
PADI Open Water Diver Course
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PADI Open Water Diver Course worth booking?
PADI Open Water Diver Course is a 96-hour experience in Negombo, Sri Lanka, from €270 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (19)
- Duration
- 96 hours
- From
- €270 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 PADI® Open Water 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 you get
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 PADI® Open Water 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
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- Snacks
- Tea and coffee
Not included
- Lunch
- PLEASE NOTE PADI FEE OF 70 EUROS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE OWD COURSE WITHOUT E-LEARNING
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Negombo
5 kilometers south of Galle at the main road, A2, next to the restaurants "Summer Garden" and "Banana Garden", beachside, at the end of Unawatuna in direction to the south.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
5 kilometers south of Galle at the main road, A2, next to the restaurants "Summer Garden" and "Banana Garden", beachside, at the end of Unawatuna in direction to the south.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, pl, fr, ta, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Divinguru Sri Lanka
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- INFANTS NOT ALLOWED.
Photos






Traveler reviews
19 verified traveler reviews for PADI Open Water Diver Course. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Experienced instructors and top quality facilities: ensures safe and fantastic experience
My husband and I finished our open water diver course at Diving guru recently. The four days of the course were intense but extremely rewarding. We really appreciate our instructor Ellie who made sure that we understand the essential rules of scuba diving thoroughly yet made it quite accessible for us by being patient and understanding. Ellie was meticulous and a fantastic instructor overall. The scuba equipment and other facilities at Diving guru are of great quality. We hope we get to come back for more dives.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much Deepika for your 5* review! We appreciate your feedback a lot. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the whole course with us. Congratulation on becoming a PADI Open Water Diver! Thank you for choosing Divinguru for your scuba diving education and we wish you wonderful and safe dives in future!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Open Water Diving!!
I had an amazing time completing my dive certification with Divinguru. Ellie was an outstanding instructor, clear, patient, and focused on safety while keeping everything super fun and relaxed! The team was professional, the equipment was great, after a day in the pool I felt really confident to then go into the open water! I will definitely be back to do continue my diving learning! Thank you Ellie and team 🫶
Response from the operator: Thank you very much Tom for your 5* review! We appreciate your feedback a lot. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the whole course with us. Congratulation on becoming a PADI Open Water Diver! Thank you for choosing Divinguru for your scuba diving education and we wish you wonderful and safe dives in future!
via Tripadvisor
Fun and responsible
Ellie is a great instructor. We had so much fun getting our Open Diver Certificate. She made sure that everyone felt comfortable, had a great time and was safe.
Response from the operator: Thank you Annika for your 5* review, we are glad that you liked our diving centre and your scuba diving experience with us. You are welcome to dive with us anytime again on your next trip to Sri Lanka
via Tripadvisor
Open water PADI
Very good diving center with an individual approach of the diving instructor, making you feel relaxed and comfortable, if it's your first experience in the open ocean. Loved the experience and fell in love with diving because of this center! Would really recommend, worth every penny.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your positive feedback regarding the PADI Open Water Diver Course, we appreciate it a lot! We are glad to hear that you liked our diving centre, instructor and the whole experience. Thank you for choosing Divinguru for your scuba diving education and we wish you wonderful and safe dives in future!
via Tripadvisor
Divinguru were perfect for us to do our open water diver course.
Divinguru were perfect for us to do our open water diver course. Their communications were always prompt; Leon and Norbert were terrific instructors - professional, patient, flexible and fun to dive with. We found them to be highly professional in every way and had a fantastic fun time. Jim.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much Jim for your review, we appreciate your feedback a lot! Congratulation on becoming PADI Open Water Certified! We wish you many nice dives in future. You are welcome to dive with us anytime again on your next trip in Sri Lanka.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 96 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Divinguru Sri Lanka, who run 7 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 68.7.
See everything Divinguru Sri Lanka runsWhy this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PADI Open Water Diver Course: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Negombo.
How much does PADI Open Water Diver Course cost?
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Prices start at €270 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Negombo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does PADI Open Water Diver Course 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 Negombo is not rushed.
Is PADI Open Water Diver Course worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 19 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Negombo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule PADI Open Water Diver Course?
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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 PADI Open Water Diver Course suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 96-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book PADI Open Water Diver Course?
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Around 7 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 Negombo 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 Negombo and add a light layer if any part of the 96-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PADI Open Water Diver Course 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 Negombo 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 Negombo?
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On Outty we rank every Negombo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private Car & Driver for 07 Days Tour In Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka classic tour 8 Days with private driver,vehicle and H/B accommodations, Explore Sri Lanka 7 Day Private Driver Tour and Scenic Transfer. 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 Negombo?
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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 Negombo?
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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 PADI Open Water Diver Course?
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Included: Private transportation; Bottled water; Use of SCUBA equipment; Snacks; and Tea and coffee. Not included: Lunch; and PLEASE NOTE PADI FEE OF 70 EUROS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE OWD COURSE WITHOUT E-LEARNING. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does PADI Open Water Diver Course include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 247 listed pickup locations in and around Negombo. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is PADI Open Water Diver Course offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Polish, French, Tamil 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 PADI Open Water Diver Course?
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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 PADI Open Water Diver Course wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; Not recommended for pregnant travelers; and INFANTS NOT ALLOWED. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to PADI Open Water Diver Course 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.
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