Open Water Diver Course 

(4-Day Format)

Embark on an underwater adventure with our SDI Open Water Scuba 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 SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Course.

Course Cost $999

• 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 

    SDI Open Water Scuba Diver E-Card: Your license to dive anywhere in the world.

    E-cards are saved for your convenience on the SDI App so you can show your certification anytime needed -  Plastic cards can be printed on request for an additional fee.

   

Scheduled Course Dates:

Standard Course Format 

September 10th (Intro) 12th/13th and 19th/20th- 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

More dates coming during Summer 2026-27

Registration Process

Sign up anytime for FREE by visiting the SDI Website and registering your profile. After providing your contact details to complete your registration we will update your profile with a digital student record under which you can complete your course waiver and medical questionnaire. If you have questions about your medical you can complete this downloadable form and return to us first before making your course payment. 

SDI eLearning

SDI offers a comprehensive online eLearning program that includes digital manuals, interactive quizzes, and final exams.

When you book and pay for your course through our shop, the full SDI eLearning program is included at no extra cost (individually valued at over $200).

Once your registration and digital student record are completed, we will activate your online course and assign an instructor to monitor your progress.

After successfully completing the SDI eLearning you will be ready to begin the practical training sessions with your instructor.

Thursday Evening

Meet your instructor and fellow dive buddies on Thursday evening to break the ice, talk over the course schedule and review your on-line 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 enrolled on a course with us receive a student discount on equipment.

If you already have equipment please bring it along to this session to check it's suitable for your training.

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. Spreading the confined water sessions over two days gives you a chance to master the skills and feel confident about progressing to the open water.

Weekend Two

Saturday – Shore Diving, We conduct shore-based open water training dives, where you will complete the majority of the essential skills previously practiced in confined water. These dives allow you to apply core skills in a real ocean environment.

Sunday – Boat Diving . With the completion of two boat dives you will become comfortable with standard boat diving procedures while visiting some of our premier local dive sites. We also aim to build your confidence diving to the full SDI Open Water Scuba Diver qualifying depth of 18 meters.

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 15 years. Ages 10-14 can participate as a Junior in a private course to meet training and personal standards for the Junior Open Water Certification.
• Swimming Requirements: Participants must demonstrate the ability to swim 200m of any stroke and tread water/float for 10 minutes.

After Certification:

At Snorkel and Dive Safari Altona Beach, 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.