PADI Open Water Course

Learn to dive like a professional in the Machalilla marine reserve in this PADI Open Water course in Puerto López. You can choose from two different levels, depending on your previous experience.

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The marine reserve of Machalilla National Park is a popular destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. The coral reefs host a variety of species such as fish, turtles, crustaceans, and cetaceans. The PADI Open Water course in Puerto López is designed to teach you underwater skills and explore these ecosystems.

PADI Open Water Course

The PADI Open Water course consists of three parts, completed over 2 or 3 days based on your choice of classroom or distance learning.

Day 1

This day includes a theoretical lesson on diving principles, available in-person or through self-study with provided materials. Attendance is required on Day 2 for practical lessons.

Day 2

Activities begin with diving in confined waters followed by a lunch break. Afterward, participants will dive in the open sea for two dives reaching 12 meters (40 feet) to build confidence.

Day 3

The final day includes two more open water dives to explore underwater environments around Puerto López. Upon completion, participants receive a PADI Open Water certificate.

PADI Advanced Open Water Course

The PADI Advanced Open Water course allows extending dive depth limits to 30 meters (98 feet) and refining skills learned previously. It includes five dives: one Deep Adventure Dive, one Underwater Navigator Adventure Dive, and three dives chosen from:

Aware Fish IDDrift DiverPeak Performance BuoyancySearch and Recovery DiverUnderwater NaturalistUnderwater PhotographerUnderwater Videographer

Upon course completion, participants receive a temporary PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification card, valid worldwide, followed by a permanent certification card in the mail a few weeks later.