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PADI Open Water Diver Course

PADI Open Water Diver Course

Become an Open Water Scuba Diver

Do you want to become a scuba diver? The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School is a certified PADI Dive Centre and your one-stop shop for all things scuba in Cape Town. Join our PADI-certified Dive Instructors on an awesome underwater adventure that will bring you joy for the rest of your life… Take on the PADI Open Water Diver course!

Who is this course for?

PADI Open Water Diver is the world’s foremost recreational scuba diving course, recognised around the globe and taken up by hundreds of thousands of ocean explorers every year. This fun and challenging course for beginners will stretch your abilities and foster a deeper appreciation for what it takes to breathe and explore underwater.

Once qualified as a PADI Open Water Diver, you will be able to dive with a buddy down to 18 metres, rent dive equipment, book boat dives, obtain air fills, take additional classes, and even proceed to an Advanced Open Water Diver qualification.

PADI Open Water Diver opens the door to a world of incredible ocean adventures.

How to take part

The PADI Open Water Diver course at the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School costs R8 665 per person. This includes everything you need for the course – digital theory packs, gear rental, dive permits, final qualification certification, etc.

Go to: Book your course today!
Scuba divers underwater at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Participant information

Age restrictions

Participants must be aged 10 years or older to enrol in the PADI Open Water Diver course. 10- to 14-year-old divers earn a PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification, rather than PADI Open Water Diver.

Important medical information

To do the PADI Open Water Diver course, you need to be reasonably healthy. You will need to complete a medical questionnaire before being allowed to dive - download it here. Have a look through the questions on Page 2. If you were to answer “Yes” to any of the questions, you would need a letter from a doctor clearing you for diving. If you answer “No” to all questions, no doctor’s letter is required. Should there be an answer that concerns us, we reserve the right to ask for a referral to a diving physician. When answering these questions, honesty is paramount to your safety and ours.

Flying after diving

Please be advised that you may not do this course and dive if you are planning to fly within 24 hours after the dive.

Course information

Course duration

The course takes three days to complete. The days do not need to be consecutive (you have up to six months to complete the course), but we strongly recommend that you complete these days in close succession so that everything is fresh in your mind.

Days typically start at 08h00 in the foyer of the Aquarium, where your dive instructor will meet you, and finish around 16h00.

Did you know?

  • PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organisation.

  • The Two Oceans Aquarium is a certified PADI Dive Centre! This means we meet all the stringent health, safety and quality requirements as set out by PADI.

  • In addition to Open Water Diver, the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School also offers Discover Scuba Diving and Advanced Open Water Diver courses, as well as refresher courses.

Frequently asked questions

  • PADI Open Water Diver course outline

    E-learning: Knowledge development sessions cover the following:

    • Theory sessions on a digital platform in preparation for your course.
    • When you come to the Dive School for diving, we’ll revise what you’ve learned online.
    • Day 1: Confined dive (Pool session). We spend the day in the swimming pool at the Two Oceans Aquarium, teaching you how to use the equipment and diving skills that have been covered in the e-learning components.
    • Day 2: Open Water Dives 1 & 2. Your first ocean-like dives! We do two dives in the Aquarium’s I&J Ocean Exhibit, practising what you’ve learned in the pool.
    • Day 3: Open Water Dives 3 & 4. We will do two shore-entry dives in the False Bay/Simon’s Town area, honing your diving skills and finalising your certification. Transport to these dive sites is not included.
  • How healthy/fit do you need to be?

    To do the PADI Open Water Diver course, you need to be reasonably healthy. In addition to completing the downloadable health questionnaire, you will also need to be relatively fit and able to swim.

    Please be advised that you may not do this course and dive if you are planning to fly within 24 hours after the dive.

  • What do you need to bring?

    All you need to bring along is a swimsuit, a reusable water bottle, and a towel.

    We provide everything you will need on the day, including all gear, study materials, and hot showers. 

    Transport to the shore-entry dive sites is not included.

  • Arrival at the Aquarium

    Please arrive at the Two Oceans Aquarium 15 minutes before your scheduled diving slot. You may report to our Visitor Centre just inside the main entrance and the Dive School team will meet you.

  • What can I do with my PADI Open Water Diver qualification?

    A PADI Open Water Diver qualification allows you to dive recreationally to depths of 18 metres. PADI is the largest diver rating agency in the world, with a global network of thousands of certified instructors, guides and resorts – so a PADI Open Water Diver card will allow you to confidently hire equipment, and book diving experiences almost anywhere in the world.

    Your PADI Open Water Diver qualification will last a lifetime if you use your skills regularly. If you ever want to improve your ability or learn new skills, you’ll be able to take the next step in your scuba diving career – PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

  • About the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School

    The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School is a certified PADI Dive Centre and your one-stop shop for all things scuba diving in Cape Town.

    PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organisation. As a certified PADI Dive Centre, the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School meets all the stringent health, safety and quality requirements as set out by PADI.

  • Terms and conditions

    Please read our terms and conditions and make sure you are eligible to dive before making your dive booking:

    In line with recognised diving practice, dives may not occur if divers are to FLY less than 12 hours after the dive time (or 24 hours for the PADI Open Water Diver and PADI Advanced Open Water courses). Please do not book if you are not sure about the exact time of your flight, especially if it is within 24 hours after your dive. This will result in forfeiting the entire dive fee.

    Failing to produce your official dive qualification (eg. dive card) on the day of the dive, your dive will be cancelled and you will be liable for the full amount. We can only check your dive qualification online if you are PADI or SSI certified.

    Do not book if you are not sure about your dive qualification, as this will result in forfeiting the entire dive fee. If unsure, please contact us at dive@aquarium.co.za to ensure you book the right experience for your qualification level.

    If you have a valid dive qualification but have not dived for over 6 months you will be required to complete a refresher course on the day of your dive. This will be done at the Aquarium.

    For safety reasons, divers must be at least 10 years old to dive in our exhibits.

    Divers under 18 must have their indemnity form signed by their legal guardian. If the legal guardian will not be present on the day of the dive, they must request a copy of the indemnity form at the time of booking the dive so that it is signed in advance of the dive.

    The Aquarium entrance fee is included in the rate for the diver/s on the day/s of their dive/s.

    Cancellation policy

    Before cancelling your booking, please note that PADI dive courses are non-refundable. The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School requests proof of payment as well as a completed booking form to secure your preferred dates.

    Should you wish to postpone your dive for another day, please do so at least 24 hours in advance. If you postpone on the day of the dive, you will be charged a penalty fee of 50% of the dive fee. If the reason to postpone is medical and happened on the day of the dive, there will be no penalty fee provided you have proof, e.g. medical certificate or letter from the doctor.

    Should you wish to cancel the dive upon successful completion of the Discover Scuba Dive course, a penalty fee of 50% will be charged.