PADI Open Water Course

Become a proficient diver in the stunning Machalilla marine reserve through this PADI Open Water course held in Puerto López. You have the option to select from two distinct levels based on your prior diving experience.

Course Options

Machalilla National Park's marine reserve serves as an ideal haven for enthusiasts of scuba diving. Its vibrant coral reefs host a variety of species, including various fish, turtles, crustaceans, and cetaceans. This makes the PADI Open Water course in Puerto López an exceptional choice for learning how to navigate underwater while discovering its hidden gems.

PADI Open Water Course

The PADI Open Water course comprises three segments, which can be completed within 2 to 3 days, depending on whether you opt for classroom instruction or distance learning.

Day 1

The initial segment involves a theoretical session covering fundamental diving principles. This can be attended in person or conducted independently at home. If you choose the latter, study materials will be provided for you to review prior to attending the practical session on the following day.

Day 2

On the second day, we will commence with confined water diving, applying the concepts learned previously. After a self-arranged lunch break, we will proceed to the open sea for two dives reaching depths of up to 12 meters (40 feet), allowing you to enhance your diving skills and build confidence for independent dives.

Day 3

The final day is dedicated to two additional open water dives where you will explore the marine environment of Puerto López. Upon completion of the course, you will be awarded your PADI Open Water certificate.

PADI Advanced Open Water Course

The PADI Advanced Open Water course enables you to extend your diving depth limit up to 30 meters (98 feet) while refining the techniques learned during your prior PADI training.

This course includes five dives: one Deep Adventure Dive, one Underwater Navigator Adventure Dive, and three additional dives chosen from the following:

• Aware Fish ID
• Drift Diver
• Peak Performance Buoyancy
• Search and Recovery Diver
• Underwater Naturalist
• Underwater Photographer
• Underwater Videographer

Upon successful completion, you will receive a temporary PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification card, which is recognized globally. Your permanent certification card will be mailed to you a few weeks later.