PADI Open Water Diver
SCUBA certification begins here!
Start with PADI's online eLearning course -> then move to the beach and practice your new skills -> then experience FOUR open water dives off the boat in the beautiful and warm Caribbean Sea!
If you’ve always wanted to take SCUBA diving lessons, experience unparalleled adventure and see the world beneath the waves, this is where it starts. Get your SCUBA diving certification with the PADI® Open Water Diver course – the world’s most popular and widely recognized SCUBA course. Millions of people have learned to SCUBA dive and gone on to discover the wonders of the aquatic world through this course. To enroll in a PADI Open Water Diver course (or Junior Open Water Diver course), you must be 10 years old or older. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with SCUBA diving is required.
The PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases:
- Knowledge Development using PADI eLearning to understand basic principles of SCUBA diving.
- Confined Water Dives to learn basic SCUBA skills.
- Open Water Dives to use your skills and explore!
You may be able to get college credit for the Open Water Diver course as well.
Short on time? The PADI Scuba Diver course might be right for you instead. Contact Red Hook Dive Center for details.
In the PADI Open Water Diver course, you learn to use basic SCUBA gear, including a mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device, and a tank. The equipment you wear varies, depending upon whether you’re diving in tropical, temperate, or cold water. In the US Virgin Islands, the water temperature is warm to moderate year round and many divers find "Shorty" style wet suits are sufficient to maintain body temperature.
Note: A 300 meter swim with mask, snorkel, and fins and a 10-minute float without using any swim aids are required for certification.
Prerequisites:
Minimum Age:
- 10 yrs (children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult throughout their certification process).
- An eLearner under the age of 13 requires parent or guardian permission to register online.
Physical:
For safety, all students must complete a brief SCUBA Medical Questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive.
Course Fee
- Two or More Students (per Booking) - $599
- Single Student (per Booking) - $749
What's Included:
- Required Scuba Equipment (BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask, Fins)
- Instructor Fee
- Boat Fee (Includes Tanks, Weights, Captain & Crew)
- Certification eCard & PADI Processing Fee
Not Included:
- PADI eLearning - See PADI eLearning for Price
- Gratuity for Your Instructor and Crew
Course Schedule
Students must complete the PADI eLearning before you meet the instructor for the Confined and Open Water Training sessions. Students should plan on taking 16 hours to complete the full eLearning program for PADI Open Water Diver (some students may take longer). An eLearner under the age of 13 requires a parent or guardian permission to register online.
Day 1 - Half Day to Full Day if Needed
8:00AM - 1:00PM Meet your instructor at the dive shop to complete the paperwork necessary to begin your in water training. You'll do a Quick Review of diving theory (25 questions) and then head to the beach nearby for your Confined Water Training sessions (students are require to have separate transportation). This water portion includes 5 short dives to master 24 SCUBA skills before diving off the boat.
Day 2 - Half Day
8:00AM - 12:00PM Open Water Training 1 & 2 - Two Tank Boat Dive in the Morning
- or -
12:00PM - 5:00PM Open Water Training 1 & 2 - Two Tank Boat Dive in the Afternoon
Day 3 - Half Day
8:00AM - 12:00PM Open Water Training 3 & 4 - Two Tank Boat Dive in the Morning
- or -
12:00PM - 5:00PM Open Water Training 3 & 4 - Two Tank Boat Dive in the Afternoon
Some students may require more than 1 full day to complete the Confined Water Training or Open Water Training. Prices for the course are based on the above schedule, adding more time to complete will result in additional costs.
Please note that the purchase of this course does not constitute a guarantee of certification within the allotted time.
Save Vacation Time with the PADI Open Water Referral System:
Take advantage of PADI Referral System !! It’s ideal for vacationers, especially people who want to spend minimum time in our classroom during their stay in St.Thomas.
LEARN MORE BELOW...
PADI Open Water Diver Referral Course
Save your vacation time by starting at home, then finish your SCUBA training in our warm tropical waters!
The PADI Open Water Diver Referral Course is ideal for anyone who wants to spend minimum time in our classroom and more time enjoying the scuba experience during their stay in St. Thomas.
