El Nido is an ideal place to earn your PADI Open Water Diver: calm warm water, shallow reefs and movie-set limestone cliffs. When you finish you can dive to 18 metres anywhere in the world.
How the course works
- Digital theory with eLearning, before or during your trip.
- Confined-water sessions to practise skills.
- 4 open-water dives in Bacuit Bay.
- Lifetime PADI certification.
Who it is for
Anyone aged 10 or over who can swim and is reasonably fit. You fill in a medical questionnaire first; any yes answer requires a doctor’s sign-off.
What to bring
- Swimwear and towel.
- Reef-safe sunscreen.
- Time: allow 3–4 days and avoid flying for 24 hours after your last dive.
Best time
November to June. March to May usually brings the calmest sea and best visibility, and the water stays around 28 °C, so a thin wetsuit is all you need.
Booking
This activity can be booked separately or added to your sailing week so everything is organised in one place. You will receive a confirmation with all the practical details, and any cancellation due to bad weather is rescheduled or fully refunded.
Included
- PADI eLearning and certification
- Full equipment
- Confined-water sessions and 4 open-water dives
- Boat, guide and snacks
FAQs
How many days?
Between 3 and 4.
Do I need experience?
No, just the ability to swim.
Can I do the theory beforehand?
Yes, with PADI eLearning from home.
