PADI Open Water Diver Course Bayahibe | 3-Day Scuba Certification

Summary

Learn to Dive in Bayahibe: Beginner Scuba Certification Experience

You’ll learn real scuba skills from pros in Bayahibe—gear setup, pool practice, then four ocean dives in warm Caribbean waters. It’s hands-on, friendly, and beginner-friendly.

What’s the experience like?

The first morning started with a quick ride from my hotel—pickup was right on time, and the van smelled faintly of sunscreen and coffee. At the dive center, our instructor, Miguel, greeted us with a grin and handed out wetsuits. He walked us through setting up the gear; I fumbled with the straps at first but got the hang of it after a couple tries. The pool session felt surprisingly relaxed. We practiced breathing underwater (it’s weird at first), finding that sweet spot where you just float mid-water, and using hand signals—thumbs up means “let’s go up,” which I kept mixing up with “okay.” There was a lot of laughter when someone’s mask fogged up and they had to clear it mid-demo.

After lunch (there’s a little café next door that does strong espresso), we tackled the swim test—ten minutes treading water under the hot Dominican sun isn’t as easy as it sounds, but no one minded because the pool was cool and shaded by palms. The next day moved fast: more skills in the pool, like popping your mask off and back on without panicking (harder than it looks), then learning how to use your backup regulator. By day three, we were out on the boat for our first open water dive. The sea breeze hit as soon as we left shore; you could smell salt and hear gulls overhead. Dropping into clear blue water off Bayahibe felt unreal. We repeated most of what we’d learned in the pool—buoyancy checks, clearing masks—but now there were actual fish darting around us and soft sand underfoot instead of tiles.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — PADI Open Water Diver Course

• Your instructor teaches gear assembly
• Practice breathing on scuba
• Practice scuba skills in pool
• Swim assessment: tread water 10 min
• Swim assessment: swim 200 yards
• Complete 4 open water dives

Top questions

Do I need any diving experience before joining?

No prior experience is needed—the course is designed for complete beginners and covers all basics step by step.

How long does it take to get certified?

The full PADI Open Water Diver course takes about three days to complete in Bayahibe.

Is equipment provided or do I need to bring my own?

All scuba equipment is included in your course fee—you just need to bring swimwear and a towel.

Are hotel transfers included for all resorts?

Pickup and drop-off are included for resorts in Bayahibe-Dominicus only; check if your hotel is within this area when booking.

I have limited mobility—is this activity accessible?

The course is wheelchair accessible with adapted transport options available; let us know your needs when booking.

What’s included

Your PADI certification fee is covered, plus all scuba gear for training and dives. You’ll get four open water dives with a professional instructor. Hotel pickup/drop-off from Bayahibe-Dominicus resorts is included too.