A referral class works as follows: You begin your open water diver course in your home town, completing the academics and confined water portions of the course at your local dive center. Then when you come to St. Thomas you only have to complete your 4 open water training dives!
By the time you get here in St. Thomas, you may only need to complete your four open water dives. A referral class is completed in 2 mornings or 2 afternoons - leaving the rest of your vacation free to dive more and different dive sites!
You Must Bring:
- Your Referral Form - (less than 12 months old) from your original instructor
- Medical Statement - signed by your physician (if required)
- Logbook and Recreational Dive Planner
Physical:
For safety, all students complete a brief SCUBA Medical Questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive.
Course Fee
- Two or More Students (per Booking) - $449
- Single Student (per Booking)- $599
What's Included:
- Required SCUBA Equipment (BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask, Fins)
- Instructor Fee
- Boat Fee (Tanks, Weights, Captain & Crew)
- Certification eCard & Processing Fee (Note: If you are a SSI or NAUI referral student this will be completed by your home dive center.)
Not Included:
- PADI eLearning - See PADI eLearning for Price
- Confined Water Training Sessions
- Gratuity for Your Instructor and Crew
Course Schedule:
Duration: 2 Half Days
Day 1 - Half Day
8:00AM - 12:00PM Open Water Training 1 & 2 - Two Tank Boat Dive in the Morning
- or -
12:00PM - 5:00PM Open Water Training 1 & 2 - Two Tank Boat Dive in the Afternoon
Day 2 - Half Day
8:00AM - 12:00PM Open Water Training 3 & 4 - Two Tank Boat Dive in the Morning
- or -
12:00PM - 5:00PM Open Water Training 3 & 4 - Two Tank Boat Dive in the Afternoon
PADI ReActivate
Been out of the water for a few years and need a quick SCUBA refresher?
The PADI ReActivate program is the perfect way to update your dive skills and knowledge from the PADI Open Water Diver Course before jumping back into the water. Whether you want a few reminders or need to go over the basics, ReActivate is personalized for you! Step one is online where you will conveniently review SCUBA concepts on your tablet, mobile device, or computer. It’s quick and easy, and a good way to prepare for your next PADI course or get ready for a diving vacation. The best part is, divers who complete both the knowledge and in-water skill refresher receive a replacement certification card with a ReActivated date on it.
*Your PADI certification does not expire. Participation in PADI ReActivate™ is not mandatory, but recommended as an easy way to refresh your foundational SCUBA safety knowledge and skills if you haven’t been diving in a while.
Prerequisites:
Minimum Age
- 10 yrs (children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult throughout their certification process).
- An eLearner under the age of 13 requires parent or guardian permission to register online.
Must be a previously certified PADI Open Water Diver.
Cost: Single Student $199 (Includes Gear)
Not Included:
- PADI eLearning - See PADI eLearning for Price
- Gratuity for Your Instructor and Crew
Continuing Education
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
This course can be taken after completing the PADI Open Water Diver certification. It's titled PADI Advanced Open Water Diver because it advances your diving knowledge & skills.
Advanced doesn't mean you have to be “advanced” to take the course – it’s designed to advance your diving, so you can start right after earning your PADI Open Water Diver certification! The course helps build confidence and expand your SCUBA skills through different Adventure Dives. You'll try out a set of new specialties while gaining experience under the supervision of your PADI Instructor all while finding new ways to have fun SCUBA diving.
Get credit! Each Adventure Dive may credit toward the first dive of the corresponding PADI Specialty Diver Course. If you’ve already taken a specialty diver course, ask your instructor if you’ve earned credit for an Adventure Dive.
PADI (Junior) Open Water Divers who are at least 12 years old are ready to step up and enroll in an Advanced Open Water Diver course. Young divers may only participate in certain Adventures Dives – check with your PADI Instructor.
If you’re already an Adventure Diver, you only need to complete two more Adventure Dives to earn the Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
Academics
You’ll plan your learning path with your instructor by choosing from a long list of Adventure Dives. There are two required dives – Deep and Underwater Navigation – and you choose the other three, for a total of five dives. During the Deep Adventure Dive, you learn how to plan dives to deal with the physiological effects and challenges of deeper SCUBA diving. The Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive refines your compass navigation skills and helps you better navigate using kick-cycles, visual landmarks, and time.
