PADI Open Water Diver

The world's most popular scuba diving course

GET CERTIFIED

 

Begin With The PADI Open Water Diver Course

Get your PADI scuba certification. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, discover new adventures and see the wondrous world beneath the waves, this is where it starts. With Bristol based pool dives and a variety of open water dive locations to choose from, take your PADI course with us and discover how much fun you can have when scuba diving. 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.

 

The Hidden Depths Difference

We have a team full of knowledgeable, passionate and supportive dive professionals ready to teach you how to scuba dive. We love nothing more than starting your course as your dive instructor and ending the course with a new dive buddy to go exploring with.

There are many great places to learn to dive around the world, but once qualified you need people to go diving with and who share your new passion. When learning to dive with Hidden Depths Scuba School you also get access to our supportive local dive club full of active divers. As a member of our club you can enjoy access to great local dive trips, reduced rates on kit hire and regular social events.

 

 

What You Learn

You're going to learn everything you need to be a safe and capable scuba diver. Start with home study to learn dive theory, then take part in pool sessions to develop your dive skills. Finally, everything comes together with open water dives to practice skills in a realistic dive setting and build confidence ahead of future adventures as a qualified scuba diver.

If you've already enjoyed a Discover Scuba Diving experience, the skills you learned may be credited towards a portion of the full PADI Open Water Diver course certification.


Prerequisites

To sign up for the PADI Open Water Diver course or Junior Open Water Diver course, you must be:

  • 10 years or older
  • Be able to swim 200m
  • Be able to tread water for 10 minutes


The Fun Part

The fun part about this course is... well, just about all of it because learning to dive is incredible. 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 at least five pool dives and four open water dives, all under the supervision of your PADI Instructor. Your pool dives can be scheduled as a weekly course at our Thornbury Leisure Centre pool night on a Thursday evening, or arranged as a more intensive course if this suits your schedule better. 

Extra pool time is available for practice until both you and your instructor feel you’re ready to take the next step into open water. The open water dives are then taken at a shore diving site on the coast, or at an inland dive location, complete with all the facilities you need when learning to dive.

We train with small groups of students, with no more than four students per Instructor and Divemaster team. This allows you all the time you need to take in the skills and allows time for skill practice in the pool before we head out to open water and complete your course.

 

The Gear You Will Use

In the PADI Open Water Diver course you will learn to assemble, use, disassemble and care for basic scuba gear, including a dive computer, and accessories such as marker buoys and line. Your course will focus on training you to dive comfortably and confidently, and to be able to deal with any emergency that may arise underwater. All our training equipment is thouroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses for your piece of mind. 

If you're learning in the colder months here in the UK (November to April), we strongly suggest combining the Dry Suit Diver course with your Open Water Diver course. We offer a discounted package for taking these courses together, which includes rental of the dry suit and thermals. This will allow you to keep warmer and spend more time in the water during your dives. Through the warmer months of the year, you can choose between learning in a dry suit or a wetsuit. 


The Learning Materials You Will Use

PADI’s Open Water Diver course materials are included in the course fee, and cover everything 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 will jump in the pool to practice these skills with your instructor.

You have two options when it comes to selecting the best course materials for you - either the PADI eLearning programme or the the traditional paper manual and DVD. The Open Water Diver eLearning is a brilliant programme which integrates the course manual and DVD into one seamless programme, with interactive quizzes as you progress. You can get a free trial of the eLearning programme by follwing this link and creating your PADI account. 

You need an internet connection to download the PADI App and course content, but after that you can work on the materials at any time, on any device, without connecting to the internet. When you sign up for the course you can choose the best course materials to suit your learning style and preference.

Later, as a certified diver, use these course materials as a reference guide for future diving adventures and to review what you learned.

 

Ready To Book?

Simply choose from one of our available course dates below. A £100 deposit will secure your chosen course start date, and the balance can be paid any time before the end of your training. If you don’t see any suitable dates, please get in touch and we can try to accommodate your request.

