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Learn to Scuba Dive

Learn to Scuba Dive

Get Your Scuba Diving Certification

Learning to Dive is Easy and Safe.

No previous experience required.

PADI scuba diving certification is globally recognized, never expires and allows you to dive anywhere in the world. Join over 30 million PADI-certified scuba divers who started their underwater diving adventure right here with highly trained PADI Professional Instructors.

Two convenient ways to start

Start learning on your own

Start with PADI eLearning® on your own, from the comfort of your home, while on vacation, or wherever is most convenient for you. Read, watch videos, and take quizzes at your own pace to develop knowledge of scuba diving fundamentals before you work with your PADI Instructor.  You'll purchase your eLearning online, and when you're ready to start your in-person training, we'll help you select a dive shop near you or at your vacation destination.

During in-person training, your PADI instructor will teach you the required skills during practice dives at a shallow depth in a pool or pool-like environment, helping you gain confidence. Finally, once you have mastered the skills, you’ll complete your training dives in the ocean, lake, or quarry.

  • Start immediately on your own

  • Lower initial cost to get started (your total certification cost will be the same)

Start by choosing your dive shop

Begin your learning by selecting your dive shop first. Your dive shop will help you every step of the way, from starting your eLearning to completing your PADI Instructor supervised practice and training dives. You’ll purchase your eLearning online after choosing a dive shop.

Find a PADI dive shop near you or at your vacation destination - depending on where you choose to learn to scuba dive.

  • Your dive shop will guide you through the process

  • Know the total cost upfront

Choose your course

Diver above a coral reef

PADI Open Water Diver Certification

PADI Open Water Diver is the most popular beginner certification level. A highly-trained PADI Instructor will teach you to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment. You’ll complete your PADI eLearning, shallow water practice dives (in a pool or pool-like environment) and open water training dives (in the ocean, lake or quarry).

Benefit: By the end of the course, you will have the skills and knowledge to dive at home or abroad with another certified diver.
  • Get scuba certified in as little as 2-4 days

  • Dive up to 18m/60ft

Two beginner divers

PADI Scuba Diver Certification

If you're short on time to complete the PADI Open Water Diver certification, the PADI Scuba Diver is a great way to get started. It includes part of the training from the Open Water Diver course. After completing the course, you can dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional.

Benefit: By the end of the course, you will have completed approximately half of the Open Water Diver course and can easily continue your training to become a certified Open Water Diver.
  • Get scuba certified in as little as 1-2 days

  • Dive up to 12m/40ft

Decide where to learn

Get scuba certified at home or on vacation

Complete all three parts of your PADI certification: PADI eLearning, shallow water practice dives, and open water training dives at your local dive center or in your vacation destination.

  • Learn to dive on vacation and get PADI Open Water Diver certified in as little as 2-4 days. Or, master the basics of scuba diving and earn your PADI Scuba Diver certification on vacation in as little as 1-2 days.

  • Learn to dive at home by completing your PADI Open Water Diver certification at your local dive center. Take as much time as you need, connect with your local dive community, explore nearby dive sites, and be fully certified for your next vacation.

Start your scuba certification at home, finish on vacation

PADI Open Water Diver Referral program gives you a head start by completing your PADI eLearning course and shallow water practice dives at your local dive center, and your open water training dives at a dive shop in your vacation destination.

  • Finish your PADI Open Water Diver certification on vacation in as little as 2 days.
  • Spend your vacation focusing on your open water training dives - the most exhilarating part of scuba diving training.

Scuba diving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. View health requirements.

Scuba Diving FAQs

Not ready for certification?

Discover Scuba Diving

If you want to try scuba diving, but you’re not quite ready to take the plunge into a scuba diving certification course, most PADI® dive centers offer a half-day experience called Discover Scuba Diving in a pool or pool-like environment, with an optional open water dive. It’s a quick and easy way to find out if you like scuba diving.

Start by choosing a dive shop to guide you through the experience from start to finish.

  • Experience scuba diving in 2-4 hours

28 Million Divers Can't be Wrong

Throughout my participation in the Open Water Course, my instructor taught us the concepts of scuba diving in a fun and engaging way, which made the idea of going scuba diving much less daunting.

C-K Crosbie
Open Water Diver

I could not be happier with the support I received during this dive. My instructor was caring and supported me through the whole dive experience. I cannot thank her enough for her professionalism.

Kristie Morgan
Discover Scuba Diving

The PADI Difference

For over 50 years, PADI has undeniably been the Way the World Learns to Dive®, setting the standard for the highest quality dive training, underwater safety and conservation initiatives while evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle.

30,000,000

(and counting) PADI certified divers to date!

6,600

PADI dive centers and resorts across the globe

128,000

PADI Professional members worldwide

69 million

Ocean Torchbearers