SSI Open Water Course

Learn to Dive with a SSI Open Water Course from $799

Learn to Dive at the Poor Knights

Learn to Dive!! Are you ready to take your first plunge underwater? Then join us on our journey through the ocean!

If you’ve always wanted to Scuba Dive, experience unparalleled adventure and see the world beneath the waves, this is where it starts.  

Learn to Scuba Dive with us and open up a whole new world to explore.

Feel free to check out photos from some of our previous trips and follow us on Facebook or Instagram and we even have some videos on YouTube

More photos are available on our Google account.

And it’s hugely therapeutic.

Not only will you enjoy seeing lots of aquatic animals, (some may come and say hello, some will shy away from you as we are pretty big), but you will also enjoy the feeling of flying when you swim neutrally buoyant above the bottom stopping occasionally to look around.

Our course is just the beginning of a great journey, so whether you want to sight see, take photos, explore or collect sea food, this is the starting point in that journey.

What to expect from your course when you Learn to Dive

The Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases. The first is Knowledge Development, which covers everything you need to know about basic techniques, terminology and safety procedures in scuba diving. 

You will complete the Knowledge Review at home in your own time using our e-learning programmes which can be completed on any device.  We then reinforce this learning during your time with us and you will be introduced to the equipment and discuss it uses and be exposed to the ranges of each type of equipment.  You’ll also complete a test on your first evening but don’t worry …. it’s multi-choice.

 

The second is Confined Water Dives, which are training sessions conducted in our on-site pool. Pool sessions give you the opportunity to get used to the gear you’ll be using and learn the basic skills of diving and the techniques to keep you and your buddy safe.

This is where you will find out if you are a fish or human.  We’ll teach you all the necessary skills to become a safe and confident scuba diver.

And if you need a bit of extra time then that’s fine too. We understand that people learn at different speeds. Having our own on-site heated pool means we are more flexible in teaching you at your own pace.

The third is your Open Water Dives. This is what diving’s all about – you’ll make your first dives in the ocean! During your four dives, put the skills that you learned during your confined water sessions to the test by repeating them again in the ocean.  All of this will help make sure you’re a safe and competent diver. We do our best to make sure there is plenty of time to swim around with your instructor, exploring the underwater world. And the best part is that you’ll do the final 2 dives at the world famous Poor Knights Islands!

 

Once qualified you will be able to scuba dive anywhere in the world down to 18 meters, (12m if you are aged 10 or 11 years old) with a buddy. You can buy or rent scuba equipment, we recommend investing in your own equipment once you have completed the course as it will help you make a better choice when deciding what suits you best.

 But this is just the beginning.  There are a number of exciting courses that you can do to enhance your diving and open up even more dive sites, destinations and adventures.   

Standard Course Schedule

Home study (8 -10 hours)
Open Water Diver Course eLearning (Theory).
Monday night 5.30PM - 10.00 PM
Theory re-enforcement and introduction to the equipment. Swim test and snorkelling
Wednesday night 5.30PM - 10.00 PM
First Pool Session on SCUBA. Skills circuit
Monday night 5.30PM - 10.00 PM
Second Pool Session on SCUBA, more skills and gaining confidence
Saturday, Times to be confirmed
Two Open Water ocean dives, (lake, if the sea conditions are unfavorable). Times will vary depending on tides and the dive site. Usually a 6 hour day.
Sunday 7.00AM - 5.30 PM
Two Open Water dives at the famous Poor Knights Islands, (valued at $328).

If at any time you are uncomfortable or feel you need any extra time, we are happy to provide this. We pride ourselves on producing high-quality divers who have the confidence and skills to go diving safely with their buddy!!

Before You Start The Course

  • You must fill out a medical questionnaire to check whether you are fit to dive
  • You have to complete the theory course.  This takes about 10 hours for the online theory (eLearning).  
  • You need to be able to swim 200 metres continuous in our pool.
  • You need to be able to float or tread water for 10 minutes in our pool.
  • A minimum age of 10 years applies.  
  • Every student under 18 needs to have a parent or a guardian sign a consent form.
  • Why not check out our YouTube Channel and watch some skills videos.

Students younger than 15 years of age will attain a Junior Open Water Scuba Diver certification which has some restrictions.    (10 and 11 year olds can only dive with a dive professional, parent or guardian with a dive certification to a maximum of 12 metres).

A minimum of 4 students are required for this course to run – Maximum of 6. 

Group bookings, private courses or pick your own dates?

If you have a group of 3 or more, you can pick your own dates for the course without paying anything extra! 

Or if you would like a private course for yourself and your partner or just for you, that’s possible as well! For all group, school and private course bookings, please contact us to discuss details and pricing! Private courses are a lot more affordable than you might think!

 SSI courses are fantastic and are recognised world wide. 

Open Water Course Dates
Monday 4th March from 5.30pm, (then Wed 6th & Wed 13th March from 5.30pm and Saturday 16th March from 8.30am and Sunday 17th Mar from 7am)
Wednesday 3rd April from 5.30pm, (then Mon 8th & Wed 10th April from 5.30pm and Saturday 13th April from 8.30am and Sunday 14th April from 7am)
Monday 6th May from 5.30pm, (then Wed 8th & Mon 13th May from 5.30pm and Saturday 18th May from 8.30am and Sunday 19 May from 7am)

What to expect once you book your course

We will send you an information pack with everything you need to know for the course. We will also send you out information regarding your course and registration.

It is important that you complete the medical form and get clearance from your doctor if you answered “YES” to any of the forms before attending your course.

Leave yourself enough time to complete the eLearning prior to the course start date.

And of course if you have any questions then we are only a phone call or email away and always happy to help.  Contact us on 09 438 1075 or 0800 DIVE NZ or info@divenow.co.nz.

We limit our courses to small groups and so if a student does not turn up for a course they will have have to rebook and pay a rebooking fee of up to $200.

Extra pool sessions if needed are $120 each.

Opening Hours | Mon-Fri 8.30-5.00pm  | Saturday 8.30 – 1pm | Sundays Closed

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