PADI Open Water Referral
One afternoon in Nilaveli to begin your PADI Open Water certification: pool skills with a PADI instructor, then an Open Water Referral form valid for 12 months at any PADI centre. Started elsewhere? Finish your four open water dives with us.
Start with us
E-learning at home and one afternoon in the pool with us, then finish your open water dives at any PADI centre within 12 months. Ages 15 and over.
LKR 70,000 per person
Finish with us
Started at another PADI centre? Take your four open water dives with us over two mornings and leave certified. Ages 10 and over.
LKR 100,000 per person
Start with us
Start your PADI Open Water Diver course with us and finish it wherever your travels take you. You complete the PADI e-learning at home before you arrive, then spend an afternoon in the pool with a PADI instructor, learning and practising the core scuba skills. At the end your instructor issues your PADI Open Water Referral form. Within 12 months, take it to any PADI dive centre in the world to complete the four open-water dives and earn your Open Water Diver certification there. Ideal if you only have one afternoon with us, or want to finish your course somewhere else.
What’s included
- PADI e-learning: you receive your access by email after you book; complete it before you arrive
- Pool / confined-water training with a PADI instructor
- Full equipment, plus water, tea and snacks
- Your PADI Open Water Referral form, valid for 12 months
- Paid in full online when you book
Not included
- The four open-water dives and your certification, done and paid at the PADI centre where you finish
- GoPro photos and video (not included on PADI courses)
- DAN dive insurance (recommended)
- Your e-learning time before arrival
Good to know
Minimum age 15, and you must be able to swim 200 m and float for 10 minutes. No prior dive experience needed. Your PADI e-learning must be completed before you arrive.
Highlights
- Start the world’s most recognised dive course in one afternoon.
- Learn the core scuba skills in the pool with a PADI instructor.
- Leave with your PADI Open Water Referral form, valid for 12 months.
- Finish your four open-water dives at any PADI centre worldwide.
Requirements
- No prior experience needed.
- Water skills: you must be able to swim 200 metres (or 300 metres in mask, snorkel and fins) and float or tread water for 10 minutes, the standard PADI Open Water requirement.
- Minimum age 15.
- Diver medical questionnaire, and your e-learning completed before you arrive.
Programme & duration
Day 1
- 14:00Briefing + Pool / Confined Water training (14:00–18:00)
- 18:00Your instructor issues your Open Water Referral form (valid for 12 months)
One afternoon in the pool, from 14:00 to 18:00. Complete the e-learning before you arrive; your confirmation email carries the exact times.
Medical, flight & insurance
Most people answer “no” to every question on the diver medical questionnaire and are cleared to dive. A “yes” to any question means a physician must sign the medical form confirming you’re fit to dive. Bring the signed form with you on Day 1.
Planning to fly after diving? PADI and DAN recommend waiting at least 12 hours after a single dive, 18 hours after multiple dives, and ideally 24 hours for complete peace of mind.
We recommend DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network) dive insurance: recommended, not required, and no sign-up is needed to book. Dive safe, dive insured. Get covered with DAN →
What to bring
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Biodegradable sunscreen
- Passport or ID
- Your e-learning completed before you arrive
Meeting & pick-up
- Arrive 15 minutes before your start time for registration, briefing and equipment fitting.
- Our centre is right on the beach. Most accommodation is a short walk or tuk tuk away. There is no tuk tuk pick-up service on the east coast.
- Your confirmation email carries the exact meeting point and time.
Who it’s for
For: Travellers who want to start their Open Water certification here and finish the open-water dives at another PADI centre within 12 months.
Not for: Not for anyone who wants to be fully certified with us (book the PADI Open Water Diver course instead), and not for divers who are already certified.
Choose your date
October 2026
Finish with us
You did your PADI e-learning and pool training at another dive centre. Your four open water dives with us complete your PADI Open Water Diver certification. You dive with our Open Water group and a PADI instructor.
- Two mornings of open water dives: day 1 07:30–13:00, day 2 07:30–13:00.
- Bring the PADI referral form your first dive centre signed. It is valid for 12 months from your pool training. You can upload it when you book or afterwards.
- Every diver completes the PADI medical questionnaire and our liability release before the first open water dive.
- From age 10. A parent or legal guardian books for divers aged 10–14, who follow the PADI Junior depth limits.
- 50% deposit when you book, the rest on your first dive day.
- Included: your four open water dives with a PADI instructor, full equipment and your PADI certification fee.
Choose your dates
Total: LKR 100,000
Choose the date of your first open water dive to see availability.