The other knowledge and skills you get vary with your interest and the adventures you have – photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, exploring wrecks, and many more.
Equipment
Beyond using basic SCUBA equipment, you’ll need a compass and dive knife or dive tool. You’ll also use specialized gear depending on the Adventure Dives you choose. Your PADI Instructor will explain the equipment that you need and may suggest additional gear, such as dive light for night diving or lift bag for search and recovery diving.
Prerequisites:
Minimum Age
- 10 yrs (children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult throughout their certification process).
- An eLearner under the age of 13 requires parent or guardian permission to register online.
Must be a previously certified PADI Open Water Diver*.
*Qualifying certification from another SCUBA training organization is accepted, but please contact Red Hook Dive Center for details.
Physical :
For safety, all students complete a brief SCUBA Medical Questionnaire (pdf file) that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive.
Start the Advanced Open Water Diver Course Online
Sign up for Advanced Open Water Diver Online – PADI’s eLearning option – to get started immediately. The web-based system lets you learn about seven of the most popular Adventures Dives – including the required Deep and Underwater Navigation Adventure Dives, plus Boat, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Naturalist, and Wreck Adventure Dives. You study at your own pace through an easy to use, interactive program. You also have access to an online version of the Adventures in Diving manual and can complete sections for other Adventure Dives as directed by your PADI Instructor.
Course Fee
- Two or more students (per booking) - $649
- Single student (per booking) - $799
Required Materials
- PADI Training Log Book
- Recreational Dive Planner (Dive Table or eRDPml) or Dive Computer
- Timing Device (Watch or Dive Computer)
- Compass
- Dive Knife or Dive Tool
What's Included:
- Use of Required Scuba Equipment (BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask, Fins, Compass, Dive Tool)
- Instructor Fee
- Boat Fee (Tanks, Weights, Captain & Crew)
- Certification eCard & Processing Fee
Not Included:
- PADI eLearning - See PADI eLearning for Price
- Gratuity for Your Instructor and Crew
Course Schedule (Sample):
Duration: 3 Half Days
Day 1 - Half Day
8:00AM - 12:00PM: Fun Dive + Peak Performance Buoyancy
- or -
12:00PM - 5:00PM
Day 2 - Half Day
8:00am - 12:00pm: Naturalist + Wreck Dive
- or -
12:00PM - 5:00PM
Day 3 - Half Day
8:00am - 12:00pm: Deep Dive + Underwater Navigation
- or -
12:00PM - 5:00PM
PADI Rescue Diver Course
Learn to prevent and manage problems in the water, and become more confident in your skills as a diver. It's challenging, yet very rewarding.
SCUBA divers describe the PADI Rescue Diver course as the most challenging, yet most rewarding course they’ve ever taken. Why? Because you learn to prevent and manage problems in the water, and become more confident in your skills as a diver, knowing that you can help others if needed. During the course, you learn to become a better buddy by practicing problem solving skills until they become second nature. Plus, the course is just fun – it’s serious, but still allows for lots of laughter in between the focused learning.
PADI (Junior) Adventure Divers who are at least 12 years old and have completed the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive may enroll in a Rescue Diver course. You also need to have Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months. You can complete this training during the Rescue Diver course. Your instructor may also offer the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider specialty diver course at the same time.
Academics
- The PADI Rescue Diver course prepares you to deal with dive emergencies, minor and major, using a variety of techniques. Through knowledge development and rescue exercises, you learn what to look for and how to respond. During rescue scenarios, you put into practice your knowledge and skills.
- Topics Include:
- Self Rescue
- Recognizing and Managing Stress in Other Divers
- Emergency Management and Equipment
- Rescuing Panicked Divers
- Rescuing Unresponsive Divers
You may be able to get college credit for the Rescue Diver course – ask your instructor.
