Overview of Our Sydney Openwater Scuba Course
This Openwater scuba diving course in Sydney uniquely blends online theoretical study with hands-on training in both a controlled pool environment and the open ocean. Designed to equip you with the skills for diving up to 18 meters, the course leads to the globally acknowledged Openwater Scuba Diver certification.
Initially, participants engage in 3-4 hours of online theory, culminating in a theoretical exam. Additionally, a physical swimming test is mandatory, involving a 200-meter swim and a 10-minute water tread, with no constraints on time or swimming style. Primary practical diving techniques are first honed in a Sydney-based pool.
The course intensifies with four ocean dives in Sydney's beautiful waters. These practical sessions not only reinforce skills learned in the pool but also introduce advanced diving practices, ensuring you become a proficient Open Water scuba diver. Upon successful completion of all theory and practice components, your instructor will endorse your log book and student file, officially certifying you as a Scuba Diver with international recognition.
Fitness for diving is essential for participation in the Openwater Course in Sydney, and you may be required to undergo a diving medical examination.
Pool Entry Fee
Transport
Cost of Dive Medical [if required]
Your online training ad quizzes must be completed online prior to the course commencement. Please allow approximately 4 hours to complete online training. This will be issued by us after we receive confirmation of your booking during business hours and an email will be sent letting you know how to access it.
Friday - Sunday
**please note: these times are a guide deping on group size, time of year and ocean conditions. Exact meet times will be announced during your Orientation evening.
Online training
Photo for certification
Transport
Swimming
Language
Fitness to Dive
What you need to bring
Age
There are two schools of thought on this. One is that you should not really consider purchasing your personal gear until you are sure what type of diving you like. This school believes you should buy only mask, fins and snorkel, for fit and sanitary reasons.
The other school of thought is that rental gear, especially in international tropical locations, is often second rate and poorly maintained, and that gear you purchase will be better and more reliable.
Also once you have some idea about what you need, it is always recommended you buy the best quality you can afford. Scuba equipment is after all, life support equipment.
Most start with mask, fins, snorkel, then probably move to a wetsuit, then regulator and BCD. Typically people agree a cylinder is probably the last piece of equipment to buy.
Source: http://scifi.squawk.com/scuba.html (adapted by Sue Crowe)
Yes, and failure to do so will mean that you wont be able to continue the course. The 200 meter swim and 10 minute test are to demonstrate that you are watersafe. The swim has to be continuous (no grabbing the side of the pool) , using any stroke and is not timed.
As a Beginner,the course you need to do is one of our OPENWATER Courses. This beginners course is suitable for anyone who has never dived or snorkelled before as well as students who may have already experienced an Introductory Dive. On completion of the OPENWATER course you will be certified to dive to a depth of 18 meters,be able hire scuba cylinders and purchase air fills. The certification you receive is recognised world wide.
1. All students must be able to swim. There is a 200 meter swim test and 10 minute tread water/float test completed in the heated training pool (one of the confined water modules you will be required to complete and pass).
2. The Minimum age is 15 years of age and there is no maximum age limit
3. All students must be medically fit to dive. Please refer to the Dive Medical Page on our website for information plus a link for the Student Medical Waiver form which all students are required to complete and suggest you complete and submit
4. If you have completed and submited the student medical waiver form and received an advice that you will be required to complete a full dive medical, for details for doctors who are registered to do the dive medicals please view this website www.spums.org.au. Your own doctor may also be able to do this medical for you and you will need to provide the appropriate dive medical form. This form is linked to the Dive Medical Page and can be printed off.
Children as young as 10 years of age, however as the Student instructor ratio have to be halved for anyone under 15 years in a course, none of our standard openwater course are available for anyone under 15 years*.
When considering if our open water course is suitable for your child, please note that we do not offer specific courses for children and they will be training with other adults on the course.
* Anyone want a child under the age to complete a course in Sydney will need to look at a private course or a program specifically run for children under that age.
All students are provided with the following gear hire for the duration of the course
If you wear glasses, here is some information for you
1. You are able to dive with contact lenses provided that they are soft lenses.
2. Alternatively you may wish to consider purchasing a prescription mask. There are masks available to purchase where the standard glass lenses can be taken out and replaced by prescription lenses. Lens sizes range from -1 diopter to -8 and are in half sizes ( i.e. 1.5, 2, 2.5 etc). (Masks with prescription lenses are not available for hire)..
