Where to get scuba certified in GVRD?

[rishu_pepper]

The wife and I have booked tickets to Japan in March and we are planning to do some diving in Okinawa.

Since we are only planning to have 5 days on location, we would like to get certified locally for Open Water so we don't have to waste time there and can do some diving right away. I don't have any previous diving experience except snorkeling years ago, and wife is even less water-worthy than me.

We did consider just snorkeling at Japan but it seems that the experience will be much better if we are diving. (yes/no?) The initial investment is quite expensive so cost is certainly a factor.

Anyway, does anyone have recommendations for scuba schools in the GVRD area? And while we're at it, any good pointers regarding diving/scuba/learning in general for a newbie? Thanks!