Scuba Diver Course (PADI)
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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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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 20 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Scuba Diver Course (PADI) worth booking?
Scuba Diver Course (PADI) is a 48-hour experience in Cebu, Philippines, from $270 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 20 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (20)
- Duration
- 48 hours
- From
- $270 per person
No time for a full Open Water Course? Get Certified as a Scuba Diver in Only 2 days! After completion you are Certified to dive to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet under the direct supervision of a Dive Profession
What you get
- Bottled water
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- All Fees and Taxes
- use of Towel
About this experience
No time for a full Open Water Course? Get Certified as a Scuba Diver in Only 2 days! After completion you are Certified to dive to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet under the direct supervision of a Dive Professional.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- All Fees and Taxes
- use of Towel
Not included
- Carbonated beverages
- Lunch
- 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, fil, en, fr
- 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 20 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
20 verified traveler reviews for Scuba Diver Course (PADI). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beware
Dive master just seemed to be going through the motions not very engaged not a fun experience. They did not submit Dives to PADI for certification. Stopped replying to emails when I reached out to them about it. The Dives were very expensive.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your email and feedback on trip advisor. We are genuinely sorry to hear about your experience, this is not the level of service we aim to provide, and we understand your frustration We received your email sent on April 28 and May 2. Unfortunately, due to disruptions caused by the recent ASEAN Summit, our communications were temporarily affected and we regain access to our internet line earlier this morning. As we speak, we are currently in peak season, and our instructors have been managing a high volume of guests. Sadly, it appears your certification process regrettably fell through the cracks, and we sincerely apologize for that oversight. Please rest assured that this is now being treated as a priority. Our dive team is currently out on dives, but we will ensure that your certification is submitted to PADI by tomorrow lunchtime at the very latest. We truly value your time and trust in choosing us, and we are sorry that your experience did not reflect our usual standards. If you have any further concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
via Tripadvisor
Incredible Experience
Thank you, Bernie, for this incredible experience. You are an excellent instructor, and I loved doing the Advanced Open Water certification with you.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review. We're delighted to hear that your experience with Bernie was so positive. He's a valued member of our team, and it's wonderful to see his dedication and expertise recognized. Congratulations on completing your Advanced Open Water certification—we're proud to have been part of your journey and hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!
via Tripadvisor
Best diving experience with scotty dive.
I highly recommend Scotty Dive Team! My whole family took diving courses here, including Open Water, Junior Open Water, Rescue Diving, and Photography Specialty. The instructor team took excellent care of us, and the staff at the center were incredibly welcoming and friendly. We had the best diving experience with them and will definitely return. Special thanks to instructors Frede, Mich, Floy, Zigmund, and Bernie for their care in making the entire learning experience both fun and, most importantly, safe.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! 🌊 We're thrilled to hear that your entire family had such a memorable experience with us—from Open Water to Photography Specialty, and everything in between. It’s always our goal to make diving not just educational, but truly enjoyable and safe for everyone, and we’re so glad our instructor team delivered just that. Fredie, Mich, Floy, Zigmund, and Bernie will be over the moon to hear your kind words—they’re passionate about what they do, and it means the world to know their care and dedication made a lasting impression. We’ll be sure to pass along your thanks! We can’t wait to welcome you all back for more underwater adventures. Until then, keep the dive spirit alive and stay curious!
via Tripadvisor
One of the best in the world
I have scuba dive in many countries, and this one of the very best dive shops I have work with ever. Knowledgeable and going out of their way to help you learn and enjoy. Special mention to dive instructors Bernie, Nash; shop staff Marlyn and Joy.
