Open Water Diver
The PADI Open Water Course is designed for total beginners eager to earn their first Diving Certification / Dive ticket.
Course Details
- Learn to Dive: Master the fundamental concepts of scuba diving and earn your globally recognized PADI certification.
- Dynamic Learning: Combine self-paced online eLearning with 1 day of confined water (pool) training, and 2 days of open water ocean diving (4 dives total).
- Expert Instructors: Learn from patient, passionate professionals who will guide you safely from your very first breath underwater.
- Gear Included: Dive Zone Bay of Islands provides high-quality, well-maintained diving equipment for all students, all you need is your own Mask & Snorkel. Check out our range here
- Discount on Gear: Take advantage of 10% off storewide (Computers and Drysuits receive 5% off) while enrolled in the course, this includes a Mask & Snorkel if you need it
- The Ultimate Graduation Dive: Your final certification dives are an experience in themselves—an exploration of the protected Maunganui Bay (Deep Water Cove) rāhui, a sacred area teeming with marine life that will take your breath away.
Prerequisites: None
Please ensure you have read our Terms & Conditions and Risk Disclosure and filled out the Medical & liability Forms before booking
Next Course Date
Availability: In Stock
What to expect on your course
Before the course - Complete your elearning
When you sign up, you'll receive an email from PADI with access to your online learning materials. The PADI Open Water eLearning covers the fundamental principles of scuba diving, diving equipment, and safe diving practices. With e-learning, you can study at your own pace from the comfort of your couch. While smartphones work fine, a computer or tablet with a larger screen will enhance your learning experience.
You'll need to complete all the knowledge development sections and the final exam before we hit the water. If you encounter any issues or need assistance, just give us a call—we're here to help!
Day 1 - Confined Water (Pool) Skills Training
We kick off Day 1 meeting at the dive shop at 8 am to get you perfectly fitted for your wetsuit and scuba gear. From there, we head to our confined water environment (typically a local pool). This is where you will take your very first breaths underwater!
Your instructor will patiently guide you through all the basic scuba skills you read about in your eLearning. You'll learn how to safely set up your gear, clear your mask, control your buoyancy, and practice emergency procedures. The goal of Day 1 is to build your confidence and ensure you are comfortable using your equipment before we head to the ocean.
Day 2 - Open Water Dives 1 & 2
Now for the exciting part! Day 2 takes us to the ocean for your first two open water dives. We typically start at a calm, protected beach site like Matauri Bay or Putataua. These locations offer a fantastic, safe environment with water temperatures ranging from 16c in the winter to a lovely 22c in the summer.
Under the direct supervision of your instructor, you will apply the skills you learned in the pool to the open ocean environment. We will explore the marine life while practicing buoyancy and communication. You will reach a maximum depth of 12 meters on these first two dives.
Day 3 - Open Water Dives 3 & 4
On Day 3, we take the adventure to a new level and usually head out on our boat, Rika Maru, to explore deeper and more diverse dive sites in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Today, you will complete your final two certification dives, reaching a maximum depth of 18 meters!
You'll continue to demonstrate your skills while spending more time simply swimming, exploring, and enjoying the underwater world. After successfully completing Dive 4, you will officially be a certified PADI Open Water Diver! We will head back to the shop to log your dives and celebrate your massive achievement.
Important Information
Age: The minimum age is 15 for this PADI Diver Course. Younger students (12-15 Years) can complete a Jr Open Water Dive Course.
Max Depth: The maximum depth we will dive to is 18m on this course.
Medical History: All Divers are required to complete an PADI Medical Form. This form is valid for 12 month. Please complete Medical & liability Forms here
Equipment:
To get started, all you need is your own mask and snorkel—we’ll provide everything else! You’ll be fully equipped with a 7mm Beuchat wetsuit, Scubapro fins, weight belt, boots, Aqualung & Scubapro BCD, regulators, and dive computers. For added comfort, we recommend investing in your own gear. Our store stocks a wide range of top-quality scuba equipment, and our instructors are here to help you find the perfect fit for your diving adventures! Don’t forget you get 10% off storewide! (Computers and Drysuits receive 5% off)
