PADI Open Water Courses
London, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Kent & Sussex
The world’s most popular scuba diving certification
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular and recognised scuba diving certification. It has introduced millions of people from around the world to the adventurous diving lifestyle.
Oyster Diving are a multi-award winning 5-star PADI dive school and the UK’s premier PADI scuba diving and travel centre.
We have the highest number of 5-star Google reviews of any dive centre in the UK!
To get qualified to dive around the world you will need to complete Part A (theory and pool) and Part B (4 x open water dives).
The Open Water Course Consists Of 2 Parts:
Part A – Theory & Pool £350
Online Theory (£195) & Pool Training & equipment hire (£155).
Includes:
- Online learning with interactive learning and videos
- Heated pool training session(s) with a professional PADI Instructor in a choice of six locations
- Scuba equipment rental using from the world’s leading manufacturers
- Log book
- PADI certification e-card and processing fee
Part B – Open water dives £285
Includes:
- 4 x Open water dives over 2 days with a professional PADI Instructor and certified Assistant. We meet at 9.30am and aim to finish around 3pm both days.
- Scuba equipment rental using from the world’s leading manufacturers
- Exclusive use of our clear fresh water lake near London
- Please note that on arrival the lake owner charges £18/day for use of the lake and it’s facilities, and £7 to refill your scuba tank. Facilities include car park, purpose built kitting up area, changing rooms, hot showers and Cafe
Part B can also be completed at any overseas PADI dive centre.
What Does The PADI Open Water Qualify You To Do?
- Lets you dive at nearly every dive centre around the world
- Qualifies you to dive with a qualified buddy independently
- Participate in guided dives
- Qualifies you to dive to a maximum depth of 18m (except for 10-12 years – 12m)
- Have a lifelong long scuba qualification
- Rent dive gear and scuba tanks
- Take further dive courses
Why Learn To Dive With Oyster Diving?
PADI 5-Star IDC Centre: We have been awarded as one of the few PADI 5-Star Scuba Diving Centres in London and South East.
High Standards: We follow UK HSE and PADI regulations,
PADI Youth Training Centre: Our patient and friendly PADI Instructors are very happy to teach children from 10 years old upwards on their open water courses.
Award winning PADI Dive Centre: Awards include ‘Dive Centre of the Year’ (twice) and ‘Instructor of the Year’.
Small group sizes: A max of 6 students to 1 instructor
6 Heated pool locations: London, Surrey, Berkshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Sussex
Exclusive lake: You won’t find crowds of other dive schools stirring up the visibility!
Over 685 Google Reviews with an average score of 5.0: more than any other dive centre.
Quality equipment: We use the latest equipment from the world’s top manufacturers which is maintained to a high standard.
Price match: If you find another reputable dive centre in your area cheaper, then we will be happy to price match it.
Further development: Once you can develop your skills with either further courses, UK trips, holidays or by joining our friendly dive club.
Try The Theory FREE
If you would like to see how the online learning works and how easy it is then simply sign up today. We will then send you your unique code for you to have a go at the first open water section. See how easy, fun and interesting it is.
Testimonial from Google Review Summer 2024: My sons (aged 10 & 11) completed their Open Water PADI with Oyster in Brighton / Mercers Lake. They are incredibly well organised (thank you Tom), great kit, and really excellent instructors (thank you Andrew & Guy).
Everyone was extremely friendly. The whole experience with them was fantastic. My sons loved it.
Why Learn to Scuba Dive?
Scuba diving is an extraordinary adventure that plunges you into a breath-taking underwater world, teeming with vibrant marine life, stunning coral reefs, and hidden ecosystems waiting to be discovered.
It’s like entering another planet, where you experience the exhilarating sensation of weightlessness as you glide effortlessly through the water.
We are proud to be a multi-award winning PADI 5-star dive centre. We provide highly experienced, friendly and professional instructors, comprehensive course options, multiple locations, state-of-the-art facilities, high safety standards, and a fun and friendly environment.
5.0
Based on 723 reviews
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Holly Steward
3 days ago
Did a great dSMB course with Nick at Mercers Lake on Sunday. I was a little rusty and Nick was very patient and talked me though everything. I was the only student so Nick went way above the course requirements and let me set up and inflate about 6 different SMBs on one of the dives for the practice! I feel really confident in using my SMB in future.
