Your first scuba certification

Learn to dive in the Caribbean Sea

The Open Water Diver course is your first complete scuba certification and the beginning of independent recreational diving. Complete most of the theory before arriving through eLearning, then spend three practical days learning with your instructor.

Day one focuses on equipment, safety and confined-water skills. Over the next two days, you complete four open-water training dives in the calm Caribbean Sea around Bayahibe. We keep the training personal and give you time to become genuinely comfortable—not simply rush through the requirements.

  • Three practical training days
  • eLearning plus four open-water dives
  • Small groups with personal instruction
  • Instruction available in English, German and Spanish
Open Water Diver student showing the OK signal during a Caribbean Sea training dive near Bayahibe

The important course details

Your complete beginner certification

Three daysOne confined-water day and two open-water training days
Four divesFour open-water training dives in Bayahibe over two days
Up to 18 metresAge-specific Junior Open Water depth limits apply
Minimum age 10Ages 10–14 earn Junior Open Water certification
Before you arrive

Complete the theory online

  • Study at your own pace before the vacation
  • Review important concepts with your instructor
  • Spend your three practical days focused on skills and diving
  • eLearning access starts after the deposit

Please finish the assigned online learning before day one. This lets us keep the in-person course practical, personal and ocean-focused.

Ask about eLearning

Learn, practise and build confidence

Your Open Water course experience

Open Water Diver students learning how to prepare and check scuba equipment with their instructor

Understand your equipment

Learn how your BCD, regulator, cylinder, weights, mask and fins work. You practise assembling your equipment, completing a buddy check and preparing correctly before every dive.

Open Water Diver student practising scuba equipment and safety skills with an instructor in confined water

Master the essential skills

In confined water, you work step by step through mask, regulator, buoyancy, emergency and buddy skills. Your instructor repeats and adapts the exercises until you can perform them comfortably.

Open Water Diver students completing skills with an instructor during a Caribbean Sea training dive in Bayahibe

Apply your skills in the sea

Across four open-water dives, you use what you learned in real Caribbean conditions. Skills are combined with actual reef diving so confidence grows naturally from one dive to the next.

Young Junior Open Water Diver student ready for training with mask, snorkel and fins in Bayahibe

Junior divers are welcome

Children can begin Junior Open Water training from age 10. We follow the required depth, supervision and paperwork rules while keeping the learning relaxed, clear and appropriate for each young diver.

From online study to certification

How the three-day course works

01Before arrival

Complete your eLearning

Study the knowledge development online at your own pace and complete the required modules before practical training begins.

02Day one

Confined-water training

Review the theory, prepare equipment, complete the swim assessment and practise the essential scuba and safety skills.

03Days two and three

Four open-water dives

Travel to Bayahibe and complete two training dives each day, applying skills while exploring the calm Caribbean Sea.

04Certification

Become an Open Water Diver

After completing the knowledge, watermanship, confined-water and open-water requirements, your instructor processes your certification.

Everything you need to prepare

What is included and course requirements

Your Open Water course includes

  • PADI eLearning and certification processing
  • Three practical days with your instructor
  • Confined-water training and four open-water dives
  • BCD, regulator, mask, fins and shorty 3 mm wetsuit
  • Tanks, weights and standard training equipment
  • Resort pickup and return on practical training days
  • Boat water, Coca-Cola, pineapple and biscuits on dive days

Please bring and send us

  • Swimsuit, towel and reef-safe sun protection
  • Your hotel name and room number when available
  • Each participant's age, height, weight and shoe size
  • Any medical information that may require clearance
  • A photo or copy of the completed required forms
  • Completed eLearning before practical day one
  • Cash for the remaining balance on the first training day

Safety and participation

Every student completes a diving medical questionnaire. A “yes” answer does not automatically prevent training, but some answers require written medical clearance before entering the water. Please tell us before paying the deposit if you have a medical condition, take medication or are unsure about any question.

Students complete a watermanship assessment: a 200-metre swim, or 300 metres using mask, fins and snorkel, plus a 10-minute float or tread.

The minimum age is 10. Students aged 10–14 earn Junior Open Water certification. Ages 10–11 have a maximum depth of 12 metres; the standard Open Water training limit is 18 metres.

Reservation and flying after diving

A 100 USD deposit per student secures the course dates and activates the eLearning after we confirm availability. The remaining balance is normally paid in cash on the first practical training day. Please review our booking and cancellation policy before reserving.

Because the course includes repetitive diving over multiple days, plan at least 18 hours between the final dive and flying. Choose course dates that leave a comfortable interval before departure.

After certification: You can dive with a certified buddy within your training, depth limits and experience. Keep diving regularly, choose conditions similar to those you trained in and continue with guided dives whenever you want extra support.

Plan your certification with confidence

Open Water Diver course FAQs

What is the Open Water Diver course?

It is the first complete scuba certification course. You learn the theory, equipment, safety procedures and core diving skills, then complete four open-water training dives. After certification, you can dive with a certified buddy within your training and experience.

How much does the complete course cost?

The complete course is 555 USD per person. It includes eLearning, confined-water and open-water instruction, four training dives, standard scuba equipment, tanks, weights, certification processing and resort transfers on practical training days.

How long does the course take?

Complete the eLearning before arrival, then allow three practical days: one day for confined-water skills and two days for four open-water training dives in Bayahibe.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The course is designed for complete beginners. You should be comfortable in the water, medically fit for diving and ready to complete the swim and float assessment.

What is the minimum age and maximum depth?

The minimum age is 10. Students aged 10–14 earn Junior Open Water certification. Ages 10–11 have a 12-metre maximum and additional supervision requirements; the standard Open Water training limit is 18 metres.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You do not need racing technique, but you must be comfortable in the water. The assessment includes a 200-metre swim, or 300 metres with mask, fins and snorkel, plus a 10-minute float or tread without assistance.

Where are the four open-water dives completed?

We complete the training dives in the Caribbean Sea around Bayahibe, normally as two dives per day over two days. Site selection depends on conditions and the skills planned for each training dive.

Can I finish only the four referral dives with you?

Yes. If you have completed the knowledge development and confined-water training with another instructor, send the signed referral documentation and eLearning record. The four-dive Open Water referral program is 338 USD per person.

Do I need a medical certificate?

Every student completes a diving medical questionnaire. Some answers require written clearance from a physician before in-water training begins. Send us any questions before booking so there are no surprises on day one.

When can I fly after the course?

Because the course includes multiple dives over more than one day, plan at least 18 hours between the end of your final dive and a commercial flight. Waiting longer adds additional conservatism.

How do I reserve?

Send your preferred course dates, hotel, number of students, ages, heights, weights and shoe sizes by WhatsApp. After we confirm availability, a 100 USD deposit per student secures the dates and activates the eLearning.

Ready to become a certified diver?

Send your travel dates, hotel and student details. We will confirm three suitable training days and activate your eLearning after the deposit.

Book Open Water course

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