Open Water Diver Scuba Certification

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It’s Time To Get Scuba Certified!

Diventures expert instructors focus on your safety, comfort, and confidence underwater, so you’re ready for a whole new adventure… It’s time to see a new world, make new friends, and learn new skills!

We offer weekday evening and weekend class times, or you can schedule a private class. Once certified, you can dive to 60 feet.

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Scuba Certification Process

Digital Materials
Digital Materials

Digital Learning

First, you’ll complete your Digital Learning at home, on your own schedule. This includes 8-12 hours of online reading materials, videos, and quizzes. You’ll receive the Scuba Schools International (SSI) Digital Materials upon purchase of your course with Diventures. 

Classroom & Pool Sessions
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Classroom & Pool Sessions

Next, it’s time to learn alongside our expert instructors. You’ll review key points from your Digital Learning in the classroom and then head to the pool to practice and master the skills needed to enjoy diving safely. 

OWD Training Dives
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Open Water Training Dives

Your last step is four (4) Training Dives alongside your instructor. These open water dives can be completed locally or on a Diventures Certification Vacation and include check-offs on key skills.

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Why Train With Diventures?

From education and equipment to full-service dive travel, we provide everything you need.

Diver and Instructor

Safety first

Our primary goal is not to certify divers, but to create safe, confident, comfortable, and qualified divers. To do so, we make sure every student has the knowledge, skills, equipment, and experience necessary to enjoy the underwater world. This often means more time in the classroom and in the pool with your instructor than what you’ll find at other dive shops.

We also require safety gear like a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) and Reel for our Open Water Diver students. The SMB is a high-visibility marker to draw attention to a diver’s position on the surface. This can alert your boat of your location (if you come up away from the group) and/or keep unwanted boats a safe distance away. An SMB used with a Reel allows the diver to mark their position in the water before surfacing. Together they can prevent accidents and make you a safer diver.

Diver and Instructor

Safety first

Our primary goal is not to certify divers, but to create safe, confident, comfortable, and qualified divers. To do so, we make sure every student has the knowledge, skills, equipment, and experience necessary to enjoy the underwater world. This often means more time in the classroom and in the pool with your instructor than what you’ll find at other dive shops.

We also require safety gear like a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) and Reel for our Open Water Diver students. The SMB is a high-visibility marker to draw attention to a diver’s position on the surface. This can alert your boat of your location (if you come up away from the group) and/or keep unwanted boats a safe distance away. An SMB used with a Reel allows the diver to mark their position in the water before surfacing. Together they can prevent accidents and make you a safer diver.

SSI - Scuba Schools International

Proven training methods

We are proud to be a SSI Training Center. For over 50 years, SSI has provided high-quality training and certification programs and materials for scuba divers. With digital and printed materials available in more than 40 languages, and more than 3,500 international SSI Training Centers and Resort locations, SSI enables people to experience the underwater world across the globe.

We teach SSI courses and curriculum and focus on comfort through repetition. That means you will learn new skills in each class, plus review and practice the skills from prior classes. First, you develop the ability, then increase confidence, and finally, the skills come naturally. 

Three Divers in Pool

Experienced and passionate instructors

Our scuba instructors are SSI certified and hold the highest levels of recreational dive training. With tens of thousands of hours of diving experience all around the world, they have the knowledge to help you become a safe and confident diver. You’ll learn from a dedicated staff focused on your success.

Three Divers in Pool

Experienced and passionate instructors

Our scuba instructors are SSI certified and hold the highest levels of recreational dive training. With tens of thousands of hours of diving experience all around the world, they have the knowledge to help you become a safe and confident diver. You’ll learn from a dedicated staff focused on your success.

Divers With Coral and Fish

Make your certification a vacation

We offer Certification Vacations throughout the year, exclusively for Open Water Training Dives. Students get to complete their certification in clear, warm ocean waters with an experienced Diventures instructor.

Spots are limited so each student gets individualized attention from their instructor. This may be your first time diving in the ocean, and doing it under the watchful eye of an expert makes for a confidence-building experience.

Selection of dive equipment

We sell dive equipment for all budget ranges and types of diving. You’ll need your own Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Boots, and Safety Gear for class. Our highly knowledgeable staff can guide you to the right equipment for your diving adventures. Come by the shop and see what’s available, try different sizes, and check out the latest colors and accessories.

Open Water Diver FAQs

How much does it cost to get certified?

Course and training dive costs vary by location, but most new divers will spend $1,000-$1,500 on their Open Water Diver certification between the course, training dives, and required gear. We offer a wide selection of gear to fit most budgets. Our knowledgeable team members will recommend the best gear for your needs.

What gear do I need?

We require each student have their own Mask, Snorkel, Fins, and Boots for class. These items all have a personal fit and you’ll be more comfortable in your own pieces. We also require divers to purchase their Safety Gear, including a Surface Marker Buoy and Reel. We have a wide selection of these items that will last you for years to come.

Where do open water training dives take place?

Local training dives are available during our warmer months in nearby lakes, springs, and quarries. Visibility and water temperatures can vary but these are economical and will let you explore your local waterways. Diventures Certification Vacations are available year-round to Cozumel & Florida for those who want to do their training dives in the ocean.

Your Open Water Certification dives must be completed within six months of your pool training.

Is scuba diving safe?

Yes! At Diventures, safety is our number one priority and fun is our number one goal. Earning your scuba certification means completing the necessary training to be a safe diver. Additional courses and certifications will help you continually refine your skills. The best divers are always learning!

How long does my certification last?

Your Open Water Diver Certification is a lifetime certification, it never expires. If it’s been a year or more since your last dive, we highly recommend a scuba refresher class to ensure your comfortable with your gear and skills.

What's next?

Your Open Water Diver certification is only the beginning of the SSI educational system. It is best thought of as a license to learn all types of diving, rather than a license to do all types of diving. SSI specialty courses will teach you specialized diving activities. Common classes for new divers include Perfect Buoyancy, Nitrox, Diving First Aid, and Deep Diving. By combining specialties and experience, you can earn Specialty Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Master Diver ratings.

Not Ready To Commit? Try It Out!

Learn how to breathe underwater in our two-hour introductory Try Scuba class. All gear is provided and you can decide if you’re ready to get certified after.

Try Scuba Diving