PADI Open Water Diver Certification Course
Discover a life-changing underwater world by earning your globally recognized scuba license in less than two weeks! Our comprehensive course at International Diving Centre takes you from absolute beginner to a confident, certified diver.
Learning to dive right here in British Columbia means you will build superior diving habits and buoyancy control. This gives you the skills and confidence to dive anywhere on the planet with total ease.
Course Highlights
- Course Length: 4 evenings over two weeks, plus one full weekend.
- Time Commitment: Around 8 hours of self-paced online eLearning, followed by structured pool and ocean sessions.
- Start Times:
- Class & Confined Pool Training: Monday & Wednesday at 7:00 PM (starts early at 5:30 PM for July & August dates).
- Ocean Weekend: Saturday & Sunday at 8:00 AM.
- Age Requirement: 12+ years old.
- Course Difficulty: Beginner – no prior experience required!
Course Overview
Your diving journey begins at your own pace with PADI eLearning. You will use interactive text, videos, and graphics to build your knowledge online before you step foot in the water.
After completing your home study, you will head into our store for interactive classroom discussions with an instructor. Next, you will complete four 1-hour pool sessions to master your equipment and underwater skills at a comfortable, progressive pace.
Once you complete your pool training, it is time to apply your skills in the real world! We head straight to the ocean, where you will show your instructor that you can confidently execute those skills in open water.
Vancouver boasts world-class scuba diving right in our own backyard. During the course, we primarily visit Whytecliff Park, a spectacular Marine Protected Area near Horseshoe Bay. Alternatively, if weather and tides dictate, we also utilize Porteau Cove to guarantee the best possible training environment.
Planning a vacation to a warmer climate? You can complete all your academics and pool training here first so you don't waste precious vacation time studying. Take a look at our PADI Open Water Referral Course for more details!
Get a Taste of PADI Open Water Diving
Prerequisites & Swim Requirements
Scuba diving is highly accessible to most people, but a basic level of swimming and water comfort is a prerequisite. To demonstrate your comfort, you will need to complete these two water-skill tasks using any swimming method you prefer:
- Swim 200 metres continuously without stopping (no time limit).
- Float or tread water for 10 minutes continuously.
We will teach you every other skill you need to know to safely navigate the underwater world!
The IDC Safety & Value Difference
At IDC, we value safety above all else. We are proud to keep our student-to-instructor ratios well below industry standards, allowing for more personal attention, supervision, and custom feedback.
To give you a better understanding of our unique local environment, we provide focused classroom sessions with your instructor before every pool dive. This ensures you learn the specific techniques and knowledge that apply best to BC diving.
Did you know that at IDC we do not charge extra for gear rentals? Our Open Water course includes rentals (with the exception of a mask, snorkel, and a mouthpiece), eLearning, and certification. We are the most affordable Open Water course in the Lower Mainland when all is said and done. Everything you need to complete your course is included in your fee.
What We Supply:
- PADI eLearning Course Materials Included ($280 Value)
- All Required Scuba Gear Rentals (with the exception of a mask, snorkel, and mouthpiece)
- Classroom Lectures & Facilitated Pool Sessions
- 4 Instructional Training Ocean Dives
- Certification Fees & Digital PADI Logbook
- Free Parking at the store, pool, and locker service
What You Supply:
- Personal Snorkeling Gear: You must have your own Mask, Snorkel, and personal Mouthpiece for safety and hygiene. These items can be purchased directly from IDC any day before your course begins, and student discounts are available at our shop!
- Personal Items: Swimsuit, towel, and a sense of adventure.
- Gear Deposit: A temporary equipment deposit is required for the gear you take off-site for the weekend. A credit card number is more than sufficient and will only ever be applied to broken or missing equipment.
- Transportation: You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the ocean sites. However, IDC Rideshare vans are available for just $15.00 per day (space is limited).
Detailed Course Curriculum
Part 1: Knowledge Development
- Registration Forms: Once you purchase the course, you will receive a digital IDC Online Learning Agreement via Google Forms. Please complete this and all accompanying documents promptly to secure your official course registration.
- PADI eLearning Setup: After completing your initial forms, you will receive a registration email from PADI. This unlocks your self-paced PADI eLearning program (approximately 8–10 hours of study featuring interactive text, videos, knowledge reviews, quizzes, and exams). All online training modules must be completed by the Sunday before your practical sessions begin.
- Medical Evaluation: Review the medical evaluation requirements prior to your first session.
