Below you may find our policies and schedule regarding Open Water SCUBA Certification Dives.

In order to receive your Open Water Scuba Certification, you must complete five Open Water Training dives with a certified scuba instructor. These dives consist of one skin dive (optional for PADI) and four scuba dives, or five scuba dives. Only two to three scuba dives a day are allowed. All dives must be recorded in a scuba log book and signed by the certified scuba instructor conducting the dive. You can complete these dives locally by using the scheduled dive trips to local quarries. You may also use most of the diving vacation trips organized by Aqua Specialists to complete your open water dives. For those taking our dive vacation trips, Aqua Specialists will rent you a regulator with a computer console, a buoyancy jacket and a shorty wet suit for $40.00 for a four-day trip. Private or semi-private (2-3 students) training dives may be arranged (see reverse side). Reservations for local quarry dives are required at least 48 hours in advance with the payment of the diving instruction fee. Cancellations will only be accepted up to 72 hours before the scheduled dive. Please make checks payable to: Aqua Specialists, Inc.

Scuba course completion letters are available upon request to students who desire to take their open water training dives elsewhere. To receive a referral letter, a request must be made seven days in advance, all course work MUST be completed, the medical form signed by a doctor must be submitted , and the certification agency must be identified, along with a $25.00 certification fee which includes either your PADI or NAUI Scuba Certification. Referral letters requested in less than 72 hours require a $25.00 expediting fee and referral letters requested in four to six days require a $10.00 expediting fee. A request to fax your referral letter and information requires a $25.00 expediting fee.

Most diving facilities will only accept a referral letter up to six months from the date of your last class session. Aqua Specialists allows up to one year for their students to complete their open water dives from the date of their final written test. Your Open Water Training dives must be done by a currently certified PADI or NAUI Instructor. Aqua Specialists can recommend instructors and/or dive facilities in resort areas that we know for you to do your dives.

If more than one year has elapsed since you completed your scuba course, you MUST take a two session Scuba Refresher Course and provide a current medical form signed by a doctor. After eighteen months have passed since the end of the course, you will have to retake the entire course.

Remember, for safety reasons, only a limited number of divers can be accommodated on each dive date. A review session is available in the pool for $10.00 for those who desire. Your deposit will assure your reservation. Minimum deposit is $25.00 or total fee, whichever is less. If we cancel the dive, you will receive a complete refund of both rental and dives fees paid to Aqua Specialists, Inc.

Open Water Dive Fees and Schedule

Preparation information