Open Water DIVING COURSE

SSI OPEN WATER DIVER

The SSI OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE IS YOUR GOLDEN TICKET TO EPIC UNDERWATER ADVENTURES ACROSS THE GLOBE!

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Ready to take the plunge and unlock a whole new world beneath the waves? This is where your dive journey begins – your official gateway to the deep blue.

With this certification in your pocket, you’ll be free to buddy up and explore down to 18 meters, no dive pro required. That means liveaboard expeditions, outer reef trips, guided group dives and even renting gear for your own independent ocean escapades. The underwater world will officially be your playground!

And there’s no better place to learn than right here at Pleasure Divers on Magnetic Island—a tropical island paradise where the water’s warm, the reefs are thriving and every dive feels like a dream.

When you're not blowing bubbles, soak up the island vibes with beach hangs, hiking trails and laid-back local cafes.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s make some waves! Check out the course details below and get ready to take your first breaths underwater!

Itinerary

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  • GET SETTLED & POOL TRAINING

    Arrive at our facility, meet your instructor and fellow dive buddies, knock out the paperwork and get hands-on with your scuba gear. After a quick swim and float test, we dive right into scuba skills training in our on-site pool, getting you prepped for the real thing.

  • FIRST OCEAN DIVES
    Time to take the plunge! Head out for your first and second ocean dives, where you'll explore Magnetic Island’s stunning fringing reef with a couple of shore dives that put your new skills to the test in open water.

  • Certification
    Complete a third shore based training dive and then one last epic dive to wrap up your training! After surfacing, it’s time for the final 50-question exam—but don’t stress, by now, you’ll be feeling like a natural. Pass that, and you’re officially a certified Open Water Diver!

Details
SSI 3 DAY OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE

At Pleasure Divers, we keep it small, personal and all about you! Our tiny class sizes (max 4 students!) mean you’ll get loads of one-on-one time with your instructor, making your dive training super smooth, stress-free and way more fun. More attention, more confidence and more good vibes—just the way learning to dive should be!

Cost $499 per person (incl GST)

Duration 3 days; 8.30am to 4.30pm each day

When Courses start every Tuesday 

Includes

  • Digital kit of e-learning materials that is yours to keep forever! Great for future reference 

  • SSI certification

  • Pool training

  • 4 ocean shore dives off Magnetic Island’s beautiful bays/ beaches.

  • Full gear hire for 3 days 

  • EMC “Environmental Management Charge”

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    1. Swim 200m without mask, snorkel or fins

    2. Float or tread water for 10 minutes without flotation device

    3. Complete medical screening questionnaire (and possibly get a dive medical, if the screening questions indicate this is necessary)
      The SSI Pre-Dive Medical screening questionnaire can be downloaded here.

  • To secure your place in the course, we require a non-refundable $100 deposit.

    See our T&C’s and cancellation policy.

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FAQs

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  • Our online bookings close 3 days before the start of a new course. This is to give participants the adequate time to register their SSI account and complete the SSI e-learning required.

  • We know how exciting it can be for certified divers watching their loved ones becoming certified!

    However, our Open Water courses are designed specifically for unqualified beginners and we want all of our new learners to get the most out of their learn-to-dive experience and time with their instructor.

    Our Open Water courses are designed specifically for unqualified beginners and we want all of our new learners to get the most out of their learn-to-dive experience and time with their instructor. So we prefer qualified family members to give the learners the time and space they need to focus on tasks at hand.

    Certified divers (especially parents of kids doing Junior Open Water) are welcome to purchase a spot on any open water course for $400 and participate in the entire course with their family member. Completing the skills and exercises as a buddy to the learner diver, is a great way to refresh and update your own diving skills.

    Pleasure Divers can also arrange a private experience for you and your family to cater for a mix of abilities and qualifications. A private experience, without any other class members, allows certified divers to enjoy some fun dives alongside their family members completing their skills.

    Alternate ways to experience the thrill of diving together with your loved ones, once they’ve finished their Open Water course requirements:

    1) Book a post-course guided shore dive for $120pp.

    2) Book a dive trip to the outer reef or MOUA with Adrenalin Dive $460pp

    3) Book a continuing education course. Do your Advanced/Rescue or other Specialty courses together as a family.

  • Yes! A private instructor for 3 days costs $1,600. You can book a single diver or up to a maximum

    of 4 divers. Email us to request and coordinate dates.

  • Scuba/ Snorkel Equipment

    Your booking includes full gear hire for 3 days of your course. However, if you already have any of your own items like mask, suit or fins, please bring them along. It is always nicer to dive with your own equipment

    If you are looking to start investing in your own dive equipment, we offer discounted package deals for our Open Water students. Please browse our range in store and speak with our friendly staff to get you started with a few bits and pieces of your own, at a hot price.