Thomas Kingston
1 week ago
Having done refresher, advanced and enriched air courses with Oyster as well as various fun dives. I can say all instructors and guides have been very helpful and knowledgeable as well as having a clear passion for diving. They are easy to get in contact via email to discuss anything further as well as having all bookings online
Adam Liversidge
2 weeks ago
A great day, excellent training for the dry suit speciality. A big thank you to Neil and also the dive masters who were very helpful to all of us.
Thomas Jager
2 weeks ago
Went to do the open water part A in egham, was a really good session. Everything was taught at a good pace, instructors were helpful and friendly, equipment was great too
Louise Wilson
3 weeks ago
Great course with Mark. Thank you Oyster!
Camilla Lawson
3 weeks ago
Best instructors I've had. Nathan and Ian were extremely knowledgeable and made everyone feel comfortable and safe. Would recommend to anyone!
Maria Gedziorowska
3 weeks ago
Thank you Nick, Hannah and Lucy for a great weekend at lake Mercers!
Emma Fry
1 month ago
My 13-year-old son completed his PADI Open Water Diver qualification with Oyster Diving this weekend, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish.
A huge thank you to Aussie Mark, who led Part A in the pool, and Nathan, who took Part B at Mercers Lake. Both instructors struck the perfect balance between being fun, engaging and approachable while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and safety throughout the course.
They took the time to ensure my son understood every skill and met all the required standards, building his confidence along the way. It was clear that safety was always the priority, but they also made the learning experience enjoyable and memorable.
The training locations and facilities were exceptional. Both the pool venue and Mercers Lake provided an excellent environment for learning, with well-maintained facilities that helped make the whole experience smooth, comfortable and enjoyable.
I would highly recommend Oyster Diving to anyone considering learning to dive, especially younger divers. Thank you for helping my son achieve this fantastic milestone.
xiang xu
2 months ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exceptional Sidemount Training with Oyster Diving!
I recently completed my PADI Sidemount and Nitrox course with Oyster Diving and had an outstanding experience from start to finish.
A huge thank you to Nick and Ian for their excellent instruction. Their knowledge, professionalism, and enthusiasm for diving really stood out. Throughout the course they were incredibly patient, supportive, and always took the time to explain not just how to perform each skill, but why it matters. The one-to-one coaching meant I received detailed feedback that really helped improve my buoyancy, trim, equipment configuration, and overall confidence in sidemount diving.
The course was very well organised, with a smooth progression from the pool session to the open water dives. Every dive was enjoyable, challenging in the right way, and conducted with a strong focus on safety while maintaining a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere.
I’d also like to thank the entire Oyster Diving team for being so welcoming and helpful throughout my training. Everyone has been friendly, professional, and genuinely passionate about helping divers develop their skills.
Whether you’re new to sidemount diving or looking to continue your diving education, I couldn’t recommend Oyster Diving highly enough. I’ll definitely be returning for more training and diving in the future!
Kyle Rawles
2 months ago
I booked an introductory dive with Tom and the team in Brighton and cannot recommend them enough. From getting settled with the other divers, being shown the full kit and safety briefing and then the various pool exercises and skills - the entire experience was brilliant! So much so, I have booked my Open Water course for the next few months. Tom and the other instructors were very easy going, patient and relaxed - something that I hear is key for scuba diving! I look forward to seeing the team again.
Dylan Patel
3 months ago
Amazing PADI Open Water course! Jill and Michalina were brilliant instructors — patient, friendly, and made everything feel safe and enjoyable. I learned so much and had a great experience. Highly recommend!
Julia Moore
3 months ago
I recently completed my drysuit training with Oyster Diving and had an outstanding experience from start to finish. My lead instructor, Nick, was absolutely fantastic, and Dani provided great support throughout the course.
From the moment we started, Nick made me feel relaxed and at ease. He clearly knows his stuff, but what really stood out was how patient, encouraging, and approachable he was. He took the time to explain everything in a clear, easy‑to‑understand way, and then immediately backed it up with plenty of hands‑on practice. Nothing was just theory – every explanation was followed by getting in there and actually doing it.
