PADI Open Water Course

Also known as “getting your PADI”, the Open Water Diver Certification unlocks the door to a huge variety of diving related adventures and travel opportunities. Once you get certified you’ll never consider another vacation destination without at least wondering whether there is any good diving to be had there. The Open water Diver license is a lifetime certification accredited by PADI and is accepted worldwide by other dive operators as proof of your diving training. It is the world’s most popular scuba course, and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle.

Doing your Open Water Diver Course in the Maldives certainly has distinct benefits. The water here is a balmy 28 degrees Celsius throughout the year and you never have to go far to find a decent reef full of colourful marine life Because of this convenience it won't take all day to do your training dives so your afternoons will generally be free to explore other interests and activities or to merely relax.

Although it is a performance based course and subject to individual ability, experience has taught us that the Open Water Diver course takes four days to complete comfortably.

What’s involved?

·        Day 1 – On your first day we cover the course paperwork and get into the theory of scuba diving. You’ll receive your course manuals and logbook as well as watch the PADI Open Water Diver video which has now been seen by millions of divers around the world. We’ll also help you through some knowledge review questions and quiz you on how much you’ve understood. This theory session usually takes a full day to complete. Alternatively you can save yourself this precious time during your vacation by completing the theory portion online. See our footnote on eLearning below or visit our eLearning page for a full description.

·       Day 2 - It’s time to get wet! After a briefing, conducted by your instructor to familiarize you with the skills you’ll be learning, we take you to a shallow area of the lagoon to put these skills into practice. Underwater your instructor will demonstrate a variety of diving essential skills that every diver must know in order to dive confidently and safely. After watching your instructor’s demonstration you will be given the opportunity to practice these skills yourself until you can master them confidently.

·       Day 3 – We leave the confines of the lagoon behind us to find deeper water around one of the beautiful reefs in the Maldives. Amidst the abundant fish and coral life you get to practice your newfound skills on an actual scuba dive led by your instructor. On this day we complete the first two open water training dives of your course. Since you’re training in the Maldives where good diving is close at hand, this doesn’t usually take all day. After diving you’ll still have plenty of time to relax in the afternoon, update your facebook profile picture and tweet to all your friends about the exciting things you’re doing!

·       Day 4 – On your final day we take you out on two more open water dives to complete the remaining course requirements. By now you’re well aware of what you’re doing and able to feel more relaxed and confident underwater. You’ll be briefly amazed just how much sense all that talk about buoyancy actually makes and then you’ll simply forget the theory as the schools of pretty fish grab your attention instead. After your last dive you’ll not only have done something very cool with your holiday but you’ll also have earned your Open Water Diving license. Congratulations!

The cost of the Open Water Diver Certification is 475 US$ per person

This includes all the necessary PADI student materials, equipment rental, boat charges and certification fees.