    Start Date Course Type Location Places Available   Price    
16 May 2024 Open Water Diver - Thornbury Leisure Centre, Vobster Quay 0 £ 575.00

Confined Water 1
Thu 16 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 2
Thu 16 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 3
Thu 16 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 4
Fri 17 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 5
Fri 17 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Swim Tests & Skill Practice
Fri 17 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Open Water 1
Sat 18 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 2
Sat 18 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 3
Sun 19 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 4
Sun 19 May 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay

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23 May 2024 Junior Open Water Diver - Thornbury Leisure Centre, Tbc 0 £ 575.00

Confined Water 1
Thu 23 May 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 2
Thu 30 May 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 3
Thu 06 Jun 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 4
Thu 13 Jun 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 5
Thu 20 Jun 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Swims & Practice
Thu 27 Jun 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Open Water 1
Sat 06 Jul 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Tbc
Open Water 2
Sat 06 Jul 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Tbc
Open Water 3
Sun 07 Jul 2024
08:00 AM
06 hours 00 minutes
Tbc
Open Water 4
Sun 07 Jul 2024
08:00 AM
06 hours 00 minutes
Tbc

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23 May 2024 Open Water Diver - Thornbury Leisure Centre, Babbacombe, Vobster Quay 0 £ 575.00

Confined Water 1
Thu 23 May 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 2
Thu 30 May 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 3
Thu 06 Jun 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 4
Thu 13 Jun 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 5
Thu 20 Jun 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Swim Tests & Skill Practice
Thu 27 Jun 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Open Water 1
Sat 06 Jul 2024
08:00 AM
04 hours 00 minutes
Babbacombe
Open Water 2
Sat 06 Jul 2024
12:00 PM
04 hours 00 minutes
Babbacombe
Open Water 3
Sun 07 Jul 2024
08:00 AM
04 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 4
Sun 07 Jul 2024
12:00 PM
04 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay

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04 Jul 2024 Open Water Diver - Thornbury Leisure Centre, Vobster Quay 0 £ 575.00

Confined Water 1
Thu 04 Jul 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 2
Thu 11 Jul 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 3
Thu 18 Jul 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 4
Thu 25 Jul 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 5
Thu 01 Aug 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Swim Tests & Skill Practice
Thu 15 Aug 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Open Water 1
Sat 24 Aug 2024
08:00 AM
04 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 2
Sat 24 Aug 2024
12:00 PM
04 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 3
Sun 25 Aug 2024
08:00 AM
04 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 4
Sun 25 Aug 2024
12:00 PM
04 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay

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29 Jul 2024 Open Water Diver - Thornbury Leisure Centre, Vobster Quay 0 £ 575.00

Confined Water 1
Mon 29 Jul 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 2
Mon 29 Jul 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 3
Mon 29 Jul 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 4
Tue 30 Jul 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 5
Tue 30 Jul 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Swim Tests & Skill Practice
Tue 30 Jul 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Open Water Dives 1 & 2
Wed 31 Jul 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water Dives 3 & 4
Thu 01 Aug 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
Vobster Quay

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15 Aug 2024 Open Water Diver - Thornbury Leisure Centre, Brixham Beach 3 £ 575.00

Confined Water 1
Thu 15 Aug 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 2
Thu 22 Aug 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 3
Thu 29 Aug 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 4
Thu 05 Sep 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 5
Thu 12 Sep 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Swim Tests & Skill Practice
Thu 19 Sep 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Open Water Dives 1 & 2
Sat 21 Sep 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
Brixham Beach
Open Water Dives 3 & 4
Sun 22 Sep 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 30 minutes
Brixham Beach

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05 Sep 2024 Junior Open Water Diver - Thornbury Leisure Centre, Tbc 2 £ 575.00

Confined Water 1
Thu 05 Sep 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 2
Thu 12 Sep 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 3
Thu 19 Sep 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 4
Thu 26 Sep 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 5
Thu 03 Oct 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Swims & Practice
Thu 10 Oct 2024
07:30 PM
02 hours 15 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Open Water 1
Sat 12 Oct 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Tbc
Open Water 2
Sat 12 Oct 2024
08:30 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Tbc
Open Water 3
Sun 13 Oct 2024
08:00 AM
06 hours 00 minutes
Tbc
Open Water 4
Sun 13 Oct 2024
08:00 AM
06 hours 00 minutes
Tbc

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05 Sep 2024 Open Water Diver - Thornbury Leisure Centre, Vobster Quay 2 £ 575.00

Confined Water 1
Thu 05 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 2
Thu 05 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 3
Thu 05 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 4
Fri 06 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Confined Water 5
Fri 06 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Swim Tests & Skill Practice
Fri 06 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
- Thornbury Leisure Centre
Open Water 1
Sat 07 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 2
Sat 07 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 3
Sun 08 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay
Open Water 4
Sun 08 Sep 2024
09:00 AM
07 hours 00 minutes
Vobster Quay

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