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 R9 735 per person. This includes everything you need for the course – digital theory packs, gear rental, dive permits, final qualification certification, etc.
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 this 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 1. If you answered YES to questions 3, 5 or 10 OR to any of the questions on page 2, please read and agree to the statement provided by signing and dating it AND take all three pages of this form (Participant Questionnaire and the Physician’s Evaluation Form) to your physician for a medical evaluation. Participation in a diving course requires your physician’s approval.
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
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.
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.
All you need to bring along is a swimsuit and a reusable water bottle.
We provide everything you will need on the day, including all gear, study materials, hot showers, and towels.
Transport to the shore-entry dive sites is not included.
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.
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.
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.
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 one dive or 24 hours after two dives on the same day. 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.
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.