BEST OF · SCUBA DIVING COURSES

The 15 Best Scuba Diving Courses

77 dives  ·  from $36 a head

Open Water takes three or four days and the card never expires. These 15 courses are compared on price, how many open-water dives you actually get, whether the theory is done online before you arrive, and how big the class is.

Open Water Course - Become certified diver in 3 days - Day two: putting the lessons into practice
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Open Water Course – Become certified diver in 3 days

1.Open Water Course – Become certified diver in 3 days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,137 reviews · from $358Our pick

Meet at Koh Tao Scuba Club at 9:00 am for three days of small-group scuba training. With no more than four people, instructors such as Tom and A can give close attention as you learn in Koh Tao’s calm, clear waters and finish with a digital certificate.

“Tom was an amazing instructor. He was so calm and laid back which made everything feel much less scary while also keeping us educated and safe . I was so nervous but I signed up for an advance course right after I finished .”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Barcelona: PADI Discover Scuba Diving - The 35-minute briefing: the part you should take seriously
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Barcelona: PADI Discover Scuba Diving

2.Barcelona: PADI Discover Scuba Diving

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,016 reviews · 2 hours · from $81

Learn scuba basics with iDive Barcelona in a small group of up to six. After a 35-minute briefing, your instructor guides you from the beach into the water at your own pace. Expect about an hour underwater, multilingual help, and photos or video to take home.

“The staff were welcoming and extremely helpful, can’t rate them enough! It was our first time scuba diving but our instructor Pau was calm, reassuring and put us at ease. Would recommend this to anyone wanting to try scuba diving. We loved it!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

PADI Open Water Diver Course - The nearby beach and first underwater practice
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PADI Open Water Diver Course

3.PADI Open Water Diver Course

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 626 reviews · from $411

Learn scuba skills with Pyramids Diving Center in Sharm el Sheikh through five classroom sessions, five confined-water sessions, and four Red Sea sessions. PADI instructors such as Mena, Amr, and Mohamed Abdelkarim are known for calm, patient teaching. Equipment, lunch, drinks, and transfers are included.

“Great experience getting out PADI Advanced Open Water Certification with Rahma. Sharm El-Sheik is absolutely stunning. I would strongly suggest skipping the shore diving the first day and have the boat dive the two days”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Tossa de Mar: PADI Discovery Scuba Diving in Costa Brava - Why the 40-minute briefing matters
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Tossa de Mar: PADI Discovery Scuba Diving in Costa Brava

4.Tossa de Mar: PADI Discovery Scuba Diving in Costa Brava

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 392 reviews · 2h 30m · from $76Best value

At SuperDive Tossa de Mar, you learn scuba basics, hand signals, and safety before a short van ride to Mar Menuda Beach. PADI instructors such as Eric, Pepe, Oscar, and Eva guide your first underwater session, with equipment, insurance, and video included.

“Great experience! the instructors are very friendly and patient, take really good care of everyone. I loved this adventure!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Full-Day Beginner Scuba Course with Private Tuition, Racha Yai - Starting at Chalong Pier at 7:00 am
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Full-Day Beginner Scuba Course with Private Tuition, Racha Yai

5.Full-Day Beginner Scuba Course with Private Tuition, Racha Yai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 368 reviews · from $162

Spend about eight hours traveling from Phuket to Koh Racha Yai for two supervised open-water scuba sessions. You practice with a certified instructor before entering the sea, then explore coral and marine life at beginner-friendly sites. Pomme, Tiger, Ootdy, Nim, and other guides are praised for calm, personal tuition.

“This tour was absolutely amazing. This was my first ever dive, I was in a group with one other newbie and a guide. My guide, Tiger, was so helpful, informative, and took amazing pictures! He also made me feel very safe. I had a slight mask Read more”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Heraklion: Beginner Scuba Diving Lesson with PADI Instructor - The journey from pickup to the CRETANDIVERS base
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Heraklion: Beginner Scuba Diving Lesson with PADI Instructor

6.Heraklion: Beginner Scuba Diving Lesson with PADI Instructor

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 355 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $88

Meet Petros and the CRETANDIVERS team for a calm first scuba session in Agia Pelagia Bay. You’ll watch a multilingual introduction, practice with full equipment, and enter shallow water with a PADI instructor beside you. Small groups, patient coaching, and optional underwater footage make this a friendly first step.

“very friendly crew. they take time for everyone so you can go on your own speed. again a special thanks to get me through it. and giving me a good experience. we love you”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Discover Scuba Diving with No Certification in St Thomas - The lesson and equipment briefing
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Discover Scuba Diving with No Certification in St Thomas

7.Discover Scuba Diving with No Certification in St Thomas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · from $225

Meet Aqua Marine Dive Center at Saga Haven Marina for a 3.5-hour beginner scuba outing. A PADI-certified instructor teaches the basics, then guides up to four students on a first ocean descent. Snorkeling, snacks, drinks, and an optional second scuba session follow.

“I highly recommend diving here if you get the chance. They have a great crew - professional and competent. Awesome day all around!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Try Dive - PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife - Scubanana’s teaching style
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Try Dive – PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife

8.Try Dive – PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Tenerife

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 214 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $156

At Scubanana Dive Center in Radazul, you’ll learn scuba basics, rehearse on land, then enter the water with an instructor such as Ryan or Elias. The three-hour session suits beginners aged 10 and up, includes gear and insurance, and keeps the group to eight people.

“It was an amazing experience! It was my first time and everything was just super professional and friendly at the same time! I do recommend them.”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Open Water Shark Dive - Swimming beside sharks instead of looking through a cage
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Open Water Shark Dive

9.Open Water Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 185 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $161

From Haleiwa Harbor, you’ll join a crew of up to six for a two-hour shark safari, with about 45 minutes in the water. The crew covers shark behavior and safety before entry, then guides you near Galapagos sharks and other marine life. Underwater photos and videos are available.

