Get Certified! Learn to Dive with the Open Water Diver Course

Explore the underwater world – from historic shipwrecks and pristine reefs to the mysteries of local lakes and quarries. When you become a scuba diver, you can see what you’ve been missing locally or on vacation. Go Dive! (learn more)

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular scuba course, and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle.

PADI Scuba Certification in 3 Parts

Part 1: Pool Sessions.

In the pool you'll learn the skills, techniques, methods of diving. Number and length of classes can vary based on your schedule and comfort level in the water, but most classes include 3 pool sessions.

You can choose:

A. Group classes: Every class keeps instructor-student ratios small so you can learn effectively. Classes are usually in the evenings, with some weekend options. Check out our schedule.

B. Private: Choose PRIVATE lessons 1-on-1 with an instructor. If you have a pool, we can come to you or we will set up times at one of our pools.

Part 2: Knowledge Development On Your Schedule.

This gives you the facts, principles and concepts you need to apply when you're diving. Our class is intended to rely on independent study so that you can complete much of the "classroom" portion of the Open Water Diver course at your own pace, anytime, anywhere. Which option would you prefer?

A. Online: Videos, audio, graphics and reading lead to online quizzes so you do it all online—start whenever you want, ask questions as you go.

B. Book & Video: You get a paper book and DVD and read/watch at your own pace then we get together once or twice at a convenient time to go over knowledge reviews, ask questions, and take the exams.

Part 3: Open Water "Check Out" Dives.

In these four dives—which must happen over at least 2 days—you demonstrate mastery of the skills you learned in the pool in an ocean or lake under conditions similar to what you'll be diving in as a certified diver.

You can…

A. Take the course as a "referral" which lets you go anywhere in the world where there’s diving and find an instructor to finish your certifications (you pay the other instructor separately).

B. Do it with us Locally, completing these open water dives at a lake in Virginia (a few hours south) over a weekend of diving

C. Do it on one of our trips, completing your check out dives with an instructor someplace beautiful.

Cost

Choose one of each:

 
Personal Gear:

Included in the cost of the course is most of the gear you'll need. We'll provide use of the rest of the gear including wetsuit, BCD, regulator, weights, and tanks. You'll need only a mask, fins and a snorkel... we offer a range of options or you can buy elsewhere, just make sure it's quality:

Blue Planet Gear