We close our pool for winter but open up again in March
Hey future divers! Ready to embark on an unforgettable underwater journey? Our PADI Confined Open Water Course is your perfect starting point. Think of it as your first step in a lifelong passport to the world beneath the waves. You'll learn scuba fundamentals, get hands-on with diving gear, and even experience the thrill of breathing underwater—all in a relaxed, safe environment.
The PADI Open Water Certification requires you to complete theory training, confined water (pool) training, and 4 open water dives. The idea of this course is that you will get to 'learn today, dive tomorrow' by completing your theory and confined water training in the UK, before completing the open water dives abroad, making the most of your time on holiday.
Over the course of 1-2 days - we will agree a schedule with you when you put in a booking request with your preferred start date - we will cover:
Nestled in the Hampshire countryside, we're conveniently located near London and the neighboring towns of Basingstoke, Newbury, and Winchester—just 5 minutes off the M3. You will recieve a full address and postcode upon booking.
No prior experience is necessary! Just bring your enthusiasm! Participants must be aged 10+. Please note that those under 15 will be working towards their Junior Open Water Certification, which can be upgraded once they reach 15. ####
Our team is passionately dedicated to giving you a top-notch learning experience. From our inviting indoor classroom to our heated training pool, we've got the setup to make your learning smooth and comfortable. We specialise in getting you prepped before you go on to complete the PADI Open Water Course abroad. So you'll spend less time in a classroom and more time making bubbles underwater during your holiday. Whether you're a school, a family, or an individual, we have something for you. We even offer bespoke dive holidays!
Already dreaming of your next diving destination? We've got you covered with our wide range of locations from Indonesia to Malta.
So what are you waiting for? Dive into a world of endless adventure and join our underwater family!
We do not complete the whole Open Water Course in the UK as most people prefer to do the theory and pool work in the UK and travel abroad to complete their ocean dives. Once you have completed the PADI Theory and confined Sessions in the UK we can offer you options on our regular trips to Indonesia and Europe to complete the 4 Open Water Dives. If you still wish to do the 4 dives in the UK we can refer you to another UK dive centre.
Yes, our training pool is heated!
The course duration can vary depending on learning pace, but it usually around 8 hours to complete which can be done in a single day or spread across 2 days. 1 -2 adults can usually complete the course in 1 day.
Yes, there is a final exam that covers the theory you learn during the course. It ensures you have a good understanding of the basics of scuba diving.
The PADI Confined Open Water Course does not offer a certification at the end. However you will be given a PADI Confined Open Water Course Referral form which you can take to any PADI dive centre in the world. All you will need to complete is 4 open water dives with an instructor.
You'll learn important skills such as setting up your scuba gear, clearing your mask, recovering your regulator, and practising buoyancy control.
While you don't need to be an expert swimmer, basic swimming skills are required for scuba diving. You should also feel comfortable in the water.
Our pool is 3m deep which is the maximum depth we will go to. When you move to Open Water, this certification will take you to 18m.
About the centre
Oakley, Basingstoke
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Blue Marlin Dive UK, a partner of adventuro.
