Key West PADI Open Water Certification
Overview
Before Looking for a Great Adventure in Key West? Enter the amazing world of scuba diving the fun and easy way with PADI® Open Water Certification in Key West.
Highlights
- Earn basic Scuba certification that is recognized worldwide.
- Qualify for dives to basic recreational depths (60 ft. max).
- Enjoy a low instructor/student ratio in your course.
- Train with top-quality dive gear. Experience real open-ocean dives.
- Explore Key West's living coral reefs.
Description
Looking for a great adventure in Key West? Enter the amazing world of scuba diving the fun and easy way, with PADI® Open Water Certification in Key West. The world’s most popular and widely-recognized scuba course, the PADI® Open Water Diver certification is an entry-level full diver certification that can be achieved in as little as 3 days when you take the course in Key West with Inside Key West.
Once you have your PADI® Open Water Diver certification, you are free to join other certified divers on dives up to 60 feet in depth at Key West dive sites and at resorts and dive centers around the world. You will be authorized to rent tanks and get air refills, and you will be ready to continue your training with the PADI® Advanced Open Water Course, the prerequisite to expert-level certifications and many specialty dive training courses.
The great thing about taking your Open Water course during a Key West visit is the fact that you will do your training dives on some of the best dive sites in the world among the coral gardens of the only living reef in continental US waters. After a day of classroom work, study of your course text, and a bit of pool work, you will be ready to go out on real dives and come face-to-face with the incredible sea life that most people only see on the Discovery Channel.
When you consider the fact that many people earn their Open Water cards over a period of weeks, with the only water time taking place in their local swimming pools, you can recognize what a wonderful opportunity it is to do your 4 guided training dives in the world-class dive locations found in the waters around Key West. The training dives alone offer fun and adventure that is well-worth the cost of the course fee, and they have the added benefit of building your confidence in real dive conditions and putting genuine salt-water dives in your log book.
Simply pay the course registration fee, buy the course texts or register to use the new PADI® online training materials, and you are ready to begin. All necessary dive equipment, live instruction, dive transportation, and dive master guide services are included. Your PADI® Open Water Diver certification will be something you cherish for a lifetime, and it can open the door to a lifestyle of incredible fun and adventure in a sport enjoyed by millions around the world. What are you waiting for? Let Inside Key West get you set up to take the plunge into the world of Scuba now!
What's Included
- Two days of pool work and guided diving
- All necessary gear and instruction
- Fresh water showers
- Course materials available for purchase on the day
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
- Gratuities
What To Expect
Complete your academics online before you come to Key West, eliminating a day in the classroom. After you have completed your dives with us, you get a PADI certification card showing your credentials as a PADI Open Water Diver. This certification card is accepted worldwide, as PADI is the largest and most popular diver training agency.
Morning Pool Session
This certification course equips students with the essential skills required to perform open-water dives in conditions comparable to their training without requiring direct supervision from an instructor.
Pool Instruction Included • Gear Included
Afternoon Reef Dives
Following your morning pool session, venture into the open ocean to discover two distinct dive sites within the pristine coral reef system of the Florida Keys.
Two Reef Dives Included • Gear & Guide Included
Western Dry Rocks
Explore North America’s only living coral reef, “Western Dry Rocks,” a thriving habitat for colorful tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, and various coral species. Each day, the Captain selects the specific reef location based on current conditions to ensure optimal visibility and the best possible sea state for your dive.
Morning Pool Session
How do you master the 24 dive skills? Practice, practice, and more practice. Continue your journey towards Open Water Certification with another morning pool session.
Pool Instruction Included • Gear Included
Afternoon Reef Dives
After your morning pool session, head out in the open ocean to explore two different dive sites on the pristine coral reef system of the Florida Keys.
Two Reef Dives Included • Gear & Guide Included
Western Dry Rocks
Explore North America’s only living coral reef, “Western Dry Rocks,” a thriving habitat for colorful tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, and various coral species. Each day, the Captain selects the specific reef location based on current conditions to ensure optimal visibility and the best possible sea state for your dive.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Paid parking nearby
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- Near public transportation
- Vessel has a toilet
- Not wheelchair accessible
- What to bringCamera, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, food and drinks, and a smile!
- The minimum age for this course is 15
- This course will have a maximum of 6 students for pool sessions and up to 25 for the dives
Frequently Asked Questions
(13)Q: Are there lockers available?
A: There are no lockers at the shop. However, there is a section on the boat that won’t get wet where you can leave your belongings, or you can ask the staff at check-in to keep them for you while you dive. Read more Dec 2021
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 10 traveler reviews collected by Inside Key West and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (13)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Inside Key West customers.
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There are no lockers at the shop. However, there is a section on the boat that won’t get wet where you can leave your belongings, or you can ask the staff at check-in to keep them for you while you dive.
Dec 2021All divers must complete a Medical Questionnaire (PDF ⧉) form before participating in the Key West PADI Open Water Certification.
Please answer your past and present medical history questions with a YES or NO. If you are not sure, answer YES.
If you answer YES to any question, you must consult a physician before participating in scuba diving.
Oct 2022Yes. Morning Wreck Dives, Afternoon Reef Dives, Refreshers, and Open Water Advanced Certification require PADI or equivalent diving certification.
Our Dive in a Day Resort Course is a fantastic alternative if you are not certified. This course is designed specifically for first-time divers.
Oct 2023If you’re having issues filling out your waiver online, fear not; you may do so at check-in.
Apr 2021We do not provide lunch. We do provide fresh water for drinking and a big cooler for anything you’d like to bring. And yes, alcohol is allowed but only after you are finished diving or snorkeling.
Jul 2021Yes, alcohol is allowed but only after you are finished diving or snorkeling.
Mar 2021Participants in the Key West PADI Open Water Certification cannot fly in an airplane within 24 hours of their dive.
The main concern with scuba diving and flying is decompression sickness (DCS). Your body needs adequate time during an ascent to off-gas excess nitrogen, or you can form bubbles in your bloodstream, possibly leading to DCS.
Jun 2024- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 48 hours before the course start time.
- If you cancel less than 48 hours before the course start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 48 hours before the course start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the course local time (EDT).
- Two days of pool work and guided diving.
- All necessary gear and instruction.
- Fresh water showers.
- Course materials available for purchase on the day.
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own).
- Gratuities.
The minimum age for this course is 15.
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Key West PADI Open Water Certification is as follows:
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- Not wheelchair accessible
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Key West PADI Open Water Certification will be included in your confirmation email from Inside Key West. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Two days of pool work and guided diving
- All necessary gear and instruction
- Fresh water showers
- Course materials available for purchase on the day
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Paid parking nearby
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- Near public transportation
- Vessel has a toilet
- Not wheelchair accessible
- What to bringCamera, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, food and drinks, and a smile!
- The minimum age for this course is 15
- This course will have a maximum of 6 students for pool sessions and up to 25 for the dives
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