Coron Open Water Diving: 2-Day Certification Course

Learn to dive and earn your certification in Coron's reef waters

The Coron Open Water Course is a two-day, four-dive certification class in Coron, Philippines, where you learn essential scuba skills and complete the practical requirements for Open Water certification under a certified instructor's guidance. The course runs from Day 1 registration through Day 2 final dives, with pickup and lunch included. You'll need to be at least 12 years old and in general good health to participate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Registration and first open-water dives

• Register at dive center
• Fit scuba equipment
• Attend safety briefing
• Learn scuba equipment use
• Practice skills in controlled environment
• Complete first open-water training dives
• Practice buoyancy and mask clearing

Day 2: Advanced training and certification dives

• Perform additional training dives
• Practice buoyancy and underwater navigation
• Learn buddy procedures
• Practice safe ascent techniques
• Complete required open-water dives
• Finish practical Open Water course

The experience

The course starts at the dive center in Coron Town Proper on Day 1 with registration, equipment fitting, and a safety briefing. A certified instructor walks you through scuba equipment, underwater communication, and the core skills you'll need: buoyancy control, mask clearing, regulator recovery, safe underwater movement. After the initial training in a controlled setting, you move into your first open-water training dives at nearby reef sites in Coron Bay, where you practice these skills under direct supervision.

Day 2 builds on what you learned, with additional training dives at selected sites around Coron Bay. You'll refine buoyancy, practice underwater navigation, work through buddy procedures, and master safe ascent techniques. By the end of the day, once you've completed the required skills and assessments, you'll have finished the practical portion of your Open Water certification. The course materials and certification card are included, along with all SCUBA equipment, boat transfers between dive sites, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

What’s included

• Course materials and certification card.
• all SCUBA equipment.
• four supervised open-water dives at Coron reef sites.
• boat transfers between dive locations.
• lunch.
• hotel pickup and drop-off service.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (12 to 69 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Filipino

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 45 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by El Nido Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?Your instructor speaks English or Filipino, so choose based on which language you're most comfortable learning in. The two-day structure means you earn your certification without splitting the course across multiple trips, and the small-group format with a certified instructor keeps the pace focused on building your confidence and technique safely.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Filipino.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What happens on the first day of the Open Water course?

Day 1 starts at the dive center in Coron Town Proper with registration and equipment fitting, followed by a safety briefing on scuba gear and underwater communication. After controlled-environment skills practice, you complete your first open-water training dives at nearby reef sites, practicing buoyancy control, mask clearing, regulator recovery, and safe underwater movement under your instructor's supervision.

Will I be certified to dive on my own after this course?

You'll complete the practical portion of Open Water certification by the end of Day 2, which qualifies you to dive independently once you've finished any additional requirements your certification agency specifies. The course includes your certification card upon successful completion of all skills and assessments.

What's included in the course fee?

The course includes course materials, all SCUBA equipment, four supervised dives at Coron reef sites, boat transfers between dive sites, lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off, and your certification card upon completion.

Do I need diving experience to join?

No prior diving experience is required. The course is designed as a complete introduction to recreational scuba diving, starting with essential skills training and building through supervised open-water dives. You must be at least 12 years old and in general good health. The course is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

What time does the course start and how long does it take each day?

The course runs over two full days with a total duration of 16 hours, including travel time between the dive center and reef sites. Day 1 begins with registration and briefing at the dive center in Coron Town Proper, and Day 2 continues with additional training dives at Coron Bay sites.