Open Water Diver Certification – Get Certified to Dive
$895
Train with Portsmouth Scuba – Home of Diver’s Den (Est. 1968) and earn your PADI Open Water Diver certification. We offer multiple training formats year-round, including weekday, weekend, fast-track, private, and referral options so you can get certified on your schedule.
2026 Winter, Spring & Summer Course Schedule
Winter & Early Spring
(Complete academics and pool training now — open water in early June or via referral)
February Standard Class
Feb 2 – Feb 12
March Standard Class
Mar 9 – Mar 19
March Weekend eLearning Class
Mar 21 – Mar 22
Saturday shop orientation and pool, Sunday pool
April Class
Dates coming soon
May Class
Dates coming soon
Summer & Fall Local Certification Classes
Includes classroom or eLearning, pool training, and open-water dives in New England.
June Class
Dates coming soon
8 sessions over 2 weeks — evenings during the week and weekend open-water dives
July Class
Dates coming soon
August Classes
Dates coming soon
September Classes
Dates coming soon
October Classes
Dates coming soon
How the Course Works
Every Open Water Diver course has three phases:
1. Knowledge Development
Complete classroom sessions or finish the academics online using PADI eLearning.
2. Confined-Water (Pool) Training
Practice essential scuba skills in a controlled pool environment with your instructor.
3. Open-Water Checkout Dives
Complete four open-water dives in lakes or the ocean, either locally or at your vacation destination using a PADI referral.
Course Format Options
Standard Open Water Course
Traditional classroom learning with a two-week pool and open-water schedule.
eLearning with Standard Schedule
Complete academics online, but still attend the first Monday for orientation and gear fitting, then follow the normal two-week pool and open-water schedule.
eLearning Fast-Track (Weekday)
Our fastest certification option, offered once or twice per season only. One week from start to finish: Monday orientation, Tuesday through Thursday pool training, weekend open-water dives.
Weekend eLearning Program
Saturday: 10:00 AM shop orientation and gear issue, then 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM pool
Sunday: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM pool
Open-water dives take place the following weekend during summer.
Private Courses
Custom schedules for families, couples, or those needing flexibility.
PADI Referral Option
Do all training here and complete your open-water dives anywhere in the world.
Which Open Water Class Is Right for Me?
I want traditional classroom learning
Standard Open Water Course
I want to do my learning online but keep the normal schedule
eLearning with Standard Schedule
I want the fastest option available
eLearning Fast-Track (Weekday)
I can only train on weekends
Weekend eLearning Program
I am traveling and want to finish my dives somewhere warm
Any course with a PADI Referral
I need flexible or private scheduling
Private Open Water Course
What’s Included
Your $895 Open Water Diver Course includes:
PADI Open Water Diver certification
Instructor-led training
Classroom or eLearning materials
Confined-water pool sessions
Open-water checkout dives or referral
Use of tanks, weights, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, and air fills during training
Professional fitting and support from Portsmouth Scuba
What You’ll Need
Personal dive gear (available for purchase in the shop):
Mask
Snorkel
Boots
Fins
We offer affordable student gear packages and winter starter bundles.
Not included:
Personal dive gear
PADI eLearning fee (if applicable)
Boat or park fees (if required)
Travel costs for referral dives
Training Packages
Available online or in-store.
Open Water Complete Package
Open Water Certification plus Mask, Snorkel, Fins and Boots
$1,325 — Save over $200
Enriched Air (Nitrox) Package
Open Water plus Enriched Air
$935 — Save $100
AWARE Diver Package
Open Water, Project AWARE, Coral Reef Conservation and Peak Performance Buoyancy
$1,260 — Save $50
Advanced Diver Package
Open Water, Advanced and Enriched Air
$1,535 — Save $150
Cold Water Diver Package
Open Water, Advanced, Drysuit and Full Face Mask
$1,795 — Save $200
Extended Range Package
Open Water, Advanced, Nitrox and Deep Diver
$1,795 — Save $200
Rescue Diver Package
Oxygen Provider, First Aid, CPR and Rescue
$900 — Save $100
Master Scuba Diver Package
Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Nitrox, Wreck, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Equipment Specialist and Oxygen Provider
$2,935 — Save $360