In the water, Nick’s focus on safety, good technique, and really getting to know the equipment was obvious. He constantly emphasised how important it is to become familiar and comfortable with the drysuit itself – how it fits, how it responds, and how it behaves in different positions and depths. He broke down each skill step by step and had me practise them repeatedly, giving clear and constructive feedback as I went. We spent a lot of time actively working on buoyancy, trim, and control in real situations, which really deepened my understanding of how a drysuit behaves and what drysuit diving truly involves. Dani was always there in the background, keeping an eye on things, helping out where needed, and adding extra tips and reassurance while I was practising skills.
The course felt very practical and immersive – most of my learning came from actually being in the drysuit, trying things out under their guidance, failing and adjusting as I went along. By the end of the course, I left with a much clearer, more complete understanding of what drysuit diving entails and of the importance of spending time familiarizing myself with the equipment, especially when planning to dive in colder water.
Nick’s passion for diving is infectious, and both he and Dani clearly care about their students learning properly and enjoying the experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Oyster Diving, and especially Nick as an instructor with Dani supporting, to anyone considering drysuit training. It was a great day in the water.
Alison Reddihough
3 months ago
We recently completed a Reactivate pool session with Oyster Diving, having not dived for 27 years. Their communication was thorough throughout and our instructor Nathan was friendly, patient and helpful as we went through the exercises, and much more, to refresh ourselves. Our sons have both done the Open Water A with them too and were very happy. Would recommend
Steve Willcocks
4 months ago
Brilliant 121 PADI Part A session with Ian on Saturday. Having only decided on the Monday to take the course; I spent probably around 14 hours reviewing and being tested with the online course materials between Tuesday and Friday before taking the final exam on Friday. Although the course was very good; you don’t really appreciate the level of focus and attention required in a dive…and being able to solve problems underwater when things go wrong, like my snorkel getting stuck in my BCD while performing the “remove your BCD exercise underwater”. 🫣
But Ian’s briefing - and more importantly - his awareness that “I was figuring the problem out” without him jumping in to help me was very useful as it proved to myself that I could handle these sort of basic situations without panicking.
Also, as it was a 121 session, it meant I could ask those really dumb questions, which actually turned out to be not so dumb at the end of my 4+ hour assessment!!!
All in all; I thoroughly enjoyed myself and it has giving me the added confidence for when I take the open water part of the PADI course in a few weeks time.
Thank you Ian; I can think of worse ways to spend a gloriously sunny Saturday 🤣🤿👍
ILDIKO KISS
6 months ago
I completed my open water dives at Merkers Lake today🥳 It was such an amazing introduction to diving, and I genuinely enjoyed every moment. I couldn’t have asked for better instructors. Tom, Nick and Nathan are so great! They are well experienced instructors. Thank you for making it such a memorable experience!
I really appreciate your patience, guidance, and the way you guys made everything feel safe and enjoyable. You helped build my confidence so much, and I learned a lot from the experience.
Hope to dive with you guys again sometime 😀 I highly recommend Oyster Diving School. They are the best❤️
Ana Luiza
6 months ago
We did our Padi Open Water part A with Oyster in March 26 and the open water dives in April 26 at Mercers Lake. Our instructor for part A was Ian and in part B we had Olivia and Ian. We absolutely loved our experience diving and training with Oyster, the instructors were the best, we had lots of fun and felt incredibly supported. Would definitely recommend getting this done prior to a holiday diving trip to make the most of your time, and undoubtedly to do it with Oyster!
Viewpoint Services
7 months ago
Had my Part a pool training last weekend and it was absolutely exceptional, having previously done some scuba training in the past it was a night and day difference, my instructor was fantastic, he explained everything in detail and really put the whole group at ease I wish I remembered his name but he was a handsome bearded chap! Cannot wait to complete my part b this weekend in the lake! I would wholeheartedly recommend oyster diving to anyone who wants to complete their padi. It has been a superb experience from start to finish! Thanks again!
Julian Money
7 months ago
School diving trip. We have used Oyster diving previously and after a great experience used them again for a trip to Malta. Mark and Sam helped us all the way through the process. Flights, accommodation and professional advise throughout the ever changing logistical admin. They ran multiple courses for students in the UK and Malta (where they have a partner scuba school (paradise diving) attached to the hotel). They were very accommodating and got the balance and patience right with the different skill levels. Thanks team Oyster!! Definitely recommend and will use again.
