PADI Open Water Diver Course

Overview

Always dreamed of breathing underwater? The PADI Open Water Diver course is your first step into scuba diving — and there's no better place to learn than Dahab, on Egypt's Red Sea coast, with calm, crystal-clear water and shore-entry dive sites right on your doorstep. No experience is required. You just need to be reasonably comfortable in water and at least 10 years old. Once certified, you're qualified to dive to 18 meters anywhere in the world. At Deep Blue Divers we keep groups small, so you get real attention from your instructor. Stay in our on-site hostel and dive straight from the door.

Description

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba certification in the world, and for good reason — it's the qualification that opens the underwater world to you for life. Earn it once, and you're certified to dive anywhere on the planet. At Deep Blue Divers in Dahab, we believe there's no finer place to take that first breath underwater than the warm, calm, astonishingly clear waters of the Red Sea. Why learn to dive in Dahab? Dahab is one of the world's great places to learn. Many of its best dive sites are shore entries — you simply walk in from the beach — which means no long, choppy boat rides and a relaxed pace that's perfect for new divers. The water is warm most of the year, visibility is excellent, and the marine life is extraordinary: vibrant coral gardens, turtles, octopus, and shoals of colorful fish. What you'll learn The Open Water Diver course is built around three parts that fit together step by step. First comes the knowledge development, where you learn the principles of diving — how pressure affects your body, how your equipment works, how to plan dives and stay safe. You can complete much of this online through PADI eLearning before you arrive, which means more time in the water once you're here. Next is confined water training. In shallow, you'll practice the essential skills — clearing your mask, recovering your regulator, controlling your buoyancy, and managing your gear — until they feel natural. There's no rush; you move forward as you become comfortable. Finally, the highlight: four open water training dives across the reefs of Dahab. This is where it all comes together and you experience real diving, applying your new skills while your instructor guides you through some of the Red Sea's most beautiful underwater scenery. Requirements You don't need any prior diving experience to start. To enroll you must be at least 10 years old and in reasonable health, and you should be comfortable in the water and able to swim. Divers aged 10 to 14 earn a Junior Open Water Diver certification with some depth and supervision limits; those 15 and over receive the full Open Water Diver certification. If you have any medical conditions, we'll ask you to complete a short medical questionnaire beforehand, and in some cases a doctor's sign-off may be needed — just ask us and we'll guide you. How long it takes: Most students complete the course in three to four days. If you finish the eLearning theory before you arrive, you'll spend more of your time diving and less in the classroom. What you'll be certified to do: Once you've earned your PADI Open Water Diver certification, you can dive with a guide — to a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet), anywhere in the world. Your certification never expires, and it's recognized at dive centers globally. It's also the gateway to continuing your education, whether that's the Advanced Open Water Diver course, specialty courses, or simply a lifetime of fun diving. Why dive with Deep Blue Divers: We keep our groups small, because learning to dive should be personal. You'll get genuine, hands-on attention from experienced instructors who care about your confidence as much as your certification. Our base sits in the heart of Dahab, a minute from the bus station and close to the town's shops, cafés and restaurants — and we have our own on-site hostel, so you can stay with us and dive straight from the door. No early transfers, no hassle, just easy access to the water and a friendly community of divers around you. What's included: Your course includes all dives, equipment, and instruction, plus your PADI certification on successful completion. Get in touch and we'll walk you through exactly what's covered and the current price. Ready to begin? Thousands of people take their first breath underwater every year and never look back. The Red Sea is waiting, and Dahab is the perfect place to start.