Equipment
You’ll use your basic SCUBA equipment and will need a pocket mask to practice in-water resuscitation. During exercises, you’ll work with an oxygen unit, floats, marker buoys, and perhaps CPR mannequins. Your PADI Instructor will explain the equipment that you need and may suggest additional gear, such as your own first aid kit, which will be useful throughout your diving career.
Prerequisites:
Minimum Age
- 12 yrs (children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult throughout their certification process).
- An eLearner under the age of 13 requires parent or guardian permission to register online.
Must be a previously certified PADI Adventure Diver* with the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive.
Must have completed EFR Primary and Secondary Care Training within the last 24 months.
*Qualifying certification from another SCUBA training organization is accepted, but please contact Red Hook Dive Center for details.
Physical:
For safety, all students complete a brief SCUBA Medical Questionnaire (pdf file) that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive.
Get Started
Register for Rescue Diver Online – PADI’s eLearning option – to start now. You progress through five knowledge development sections using a web-based system that lets you learn at your own pace through an easy-to-use, interactive program. You also have access to an online version of the Rescue Diver Manual for reference during and after the course.
Course Fee
- Two or More Students (per Booking) - $649
- Single Student (per Booking) - $749
Required Materials
- PADI Training Log Book
- Recreational Dive Planner (Dive Table or eRDPml) or Dive Computer
- Timing Device (Watch or Dive Computer)
- PADI Diving Accident Management Work Slate
What's Included:
- Use of Required Scuba Equipment (BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask, Fins)
- Use of Specialty Equipment (First Aid Kit, Oxygen Kit, Surface Marker Bouys, Floats)
- Instructor Fee
- Boat Fee (Tanks, Weights, Captain & Crew)
- Certification eCard & Processing Fee
Not Included:
- PADI eLearning - See PADI eLearning for Price
- PADI Diving Accident Management Work Slate
- Gratuity for Your Instructor and Crew
Course Schedule (Sample):
Duration: 2-3 Half Days
Day 1 - Partial Day
9:00AM - 2:00PM: Confined Water at Beach
Introduction to Self Rescue and Rescue Exercises 1-10. Practice session for rescue techniques and methods.
Day 2 - Half Day
8:00AM - 12:00PM: Self Rescue; Rescue Exercises 1-10
- or -
12:00PM - 5:00PM:
Day 3 - Half Day
8:00am - 12:00pm: Rescue Exercises 1-10 (cont), Rescue Scenario 1 & 2
- or -
12:00PM - 5:00PM
PADI Enriched Air Diver - NITROX
Extend your dive time with the PADI Enriched Air Diver Course - our most popular specialty SCUBA diving course! SCUBA diving with enriched air nitrox gives you more “no decompression” dive time. This means more time underwater, especially on repetitive scuba dives. You can typically stay down longer and get back in the water sooner. No wonder so many divers choose this as their very first specialty.
What does PADI Enriched Air Diver Course cover?
- Techniques for getting more dive time by using enriched air nitrox
- Enriched air scuba diving equipment considerations
- Enriched air considerations, including managing oxygen exposure, how to tell what’s in your scuba tank and how to set your dive computer
Prerequisites:
Minimum Age
- 12 yrs (children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult throughout their certification process).
- An eLearner under the age of 13 requires parent or guardian permission to register online.
Must be a previously certified PADI Open Water Diver*.
*Qualifying certification from another SCUBA training organization is accepted, but please contact Red Hook Dive Center for details.
Physical:
For safety, all students complete a brief SCUBA Medical Questionnaire (pdf file) that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive.
Course Fee
- $59 - Practical Applications and Predive Simulation Exercise without dives
- $229 - Practical Applications and 2 training dives** All rental equipment, enriched air, boat fee, and instructor fee is included.
What's Included:
- Use of Required Scuba Equipment (BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask, Fins, Compass, Dive Tool)
- Instructor Fee
- Boat Fee (Tanks, Weights, Captain & Crew)
- Certification eCard & Processing Fee
Not Included:
- PADI eLearning - See PADI eLearning for Price
- Gratuity for Your Instructor and Crew
6100 RED HOOK QUARTERS E1-1
340-777-3483