Become a Certified Scuba Diver in Just 3 Days
Small Classes. Big Confidence. Perfect Safety Record.
PADI Open Water Certification - $450 Course Fee
Get your PADI Open Water certification in three days for $450 course fee (+ $240 eLearning = $696 total) at South Florida’s most trusted dive center. Located in Davie, Divers Cove has been training divers since 1988 with a perfect safety record. Our small group classes (max 4 students) and 5-Star PADI IDC rating mean you get the best training available in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Broward County.
Perfect for complete beginners who want to become a certified scuba diver safely and confidently. Our Open Water certification includes all training, equipment rental, beach and boat dives, a FREE post-certification dive led by an instructor ($150 value), and a FREE PADI Club membership ($49 value). Start your scuba diving journey with the world’s most recognized certification.
What’s Included in Your $696 Certification
✅ Small group classes (max 4 students)
✅ Pool training + beach dive + boat dive
✅ All equipment rental included
✅ FREE post-certification dive ($150 value)
✅ FREE PADI Club membership ($49 value)
✅ 37-year perfect safety record
✅ 5-Star PADI IDC training center
✅ Lifetime support & community access
Ready to Start Your Diving Journey?
Classes Fill Quickly — Secure Your Spot Today
Availability: In Stock
Small Classes = Better Learning
We limit classes to 4 students (industry standard: 8+). That’s 50% more instructor attention. With 4 students, your instructor can watch your technique, correct problems immediately, work at YOUR pace, and ensure you’re truly competent—not just certified.
We’ve been training divers since 1988. Zero incidents. Ever. This isn’t luck—it’s a culture of safety that runs through everything we do.
5-Star PADI IDC Training Center
We don’t just teach divers—we train the instructors who teach divers. That’s the highest PADI rating possible. Most dive shops are standard PADI centers. We’re elite.
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Day 1: Pool training (controlled environment)
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Day 2: Beach dive (real South Florida dive site)
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Day 3: Boat dive (reef or wreck)
You’ll experience real ocean conditions and marine life, not just confined water.
Family-Owned Since 1988
We’re not a franchise. We genuinely care about your diving journey. When you need air fills, equipment advice, or trip planning—we’re here. You’re joining a community, not just getting a card.
Why PADI Over SSI, TDI, NAUI, or SDI?
PADI is the world’s largest and most recognized certification agency. Your PADI card is accepted at dive shops, resorts, and liveaboards worldwide. PADI has the most rigorous training standards (trained 30+ million divers since 1966), the largest dive community, and the best professional opportunities. Other agencies have smaller networks and may require conversion courses at some destinations.
Course Structure & Timeline
Before Day 1: PADI eLearning (8-12 hours, self-paced at home)
Day 1: Pool training (master essential skills)
Day 2: Beach dive (2 certification dives at real South Florida site)
Day 3: Boat dive (2 certification dives at reef or wreck)
After Certification: FREE post-certification dive with instructor
Total Time: 3 days (typically over 1-2 weekends). Most students complete certification within 2-3 weeks from eLearning start to final dive.
Prerequisites & Personal Gear
Prerequisites: - Age: Minimum 10 years old - Basic swimming ability and comfort in water - Good physical health (medical questionnaire required) - No prior diving experience needed
Personal Gear You’ll Need to Purchase: Mask, fins, snorkel, weights (industry standard for all dive shops)
Why? Proper fit is essential for safety and comfort. Ill-fitting gear causes leaks and discomfort underwater. You’ll use this gear on every dive for life. We offer student packages with a 10% discount and expert fitting.
All other equipment (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, tank) is provided during training.
Local South Florida Diving
Why train here? - Year-round diving conditions - World-class dive sites (reefs, wrecks, drift dives) - Warm water (75-85°F year-round) - Incredible marine life diversity
Popular local dive sites: Fort Lauderdale reef system, Pompano Beach wrecks, Hollywood Beach artificial reefs, Boca Raton drift dives, Blue Heron Bridge (#1 shore dive in North America)
Your certification opens doors to: Florida Keys diving, Caribbean vacations, international liveaboard trips, local weekend dives, underwater photography
Group vs. Private Classes
Group Classes (Standard - $696) Max 4 students per instructor. Perfect for most people. You’ll learn with 3 other students, share experiences, and often make friends.
Private Classes (Available for $300 Upgrade) 1-on-1 instruction. Ideal if you want maximum personalized attention, custom pacing, and more flexibility. Contact us at (954) 473-1220 for pricing.
