Learn to Dive: PADI Open Water

Get your PADI Open Water Diver certification with DXDivers in Deerfield Beach, FL. We're a PADI 5-Star Dive Center and PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Center, and the certification you earn is for life. It does not expire.

How it works

1. eLearning (online, at your own pace): PADI's eLearning covers the physics of diving, safety and dive hand signals. You must finish it before your pool session.
2. Pool session at our on-site pool: All 5 Open Water skill modules are done in 1–2 pool sessions. Plan on about 6 hours in total, from arrival to departure.
3. 4 ocean dives off our boat, the Lady Go Diver: 4 dives over 2 boat days. Plan on about 6 hours for each boat day, from arrival to departure. Ocean dives depend on the weather.

Altogether, the in-person part of the course can be finished in three days.

You have 12 months from the date of purchase to complete the course.

Step 1: Choose your course

Step 2: Choose your schedule

Upgrades are add-ons to the Open Water Course or the Open Water + Nitrox Bundle. Add the one you want to your cart along with your course; the upgrade price is on top of the course price.

What we provide

• Like-new Aqua Lung rental equipment: BCD, regulator with octopus, dive computer, wetsuit and tanks. Rental gear is replaced with the newest model every year.
• 4 dives total off our Newton 46’ custom dive boat, the Lady Go Diver
• Professional instruction with experienced PADI instructors
• Certification card processing
• No hidden fees, rentals or charter expenses

What you provide

• Completed PADI Open Water eLearning (purchased separately, $207, unless you choose the bundle)
• Completed PADI medical questionnaire in your PADI eLearning profile, with a physician’s sign-off if needed
• Your own personal and safety gear: mask, snorkel, fins (boots if using open heel fins), weights, surface marker buoy (SMB) with finger spool, whistle and logbook. All of it is available in our store, and students get 10% off personal gear.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to complete the course?
Start with the PADI eLearning, which you finish online before any in-person training. It takes the place of a traditional classroom presentation. Next comes the pool: all five Open Water skill modules are completed in one or two pool sessions. Plan on about 6 hours in total for your pool session(s), from the time you arrive until you head home. Then you’ll make 4 ocean dives off our boat, the Lady Go Diver, over 2 boat days. Plan on about 6 hours for each boat day, from the time you arrive until you head home. Altogether, the in-person part of the course can be finished in three days. Ocean dives always depend on the weather.

How long do I have to finish the course after I buy it?
You have 12 months from the date of purchase to complete the course.

What happens if bad weather cancels a boat day?
Sometimes the ocean has other plans! If weather or sea conditions cancel the boat, we can use alternative dive sites such as Tigertail Lake and Blue Heron Bridge to complete your course.

How old do you have to be to get certified?
Divers can start at 10 years old! Ages 10–14 earn the Junior Open Water Diver certification. Ages 10–11 can dive to 40 feet with a PADI Professional or a certified parent or guardian, and ages 12–14 can dive to 60 feet with a certified adult. At 15, a Junior Open Water Diver is automatically upgraded to Open Water Diver, with a maximum depth of 60 feet.

How deep can I dive after I’m certified?
Open Water Divers 15 and older can dive to 60 feet (18 meters). Junior Open Water Divers ages 10–11 must dive with a PADI Professional or a certified parent or guardian and can go to 40 feet (12 meters); ages 12–14 must dive with a certified adult and can go to 60 feet (18 meters).

Why do I need to purchase PADI eLearning?
Great question! DXDivers is a dive shop, not a certification agency. PADI creates the courses and training materials that dive shops like ours teach, and we sell all of PADI’s books, materials and digital eLearning. We also charge less than PADI does, and buying from us supports a small, local business. Add PADI Open Water eLearning ($207) to get started.

When can I start the PADI eLearning?
Right away! After you buy the PADI Open Water eLearning, we email you a link to redeem your code, so you can start learning from the comfort of home.

What’s the best way to secure my spot in the course?
Buy the course and the eLearning online or over the phone. Once you’ve finished your eLearning, you can join whichever Saturday pool session works best for you. Call us at 954-420-0009 to reserve your spot.

I live outside Florida. Can I do my pool sessions at home and my ocean dives with DXDivers?
Absolutely! PADI calls this the Referral Program. Do your pool sessions with any PADI dive center and ask your instructor for the signed referral paperwork. Then call us at 954-420-0009 to plan your ocean dives with us.

Is it really a lifetime certification?
Yes! Once you’re certified, you’ll never need to repeat the full Open Water course. Keep in mind that some dive shops and charters, including ours, require you to have been diving within the past year to dive from a commercial dive boat. If it’s been longer than that, our PADI ReActivate (formerly called a refresher) will get you back in the water.

Are there any medical issues that could prevent me from scuba diving?
That’s ultimately up to your doctor. You’ll fill out the PADI medical questionnaire in your PADI eLearning profile. If you answer “yes” to anything on it, you’ll need a release signed by your doctor before diving.

Can I get a refund if I decide not to finish my certification?
We don’t offer refunds on courses or course materials. If you’re not sure scuba is for you yet, try PADI Discover Scuba Diving first: you’ll put on the gear and take a short pool session with one of our instructors to see how you like it.

Is there insurance I can get for diving?
Dive insurance isn’t required, but Divers Alert Network (DAN) offers insurance that specifically covers diving-related accidents. While you’re taking the course with us, you’re automatically covered by DAN for the length of the course or up to 180 days, whichever comes first.

Should I bring my own food, snacks or drinks on the boat?
We provide complimentary light snacks, cold water and soda on the Lady Go Diver. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks, too, so you feel comfortable throughout your dive day.

How often do you run the PADI Open Water course?
A new Open Water class starts in the pool every Saturday. Your eLearning needs to be finished before your pool session, so once you’ve passed the final exam and have your personal and safety gear, give us a call at 954-420-0009 to confirm your spot.

Questions? Call us at 954-420-0009.