Open Water Diver Course

If you’ve always wanted to take scuba diving lessons, experience unparalleled adventure and see the world beneath the waves, this is where it starts. Get your scuba diving certification with the PADI Open Water Diver course – the world’s most popular and widely recognized scuba course. Millions of people have learned to scuba dive and gone on to discover the wonders of the aquatic world through this course.

Get Certified! Take a Open Water Diver Course with Aquatic Safaris

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular scuba course, and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle. Aquatic Safaris has taught many thousands of divers in its 30 year history, from local students, residents and retirees to Boy Scouts and internationals coming to Wilmington to get certified and dive.

Choose the better way to learn….with Aquatic Safaris.

Start SCUBA Lessons Today by signing up for the eLearning code directly through PADI or save $120 by signing up for the Open Water eLearning package directly with us.

Taking scuba lessons is a great way to meet new people. Connect with new friends by enrolling in a scuba diving class at Aquatic Safaris where you’ll meet friendly, expert dive professionals who will introduce you to everything scuba has to offer and help you determine the best learning method for you.

What You Learn

The Aquatic Safaris Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases:

Knowledge Development: Your OW course includes the PADI eLearning code. You’ll create a PADI portal to access the PADI Open Water Diver online course, where you’ll learn all about SCUBA diving.
Confined Water Dives: Two pool training sessions where you will build all the skills you will need to be a confident and safe diver. Extra pool sessions are subject to a $25 pool rental fee.
Open Water Dives: Four Open Water Checkout Dives during which you apply all the skills you have acquired in training. The first check out dives are normally done at Fantasy Lake Adventure Park ($25 entry fee), taking advantage of their great, controlled environment. The final checkout dive is off our USCG inspected charter boat…you get dive boat and salt water experience during your class for NO extra charge, an Aquatic Safaris exclusive.

The Fun Part

The fun part about this course is . . . well, just about all of it because learning to dive is amazing. You breathe underwater for the first time (something you’ll never forget) and learn what you need to know to become a certified diver. During the course, you’ll make five pool dives and four dives at local dive sites under the supervision of your PADI Instructor.

The Scuba Gear You Use

In the Open Water Diver course, you learn to use basic scuba gear including an optional dive computer, and standard accessories. Included in your course fee is use of all the gear you’ll need to get certified. You need only your own personal gear (mask, fins, and snorkel), which can be purchased at Aquatic Safaris at a introductory 10% student discount.

The Learning Materials You Need

PADI’s eLearning Open Water Diver tutorial covers what you need to know about basic scuba diving skills, terminology and safety procedures. For each concept you’ll read a description and watch a video demonstration. Then you’ll hop in the pool to practice these skills with your instructor. Later, as a certified diver, use the course materials as a reference guide for future diving adventures and to review what you learned.

Medically Fit to Dive?

For safety, all students complete a brief scuba medical questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to begin. If any of these apply to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive. If you have any doubt about passing the Medical Statement, please take a look and answer the questions before you signup for an Open Water class. The form is HERE.

Start Now

You don’t have to wait to start. With PADI eLearning, you can begin right now by buying your eLearning code directly from PADI or save $120 by signing up for the our OW Diver package directly with us over the phone or at the dive shop. The PADI Open Water Diver Course Online lets you learn the background information you need before each dive at your own pace through friendly, interactive learning.

After you have completed all your class work on PADI’s eLearning website, you will complete your pool and open water dives with us. Course fee includes all of the following: PADI eLearning access code, pool sessions, 4 OW dives with instructor, eLog book, 1 boat charter, and PADI certification card.

