Open Water Diver Course

(4-Day Format)

Embark on an underwater adventure with our Open Water Diver Course and explore the breathtaking marine world that remains a mystery to many. With over seventy percent of the Earth covered by water, your Open Water Certificate becomes your gateway to discovering this incredible, hidden world.

Why Choose Scuba Diving?

• Adventure Awaits: Perfect for fun-loving individuals who crave adventure and enjoy social sports.
• Make New Friends: Join a community of like-minded adventurers and build lifelong friendships.
• Experience Weightlessness: Enjoy the serene, weightless environment and the freedom of gliding through the blue waters.

What You'll Experience:

• Undersea Canyons: Be captivated by the awe-inspiring underwater landscapes.
• Unique Marine Life: Swim with schools of vibrant fish, marvel at the beauty of weedy sea dragons, and encounter species found nowhere else in the world.
• Peace and Tranquility: Discover the calming effect of the ocean as you explore its depths.

Course Details:

• Diverse Dive Sites: Our open water training covers a variety of Victoria’s prestigious dive sites, including both shore and boat dives around Port Phillip Heads and Bay area.
• Exclusive Marine Life: Ninety percent of the species you’ll encounter in Southern Victoria are unique to this region.

Join the many people who have made diving their lifelong passion and explore the best diving sites Victoria has to offer. Your journey begins with our Open Water Diver Course.

Course Cost $899

• Course Details:

  • 5+ Hours of Pool Training Dives: Gain confidence and skills in a controlled environment.
  • 4 Open Water Course Dives Minimum: Explore real dive sites under the guidance of experienced instructors.
  • Pool Hire, Instructor Fees, and Gas Fills: All included for a hassle-free experience.
  • Insurance: Dive with peace of mind.
  • High-End SCUBA Set Provided:
    • Halcyon Infinity BC system
    • High Quality Balanced SCUBA Regulators
    • Shearwater Research dive computers
    • 7mm Cressi wetsuit and K01 hood
    • Sharkskin essentials vest for greater comfort during OW dives
  • One Day Shore Diving: The first open water dives are shore based to get salt water weighting dialed in and working up to the boat dives.
  • One Full Day Boat Charter: Enjoy 2 dives from Queenscliff on a dedicated Dive Charter Boat.
  • Internationally Recognized Open Water Certification E-Card: Your license to dive anywhere in the world Plastic cards can be printed for an additional $40 if requested.

  Join the many people who have made diving their lifelong passion and explore the best diving sites Victoria has to offer. Your journey begins with our OW20 program.

Scheduled Course Dates:

Standard Course Format 

Jan 2nd (Intro) 4th/5th and 11th/12th -x6 Spots

Jan 6th-9th (Consecutive) -x6 Spots

Jan 16th (Intro) 16th/17th and 25th/26th -x4 Spots

Jan 30th (Intro) Feb 1st/2nd and 8th/9th -x6 Spots

Feb13th (Intro) 15th/16th and 22nd/23rd - x6 Spots

Feb 27th (Intro) March 1st/2nd and 8th/9th - x6 Spots

Special Course Format 

(3 day program)

must be very comfortable in the water already and have a good level of fitness as this is a shorter format course with small student numbers, the Pool session is completed on the one day so not as much time to build comfort as the 4 Day course format

December 28th-30th -x4 Spots

January 14th-16th - x4 Spots

Registration Process

Sign up anytime for FREE by visiting the RAID website. During registration, complete a medical questionnaire, provide your details, and choose a RAID Training Centre for your practical training. The registration is a simple 3-step process. We recommend completing the medical questionnaire either on the RAID website or via this downloadable form before making your course payment. If any concerns arise, please contact us.

e-Training

RAID offers an advanced online e-learning program that includes manuals, quizzes, and exams. If you book and pay for the course through our shop, we provide this e-learning program for free. Please note that it is also possible to purchase this directly from RAID, as other centers may have different charges. Once your registration is processed, your chosen RAID training center will activate your online course and assign an instructor to track your progress. Upon successful completion of the e-learning, you will be ready to complete the practical component. You can start the theory before booking your training, which is a great way to advance your diving knowledge.

Thursday Evening

Meet your instructor and fellow dive buddies on Thursday evening. Complete your liability paperwork and review your online training. Equipment fitting will be conducted at this time, and there is an opportunity for personalized fitting for any additional equipment needed for the course. Students on an Open Water Course receive Club Discounts on equipment.

Weekend One

On Saturday morning, we cover the equipment components used during the course. We then proceed to the pool for the first of two in-water sessions, including the watermanship assessment. These sessions emphasize mastering buoyancy and trim before completing any skills, ensuring greater comfort in the water. Sunday is dedicated to completing confined water training and refining equipment adjustments in preparation for open water diving. RAID’s training system focuses on excellent buoyancy control, setting it apart from other agencies.

Weekend Two

This weekend focuses on adapting to the open water environment. We conduct shore-based dives on Saturday, completing most essential skills practiced in confined water. Sunday is dedicated to boat diving, making you comfortable with diving procedures from a boat while visiting premier sites. We also aim to make you comfortable diving to your maximum qualifying depth of 20m, reflecting RAID’s high training quality.

Pre-Requisites:

• Snorkeling System: Each participant must purchase or supply their own mask, snorkel, fins, and boots. Demo model fins are available for hire, with the cost refundable upon purchase.
• Medical Questionnaire: Complete a medical questionnaire during registration. Any concerns will require a dive medical certificate. Check your medical history and obtain a dive medical if needed before booking. Diver medical form download
• Age Requirements: Minimum age is 12 years. Ages 10 and 11 can participate as a Junior in a private course to meet training and personal standards for Junior Training.
• Swimming Requirements: Participants must demonstrate the ability to swim 200m of any stroke and tread water/float for 10 minutes.

Enhance your diving experience with our comprehensive Open Water Diver Course, designed to provide thorough training and exceptional diving skills.

After Certification:

At Snorkel Dive Melbourne, our Dive Club offers a vibrant community and a wide range of opportunities to apply and expand your diving skills. We organize a regular schedule of guided shore dives, guided boat dives, and unguided recreational dives, providing frequent chances to explore and dive with others.

Our Monthly Club Nights are a fantastic way to stay connected with fellow divers, meet new dive buddies, and network for exciting diving opportunities. Whether you’re looking to practice your skills, explore new dive sites, or join a supportive community of passionate divers, our Dive Club has something for everyone.

Course Booking Information:

For course booking information, including our rescheduling policy, please click here.