Andrew Plewes
8 months ago
Mark came to the school and laid on two wonderful session in the school pool for a group of our students (aged 14-15). They all had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I found Oyster Diving to be a really helpful and easy organisation to deal with. Thank you so much for inspiring our next generation of divers.
giulia prato
8 months ago
I had an amazing scuba diving experience with the Aussie Mark. He was incredibly patient and reassuring, especially when I was having doubts about my ears, and he made sure I felt comfortable before moving forward. He also took the time to teach me how to make bubbles, which was a fun bonus and really helped me relax underwater. His calm attitude and clear guidance made the whole experience enjoyable and stress-free. Highly recommend diving with him! I’ll be back soon!!
F Y
10 months ago
I went with my 13y son today for his first ever scuba diving experience with Oyster Diving at Soho, London and I am honestly speechless! 🤿💙
From the moment we arrived until the moment we left everything was absolutely brilliant.
The lady at reception who signed us in was very polite and welcoming.Later I saw her in the pool with the other instructors, and I was so impressed they were watching every single student carefully, explaining everything in detail and never rushing anyone. You can really see how much they care about safety and proper teaching.
My son was very nervous at the beginning but I knew that once he got into the water he would love it and he did!
His instructor, Ian was an amazing man very professional calm and patient.He was watching my son all the time explaining everything step by step and making it easy for kids to understand.I felt completely safe, and my son felt safe and confident too.
The environment was very friendly relaxed and encouraging.By the end of the session my son didn’t want to get out of the pool and now he definitely wants to continue diving.
We will 100% be going back, and we are already planning for him to do his PADI Open Water licence with Oyster Diving.
Highly highly recommend Oyster Diving Soho especially if your child is nervous or it’s their first time.They turned my son’s fear into excitement and passion for scuba diving!🌊💙
gary lynch
11 months ago
I completed a Dry suit speciality under the 8nstruction of Tally from Oyster Diving. The training was well structured, comprehensive and Tslly showed a high degree of knowledge and professionalism from start to finish. We were never rushed and always felt valued and heard throughout the day. Well done, thoroughly recommended!
Christopher
11 months ago
Had a great experience with George. I wanted to have an interactive / coaching session to really drill down on buoyancy trim and finning so was recommended to do the PPB course in the pool in Soho. Very knowledgeable and keen to teach and assist in my development. Facilities fully fit for purpose and if anything the shallow ends of the pool forced me double down on technique. Have come out with clear guidance on how and what to improve so looking forward to putting that in practice on my next ocean dive! 5/5
Chris Tilbury
11 months ago
In the lead up to booking my ReActivate Refresher Course, Mark was very informative and helpful. The email information received about the e learning and the practical session was clear and easy to navigate. On the day of the practical my course instructor Nick was very friendly and reassured me straight away after many years of being out of the water. Nick was clear with his instructions , patient and an all round great guy. I look forward to some fun dives next year when it’s a bit warmer.
Many thanks Chris 🤿👌
Tess Broll
11 months ago
Had an amazing experience doing my PADI Open Dive Certification course with Soaps at Oyster Divings North London location. Was a fun, interesting, and engaging experience learning all the skills in the pool. Soaps clearly cares a lot about the students safety and made sure we all felt safe and comfortable and was enjoying the experience. Would highly recommend to those looking to get certified.
Shushil Kumar
12 months ago
Completed my PADI Open Water Part B at Mercers Lake. Tally & Tudor and the whole Oyster Diving team were great with instruction, equipment and guidance. I started badly and considered giving up after struggling at the beginning but Tudor was so positive, supportive and encouraging that I overcame my struggles and continued. I'm so glad I didn't give up on the dream of discovering a new underwater world.
I also saw with other students who struggled that the instructors took the time and care to help them through it, including more time underwater and practising techniques multiple times.
The final session was great as we practised a full underwater expedition including planning and navigation. It really gave me the confidence that I can take this to the next step. We were independent, but with the support of our great instructors Tally & Tudor.
