), Myakka City, FL. One entry per person. Inshore & Nearshore drawing: 6 divers drawn monthly July–November 2026 (5 drawings total). Deep Wreck Trek drawing: 6 divers drawn from all Advanced Open Water or above opt-in entries; charter scheduled weather permitting Saturday, December 5 or December 12, 2026. Winners must present proof of service and certification prior to charter. Charter subject to weather and availability. Must be completed by December 31, 2026. No cash alternative. Florida Gulf Coast Scuba reserves the right to verify eligibility.
🇺🇸 America 250 Entry Form
All fields marked * are required.
You're In!
Thank you for entering the America 250 Hero's Dive. Your entry is active for every monthly drawing through November 30. We'll be in touch if your name is drawn.
Safe diving — and thank you for your service.
Coast Scuba
diveflnow.com
Florida Gulf Coast Scuba is a private charter Scuba dive operation based in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL. We run a 31ft Twin Vee with a maximum of 6 divers per charter — because diving should feel like an expedition, not a cattle call.
Our Captain, Chris Grimes, and Divemaster Doug Schlosser know these Gulf waters intimately — from nearshore reefs to deep offshore wrecks and Florida's freshwater springs. The America 250 Hero's Dive is our small way of saying THANK YOU! to the people who make those dives possible.