PADI Open Water Diver Course

How does it work?

The PADI Open Water course is split into three main sections:

1. Dive Theory

You will learn the basics of how scuba affects our bodies and how we are able to maximise our safety whilst we explore the underwater environment. The dive theory element to your course will give you a solid base from which your instructor will build on with you in a classroom setting, as well as in the later confined water sessions.

2. Confined Water Training

Your instructor will take you through the skills you have learned as part of the dive theory section and introduce you to the scuba equipment you will be using.

Our small groups give you the opportunity to get direct assistance from an instructor to perfect your skills and ensure you feel confident in completing the various skills which are designed to keep you safe and ensure you enjoy your time when diving in open water.

3. Open Water Diving

We conduct our open water dives from our dedicated dive boat in pristine Caribbean waters where you will be able to enjoy your surrounding at the same time you continue to learn from your instructor who will take you through different skills on each of your dives.

Your Course, Your Choice!


We know your vacation time in Barbados is valuable, so some of our customers choose to complete some elements of their Open Water course before they come to visit us here in the Caribbean.

Through the PADI referral and eLearning options you can break down the course in to it’s core components and choose when and where you complete each component.

We have summarised the options in the table below, but if you’d like to know more please get in touch.


  • PADI Open Water Course – Including all materials
    (3 Days, 4 Dives) $ 450

    PADI Open Water Course Referral – Including pool
    (2 Days, 4 Dives) $ 350

  • PADI Open water Course e-learning referral
    (2 Days, 4 Dives) $ 320

    PADI Open Water Course Referral
    (2 Days, 4 Dives) $ 320

 

Referral

eLearning

Traditional

Time required in Barbados

2 half-days

2 days

3 days

Where do you learn?

Your local dive center and HighTide

eLearning at home and HighTide

Complete your entire certification with us at HighTide

Dive Theory

Completed in person or through independent study via your local PADI dive center

You will complete a short knowledge review when you visit us at HighTide

Split between on-site tuition from your instructor and independent study.

Confined Water Training

Often completed in 1 day at your local swimming pool

Pool training takes place over 2 mornings and is shared with ocean diving that you will complete in the afternoon

Pool training takes place over 2 mornings and is shared with ocean diving that you will complete in the afternoon

Open Water Diving

You will be diving in our glorious tropical waters (rather than your local quarry, lake or reservoir!)

Ocean dives take place over 2 afternoons and are shared with pool training in the mornings

Ocean dives take place over 2 afternoons and are shared with pool training in the mornings


1. Depending on how your choose to complete your course you can save time by completing some elements of the course online or at home before you depart for your vacation.

2. Children aged 10-12 will qualify as a PADI Junior Open Water Diver, which can be updated to a standard Open Water certification once the child turns 13. PADI Junior Open Water Divers are certified to dive to a maximum of 40 feet / 12 metres.

3. PADI standards prevent us from conducting all 4 of your ocean dives on the same day. Therefore you will complete your dives over morning or afternoon sessions across 2 days.

Choose Your Adventure!

Reserve the best diving experience Barbados has to offer.

Contact Us


HIGHTIDE Watersports
Coral Reef Club
St. James, Barbados ~ W.I.

  • +1 (246) 432-0931
  • +1 (246) 432-6628 Fax

  • (800) 970-0016 Toll Free
  • (800) 513-5763 Toll Free