None of this would have been achieved without the great Oyster team. Looking forward to more adventures (somewhere warmer please).
corbyn asbury
12 months ago
Just a brilliant experience! I did my open water dives during a storm in the UK (storm Amy), and despite the unprecedented challenges it brought (hail, wind, current, cold water), the staff remained professional, and understanding. They ensured we felt comfortable to continue diving, and paused when we didn’t, always keeping vibes and morals high. The group was very varied in age and experience, but everyone was welcomed, and we moved at a pace that worked for the group. It was a very inclusive atmosphere so I’d recommend for absolutely anyone keen to dive. We dived with Amy and Sam, who were brilliant throughout.
Lisa F
12 months ago
As a completely new swimmer, it's been a long journey getting to this stage. It was already brave of me to take up scuba diving, and at times I wanted to throw in the towel - but I was determined to attempt a skill that many in my position wouldn't have, and fail forward.
I MUST extend a heartfelt thank you to Tally and Alex for your patience, understanding and consideration. Both of you instilled confidence in me, making me feel SEEN and supported, and it showed in my performance week on week. Those qualities make a huge difference to any learning environment and shouldn't be underestimated.
You helped me adjust right from the start. From building confidence with breathing, to mastering techniques and allowing me to learn at my own pace, understanding that skills just take more practice for some, than others. This type of adaptive teaching style ensured EQUITY, making the sessions feel more comfortable and accessible!!
Thanks to Tom for always bringing a positive, uplifting energy to the lake sessions.
Finally, thanks to the whole team at Oyster for encouraging me to persevere, because the best growth comes through challenges. Wish me luck on my snorkel in Mexico! Just kidding, I mean dive, of course. 😉 - D x
Aarti P
1 year ago
I wanted to complete my diving course before my holiday so I did my part A with Tom and part B at mercer’s lake with Ian & Tom who are both amazing instructors. It was a lot of fun! Highly recommend!!
Thanks a lot
Krish
Maria Emberga
1 year ago
I had a great experience taking my Open Water PADI course at Oyster Diving. Ian, and the whole team of instructors, were very attentive, kind and patient. I always felt supported and safe, and really enjoyed my training! Overall, a very professional school, I definitely recommend!
Nigel Williams
1 year ago
I went to the center in Caterham for an introduction to Scuba diving session. I was the only complete beginner, but I was able to sit in on the other participants introduction on the first part of the open water course, which was very helpful. The staff were excellent, I quickly got the hang of setting up, with a bit of help, and once in the water a member of staff was always there to guide me. I have now booked for the open water course.
Abdul
1 year ago
Great place, got my reactivate course done with the help of Jim (or James as he prefers himself), was good in helping me ensure my diving skills were brought back up to a good level. Overall a decent place to do a reactivate course, was convenient to get to and the times and dates were plentiful.
Tony McDiarmid
1 year ago
A great experience from start to finish, our instructor (Tom) was really great with all of the students and took as much time as was needed throughout the course. Part B we were joined by Nick to assist on the open water dives again a great guy who helped us throughout. I would highly recommend Oyster Diving for anyone who is interested in diving at whatever level. Thank you Tom and Nick for a really great experience!!
markstarbuck1
1 year ago
PADI Open Water Part B. Mercers Lake with Tom and Nick as instruction and dive master support.
A really good, well run and effective weekend. Felt confident in their hands and met all aspects of the training requirements. Good humour and attentive to needs and all questions addressed thoughtfully.
Steven Laine
1 year ago
I did my online theory and pool diving sessions in central London with Oyster Diving and couldn’t recommend them highly enough. From the outset the program was clear, organized, and professionally delivered.
Tally was my instructor for the pool sessions and did an excellent job in training our small group on all the skills we would need. She was patient, knowledgeable, and responded positively to everyone’s needs and skills and comfort levels.
When I completed the open water dives abroad a few weeks later, I felt confident and prepared for the four dives. The open water instructors even commented that I had been well trained and I completed the final sessions with relative ease and achieved my PADI Open Water Certification.
Thank you Tally & Oyster Diving for a great introduction to the world of recreational diving.
Virginia Dall'O'
1 year ago
We had a fantastic experience completing our confined water session for the PADI Open Water course with Oyster. Laura was an outstanding instructor, highly skilled, supportive, and she structured the exercises perfectly!