Currently the e'learning is only available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and more. However all pratical training is done in English,
Immediately on receipt of your confirmation voucher please action the following:
1. Via the link Dive Medical on your voucher, please complete and submit the completed dive medical questionnaire. If you receive an advice that you are required to have a full dive medical, this must be completed at least 7 days prior to course commencement
2. Please register for your E learning. Instructions on how to register are on your voucher. To be allowed to start the course you must have completed all the theory prior to the start date. You will need to allow 6-7hrs to completethis. Once you have registered for the open water course theory, the Dive shop receives notification that you have registered and will confirm back to so you will be provided with access.
If you have not completed the online theory, you will not be able to start the course. $100.00 rebooking fee will apply if you need to change your start date.
Availability |
From
$699.00 AUD |
Certification Card |
$29.00 AUD |
A physical certification card to compliment your e-card. Perfect for slipping into your wallet for easy access on your travels. |
|
Club Membership (includes complimentary transport during the course) |
$50.00 AUD |
INCLUSIONS
COMPLIMENTARY TRANSPORTOur limited seats are reserved for our Club Members. If you don't have access to a vehicle and can't arrange one, you will need to include this option as the pool and dive sites are scattered around Sydney. Because of the location of the dive sites, you will not be able to catch public transport, and ride-share options will be expensive. If you have a car, you are welcome to drive yourself. Our Club Membership is your best option if you do not have a car. 10% OFF SHORE AND BOAT DIVESShore and boat dive bookings at Alexandria and Manly for 12 months, excluding special offers. |
Directions:
Click here to get directions from Google Maps
Public Transport
Bus Routes from the CBD (all from the Carrington St, Wynyard stands), need to disembark at the very next stop after Warringah Mall (nr Roger St). Timetable and more information can be found at at www.sydneybuses.info
Use Google Maps to get Details
Weekday AM: | Routes 178, 180 and L85 all have departures arriving at Pittwater Rd (nr Roger st) stop before 0900. |
Weekday evening: | Routes E76 (Stand D), E78 (Stand D), E79 (Stand D), L80 (Stand D) and L85 (Stand C) |
Weekends: | Saturdays: 180 (Stand D) and 180 (stand C) Sundays: 190 (Stand A) |
Public Transport from Manly Ferry Wharf:
Weekday AM: |
Routes 155, 156 and 136 will all get you to the shop before 09:00. Routes 135, 156 and 159 will get you to the shop by 10:00. |
Weekday evening: |
Routes 135, 155 and 169 will all get you to the shop before 18:30. |
Weekends: |
Saturdays: 136, 155 |
5
All instructors were fantastic and the experience was great! by Rob Hartley - 19-Apr-2024
5
Fabulous instructors! There’s a lot of theory to cover and the instructors do it with ease and a smile that fills you with confidence. Would recommend to anyone who’ll listen by Mitchell Hodder - 19-Apr-2024
5
Loved this experience. Had a really awesome dive instructor who made me feel comfortable and confident. Unfortunately, we had some very poor visibility due to sydney rain, but they were very kind to offer us to join another day when conditions are better to complete our 3rd and 4th dive. by Jonathan Lu - 05-Apr-2024
5
Matt the instructor was sensational! He provided clear instructions both on the surface and in the water, helped when we needed it and was lots of fun. by Peter Hanlon - 29-Mar-2024
5
Really enjoyed my open water dive course with the team at Brookvale. Such a positive environment and safe for you to achieve your goals. by Rachael Dodwell - 22-Mar-2024
5
Jackie was great - super clear and patient and really fun to dive with. by Anna Saulwick - 22-Mar-2024
5
Did a course with Daniel. Genuinely couldn't imagine a better person to take you through the weekend. Casual, informative, funny, and engaging. Had an amazing time and Daniel alone would keep me coming back to Pro Dive Manly. Course and cost were both fantastic - highly recommend to anyone thinking about it. by Rowan Brooke - 22-Mar-2024
5
Had such a great time with the team at Pro Dive Manly - Apo and Matt were super knowledgeable, professional and fun to learn from. Thank you for making it a great experience, will definitely be back! by Sarah Wu - 08-Mar-2024
5
the course was awesome, took us from knowing nothing about diving, to feeling confident setting up gear and going for a dive. The instructors Daniel and Matt had a great energy and kept everything fun. Was a really great weekend! by Maya Cook - 01-Mar-2024
5
Matt and Daniel were awesome instructors, would 100% recommend this course to anyone looking for certification. by David Bradbury - 01-Mar-2024