What Our Students Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I felt so confident by the end”
“I was nervous about learning to scuba dive, but the small class size made all the difference. My instructor had time to work with me on skills I struggled with. I felt completely confident by certification day. Worth every penny.” — Sarah M., Pembroke Pines
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Worth the extra cost”
“I almost went with a cheaper shop but I’m so glad I chose Divers Cove. The instructors are incredible and I still come back for fills and advice. It’s a real community, not just a transaction.” — Mike R., Fort Lauderdale
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Safest hands in South Florida”
“As a parent, safety was my #1 concern. Their 37-year perfect record and small classes gave me complete peace of mind. My son had an amazing experience and is already asking about diving more!” — Jennifer L., Davie
Q: What’s the total cost?
A: $450 course fee + $240 PADI eLearning = $696 total. This includes all pool, beach, and boat training, equipment rental, FREE post-certification dive ($150 value), and FREE PADI Club membership ($49 value). Personal gear (mask, fins, snorkel, weights) is additional, starting at $450. No hidden fees.
Q: Why is PADI better than other agencies?
A: PADI is the world’s largest and most recognized certification agency. Your PADI card is accepted worldwide. PADI has the most rigorous training standards, the largest dive community, and the best professional opportunities.
Q: How does your $696 compare to competitors?
A: Just $64 more than the cheapest option (Dixie Divers at $632) but with smaller classes (4 vs 8+), higher PADI rating (5-Star IDC vs Standard), proven 37-year safety record, and real ocean training (beach + boat). We’re $34-$189 LESS than most competitors.
Q: Why do I need to buy personal gear separately?
A: Personal gear must fit properly for safety and comfort. This is industry standard at all dive shops. Ill-fitting gear causes leaks and discomfort underwater. We offer student packages with 10% discount and expert fitting.
Q: Is the $240 eLearning required?
A: Yes, PADI eLearning is required for certification. This is a PADI requirement and costs the same at all PADI dive shops.
Q: How long does certification take?
A: 3 days total. Complete eLearning (8-12 hours) before Day 1. Most students finish within 2-3 weeks from start to final dive.
Q: What if I’m not comfortable in the water?
A: Our small class sizes (max 4) mean your instructor can work with you at your individual pace. We’ve successfully trained complete beginners. Your safety, comfort, and confidence are our top priorities. We never rush students.
Q: Can I try diving before committing?
A: Yes! We offer Discover Scuba experiences where you can try diving in the pool before committing to full Open Water certification. Contact us at (954) 473-1220 for details.
Q: Do you offer group or family discounts?
A: Yes! Groups of 3+ receive discounted pricing. Call (954) 473-1220 for group rates.
Q: What’s included in the FREE post-certification dive?
A: After you’re certified, we provide a complimentary dive with instructor support (valued at $150). This helps you practice your new skills, build confidence, and get personalized feedback before diving independently.
Q: Do you offer private classes?
A: Yes! Private 1-on-1 instruction is available for an upgrade fee. Call (954) 473-1220 for pricing.
Ready to Become a Certified Scuba Diver?
$450 Course Fee + $240 eLearning = $696 Total
Transparent pricing. No hidden fees. Just exceptional training from South Florida’s most trusted dive center.
4 reviews for Become a Certified Scuba Diver in Just 3 Days
Santiago M
Jun 24, 2024Closed out my open water certification with my fantastic instructor Mr. Scott Simpson. The team at Divers Cove, especially Andres, are extremely professional, knowledgeable, and approachable. Scott was a by the book instructor, which for me is good as safety first, and made sure I had all the proper skill sets before stepping foot in the ocean. Scott was constantly monitoring me to ensure I was comfortable in the water and was paying attention to my surrounding. That made the ocean dive just a "fun" dive. Great experience and would HIGHLY recommend Divers Cove.
Dylan Crossen
Jun 12, 2024Divers Cove was tremendous in helping our group become open water certified. The instructors, namely Donovan and Andres, were extremely knowledgeable, patient, and fun to dive with. If you are looking to get open water certified, Divers Cove is the clear choice!
Vanessa C
Jun 12, 2024They are just amazing. My classes instructor was so patient with us, which made the experience so much more enjoyable. I highly recommend choosing Divers Cove as your dive center. Thank you for everything.
Kelly
Jun 12, 2024Divers cove is amazing! I cant recommend them enough. I recently did open water certification with them and had a wonderful experience. My instructor, Donovan, was extremely patient with me as I was pretty nervous during my first few dives and struggled with the mask flood. Natalee (the shop owner) made everything seamless and easy to schedule my dives. Definitely, get certified with Divers cove!
