The PADI Open Water Course is the world’s most popular diver certification and is intended for people who have never dived before and who want to become qualified.

The Open Water Course combines practical in water training with some supporting theory so that you can confidently and safely explore the amazing underwater world.

Once certified you will be able to dive to 18m with a buddy.

WHY LEARN WITH AQUANAUT?

  • Our staff are here to help you learn to dive, not just tick a box. We are not a certification ‘factory’ we are here to train safe and confident divers.
  • We keep our class sizes small so you feel more comfortable and you enjoy your session more.
  • Everything is explained in simple steps, guided by our experienced instructing team.
  • We understand that everyone is not necessarily a natural on day 1!

The PADI Open Water Diver Course

What’s involved?

The PADI Open Water Course has 3 components:

  • Confined Water (pool)
  • Knowledge Development
  • Open Water

The knowledge development is available in 2 formats, dependent on your preferred style of learning:

  • Paper based – (Manual + DVD)
  • Digital – PC , MAC, Mobile device (IOS or Android)

How Long Does it Take?

Confined Water / Knowledge Development review – This can be completed over approximately 4 / 5 evenings

Open Water Dives – 1 additional weekend

Prerequisites

  • You must be 10 years old or older.
  • You need adequate swimming skills- 200m swim, 10 min float
  • Good physical health. You will need to make sure that you can answer “No” to all the questions on the medical questionnaire, if not you will need medical clearance from a doctor
  • No prior experience with scuba diving is required.

Referral Option

If you do not want to complete the open water section of the course in the UK, you can complete the confined water and knowledge development in the UK, and then the open water dives overseas at any PADI Centre of your choice or with Aquanaut on one of our long weekend or week trips to our partner centres in Sharm El Sheikh, Menorca, Gran Canaria or Malta.

All courses subject to our Terms and Conditions

Course Description

Part 1: Knowledge Development

This develops your familiarity with basic principles and safety concepts of diving.

You complete the knowledge development in your own time, using your selected version (Paper or Digital) and by completing the knowledge reviews.

You briefly review what you studied in each section with your instructor and take a short quiz to be sure you’re confident with the information.

You also take a short exam that makes sure you are happy with all the key concepts.

Part 2: Confined Water (Pool)

In the pool you will experience your first breaths underwater and learn the skills required to dive in the open water, and to dive safely.

Part 3: Open Water Dives

Four open water dives are required for certification with two dives conducted over 2 days.

You now get the chance to put to practice what you learnt in the pool and fully experience the adventure of diving in the open water!

This could be with Aquanaut at a local UK dive site or you can join one of the Aquanaut holidays such as Portugal or Malta (flexible dates, minimum 4 people) .

What’s Included

  • Course tuition
  • Crew Pack (paper or digital, your choice)
  • Equipment hire
  • Air Fills in the pool and first fill at open water site
  • Certification card (with the exception of referral course)

What’s Not Included

  • Transport (we will do our best to arrange lifts if needed)
  • Entrance to Dive Site – 2 days at £15 per day (Wraysbury)
  • Subsequent air fills on open water dives (£2.50 -£3.50 payable directly to site)

Location

Theory

Self study, with review prior to pool sessions

Pool

  • Wednesday Evenings: New Malden Leisure Centre,
  • Friday Evenings: Putney Leisure Centre
  • Occasional Weekends & Bank Holidays: Croydon High School

 

Open Water Dives

at Wraysbury Lake, near Windsor.

PADI course introduction video

Course Costs

Full Open Water Course
£515

Referral Course (Theory & Pool Dives only)
£349

For Packages, Options and Discounts
Including Drysuit, Enriched Air, Advanced, Rescue and First Aid modules etc…