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 SOLD OUT!
March Standard Class
Mar 9 – Mar 19 SOLD OUT!
March Weekend eLearning Class
Mar 21 – Mar 22 SOLD OUT!
Saturday shop orientation and pool, Sunday pool
April Class
April 13 - April 23
April Weekend eLearning Class
Saturday shop orientation and pool, Sunday pool
May Class
May 4th -14th
May Weekend eLearning Class
May 16 – May 17
Saturday shop orientation and pool, Sunday pool
Summer & Fall Local Certification Classes
Includes classroom or eLearning, pool training, and open-water dives in New England.
June Class
June 1st - 14th
8 sessions over 2 weeks — evenings during the week and weekend open-water dives
June Weekend eLearning Class
June 27 -28 OW JULY 11-12
Saturday shop orientation and pool, Sunday pool. Open water dates on Sat - Sun
July Class
July 6th - 19th
8 sessions over 2 weeks — evenings during the week and weekend open-water dives
July Weekend eLearning Class
July 25 - 26 OW August 1st - 2nd
Saturday shop orientation and pool, Sunday pool. Open water dates on Sat - Sun
August Weekend eLearning Class
Aug 8th - 9th OW August 15th - 16th
Saturday shop orientation and pool, Sunday pool. Open water dates on Sat - Sun
August Class
Aug 10th - 23th
8 sessions over 2 weeks — evenings during the week and weekend open-water dives
September Weekend eLearning Class
Sept 12th - 13 OW Sept 19th - 20th
Saturday shop orientation and pool, Sunday pool. Open water dates on Sat - Sun
September Class
Sept 14th - 27th
8 sessions over 2 weeks — evenings during the week and weekend open-water dives
October Weekend eLearning Class
Oct 3rd - 4th OW Oct 10th - 11th
Saturday shop orientation and pool, Sunday pool. Open water dates on Sat - Sun
October Class LAST CLASS OF THE SEASON
Oct 5th - 18th
8 sessions over 2 weeks — evenings during the week and weekend open-water dives
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
What is PADI Club?
PADI Club is a global membership that helps new divers stay active, informed, and connected after certification. Members receive access to exclusive dive planning tools, continuing education discounts, digital dive magazines, safety resources, and special offers on training and gear — all designed to help you keep diving and improving your skills.
You can purchase PADI Club at any time to enhance your dive training and continue your journey after certification.
Learn more or join here:
https://www.padi.com/padi-club
