
Open Water Course (PADI)
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Open Water Course (PADI) worth booking?
Open Water Course (PADI) is a 48-hour experience in Cebu, Philippines, from $400 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (13)
- Duration
- 48 hours
- From
- $400 per person
PADI means Professional Association of Diving Instructors and the largest diving certification agency in the world. In fact, PADI issues more than one million certifications every year, and the organization helps the world to seek adventure and save the ocean through underwater education, life-changing experiences and travel. Get certified with the PADI Open Water Diver course to be part of the scuba diving's family and take your diving experience anywhere in the world! If you want to explore the greatness of the underwater world, the PADI Open Water Diver course is your first step as a beginner diver. If you are a novice, a newcomer, a neophyte who wants to initiate to scuba, or a referral student from another dive center, we will teach you how to scuba dive.
What you get
About this experience
PADI means Professional Association of Diving Instructors and the largest diving certification agency in the world. In fact, PADI issues more than one million certifications every year, and the organization helps the world to seek adventure and save the ocean through underwater education, life-changing experiences and travel. Get certified with the PADI Open Water Diver course to be part of the scuba diving's family and take your diving experience anywhere in the world! If you want to explore the greatness of the underwater world, the PADI Open Water Diver course is your first step as a beginner diver. If you are a novice, a newcomer, a neophyte who wants to initiate to scuba, or a referral student from another dive center, we will teach you how to scuba dive.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- Lunch
- Carbonated beverages
- PADI Material (Please contact upon booking)
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cebu
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- cs, ja, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Scottys Action Sports Network
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for Open Water Course (PADI). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Michel at Shangri-la Cebu 🥳🫶
Michel was amazing at teaching me how to scuba dive for the first time. He is very calm and relaxed and made me feel safe. He is very friendly and extremely helpful with heavy weights. He is very patient and explains things clearly. Highly recommended!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that Michel made your first scuba dive safe, enjoyable, and memorable. His calm and patient approach, along with his clear explanations, truly reflects the care he puts into teaching. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him—it means a lot. We’re thrilled you felt supported and highly recommend him, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more underwater adventures!
via Tripadvisor
Michael - Open Water Diving
Michael was my instructor, he was very professional, friendly and helpful. Would 100% recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful feedback! 🌟 We’re so glad to hear that Michael made your experience both professional and friendly. His helpfulness is something we’re very proud of, and he’ll be delighted to know you’d recommend him so highly. Your kind words mean a lot to our team, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more great dives in the future!
via Tripadvisor
PADI course experience - Michel and Freddie
Phenomenal experience. Michel and Freddie takes their time and delivers clear and concise instruction. Ensuring everyone trains to standard but well within their limits. Safety was always paramount. The entire experience was surreal. These guys are amazing. If you want a solid experience with memories and certificates that will last a lifetime. This is the place. Highly, highly recommended.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your incredible feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Michel and Freddie made your experience both safe and unforgettable. They truly take pride in guiding each guest with care, clarity, and a whole lot of heart. Knowing that you felt supported, challenged within your comfort zone, and left with lasting memories (and a certificate to prove it!) means the world to us. We’re honored to have been part of your journey and hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!
via Viator
Great folks!
Friendly and professional staff! Floyd made my dive safe and enjoyable. I highly recommend this dive shop as well as Floyd!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the fantastic review! We're thrilled you had a safe and enjoyable dive with Floyd and our team. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to him. We truly appreciate your high recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for more dives in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Great place for open water certification.
Just a wonderful experience from start to finish. Had “Mish”, a Czech instructor who stressed safety while also making the course really fun and as “low stress” as the course should be. And the rest of the staff at the dive shop were top-notch. Recommend without any hesitations.
Response from the operator: Thanks a bunch for your awesome review! We're absolutely thrilled you had such a fantastic experience with us from start to finish. It's super to hear that Mish, our Czech instructor, made your course not only safe but also really fun and low-stress. We'll definitely pass along your kind words to her! And we're equally happy that the rest of our dive shop staff hit the mark for you. Our team works hard to make every visit special, so your feedback means a lot. Your recommendation really makes our day! We can't wait to welcome you back for another adventure sometime soon.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 48 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Scottys Action Sports Network, who run 13 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.3.
See everything Scottys Action Sports Network runsWhy this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Open Water Course (PADI): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cebu.
How much does Open Water Course (PADI) cost?
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Prices start at $400 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cebu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Open Water Course (PADI) take?
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Plan for about 48 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cebu is not rushed.
Is Open Water Course (PADI) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cebu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Open Water Course (PADI)?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Open Water Course (PADI) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 48-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Open Water Course (PADI)?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cebu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cebu and add a light layer if any part of the 48-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Open Water Course (PADI) start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cebu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cebu?
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On Outty we rank every Cebu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Whale Watching in Sumilon Island with Ocean View Resort Tour, Whale Shark & Tumalog Falls & Sumilon Sandbar & Pescador Island with Sardines, From Cebu: Oslob Whale Shark Swimming & Moalboal Sardine Run Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cebu?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cebu?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Open Water Course (PADI)?
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Included: Bottled water; Use of SCUBA equipment; and All Fees and Taxes. Not included: Lunch; Carbonated beverages; and PADI Material (Please contact upon booking). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is Open Water Course (PADI) offered in?
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It is offered in Czech, Japanese, English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Open Water Course (PADI)?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Open Water Course (PADI) wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Open Water Course (PADI) if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Open Water Course (PADI)?
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Across 13 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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