Kimberly Waller
1 year ago
The Part A confined water course at Brighton was great! Sean, our instructor, gave clear instructions for each skill and showed great patience while we completed each one. It was a pretty intense course with a lot of content. The only issue I had was that we didn’t have a proper break to eat and drink something during the 6 hours of training. So I felt very tired by the end of the day. Other than that a comprehensive start to the diving adventure !
Christopher Gibbons
1 year ago
John and Mads were great and I thoroughly enjoyed my fun dives at Mercers Lake. The lake had some fish and some interesting things to explore. Visibility was also pretty good. Also gave me a great opportunity to practice some skills. I also really liked the backplate and wing setup provided as part of the equipment rental.
Jade Siu
1 year ago
Did the Part A course in Brighton. Stan was really great. Very patient and relaxed. It was a lot for one day. I was struggling to equalise, but Stan and the other instructor was very patient and kind even when I had to repeat certain skills.
Annamaria Santoro
1 year ago
I did the padi open water referral course, the online booking was very smooth and there were no issues at all. Our instructor Ian was great and very patient throughout the day! Recommended!
Sarah Watkins
1 year ago
Our 15 yo took a try scuba course with Oyster in brighton and she absolutely loved it. She was close to tears with worry on the way in, and beaming from ear to ear on the way out. Could not recommend theses guys more!
Tom Meacher
1 year ago
Did Padi Open Water B at Mercer Lake with James & Tudor. Had a blast over the weekend. James & Tudor were incredible patient, helpful, and clear in instructions. We also had a fun time as a group in the water and on land over breakfast & lunch. The water was a little cold the time of year we did it so James & Tudor made it as comfortable as possible with extra wetsuit layers, being efficient with the time we spent in the water, and generally being all round supportive and upbeat. Thank you James & Tudor for making a potentially challenging & stressful weekend very enjoyable!!
Geraldine Ho
1 year ago
Highly recommend. Ian C and team were great! I took Open Water Diver A and B courses. I’m definitely not the best diver by far and was super anxious and they were really patient and helpful. I will deffo return for more courses. Locations in Soho and Mercers Lake were very convenient for those in London who want to get qualified
Jarek Solinski
1 year ago
We had a great day at Mercers Lake, doing practical dives for the Dry Suit course.
Special thanks need to go to James and Neil, our brilliant instructors, who managed to get us practice all the elements despite almost zero visibility in the lake.
Also, huge thanks for their patience and support to my 12yo son who had some tough moments on the day.
Overall, well deserved 5*
Ryan French
1 year ago
My fiancé and I recently did a dive at the Big Scuba Day Out in Mercers Lake with Oyster. It was our first dive in the UK since we did our pool sessions with Oyster a few years ago. As always, the team was really awesome. They clearly love diving, and love helping others enjoy diving. They let us demo some great gear, explained what was unique about it, and how we could purchase it. All with a smile on their face while dealing with very busy crowds. I never felt rushed or like they just wanted to get through the sale and then move on. We look forward to more dives with Oyster in the future!
Igor Lungo
1 year ago
I love diving now. I signed up for a Wreck Diver course as part of my Advanced Open Water qualification.
George was my instructor, accompanied by Jonathan and Nick. As well as learning the skills for the specialty at Mercers Lake and further improving my buoyancy, I had a great time, saw some fish, went through the Cessna cockpit and explored more than I’ve done during any of the previous dives. Amazing weekend. Thanks guys, you’ve been great!
baesevv
1 year ago
I had an amazing experience with Oyster Diving, successfully completing OW Part A with Alex in Soho, and Part B with Ian, Jill, and Tom (i hope i’m getting the names right) at Mercers Lake, they were all so patient and extremely friendly, making sure not just me but everyone in the group felt safe and comfortable. It was soo fun, I can’t wait to receive my license! Hoping one day I get to go to trips with the school in the RedSea, like Alex suggested, makes me feel so excited for the future events with scuba diving! Can’t recommend enough!
Jon Bennett
1 year ago
Great experience for middle aged me and my two teenagers at the pool out in Cateram. I was doing a refresher after a long lay off and my kids were diving for the first time. Our instructor Ian was great. Really clear with instructions, great on demos, and gave us all the time we needed to get to grips with things. Nice guy too. Highly recommend.
