Open Water Scuba Diver - Start Your Class
Get Scuba Certified (Open Water Scuba Diver Certification Course)
The Open Water SCUBA Diver course is the entry-level certification course where you will learn the fundamental knowledge and skills to safely dive in open water. No experience required!
The Open Water SCUBA certification does not expire and can be used up to 60ft worldwide!
What You'll Learn:
- How to safely use scuba equipment
- Basic dive skills + underwater communication
- Dive safety, environments, and planning
You’ll start in the pool (confined water), then complete your training in open water with an instructor.
How it Works (3 Simple Steps)
- E-learning: Online component to learn science and skills. Must be completed before Confined Water/Pool Sessions.
- Pool Sessions (Confined Water): Sign up for the dates listed below that match your availability!
- Open Water Checkout Dives (Included with above Price): 4 checkout dives completed on a separate weekend
- Your open water dives are included
- Completed after pool training
- Must be finished within 6 months of the start of training
- Not included in course price: travel, lodging, meals, dive location park fees
Open Water Checkout Referral: Option for those interested in getting certified at the destination of your choice. The price of course is not waived for choosing to do referral checkout dives elsewhere. Please contact the shop to discuss your referral options.
Private Option: Private fees of $150 per confined water session and/or $150 per open water session per person will apply if a class is scheduled exclusively for you or arranged outside our regular class schedule. We will create a course just for you without a private fee if you are able to recruit a minimum of 4 people to participate!
What You Need
- Be aged 10+ (10–14 = Junior Diver). All ages can participate in the same class, but you may want to consider a special Scuba Camp-styled course for ages 10-18.
- Comfortable in the water and water on your face.
- Complete the RSTC medical waiver before signing up and starting e-learning. We strongly recommend that you review the RSTC medical waiver and/or obtain medical clearance prior to purchasing this course.
- Personal gear required and purchased by each individual:
- Mask, fins, snorkel, boots, surface marker buoy
Come get fitted by our expert team for your personal gear at the Louisville Dive Center!
Not Sure You're Ready?
Sign Up for a Beginner Course:
Important Details:
- $80 reschedule fee for changes within 48 hours or no-shows for pool sessions.
- $90 reschedule fee for changes within 48 hours or no-shows for checkout dives.
- Personal gear required: mask, fins, snorkel, boots, and surface marker buoy
- Rental gear included: regulator, BCD, tanks, weights, wetsuit, etc.
- Medical waiver required before starting e-learning or pool sessions
All purchases are final. No refunds. Please sign up only once you're prepared mentally, physically, and financially for this course.
Sign Up Below to Start Your Scuba Diving Journey!
Availability: In Stock
The Open Water SCUBA Diver course is your gateway to unforgettable experiences beneath the waves. Imagine the incredible places you’ll explore! This course is the essential first step into the SCUBA diving lifestyle.
The entry level certification course where you will learn the fundamental knowledge and skills to safely dive in open water. During this course, you will learn about modern dive equipment, diving science, responsible diving practices, diving environments, and safety and technical skills. Diving skills will first be taught in a confined water environment (pool) and then evaluated in the open water training checkout dives with a certified instructor.
Earning your SCUBA Diver Certification card is an accomplishment to be proud of, paving the way for a lifetime of underwater exploration and discovery.
For accommodations near Pennyroyal and Mermet Springs (our most popular checkout dive sites), we recommend:
- Holiday Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites in Hopkinsville, KY (mention you're diving with Pennyroyal for the diver’s rate).
- Holiday Inn Express in Metropolis, IL (for a $94/night diver discount, call 618-524-8899 and mention Mermet Springs).
During the winter season, our instructors take students to Vortex Springs in Ponce de Leon, FL to do their checkout dives.
- The spring's water temperature is 68F year-round.
- The drive from the Louisville Dive Center to Vortex Springs takes approximately 9 hours.
- Checkout dives will begin on Saturday and Sunday at around 9 AM local time, concluding at approximately 4 PM on Saturday and 12 PM on Sunday. If you drive, you'll have time to return on Sunday. However, if you choose to fly, you must wait until Monday (24 hours after your last dive) to fly back.
- Flying will also require you to rent tanks and gear from Vortex Springs at an additional cost, in addition to any gear not rented from us.
- Onsite camping and lodging are available at Vortex Springs, and there are hotels in the nearby area, with Ponce de Leon being the closest city. We recommend arriving Friday evening.
- Panama City and Destin are about an hour away, and there's a possibility of doing checkout dives with the Panama City Beach Dive Center on their boat on Sunday.
- We strongly recommend renting gear from us and driving to Vortex, as you will incur extra charges for gear rental at the site if you opt not to rent from us. Rental gear from the Louisville Dive Center is included in the Open Water course price.