Upcoming Open Water Diver Classes Full Instruction Schedule here

Class:	Dates & Times:	Instructor:	Cost:	Space Available
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 02 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 2 8-9AM Pool: May 2 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 3 8:30AM-3:30PM, May 4 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	7
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 09 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 9 8-9AM Pool: May 9 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 10 8:30AM-3:30PM, May 11 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	8
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 16 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 16 8-9AM Pool: May 16 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 17 8:30AM-3:30PM, May 18 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	8
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 23 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 23 8-9AM Pool: May 23 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 24 8:30AM-3:30PM, May 25 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	8
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 30 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 30 8-9AM Pool: May 30 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 31 8:30AM-3:30PM, Jun 1 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	8

Details

Minimum age	10 years. Age 10-11 by special arrangement and private surcharge applies.
Equipment provided by student	Personal snorkeling equipment – mask, fins and snorkel can be purchased at Aquatic Safaris for 10% introductory student discount.
Equipment provided by Aquatic Safaris	Scuba equipment (tank, weights, regulator with gauges, BC, wetsuit) included in Open Water Diver course. Emergency first aid and oxygen kits during check out dives.
Course cost	$500 per student. Class size is limited by PADI standards. Your payment secures your class spot. Private class available also.
Required books & materials	PADI Open Water eLearning code – included in course fee.
Additional expenses	NONE. All SCUBA Equipment necessary for participation (mask, fins, and a snorkel are not provided but can be purchased for 15% below retail price), all learning material (including eLearning code, dive planner, and elog book), pool fees, charter to the Liberty Ship, & PADI Certification eCard are included in course fee. Fantasy Lake SCUBA Park entry fee $25 for first check-out dives, if applicable.

Other Aquatic Safaris Open Water Course Options and Pricing

PADI OW eLearning class:

If you have already purchased and completed the PADI eLearning course, the cost of completing the OW class is $375. This would be done with a regularly schedule OW class.

SCUBA reActivate “Refresher” class:

PADI reActivate eLearning code, pool session, basic SCUBA gear, PADI eCard. $170.

PADI SCUBA Diver to PADI Open Water Diver upgrade class:

One class session, one pool session, 2 open water dives. $260.
Includes basic SCUBA gear and charter to the Liberty Ship and PADI eCard.

Referral classes:

If you are going on vacation and want to do your class and pool work here, but your open water dives on your vacation, no problem! We can do a referral class for you for $375. This class can be done with any Open Water class and includes the PADI eLearning code and pool sessions.

Class:	Dates & Times:	Instructor:	Cost:	Space Available
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 02 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 2 8-9AM Pool: May 2 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 3 8:30AM-3:30PM, May 4 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	7
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 09 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 9 8-9AM Pool: May 9 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 10 8:30AM-3:30PM, May 11 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	8
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 16 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 16 8-9AM Pool: May 16 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 17 8:30AM-3:30PM, May 18 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	8
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 23 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 23 8-9AM Pool: May 23 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 24 8:30AM-3:30PM, May 25 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	8
Open Water Diver Starts Fri May 30 2025 8:00 AM Includes PADI eLearning course access code and wreck dive charter.	Class: May 30 8-9AM Pool: May 30 9:30AM-12:30PM, 1-4PM Charter: May 31 8:30AM-3:30PM, Jun 1 7:30-10:30AM	TBA	$500	8

If you have done all your pool and class work, and need only to finish your open water dives, a referral fee of $300 includes the following: 4 OW dives with instructor, a boat charter, gear use, and a PADI certification card.

PADI OW Crossover & Referral class:

If you have done all your knowledge development and pool work with a non-PADI certification agency and want to complete your open water dives, a fee of $340 includes all of the following: class session, pool session, 4 OW dives with instructor, a boat charter, and a PADI certification card.

PADI OW Private Class: We can organize private scuba diving lessons for an individual or a small group. The private lesson surcharge is $225 for the first person, $125 for each additional person up to four total, or can be split equally at $150.

Class Refund/Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy: All courses are reserved with class payment. Should you need to cancel or reschedule your class, we require a minimum of 10 days notice. Canceling or rescheduling class with less than 10 days notice incurs a $150 fee. Classes must be started within 1 year of purchase. No refunds or partial refunds for unused classes will be granted after 6 months from class purchase date. The PADI eLearning code, once redeamed, is non-refundable. Proceeding with signing up for a course demonstrates your understanding and willingness to abide by these policies. Please contact us to address any questions or concerns BEFORE you proceed with payment.
This policy is subject to change without notice.

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