Oliver Hall
1 year ago
Great experience getting my PADI Open Water with Oyster. The instructors are very knowledgeable and patient, and we had a lot of fun on the dives, especially the open water ones at Mercers Lake. I decided to add on the Dry Suit speciality as we were using them anyway given the season, which also counts as part of the Advanced qualification. Thanks again guys! Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn to dive.
Alice D
1 year ago
I have done three courses with Oyster now and all fantastic. A particular shout out to Tom Innet who was my Advanced Open Water instructor most recently - his guidance made a slightly anxious diver feel totally at ease, comfortable, and confident in the water! The tailored feedback and clear instructions from Tom was so helpful in improving my diving skills.
Joel Adams
2 years ago
I want to thank and congratulate Oyster Diving, and Tom specifically, for going above and beyond the call of duty and providing unmatched customer service. He ordered in parts I wanted, in two sizes so I could choose between them, then when my travel plans made a store visit impossible he met me in his van at a convenient location at 6.30pm on a Friday night to solve my problem. Simply could not ask for a nicer guy or more courteous, friendly, incredible service. Five stars are not enough.
Jon Crawford
2 years ago
Steve Kirk
2 years ago
Outstanding service from booking, to the instructors and advice. My sons both enjoyed the whole experience and I will be have no hesitation in referring Oyster Diving!
freddie Day
2 years ago
I had an amazing trip to the Maldives. It was a trip of a life time in which I saw Manta Rays and even a Whale Shark. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and would 100% rebook.
Raphaël Catanese
2 years ago
I did part A and B of my PADI Open Water certification with Oyster. The instructors are skilled and patient and the equipment is in top shape. I really recommend this school
Nats Ax
2 years ago
I completed both part A and part B of the PADI certification with Oyster Diving. Part A in the Soho pool was great (shout out to Alex and David). Part B in the lake was challenging due to the cold weather but thanks to the patience, kindness and support from the amazing instructors Tudor and Tom it was altogether a fantastic experience. Very professional and I felt like I was in good hands with thorough teaching. Everyone has been so friendly and I can't thank you enough
Kevin Sturge
2 years ago
Third trip here @ Mercers Lake. Had a great time. All of the staff went out of their way to be friendly and helpful. I hired the kit, and it was in good order, no leaks 😀 The visibility was 5-10m or so depending on where you were, the nearer the jumping in point the less visibility of course. I am definitely going to book another visit. One point of care, if it's raining turn up early, as parking in the field gets a little boggy. Nearly got trapped last visit.
Julian Money
2 years ago
Thanks Oyster diving! We used the team to help plan and run a school trip to the Maldives. Students completed their open water beforehand and their advanced and night dives on the trip. Thanks to Mark for organising and the amazing Sam for keeping us organised.
Will Brown
2 years ago
I experienced an incredible dive trip to the Maldives. It was eye opening and had an absolutely magical experience. The instructor was amazing and helped us all the way through. I would 100% rebook again in future. Thank you for a fantastic trip.
Ben Floydd
2 years ago
Saw a whale shark, manta, turtle, shark, stingray, eel, lion fish, tuna - today
Maxwell Pietrzak
2 years ago
I did my PADI Open Water Part A training with Oyster Diving School and would highly recommend them to anyone looking to get started with diving. Great instructors, convenient course offerings, and thoughtful follow-up for any questions/suggestions.
Terry Reed
2 years ago
Discover scuba in Surrey & Berks was a great introduction thanks to my instructor Tom who helped me with the basics,considering it was my first step into scuba i felt happy with what i was able to achieve in a 2 hr lesson,Thanks Tom!
Charley Dickson
2 years ago
Loved it! The instructors made the whole experience feel so nice and relaxed. I was quite nervous but they put me at ease and were so knowledgeable and patient. Wound definitely recommend!
Jess (Jess)
2 years ago
Myself and my partner completed a trial dive with Soaps at the weekend. She was fantastic – she explained everything thoroughly and clearly. She made us feel very safe, confident and comfortable. We had an amazing first dive. Thanks so much!
Tamara Rowan-Hamilton
2 years ago
Really great course, efficient and Neil our instructor was amazing. We had a great time and feel very confident going out for part B
Daisy hobbs
2 years ago
Elin Freeman
2 years ago
Soaps was very good with our 2 kids 12 and 14! No complaints what so ever! 👍👍
Robert Pickering
2 years ago
Great dive school experience, high quality equipment, excellent instructor and easy to book. Can highly recommend!
