How do I get PADI Open Water Scuba Diver certified?

The PADI Open Water Scuba Diver course is the first step in your PADI Diving Journey! In this course, you will learn basic dive theory and concepts, learn some important dive skills in confined water (shallow water) and of course, take your first 4 dives in open water at some of our amazing dive sites!

At the end of the course, you will be a fully independent, confident Scuba Diver able to dive to a maximum depth of 60 ft / 18 meters. It is an unforgettable experience that opens the door to our beautiful underwater world. So what are you waiting for?

What are the prerequisites?

To be able to do your PADI Open Water Course you must be:

• 10 years old or older

• Able to swim 200 meters/Float for 10 minutes

How long does the course take and what are the prices?

This will depend on if you completed your e-Learning/e-Lite before arriving on the island. We have 2 options with 2 different prices:

1. e-Lite: The e-Learning/e-Lite allows you to study at home before arriving, so that all the theory is completed and you can get straight into the dive skills and open water dives! In this case, the course takes roughly 2/3 days. See "e-Lite Shop" on our website to buy your e-Lite Code today for $130. Then pay $300 on the island to learn with one of our amazing Instructors. Total = $430 per person.

2. In person: If you chose to learn the theory on the island the course will take only a day or so longer (4-5 days) Here you will work directly with your instructor and use a book for learning on the island. The total price for the full course including all equipment, books and materials will be $450

What does the Open Water Scuba Diver Course involve?

Here is a rough schedule of what the Open Water Scuba Diver Course will look like:

Day 1 -

8 am: Good morning! We will meet and get to know each other at the dive shop. We will be able to pick out equipment tailored specifically to you and ensure it is well-fitting. We have state of the art CRESSI Dive equipment which is all well maintained, clean and serviced regularly. We will then sign you up to our DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance which covers all participants for diving for six months (an exclusive feature of West Bay Divers).

8.15 am: We will make our way to the classroom area where we will refresh our memory of the e-Learning/e-Lite and complete a quick review. This consists of 18 questions covering all 5 of the knowledge reviews previously learned. We will talk over any questions that have been answered incorrectly and refresh your knowledge of diving.

9 am: Then the fun begins! We will learn how to set up our gear, how each component of the gear works and then briefly go over the skills we are going to do today. Then we will head onto our beautiful beach and straight into the shallow water to perform the skills we have just learned. Including a 200-meter swim and a 10-minute float which will complete your fitness test. These include how to work the BCD (buoyancy control device), learning how to recover your regulator and many more. Then, we will break for lunch, at which point we can enjoy some amazing Caribbean/local food.

1.30 pm: Our first ever dive! We will get geared up. And head for our first dive in the open ocean. Afterwards, we celebrate a great day of diving and finish up at around 3pm.

Day 2 -

9am: Today is the last time we will perform skills in confined shallow water. Some of these valuable skills include: how to perform a CESA (controlled emergency swimming ascent), how to remove your weight system & how to relieve cramp from yourself or from your buddies leg. We will brief all these skills thoroughly to ensure you are a comfortable & confident Open Water Scuba Diver. We set up our equipment, more independently today and head into the shallow water to perform today’s skills.

11 am or 2pm: Dive number two. We will be using one of our beautiful boats to dive in a completely different location today. We will finish at approximately 33 pm3.30 pmm/3.30pm again.

Day 3 -

8.45 am: Bright and early - I hope you’re ready for a picture! We will be snapping a picture of your happy face before we go for our dive. We require this picture for your certification card. You will receive your card within roughly two-weeks of qualifying. Keep it with you to dive again and again in the future, to prove you are a fully qualified scuba diver!

9 am: Our third dive of our Open Water Diver Course. Here we will be learning more about controlling our bodies in the water and mastering all the skills we have learned throughout the course. We will become great divers in these last two dives.

11 am: Our fourth and final training dive. Once we reach the surface, you will officially be a PADI Open Water Scuba Diver!

Any more questions about becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Diver? Email us at dive@westbaydivers.com to find out more.

(Schedule is a rough guide and may vary due to weather, level of skill and instructor preferences. All prices include full equipment rental but exclude Tax/Fees).