    Clothing & Protection

    We spend a lot of our course time outdoors. Please bring footwear, swimwear, towel, sun protection and wet- weather protection. And warm clothes if necessary.

    Lunch

    Food/ drinks are not provided on the course. You will be given a lunch break every day. You are welcome to bring your own lunch and store in our fridge until lunch time. Alternatively, the Arcadia General Store and Arcadia Bakehouse are both within walking distance to purchase your lunch.

    Please bring a refillable drink bottle. Hydration is key when scuba diving and you will need to drink a lot. You can refill your reusable water bottles at the dive shop.

  • Your scuba gear is an investment! A big one! We recommend completing your Open Water course before you consider purchasing items like regulators and BCD’s!

    However, if there is ONE item you should consider purchasing straight away- it is your own scuba mask. A mask is a very personal item! You want yours to fit without leaking, to feel comfortable on your skin, to look good and feel great! Our Open Water students receive a 10% discount on scuba stock in our shop.

  • If you wear contacts you are able to wear these with a scuba mask. Just inform your instructor on the day that have contacts in place.

    If you use glasses for long distance vision, a prescription mask can help you see underwater into the distance. Find out what number your prescription is and ask us!

  • Your $100 deposit is non-refundable. This is because we will have already used your deposit to purchase your digital e-learning kit from SSI.

    If you’re unable to attend the course your options are:

    • Reschedule with us for another date. We have an additional transfer fee of $50. Transferring is dependent on places available on another course.

    • Enrol with another SSI dive centre for the practical. You will keep your e-learning kit and not be charged again for the e-learning, as you already have it!

    Travel insurance is highly recommended to cover additional expenses when things don’t go to plan.

  • If a student is unable to complete their course due to any reason, including but not limited to ear equalizing, medical conditions, panic, anxiety, inability to complete skills required or other circumstances, refunds are not available.

    At the discretion of the Dive Manager a reschedule may be permitted, but will incur the transfer fee of $50.

    In some circumstances, the student may need to book a new Open Water course and start over.

    Travel insurance is highly recommended to cover additional expenses when things don’t go to plan.

  • Learning to scuba dive requires good weather.

    Typical diving on fringing island reefs, means visibility is typically between 4m-6m. If visibility becomes too poor and comprises safety we may cancel the ocean dives. Similarly if wind is too strong and prohibits safe entries and exits we may cancel the dives.

    Our refund policy takes into consideration poor weather conditions.

    If we need to cancel due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund if the course hasn't started yet.

    If we need to cancel in the middle of the program, we only charge for what you actually have done and refund the remainder.

  • $499 per student — this includes:

    • EMC $8 per student

    • GST

    • SSI Digital kit

    • 3 days of scuba gear hire

    • Scuba Instruction

  • 3 days worth of training, plus some at-home e-study to be completed beforehand.

  • Arrive time: 8.30am
    Finish time 4.30pm

  • We start a new course every Tuesday.

    In school holidays we add an additional course and also offer specialised kids courses for children aged 10-13.

  • Email us!

    If you already have a group of 4, we may be able to add in an additional course on dates that suit your group.

    We can also create a private course for you. Additional costs apply.

  • The minimum age to join our regular scheduled Open Water courses is 14yrs.

    However, students as young as 10yrs are permitted to enrol in a Junior Open Water course

    If you would like to consider enrolling your 10, 11, 12 or 13yr year old child, please speak with Pleasure Divers to assess your child’s readiness and arrange a special course. Kids courses for 10-13yr olds are run every school holidays.

    There is no maximum age for enrolment in an Open Water course! However, people over the age of 45yrs may be required to obtain a physicians approval for diving. The medical form will indicate this.

  • Our regular courses are capped at a maximum of 4 students. This is what makes Pleasure Divers different and special! Small class sizes allow for close supervision and attention from your instructor.

    If you have a family or group bigger than four, liaise with us and we’ll accomodate your larger group.

  • 1) Medical: Participants must complete a medical screening declaration. Depending on the answers to this screening, participants may need to undergo a physician's evaluation prior to commencing their course. Your booking confirmation will contain an attachment - please fill out this medical form. If the form indicates you need to, please book a doctor appointment before your dive course commences.

    2) E-learning: Participants must complete the pre-course study prior to arrival. The material is provided by SSI online via the phone app or desktop version. It is self-paced.

    3) Swim test: participants must swim a continuous distance of 200m without swimming aids like fins, mask, wetsuit. This is assessed on-site at Pleasure Divers

    4) Floatation test: participants must float or tread water for 10 minutes. Assessed on-site at Pleasure Divers

  • You cannot fly within 24 hours after your last dive. Please do not book air travel until 4.30pm the day after your OW course finishes.

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