The most important thing to bring to your Open Water course is an open mind and a positive attitude!
Our facilities are equipped with wifi, personal lockers, warm fresh water showers, coffee, water and a bathroom/changing room. But here are a few things you might want to bring with you:
- Completed PADI Forms: Prior to arrival, please be sure that you have completed the Open Water Diver Online Form - including the PADI Medical Questionnaire. Students who are 10 or 11 years old must also watch the Youth Diving Responsibility video with a parent or guardian and also sign the Youth Diving Responsibility and Risks Acknowledgement with a parent or guardian.
- Completed eLearning Record or Knowledge Reviews: Prior to arrival, please complete all of the eLearning, including quizzes and exams. If you are not an eLearner, then please complete all the reading, knowledge reviews and videos.
- What to wear: You will get in the water each day of the course! So you can wear your swimsuit under regular clothes. We have lockers on site where you can safely store all dry clothes and personal belongings.
- What Else to Bring:
- Dry Towel: We encourage you to do a fresh water rinse after being in the ocean and having a dry towel for after that is always nice!
- Mineral-Based Sunscreen: If you choose to use sunblock, please wear mineral-based sunscreen and avoid petrochemical sunscreens. This will help keep the reef that you'll be lucky enough to explore during your course, healthy and vibrant for generations to come. Not sure if your sunscreen is reef safe? Check out these sunscreen guidelines.
- Personal Snorkel: As an open water student, you are required to wear a snorkel in the water. If you have a personal one you love, then bring it! If not, we have plenty of rental snorkels available for your use.
- Lunch Money: You will have some free time to grab lunch during the course and there are lots of great eats in the area, so bring some lunch money. Check out our list of Top10 restaurants in West End for some of our favorite lunch spots.
- Reusable Water Bottle: We have water & cups available at our dive center, as well as on the boats. But you are welcome to also bring a reusable water bottle as well. Please avoid single-use plastic bottles.
You really don't need much else! And if it doesn't fit in a small dry bag, then we recommend leaving it at home or at least in the lockers as we have limited dry well space on the boats.