Response from the operator: That's incredible to hear! We're absolutely thrilled you had such a fantastic experience with us for your PADI Scuba Diver Course. It means a lot to be recognized as one of the best you've ever worked with, especially coming from someone who has dived in many countries. We pride ourselves on having a knowledgeable team that goes above and beyond to ensure our students learn and enjoy every moment. We'll be sure to pass on your special thanks to Bernie, Nash, Marlyn, and Joy. They'll be delighted to know their efforts made such a positive impact on your diving journey. We hope to see you back in the water with us again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Perfect
Oh man, Cebu was amazing. We did diving with Scotty’s (yep, the one at Shangri-La) and honestly? One of the best dive experiences we’ve had in a long time. Super chill, super organized, and the crew? Absolute legends. Our dive team was Fredevic Yorpo, Nash Perez, and Zigmund Jess Cid—such cool guys. Funny, patient, and they really knew their stuff. You could tell they love what they do, and that energy just made everything better. We hit up Baring, San Vicente, Gilutungan, Nalusuan, Talima, and even did the Kontiki Sardine Run—which, oh wow, was like swimming through a living, glittering tornado of fish. You just float there and the sardines swirl around you like you're in some kind of National Geographic scene. And then—this part was insane—they set up a day trip to Oslob for the whale sharks. Super comfy van, no stress at all, they even carried all our gear. I’m not kidding, we didn’t lift a finger. We got in the water and… boom, five whale sharks. Massive, gentle giants just cruising past us. One came so close I swear I felt its tail glide by. Unforgettable. Like, goosebumps kind of moment. And the cherry on top? Our 12-year-old son—yep, twelve—got his Advanced Open Water cert, Nitrox, and even did a night dive. Kid was glowing after. I mean, proud parent moment right there. The instructors were so good with him, made him feel safe but also pushed him just enough. He’s hooked now. Also worth mentionin they rinsed our gear after dives (heaven). Honestly, if you’re thinking about diving in Cebu, just book with Scotty’s. Don’t overthink it. Also well priced, You get pros, real dive sites (not tourist traps), and they actually care about marine conservation too, which I respect big time. Can’t wait to go back. Still dreaming about those whale sharks.
Response from the operator: Wow, what an incredible review! It absolutely made our day reading about your amazing Cebu diving adventure with Scotty's at Shangri-La. It sounds like you truly experienced the best of what Cebu has to offer, both above and below the water. We're so thrilled to hear that you had such fantastic dives with Fredevic, Nash, and Zigmund. They really are a fantastic team, and it's wonderful to know their passion and expertise shone through. We'll definitely pass on your kind words to them – they'll be stoked! Hearing about your experiences at Baring, San Vicente, Gilutungan, Nalusuan, Talima, and especially the Kontiki Sardine Run paints such a vivid picture. You described it perfectly – a "living, glittering tornado of fish"! And the whale sharks in Oslob! That truly is a breathtaking experience, and we're so glad we could make that day trip seamless and comfortable for you. We agree, those gentle giants are something you never forget. But the real highlight for us has to be your son getting his Advanced Open Water, Nitrox, and even a night dive certification! That's fantastic news, and we're so proud that our instructors could create such a positive and empowering learning environment for him. It sounds like he's definitely caught the diving bug! Thank you so much for mentioning the little things too, like rinsing your gear – we believe those details make a difference. And we truly appreciate you recognizing our commitment to real dive sites and marine conservation. That's something we care deeply about. Your review is exactly what we strive for – providing unforgettable, well-organized, and genuinely enjoyable dive experiences. We're already looking forward to welcoming you and your family back to Cebu whenever you're ready to make those whale shark dreams a reality again! Safe travels until then!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 48 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 10+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Scuba Diver Course (PADI): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cebu.
How much does Scuba Diver Course (PADI) 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 Cebu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Scuba Diver 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 Scuba Diver 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 (4.8/5 across 20 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 Scuba Diver 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 Scuba Diver Course (PADI) suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 10. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 48-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Scuba Diver Course (PADI)?
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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 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 Scuba Diver 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 Shark & Tumalog Falls & Sumilon Sandbar & Pescador Island with Sardines, Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls with Lunch (from Moalboal), Whale Watching in Sumilon Island with Ocean View Resort 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.
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