PADI Open Water Diver
Your first PADI diving course — dive to 18 metres
What will you learn?
The PADI Open Water Diver course is your first step into the underwater world. It leads to an internationally recognised certification for diving to a maximum depth of 18 metres.
You begin with diving theory, including basic physics, safety and equipment. Pool sessions then give you time to learn and practise the essential skills.
After completing the theory and required practical skills, you earn the PADI Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver certification. Adult Open Water Divers can dive with a buddy to a maximum of 18 metres, within their training and experience. Age, depth and supervision restrictions apply to junior divers.
Essential information
Minimum age
10 years
Dates
Every weekend in 2026
Prerequisites
You must be able to swim (200-metre swim assessment). See the FAQ for the alternative assessment.
Maximum diving depth
18 m (12 m for ages 10–11)
Duration
Approximately 20 hours
Maximum students per instructor
4/1
Certification requirements
Complete the theory, required confined-water skills and four open-water training dives, following the PADI requirements for your age. The 18-metre limit is not a required examination depth.
Locations
Additional information
Schedule
Stage 1: independent study with PADI eLearning.
Stage 2: five pool sessions.
Stage 3: four open-water training dives.
Theory
Study online with PADI eLearning at your own pace, wherever and whenever it suits you. Interactive content, videos and quizzes introduce diving physics and physiology, equipment, safety and dive planning. Knowledge reviews help you check your understanding and prepare for your practical training.
Pool training
In the pool, you learn to breathe through a regulator, control your buoyancy and respond to situations such as a displaced regulator or a flooded mask. You practise with your instructor until you feel confident enough to take these skills into open water.
Open-water training
During four training dives in a lake or the sea, you put your skills into practice in a natural environment. You work on buoyancy, navigation and safety procedures while discovering the underwater world. Once you meet the course requirements, your OWD certification allows you to explore with a buddy within your training and experience.
We organise the four open-water dives in Poland or Egypt.
For warm water and reef diving, we recommend Dahab in Egypt, where visibility can reach 40 metres and you may encounter turtles and clownfish.
In Poland, our training options include the following dive sites:
Honoratka, near Ślesin and Konin: a dive base that also welcomes accompanying family members, with underwater attractions including a helicopter, boats and cars.
Koparki, Jaworzno: a flooded quarry known for its clear water, two large submerged excavators and the vessel Wilhelm.
Equipment
Bring swimwear, flip-flops, a towel, a swimming cap, drinking water and a snack.
We provide the diving equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, BCD, regulator, cylinder, suit and dive computer.
Equipment is available in children’s sizes, and we also use lighter 10-litre cylinders. We will arrange the right fit before your first session.
Discounts
Family group (at least 4 people): PLN 2,500 per person
Polish Large Family Card: PLN 2,500 per person
Not included in the course price
PADI eLearning materials: 350 PLN
PADI certification: PLN 200
What comes next?
After OWD, keep practising and explore your next step. Advanced Open Water Diver introduces new diving activities and, subject to age restrictions, a maximum depth of 30 metres. You can also develop specific skills through wreck diving, buoyancy or dry-suit specialities.
Rescue Diver develops your safety and rescue skills. If you would like to take the professional route, ask us about Divemaster training. Regular diving helps you consolidate everything you have learned.
Give someone special
a diving course voucher
Start your diving adventure
Leave your details and arrange an introductory call
FAQ
How much does the diving course cost?
The course costs 2700 PLN. PADI eLearning materials cost an additional 350 PLN, and PADI certification costs 200 PLN. The materials are not free or included in the course price. Before booking, please confirm the arrangements and any additional costs for the open-water trip.
How long does the diving course take?
Training takes approximately 20 hours. You complete PADI eLearning, five pool sessions and four open-water dives. The three hours shown for each city refer to one pool session, not the whole course. We agree the full schedule when you book.
Can I try diving without a certification?
Yes. You can try scuba diving during an introductory session under the direct supervision of an instructor, such as PADI Discover Scuba Diving. This does not replace OWD certification. To dive with a certified buddy without an instructor, complete the appropriate training and stay within your certification and experience. See our introductory diving programme.
How do I get a diving certification?
Complete the theory and knowledge assessments, the required pool skills and four open-water training dives. You receive certification once you meet the programme requirements. Eighteen metres is the adult OWD depth limit, not a mandatory examination depth.
What are the health risks of diving?
Diving carries a risk of ear and sinus barotrauma, as well as serious conditions such as decompression sickness or pulmonary barotrauma. Training, correct equalisation and safe diving practices help reduce these risks but do not remove them completely. Before training, you complete a medical questionnaire. If its outcome requires it, or if you have health concerns, consult a doctor familiar with diving medicine. Do not dive with ear pain or difficulty equalising. Shortness of breath, chest pain or neurological symptoms after diving require urgent medical help. Read more from DAN about ears and diving and decompression illness.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Yes. Your instructor assesses your comfort in the water: swim 200 metres without aids, or 300 metres with a mask, snorkel and fins, and float or tread water for 10 minutes. You do not need to be a competitive swimmer.
What is the minimum age for OWD?
The minimum age is 10. Students aged 10–14 earn Junior Open Water Diver certification. For ages 10–11, the depth limit is 12 metres and buddy restrictions also apply. Your instructor will explain the requirements for your age.
Do I need my own equipment?
We provide a full set of diving equipment for the training, as described above. Bring swimwear, flip-flops, a towel, a swimming cap and drinking water. We will confirm equipment sizing and practical arrangements before the first session.
Where do the pool sessions and open-water dives take place?
We organise pool sessions in Warsaw, Łódź, Olsztyn and Gdańsk. Open-water training takes place in Poland or during a trip to Egypt. Arrange the location and dates for this stage separately with your instructor.
Is PADI certification recognised abroad?
Yes. PADI certification is recognised by dive centres around the world. Dive with a buddy and stay within your training and experience. A local centre may check your certification, recent diving experience and participation requirements.