The PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular and widely recognized scuba diving certifications in the world. It is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and confidently dive in open water environments.

Online Learning

Using the PADI eLearning platform, you will study the fundamental concepts and principles of scuba diving. The eLearning modules cover topics such as dive equipment, diving physics, physiology, dive planning, underwater communication, and safety procedures. You can progress through the materials at your own pace, and there are knowledge assessments to test your understanding.

Confined Water Training

Once you have completed the online learning portion and passed the knowledge assessments, it’s time to put your skills into practice. You will participate in confined water training sessions. Under the guidance of a PADI Instructor, you will learn and practice scuba skills in a controlled environment, such as a pool. These sessions will cover essential skills like equipment assembly, underwater communication, buoyancy control, mask clearing, and emergency procedures.

Open Water Dives

After mastering the necessary skills in confined water, you will move on to the open water dives. The course includes four open water dives spread over two days. During the dives, you will apply the skills learned in the confined water sessions and explore the underwater world. An experienced instructor will accompany you to ensure your safety and provide guidance throughout the dives.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the knowledge assessments, confined water training, and open water dives, you will be awarded the PADI Open Water Diver certification. This certification enables you to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet) and is recognized worldwide.

Where You Train

Our dive center is a top of the art PADI 5 Star Dive Center. The swimming pool was designed for scuba diving training. The dive center is set directly at the sea side, just walk into the sea to dive on a magnificent coral reef full of marine life.

More info on the PADI Open Water course directly from PADI

Typical Day of Training

You will need at least 3 full days for your in-water training.
  • 9:00-12:00: dive theory, in-water training
  • 12:00-13:30: lunch
  • 13:30-17:00: dive theory, in-water training

Please consider in your planning that you are not allowed to fly for a minimum 18 hours from your last dive. It is recommended to have 1 day to rest before flying back.

Class of PADI Open Water Students at Cebu Fun Divers in Moalboal, Cebu

Prerequisites

Watermanship Skills Assessment

All student divers must be able to swim comfortably in deep water without assistance. Prior to the PADI scuba diving course participants must be evaluated with the following skills:

  • 10 min swim float in deep water without assistance (required for Scuba Diver / Open Water course)
  • 200m continues swim or 300m continues snorkel swim without assistance (required for Open Water Course)
  • Minimum age: 10 years or older

Scuba diving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Chronic health conditions, certain medications and/or recent surgery may require you to get written approval from a physician before diving. To avoid disappointment, download and review the Diver Medical form to ensure you won’t need a physician’s approval to dive before enrolling in a scuba course.

A short PADI video walking you through the PADI Open Water Course (eLearning option):

Questions? Contact our PADI Instructor Team.