“I took an uber ride to the north shore for the 7am because this had been on my bucket list for a while now and we leave the same day… it was incredible. The crew was down to earth, the random group that was with me was awesome. Everyone had a blast. For a 7am crew we were lively. Now for the sharks….we were surrounded by them. They were far below us and the crew was able to get them to come back around and they were everywhere. I was so close to a few and it was ethereal. Best way to put it. It was hands down the best…”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Tossa de Mar Scuba Diving PADI - What the three-hour schedule feels like
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Tossa de Mar Scuba Diving PADI

10.Tossa de Mar Scuba Diving PADI

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 175 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $78

You’ll learn basic scuba skills, safety, and hand signals before entering the water with an instructor. Small groups, close supervision, equipment, insurance, and souvenir photos and videos make this a practical first underwater experience in Tossa de Mar.

“Goede proffesionele begeleiding, top event en heel aardig en behulpzaam personeel en een goed Engels sprekende instructeur”

Dates and spaces →The full review

3-Day PADI Open Water Diving Course in Dubai - Confined-water practice comes before the sea
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3-Day PADI Open Water Diving Course in Dubai

11.3-Day PADI Open Water Diving Course in Dubai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 173 reviews · from $354

Train with Nemo Diving Center on Palm Jumeirah over three flexible days. You’ll complete forms, gear fitting, confined-water skills, and four open-water sessions. Trainers including Abdel, Hasan, and Mostafa offer patient instruction, while PADI e-learning costs an extra 370 AED.

“Fantastic few days learning to dive with the Nemo Diving Centre with some very experienced instructors (especially Hasan) who were incredibly patient and attentive throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed learning new skills as the instructors foRead more”

Dates and spaces →The full review

La Bombona Diving Koh Tao Open Water Course - Starting at La Bombona on Sairee Road
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La Bombona Diving Koh Tao Open Water Course

12.La Bombona Diving Koh Tao Open Water Course

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · from $423

La Bombona’s Koh Tao Open Water Course combines classroom lessons, pool training, and four ocean sessions in a small group of up to four. You receive scuba equipment, course materials, and PADI certification preparation, with instructors such as George, Nico, James, and Koldo available through the school.

“Had an amazing experience and an fantastic instructor!! (Julian is the best🤪). I recommend everyone who wants to dive in Koh Toa, to have your experience by this company”

Dates and spaces →The full review

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Diving for certified divers with PADI 5* Diving Resort – Taormina

13.Diving for certified divers with PADI 5* Diving Resort – Taormina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $181

Meet Sea Spirit at Hotel Naxos Beach for a morning of equipment preparation, then take a boat to Isola Bella Marine Park for two guided scuba sessions. Certified divers get full gear, boat transport, fruit, drinks, wine, and almond biscuits. Try-scuba and snorkeling options are also available.

“I had two brilliant days of diving with Sea Spirit - they were organised, safety conscious, knowledgeable about the area and extremely friendly and welcoming. Thank you so much especially to Viv and Swann, it was great meeting you both and diving with you 😊”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Learn to Scuba Dive in Cabo San Lucas with PADI - From the training pool to a 45-foot boat
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Learn to Scuba Dive in Cabo San Lucas with PADI

14.Learn to Scuba Dive in Cabo San Lucas with PADI

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 157 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129

Start with PADI safety instruction and shallow-pool practice, then board a 45-foot boat for a 30-minute guided ocean session near Pelican Rock and El Arco. The group is capped at eight, with instructors close by. Expect extra fees for equipment, transport, and the dock.

“I had never been scuba diving, but my husband is pretty experienced. The training was good and each person had an experienced diver to help guide them underwater. I never felt unsafe and we had a wonderful time!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Ibiza: PADI Discover Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Boat Trip - Finding the yellow boat in San Antonio
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Ibiza: PADI Discover Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Boat Trip

15.Ibiza: PADI Discover Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 154 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $177

From San Antonio, you’ll complete PADI’s online introduction, learn basic skills aboard a yellow double-decker boat, then spend about 30 minutes underwater to 8 meters with an instructor. Snorkel between groups, spot octopuses and fish, and enjoy drinks and gear included.

“Such a great excursion! Fun little boat, easy to find, really good natured and attentive guides. The people on board I. our group were great too, highly recommend!”

Dates and spaces →The full review

Just written up in Scuba Diving Courses

★ 5.0Protaras: Bubblemaker Diving Course & 2-Meter DiveFrom $8810
★ 5.0Polignano a Mare: Scuba Experience with certificationFrom $894
★ 5.0Great Keppel Island: PADI Discover SCUBA DivingFrom $1302
★ 5.0Tossa de Mar: PADI Scuba Diver Certification CourseFrom $3412
★ 5.0SSI Scuba Diver CourseFrom $3823
★ 4.9Dubai: PADI Open Water 18-Meter Diving CertificationFrom $4467
★ 5.0PADI Open Water Course in 3 DaysFrom $4659
★ 5.0PADI Scuba Diving Program for Beginners in PeloponesseFrom $1173
★ 4.8PADI Discover Scuba Diving Course in TenerifeFrom $12964
★ 5.0PADI Discover Scuba Diving: at Hol Chan Marine ReserveFrom $2753
★ 4.9Dubai: PADI Basic Scuba Diving CourseFrom $3455
★ 5.0Morocco: PADI Discover Scuba Diving DiveFrom $369
★ 5.0Malta St Pauls Bay: PADI Discover Scuba Diving ExperienceFrom $884
★ 5.0Los Cristianos: Basic Diver CourseFrom $1534
★ 5.0Madeira: Open Water Diver First Certification CourseFrom $4954

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