PADI Open Water Diver

Diver certification begins here. Start with PADI's online eLearning course. Move to the pool and practice your new skills. Then experience four open water dives in the beautiful and warm Caribbean Sea.

Free PADI CrewPak see details below

Contact RHDC to Schedule

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:

1. Knowledge Development using PADI eLearning to understand basic principles of scuba diving
2. Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills
3. Open Water Dives to use your skills and explore!

You may be able to get college credit for the Open Water Diver course.

Short on time? The PADI Scuba Diver course might be right for you.  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 wetsuits are sufficient to maintain body temperature.

A 300 meter swim with mask, snorkel and fins and a 10-minute float without using any swim aids are required for certification.

Course Fee

• Two or more students (per booking) - $599
  
• Single student (per booking) - $749

Required Learning Materials

• PADI Training Log Book*
• Recreational Dive Planner (Dive Table or eRDPml)*
• Timing Device (watch or dive computer)

* contained within the PADI Open Water Diver CrewPak

What's Included:

• Required Scuba Equipment (BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask, Fins)
• Instructor Fee
• Boat Fee (tanks, weights, captain & crew)
• Certification card & processing fee

Not Included:

• PADI eLearning - see PADI eLearning for price.
• PADI Open Water Diver CrewPak - $59
• gratuity for your instructor and crew

Earn a Free PADI OpenWater Diver CrewPak ($59 value) when enrolling in PADI eLearning through our website link and booking your training dives with us.

Enroll in PADI eLearning

Course Schedule

You must complete PADI eLearning before you meet the instructor for the confined water dives.  Plan on 16 hours to complete the full eLeanring program for PADI Open Water Diver, some students may take longer.
An eLearner under the age of 13 requires parent or guardian permission to register online.

Day 1 in St. Thomas - partial day
Meet your instructor or shop staff at the dive shop.  Complete paperwork neccesary to begin your in water training.  Quick Review of diving theory (25 questions)

Day 2 - Full day
8:00AM - Meet us at the dive shop
Confined Water Dives - 5 short dives at a local beech to master 24 scuba skills.

Day 3 - Half Day
8:00AM - 1:00PM 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 4 - Half Day
8:00AM - 1:00PM 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 dives or open water dives.  Prices for the course are based on the above schedule, adding more time to complete will result in additional costs.  Purchase of this course does not constitute a guarantee of certification within the allotted time.

Enroll in PADI eLearning

Contact RHDC to Schedule

Save vacation time with the PADI 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 >

PADI Open Water Diver Referral Course

Save your vacation time by starting at home, then finish your 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 4 open water training dives.

Find Your Local PADI Shop

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, leaving the rest of your vacation free to dive more and different dive sites!

Course Fee

• Two or more students (per booking) - $449
• Single student (per  booking)- $599

Required Learning Materials

• PADI Training Log Book*
• Recreational Dive Planner (Dive Table or eRDPml)*
• Timing Device (watch or dive computer)

* contained within the PADI Open Water Diver CrewPak

What's Included:

• Required Scuba Equipment (BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask, Fins)
• Instructor Fee
• Boat Fee (tanks, weights, captain & crew)
• Certification card & processing fee

Not Included:

• PADI eLearning - see PADI eLearning for price.
• PADI Open Water Diver CrewPak - $59
• gratuity for your instructor and crew

Earn a Free PADI OpenWater Diver CrewPak ($59 value) when enrolling in PADI eLearning through our website link and booking your training dives with us.

Enroll in PADI eLearning

Course Schedule:

Duration: 2 Days

Day 1 - Half Day
8:00AM - 1:00PM 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 - 1:00PM 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

Contact RHDC to Schedule

PADI ReActivate

Haven’t been diving lately and want 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: You 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.

Contact RHDC to Schedule

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.

Contact RHDC to Schedule

That’s what the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about. You don’t have to be “advanced” to take it – 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 try out different specialties while gaining experience under the supervision of your PADI Instructor. You log dives and develop capabilities as you find 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.

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 Schedule (Sample):

You must complete PADI eLearning before you meet the instructor for the confined water dives.  Plan enough time to complete the full eLeanring program.
An eLearner under the age of 13 requires parent or guardian permission to register online.

Day 1 - Half Day

8:00AM - 1:00PM: Fun Dive + Peak Performance Buoyancy

- or -

12:00PM - 5:00PM:

Day 2 - Half Day

8:00am - 12:30pm: Naturalist + Wreck Dive

- or -

12:00PM - 5:00PM

Day 3 - Half Day

8:00am - 12:30pm: Deep Dive + Underwater Navigation

- or -

12:00PM - 5:00PM

Contact RHDC to Schedule

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.

Contact RHDC to Schedule

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.

Course Fee

• Two or more students (per booking) - $599
• 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 card & 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):

You must complete PADI eLearning before you meet the instructor for the confined water dives.  Plan enough time to complete the full eLeanring program.
An eLearner under the age of 13 requires parent or guardian permission to register online.

Day 1 - Partial Day

9:00AM - 2:00PM: Confined Water (pool or beach)

Introduction to Self Rescue and Rescue Exercises 1-10.  Practice session for rescue techniques and methods.

Day 2 - Half Day

8:00AM - 1:00PM: Self Rescue; Rescue Exercises 1-10

- or -

12:00PM - 5:00PM:

Day 3 - Half Day

8:00am - 12:30pm: Rescue Exercises 1-10 (cont), Rescue Scenario 1 & 2

- or -

12:00PM - 5:00PM

Contact RHDC to Schedule

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.

PADI eLearning is NOT included.
PADI Online Courses
With the convenience of PADI eLearning you can take the classroom portion of the course online!

How PADI eLearning works
Take the online training through PADI and then finish your practical application and open water session with Red Hook Dive Center.

Enroll in PADI eLearning

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.

NOT INCLUDED:  Gratuity for instructor/crew, PADI eLearning.

Contact RHDC to Schedule