Open Water Diver
(the entry level certification)

Seek your Adventure with us !

If you live life on the edge… or if you simply want to escape gravity… you should be a PADI Open Water Diver. Whether exploring the secrets of a sunken wreck, or experiencing close encounters with fascinating species in exotic corners of the globe, you’ll find adventure on every dive — and meet others who share your quest for unending excitement.

Adventure Scuba is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center and we are proud to offer the PADI Open Water Diver Course here in New York City. The program consists of two elements; Knowledge Development / Pool Training, and then Open Water Dives.

Knowledge Development establishes the principles and basic information all divers need to have fun and dive safely. PADI's eLearning provides students the opportunity to complete the required academics at their own pace and addresses all types of learners.  This on line program is an interactive mix of spoken word, text and video and takes about 12 - 14 hours to complete so make sure to plan accordingly.

Our pool training sessions take place inside the Asphalt Green Aquatic Center at 555 East 90th Street, directly across the street from our retail location.  It is a 16 1/2 feet deep pool so your training with us will be the most realistic experience available in Manhattan.  With our experienced staff we cater to those who want the best experience, so we offer the smallest class sizes in Manhattan.  As the highest level PADI center you can rest assured you will be ready for your Open Water Dives once you have completed your pool training with Adventure Scuba.  We have trained Chelsea Clinton, Anderson Cooper and more recently Davi Santos just to name a few of our former students.  Why not add your name to that list ?

At Adventure Scuba we offer three options to complete your Pool Training, detailed below.

Top-of-the-line tanks, regulators, gauges, buoyancy compensator jackets, weights and belts will be provided at no cost during your pool training. You must provide your own mask, snorkel, boots, Open Heel strap fins, and a wetsuit is highly reccomended. As it states in the PADI Open Water Diver course material :

“Being cold takes the fun out of diving… water conducts heat about 20 times faster than air does… you’ll want to use an exposure suit in virtually all diving activities for two basic purposes; to reduce heat loss, and to protect you from minor scrapes.”

All of our SCUBA students get a discount on the purchase of the required gear !

When your knowledge development and pool training is complete, your Instructor will provide you a Letter of Referral. This letter is your entry ticket to the final step in the process: the Open Water Dives that will complete your SCUBA certification. Between May and October, most students choose to perform their Open Water Dives in the local area. Adventure Scuba regularly sponsors “Certification Weekends” at Lake Hydra, a scuba amusement park just a short drive from New York City.

If you already have a trip planned to a different dive destination, simply take your Letter of Referral with you, and any PADI Instructor can complete your training. We can assist you in locating PADI Dive Centers or Resort locations worldwide. You have one full year from the date on your Letter of Referral to complete your certification.

There is never a fee for your PADI referral when you learn to dive with Adventure Scuba.

Class Descriptions:

Two-Night Weeknight Lessons

• Weeknight Classes:  Pool Training Sessions (Tues & Thursday from 6pm to 10pm)
• No more than 3 students per instructor.
• Half the size of the standard PADI Open Water Diver class.
• Tuition only $550.00 per student
• Price does not include on line academics (PADI'S eLearning) which can be paid for and started here.
• Book online - calendar

Private Weeknight Lessons

• Booked for two sessions (Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm to 10pm)
• Limited to one student per instructor.
• An excellent way for someone not that comfortable in the water to successfully learn to SCUBA dive in a stress-free setting. The individualized attention you receive will assure your comfort and safety.
• Tuition is $1,600.00 .
• Ask about special pricing for a 2 person Private Weeknight Lesson
• Price does not include on line academics (PADI'S eLearning) which can be paid for and started here
• Book online - calendar

Weekend One-Day Lesson - Offsite

• Booked for Saturday or Sunday: only one day.
• Minimum of 2 students are required
• Class is limited to 3 students per instructor
• We can accommodate only 3 students per weekend so these book up extremely fast.
• Tuition only $700.00 per student.
• Takes place offsite at a private pool on Long Island.  Transportation is available via LIRR (Long Island Railroad) for those without a car.
• Price does not include on line academics (PADI'S eLearning) which can be paid for and started here
• Book online - calendar

Weekend Private Lesson - Offsite

• Booked for Saturday or Sunday: only one day.
• Class is one on one training which is the best way to learn how do SCUBA in a stress free setting.
• We can accommodate only 2 Private lesson each available weekend so these are at a premium.
• Ask about special pricing for 2 person Private Weekend Lesson.
• Tuition is only $1400.00 per student.
• Takes place offsite at a private pool on Long Island.  Transportation is available via LIRR (Long Island Railroad) for those without a car.
• Price does not include on line academics (PADI'S eLearning) which can be paid for and started here
• Book online - calendar

All classes require the student to purchase and complete eLearning* prior to their in pool lesson date.

Register now on our Calendar or call us @ 212-876-3483

*current eLearning fee is $246.00 pp

Full certification also requires the completion of 4 Open Water Dives. We offer these dives locally May thru October or you can complete them at any PADI facility worldwide.  Call us for more details.