Open Water Diver Course & Referrals

PADI Open Water Diver Certification – Learn to Scuba Dive in Key Largo

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba certification program in the world. This internationally recognized certification never expires and allows you to dive anywhere in the world. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive and explore the underwater world, this is where your adventure begins.

Getting certified in Key Largo, the Dive Capital of the World, is one of the best ways to learn. With warm water, shallow reefs, excellent visibility, and calm ocean conditions, the Florida Keys offer an ideal environment for new divers to build confidence and skills in real ocean settings.

This course is your gateway to a lifetime of diving, travel, and unforgettable marine experiences.

Why Learn to Dive in Key Largo?

Key Largo is one of the top beginner-friendly dive destinations in the world, making it the perfect place to earn your certification.

Benefits include:

Warm water year-round – no cold, uncomfortable training dives

Shallow reef systems – most training dives are in 25–40 ft of water

Excellent visibility – typically 50–100+ ft

Calm conditions – protected by the Florida Keys reef tract

Short boat rides – more time diving, less time traveling

Real coral reefs – not lakes or quarries, but vibrant ocean life

You’ll complete your training dives on beautiful living coral reefs, surrounded by tropical fish, rays, turtles, and other marine life — making your very first certification dives truly unforgettable.

Course Options

We offer the Open Water Diver course as:

Full Certification Course

PADI Referral Course

Non-PADI Referral Course

Start times:

Full courses and Non-PADI referrals start at 7:30 AM

PADI referral students may choose morning or afternoon dives

Full Open Water Diver Course

Our full Open Water course is designed to be efficient and flexible. Students complete the PADI eLearning online before arriving for in-water training.

The online course covers all required academics and the final exam, saving you over a full day of classroom time. The interactive system includes videos, quizzes, and knowledge reviews, allowing you to learn at your own pace.

Once on site, your training includes:

Confined water (pool) training to learn all essential scuba skills

Four open-water training dives on beautiful local reef sites over two half-days

Typical Training Schedules

2-Day Course:
Day 1 & 2 – Morning pool training, afternoon ocean dives

3-Day Course:
Day 1 – Pool training
Days 2 & 3 – Ocean dives (morning or afternoon)

Referral Courses
PADI Referral

For students who completed their PADI eLearning and pool training elsewhere and only need the four open-water dives.

Can be completed in two half days

Morning or afternoon options available

Requires completed and signed PADI referral paperwork

Last course activity must be within 12 months

Non-PADI Referral

For students trained with another agency.

Includes quick classroom session + pool refresher

Then four open-water training dives

Course length: approx. 1.5 days

Results in a PADI Open Water Diver certification

Requires valid International/Global referral form (within 12 months)

Important Information
Requirements

Minimum age: 10 years

Must be in good health

Must know how to swim

Review the medical questionnaire here:
https://scubafunflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Diver-Medical-Questionnaire.pdf

What to Bring

Swimsuit

Towel

Sunscreen

No previous scuba experience required.

Group Size & Safety

We limit courses to a maximum of 4 students per instructor for personalized training and safety. Larger groups will have additional instructors assigned.

What’s Included

PADI eLearning & course materials (not for referrals)

Full scuba gear rental

Pool & ocean training

Professional instruction

PADI Open Water Diver certification

Upgrading from PADI Scuba Diver

If you already hold a PADI Scuba Diver certification, you can upgrade to Open Water Diver. Time and cost depend on your previous training and when you last dove. Please contact us for a personalized quote.

Important Reminder

All students must know how to swim.
You must complete the online course before arrival, or in-water training cannot begin.

By earning your certification in Key Largo, you don’t just learn to dive — you learn in one of the most beautiful, forgiving, and exciting underwater classrooms in the world. Your very first dives will be on real coral reefs, in warm tropical water, creating memories that last a lifetime. 🌴🤿