Open Water Diver Referral

If you've already completed your classroom and pool sessions through a PADI dive shop back home, you don't need to start over. The Open Water Referral program lets you finish your certification right here — four checkout dives in the Florida Keys, spread across two half days on the water.

Before arriving at IDC, you'll need to have completed both the knowledge development (classroom or eLearning) and confined water (pool) portions of the PADI Open Water course with a certified PADI instructor. Bring your referral card or eLearning completion certificate when you come in — that's your proof of completion and what allows us to pick up right where you left off.

Once you're checked in, our instructors will review your progress, get you geared up, and take you out on the water for your four open water checkout dives.

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The referral course runs over two half days — two boat dives per session. Morning or afternoon scheduling is arranged after purchase. Once your payment is confirmed, we'll send a follow-up email with instructions for booking your dive dates.

What's Included

All rental gear is provided, so there's no need to travel with equipment. Your PADI Open Water certification card is issued upon successful completion of all four dives.

IDC includes two PADI specialty courses with every Open Water certification: PADI AWARE and PADI Shark Conservation. Both reflect IDC's focus on reef conservation in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary — and both add real credentials to your diver profile from day one.