PADI Open Water Course
PADI Open Water Course
The first step of your journey into diving
Sunreef’s PADI Open Water Suba Instructors deliver world class scuba diver training to anyone who wants to learn to dive and take their PADI Open Water Course. Sunreef will cover all of the basic diving skills in 3 days and upon successful completion students will be awarded the worlds most recognised scuba diver qualification, The PADI Open Water Scuba Diver Certificate.
Duration: Approximately 3 days, excluding independent study. Days do not have to be consecutive. Independent study takes roughly 8-10 hours. A Gear Fitout session for approximately 1 hour prior to the start of the course.
Meeting point: Sunreef at The Wharf, Mooloolaba
Price: $799, see below for course inclusions
Day 1
Half-day theory: We will start the first day of your course with theory in the classroom, go over any questions you may have from the PADI Touch eLearning portion of your course and ensure the students feel confident with the essential theory. We will also have a look in the shop at the different scuba diving equipment options and you can take advantage of the Sunreef Student Diver Discount to purchase gear.
Half-day confined water: At the pool our instructors will teach you basic skills beginning in the shallows. As you master skills we will gradually move into deeper water.
Days 2 & 3
The final step is your four qualifying ocean dives where you get to experience what diving is all about. We take you to our local coral reefs to finalise your training and qualify you as a fully certified diver. We teach you to dive in such a way that you will experience maximum enjoyment in a maximum safety environment – this your time to practice the skills and knowledge you have learned and explore the underwater world!
Scuba diving equipment
All of the equipment (except for a mask, snorkel and fins) you will need is included in the course fee. Please see the list below of what equipment you will be using:
Air tanks
BCD (with whistle and SMB)
Regulators
Dive computer/watch
weights and weightbelt
Wetsuit
If you do not have a mask, snorkel and/or fins, it will be available for either hire or purchase from our shop.
We encourage our students to bring their own gear or purchase new gear if possible to ensure you have something that suits your needs and body the best.
Take advantage of the Sunreef Student Diver Discount to purchase necessary gear. The Sunreef shop has many options to purchase all the above listed gear, your PADI Dive Instructor or the Sunreef shop crew will help you with finding the best options for you, and give you recommendations on everything you need.
Student Divers please read the following
To enroll in a PADI Open Water 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 diving is required.
Course fees include: Four dives on the local reefs (charter fees), full specialised scuba gear hire (except mask, snorkel, and fins), pool entry fees, and PADI Touch eLearning.
*If you need to hire a mask, snorkel and fins, please see our booking form for more information. If you would like to purchase equipment take advantage of the Sunreef Student Diver Discount to purchase necessary gear.
*If you are booking this course for a 10 or 11 year old, there is an additional fee of $250 applicable as when the child is this age we are required to reduce the ratio of students to instructors. A parent will also need to accompany the child to every portion of the course. If you are doing the course with your child none of the following will apply just the initial fee. If you wish to join the Pool day, provided you do not want to get in the pool with them there is no charge. For the ocean dives there will be a $135 fee applicable for each day on the boat as you will be taking up one of the spots on the vessel. If you are already qualified and wish to dive on the diving days you would just need to add gear hire if needed.
Prerequisites: No course prerequisites, the PADI Open Water course is the first step of scuba diving certifications. You will need to be 10 years or older, an adequate swimmer, feel comfortable in the water, and in good physical health. No prior experience to scuba diving is required. You may be required to get an AS 4005.1 Dive Medical before starting the course.
Required forms: Each diver must complete a Sunreef PADI Open Water Course Enrollment Form before starting this course with us. This will be sent out to you with your booking confirmation. If you answer “YES” to any of the questions on the medical portions of your waiver you will be required to complete an AS 4005.1 Dive Medical. Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.
Course confirmations:
Day 1 will depend on how many other students are booked on for the day as this course requires a minimum of two students in total. We will send out an email and text message the day before your trip around 3:30 pm to inform you of the confirmed check in time of the course. If you do not receive the text message and email you must call us on +61 7 5444 5656 we will not call you to confirm receipt of the messages.
Days 2 and 3 will depend on the sea conditions and weather. We will monitor this closely and if the weather or sea conditions are unsuitable, we will let you know as soon as we can. We will send out an email and text message the day before your trip around 3:30 pm to inform you of the status of the trip and its departure time. If you do not receive the text message and email you must call us on +61 7 5444 5656 we will not call you to confirm receipt of the messages.
Seasickness and equalization: If you find yourself dealing with seasickness or being unable to equalize, our crew will look after you and ensure you are comfortable and safe. However, as this is not something in our control we will not issue any rebookings or refunds for inability to equalize or being seasick and not completing dives. We suggest you consider seasickness tablets to minimize the risk of seasickness affecting your trip. We will attempt where possible to help you equalize as we descend however we are responsible for the safety of all members of our groups therefore if we cannot in sufficient time and with the safety of the other divers help you descend we will take you back to the surface and you will be unable to complete that dive, we will however where possible take you back in on the second dive and help you try again.
Cancellations:
Day 1 If you, the customer wants to cancel or rebook the nominated Day 1 (pool day) date of your course, you must do so before 7 days of the scheduled booking. If you cancel or reschedule within this 7 day period, you will incur a $99 transfer fee.
Days 2 and 3 If you, the customer wants to cancel or rebook the nominated Day 2 and 3 (ocean dives) date of your course, you must do so before 72 hours of the scheduled booking. If you cancel or reschedule within this 72 hour period, you will incur a $135 transfer fee.
Final payment is due on the first day of the course. Once the course has commenced, the course in full is non- refundable.
Parking: The Wharf complex has 4 hour parking available, however you will need to find suitable parking for the tour you are on as some of our trips will be over 4 hours. There are some unlimited parking spaces available outside of The Wharf Mooloolaba / SEA Life car park, however please keep in mind especially if you are on an 11:30 am or later trip that parking can get very busy. Please give yourself at least 15-20 minutes for parking. You can find a parking map of The Wharf Mooloolaba here.
