Description
Become a diver for life
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the entry-level certification that lets you dive almost anywhere in the world — rent gear, book boats and go diving with a buddy, for the rest of your life. We run every course private or semi-private, in English or Spanish, so you learn at your pace.
You’ll do a bit of theory, practice the core skills in calm water, and complete four open-water dives in the warm Pacific off Playas del Coco. All your training gear is included.
What the course involves
- Knowledge development — the theory, done online through PADI eLearning at your own pace.
- Confined-water training — core skills in calm, shallow water with your instructor.
- Four open-water dives — out on the boat at our local sites, putting it all together.
Plan on about three to four days here — and fewer hours in the classroom if you finish the eLearning theory before you arrive, leaving more of your trip for diving.
Good to know before you book
- Minimum age 10 (ages 10–14 earn a Junior rating with shallower depth limits).
- Basic swimming ability — a short swim and float/tread check, nothing competitive.
- Reasonable health — you’ll complete a short medical questionnaire; a few conditions need a doctor’s sign-off.
- All training gear included. Bring a swimsuit and a towel.
Never dived before? That’s exactly who this is for — or test the water with a Discover Scuba session first. Ready to go further afterwards? Advanced Open Water is the next step.
Where you’ll train
Your dives happen on our local sites in the Gulf de Papagayo, a short boat ride away — sheltered, warm, and full of life. Turtles, white-tip reef sharks, rays, octopus and big schools of fish make your first dives genuinely good ones, not just skill drills.
Ready to make some bubbles?
Pick your dates at the top of this page and start your diving life. Private or semi-private, English or Spanish, gear included. Questions first? Send us a quick message and we’ll plan it around your trip.