
Open Water Scuba Certification
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 83 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Open Water Scuba Certification worth booking?
Open Water Scuba Certification is a 96-hour experience in Oahu, United States, from $495 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 83 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (83)
- Duration
- 96 hours
- From
- $495 per person
If you’ve always wanted to take scuba diving lessons, experience unparalleled adventure and see the world beneath the waves, this is where it starts. Get your scuba diving certification with the Open Water Scuba Diver co
What you get
- Professional guide
- Use of SCUBA equipment
About this experience
If you’ve always wanted to take scuba diving lessons, experience unparalleled adventure and see the world beneath the waves, this is where it starts. Get your scuba diving certification with the Open Water Scuba Diver course – the world’s most popular and widely recognized scuba course. Millions of people have learned to scuba dive and gone on to discover the wonders of the aquatic world through this course.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Use of SCUBA equipment
Not included
- Gratuities
- Private transportation
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oahu
Please park in marked Honolulu Scuba Company stalls only. Parking is first come first served.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please park in marked Honolulu Scuba Company stalls only. Parking is first come first served.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sat
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Honolulu Scuba Company and Dolphin Divers
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Diving within 48 hours of flying is not recommended. All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Some pre-existing medical conditions (eg asthma, heart conditions, etc) may prevent you from diving, please consult your doctor
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What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 83 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
83 verified traveler reviews for Open Water Scuba Certification. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Dives Off Kauia
Captain Jordan and Dina did a great job picking a couple of spots to view sealife. We have been on multiple dives prior to the experience, but sought 50 to 60 dives to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Kauaian Pacific Ocean. Two spots we dove at were Harbor Ledges and Sheraton Caverns, the latter of which afforded the opportunity to view turtles in their underwater environment. Highly recommend this company, boat, friendly captain and crew.
via Tripadvisor
Don’t waste your money!
I called Friday morning to cancel a dive on Sunday morning (because we are sick) and all they would do is give me store credit. Because I called 47 hours and 35mins until the dive so I was under the 48 hour cancellation period. I dove with them for a two tank day dive and two tank night/ pelagic dive and the dive master sucked. He didn’t point anything out all we did was go down swim around and come up. Don’t waste your money on a sub par dive company.
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend
I took an open water class, and my instructor, Lenny, is incredibly patient. Rhonda, the owner , treated everyone like family. Honolulu Scuba Company is the best!
via Tripadvisor
Great experience for open water certification
Great training. Theo was an amazing instructor and did a fantastic job teaching everyone the basics in a clear and concise manner. He made sure everyone was comfortable with their equipment and the techniques we were going to practice. On our first open water dive, there was a crew member taking pictures of us which was much appreciated. 10/10 would recommend to everyone!
via Tripadvisor
Gave us the run-around and canceled last minute without refund
This is a review of our experience with the Open-Water Diving Certification Course. 1 day before the in-person portion of the course was set to begin, I fell ill and tested positive for COVID-19. My fiance called the Honolulu Scuba Company and requested that we reschedule our course. They agreed to reschedule on two conditions 1) We send proof of a positive test result and 2) we provide a doctor’s sign off at the time of the rescheduled course to ensure I don’t have any lingering respiratory issues. Those conditions sounded reasonable, and I sent the positive test results via email right away. The next day (the original date of our course), we received a call to let us know that our service was canceled without refund. When we asked why, they told us that the original employee we spoke to should not have rescheduled our course because that is not their policy, and that we were still obligated to show up to the original time (which we did not). Because we did not show up, our service was canceled. They refused to allow us to reschedule. I believe it’s irresponsible business practices to inform customers that their service is rescheduled, have them submit the requested proof to reschedule, and then cancel at the last minute without refund. If there was miscommunication between employees of this business, that should not fall on us. I also believe it’s irresponsible business practices to offer absolutely no accommodations for COVID-19 during a global pandemic, not even allowing rescheduling. Simply put, this incentivizes COVID positive people to show up for class. This is such a let down because we were genuinely excited to have chosen Honolulu Scuba Company for our certification. As locals, we were looking forward to building a long relationship with future dives and equipment purchases. Instead my fiance and I are out $900 with nothing to show for it.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 96 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 15+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 29
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Open Water Scuba Certification: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oahu.
How much does Open Water Scuba Certification cost?
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Prices start at $495 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oahu 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 Scuba Certification take?
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Plan for about 96 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 Oahu is not rushed.
Is Open Water Scuba Certification worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 83 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Oahu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Open Water Scuba Certification?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Open Water Scuba Certification suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 15. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 96-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Open Water Scuba Certification?
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Around 29 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 Oahu 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 Oahu and add a light layer if any part of the 96-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Open Water Scuba Certification 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 Oahu 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 Oahu?
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On Outty we rank every Oahu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Oahu: Full or Half Day Grand Circle Island Tour, Oahu Small-Group Circle Island Tour with Turtle Snorkeling, Pearl Harbor Remembered 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 Oahu?
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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 Oahu?
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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.
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