3-Day PADI Open Water Diver Certification in San Andrés

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (9 reviews)

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Duration3d

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Learn to dive safely, then explore the reef on your own

A 3-day PADI Open Water Diver certification course in San Andrés, Colombia, where you earn the credential to dive independently in open water. The course combines classroom theory, confined water drills in a pool or lagoon, and four supervised open water dives on the reef. Small groups mean individualized attention from certified instructors; all diving gear, photos, videos, medical insurance and hotel pickup are included. Children from age 10 are welcome.

The Experience

San Andrés' clear waters are the classroom for the final phase of your certification. You start with theory — the physics of diving, equipment use, safety protocols, dive planning — then move into confined water practice where you drill skills in a controlled setting before the reef. Once you're comfortable, you make four open water dives, each one building on the last. The instructor guides you through progressive descents, watches you practice what you've learned, and points out the marine life around you. By the end of the third day, you hold the card that lets you dive anywhere in the world without supervision.

The course runs over three days with a certified instructor who speaks English or Spanish. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange transport yourself. All the gear you need — BCD, mask, fins, tank, weights, diving suit — comes with the course, along with snacks and photos and videos of your dives. Medical insurance is covered. Small groups mean the instructor knows your pace and your questions get answered.

One constraint: you can't fly or travel to altitude for 18 hours after your final dive. Plan your onward travel accordingly, and bring a valid ID and any diving experience you've logged before. The course is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for people with spinal injuries, cardiovascular conditions, or if you're pregnant.

What’s included

All diving equipment (BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, tank, weights, diving suit).
private hotel pickup.
snacks during the course.
photos and videos of your dives.
medical insurance.
live instruction in English or Spanish.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Escuela de Buceo Sea Pride

Is this one for you?If you're staying in San Andrés without a car, the included pickup means you don't coordinate transport to the dive site — you're picked up from your hotel and returned after each day. Small groups guarantee the instructor knows your comfort level and adjusts the pace to your learning, which matters when you're underwater for the first time.