What type of opportunities for diving does a dive certification provide?

Most people associate scuba diving with the ocean or sea and while that is one option through multiple resources, you can actually scuba dive in lakes, rivers, ponds, springs, and quarries as well.  In fact, dive enthusiasts who are not located near bodies of water will go as far as having a swimming pool installed just to experience diving.  However, for those so fortunate, destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef of Australia or the Great Blue Hole of Belize provide a mesmerizing experience.