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Key West PADI Open Water Certification

10 Reviews5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 10 traveler reviews collected by Tours of Key West and TripAdvisor | Key West

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Overview

Before Looking for a Great Adventure in Key West? Enter the amazing world of scuba diving the fun and easy way with PADI® Open Water Certification in Key West.

Highlights

  • Earn basic Scuba certification that is recognized worldwide.
  • Qualify for dives to basic recreational depths (60 ft. max).
  • Enjoy a low instructor/student ratio in your course.
  • Train with top-quality dive gear. Experience real open-ocean dives.
  • Explore Key West's living coral reefs.

Description

Looking for a great adventure in Key West? Enter the amazing world of scuba diving the fun and easy way, with PADI® Open Water Certification in Key West. The world’s most popular and widely-recognized scuba course, the PADI® Open Water Diver certification is an entry-level full diver certification that can be achieved in as little as 3 days when you take the course in Key West with Tours of Key West.

Once you have your PADI® Open Water Diver certification, you are free to join other certified divers on dives up to 60 feet in depth at Key West dive sites and at resorts and dive centers around the world. You will be authorized to rent tanks and get air refills, and you will be ready to continue your training with the PADI® Advanced Open Water Course, the prerequisite to expert-level certifications and many specialty dive training courses.

The great thing about taking your Open Water course during a Key West visit is the fact that you will do your training dives on some of the best dive sites in the world among the coral gardens of the only living reef in continental US waters. After a day of classroom work, study of your course text, and a bit of pool work, you will be ready to go out on real dives and come face-to-face with the incredible sea life that most people only see on the Discovery Channel.

When you consider the fact that many people earn their Open Water cards over a period of weeks, with the only water time taking place in their local swimming pools, you can recognize what a wonderful opportunity it is to do your 4 guided training dives in the world-class dive locations found in the waters around Key West. The training dives alone offer fun and adventure that is well-worth the cost of the course fee, and they have the added benefit of building your confidence in real dive conditions and putting genuine salt-water dives in your log book.

Simply pay the course registration fee, buy the course texts or register to use the new PADI® online training materials, and you are ready to begin. All necessary dive equipment, live instruction, dive transportation, and dive master guide services are included. Your PADI® Open Water Diver certification will be something you cherish for a lifetime, and it can open the door to a lifestyle of incredible fun and adventure in a sport enjoyed by millions around the world. What are you waiting for? Let Tours of Key West get you set up to take the plunge into the world of Scuba now!

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What's Included

  • Two days of pool work and guided diving
  • All necessary gear and instruction
  • Fresh water showers
  • Course materials available for purchase on the day
  • Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
  • Gratuities

What To Expect

Complete your academics online before you come to Key West, eliminating a day in the classroom. After you have completed your dives with us, you get a PADI certification card showing your credentials as a PADI Open Water Diver. This certification card is accepted worldwide, as PADI is the largest and most popular diver training agency.
[DAY 1]

Morning Pool Session

This certification course equips students with the essential skills required to perform open-water dives in conditions comparable to their training without requiring direct supervision from an instructor.

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Pool Instruction Included • Gear Included

PADI 24 Skill Circuit

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Equipment assembly, adjustment, preparation, donning, and disassembly

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Predive safety check (BWRAF)

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Deep-water entry

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Buoyancy check at the surface

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Snorkel-regulator/regulator-snorkel exchange

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Five-point descent, using buoyancy control to stop descent without contacting the bottom

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Regulator recovery and clearing

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Mask removal, replacement, and clearing

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Air depletion exercise and alternate air source use (stationary)

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Alternate air source-assisted ascent

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Free-flowing regulator breathing

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Neutral buoyancy, rise and fall – using low-pressure inflation

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Five-point ascent

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Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent

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Orally inflate BCD to hover for at least 60 seconds

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Underwater swim without a mask

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Remove and replace weight system underwater

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Remove and replace scuba unit underwater

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Remove and replace scuba unit on the surface

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Remove and replace weight system on the surface

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Surface dive while skin diving and clear snorkel using blast method upon surfacing

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Disconnect low-pressure inflator

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Re-secure a loose cylinder band

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Perform an emergency weight drop

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Afternoon Reef Dives

Following your morning pool session, venture into the open ocean to discover two distinct dive sites within the pristine coral reef system of the Florida Keys.

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Two Reef Dives Included • Gear & Guide Included

Western Dry Rocks

Explore North America’s only living coral reef, “Western Dry Rocks,” a thriving habitat for colorful tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, and various coral species. Each day, the Captain selects the specific reef location based on current conditions to ensure optimal visibility and the best possible sea state for your dive. [DAY 2]

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Morning Pool Session

How do you master the 24 dive skills? Practice, practice, and more practice. Continue your journey towards Open Water Certification with another morning pool session.

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Pool Instruction Included • Gear Included

Afternoon Reef Dives

After your morning pool session, head out in the open ocean to explore two different dive sites on the pristine coral reef system of the Florida Keys.

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Two Reef Dives Included • Gear & Guide Included

Western Dry Rocks

Explore North America’s only living coral reef, “Western Dry Rocks,” a thriving habitat for colorful tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, and various coral species. Each day, the Captain selects the specific reef location based on current conditions to ensure optimal visibility and the best possible sea state for your dive.

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Near public transportation
  • Vessel has a toilet
  • Not wheelchair accessible

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given to travelers by the Tours of Key West customer support team.

How soon can I fly in an airplane after Scuba diving?

Participants in the Key West PADI Open Water Certification cannot fly in an airplane within 24 hours of their dive.

The main concern with scuba diving and flying is decompression sickness (DCS). Your body needs adequate time during an ascent to off-gas excess nitrogen, or you can form bubbles in your bloodstream, possibly leading to DCS.

What are the medical requirements for scuba diving?

All divers must complete a Medical Questionnaire (PDF ⧉) form before participating in the Key West PADI Open Water Certification.

Please answer your past and present medical history questions with a YES or NO. If you are not sure, answer YES.

If you answer YES to any question, you must consult a physician before participating in scuba diving.

Do you provide lunch or drinks?

We do not provide lunch. We do provide fresh water for drinking and a big cooler for anything you’d like to bring. And yes, alcohol is allowed but only after you are finished diving or snorkeling.

Is alcohol allowed on the boat?

Yes, alcohol is allowed but only after you are finished diving or snorkeling.

What is the weather cancellation policy?

If the Key West PADI Open Water Certification must be canceled due to bad weather, and you cannot go on another day or time, you will be issued a refund by Tours of Key West.

Where can I park my car?

If required, parking instructions for the Key West PADI Open Water Certification will be included in your confirmation email.

Where is the meeting point for this activity?

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Key West PADI Open Water Certification will be included in your confirmation email from Tours of Key West. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 48 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Live Chat, Text, Call, or Email our friendly customer support with your questions.

Activity code: C-833

Reviews

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Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 10 traveler reviews collected by Tours of Key West and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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