Steve Hiscock
2 years ago
Just undergone the Open Water Part A training. The instructor Ian was very good and knowledgeable. He was also very patient with any students who didn't understand or had trouble carrying out the exercises. I had a great day learnt a lot and have already booked up to do my Part B in May. The only negative thing I would say is that at my location in Berkshire in the beginning there were several classes running and we were only permitted to use 1 half of the pool because there were swimming lessons in the other half which made practice dives a bit congested.
Nida Khan
2 years ago
This course was excellent. Neil, our instructor, was patient and reassuring; essential for me as I was really trying to conquer a long held phobia of diving. I went from wanting to leave after 5 minutes, to feeling very comfortable underwater and eventually really enjoying the whole experience. Highly recommend this course to others looking to discover scuba diving.
Tom Cunnane
2 years ago
Great people and perfect equipment
Luna
2 years ago
Ian was exceptional for our Open Water referral. In one short day, we felt significantly more comfortable in the water and he did a great job conceptualising a lot of the topics that were covered in elearning. He was also incredibly patient with someone else in our group who was struggling and not only pulled in another instructor to keep the rest of the group going at pace, he also stayed late to help her feel comfortable with everything. 5 stars!
Adrian Wills
2 years ago
Soaps was a brilliant instructor. Really clear and super-experienced
Alexander Davies
2 years ago
Attended the introduction course and thoroughly enjoyed it - friendly, expert tuition and appetite whetted for more...
Lily Shepherd
2 years ago
Luke Reilly
2 years ago
Great course, informative, fun, challenging and a great way into an exciting new hobby
Evert McLaughlin
2 years ago
Chris Jones
2 years ago
Had a great experience with Tom, Kwang and Nick doing my AOW course. Highly recommended.
Lucas Franco
2 years ago
Excellent training and professional team!!! It was great to meet and dive with Tom and Nick and thanks to Wan too. For more training and dives!! Cheers
Mahdi (M_Bool)
2 years ago
Just completed my AOW with Oyster. We did it at Vobster Quay in Somerset over 1 weekend. Tom Inett is a fantastic instructor, very knowledgable and encourages you to ask questions. Also very big thanks to Nick and Kwang for their invaluable support. It made the weekend go smoothly and overall I had an amazing experience.
Aine McCarthy
2 years ago
I had a fantastic experience with Oyster diving in Soho. The team were so professional and I felt in very good hands. All of the equipment was very well kept and it was very organised and well run. The classes were really consistent and the instructions and drills were clear and informative. Tally was a fantastic instructor and made the whole process really enjoyable. She was very professional, patient and informative and she ran through everything really clearly and carefully. She was such a great teacher and I really enjoyed learning from her. Thank you so much to the whole team it was absolutely amazing!!
Alex Lane
2 years ago
Amazing diving course start to finish. Enjoyed all of the trainers. Ian did a great 2 day course for the open water at Mercer’s Lake. Couldn’t recommend highly enough!
Kate Smith
2 years ago
Great Training Carola and Ian
Roberto Di Bratto
2 years ago
My son completed his referral course with Soaps last weekend. Booking the course easy and the instructor Soaps made the whole experience very enjoyable on the day, taking the time to make sure my son was comfortable with everything he was learning. My son was experiencing stomach pains on the day (from a football injury the day before) but Soaps made sure he was safe and extended the session to rest and ensure he was safe and comfortable enough to continue. Needless to say he managed to complete all pool dives and is now ready for his referral to complete the open water dives. Thank you Oyster Diving and especially Soaps 🙂
Maximilian Poirot
2 years ago
Their pricing strategy is misleading at best. I purchased a course from them due to a lower price advertised just to discover that the final cost was 40% higher since I ended up paying for a digital learning package, access to diving site and tank refills (even though all those were mandatory for the certification)... Some of these are to be paid in cash at the location (despite POS being available). The staff were nice and accommodating. Surprisingly the equipment was above the bottom shelf you would expect for rentals but their maintenance was not the best.
Edwin Dizer
2 years ago
Very good diving tuition. I received dry suit training from Oyster Diving School. Important and helpful details were explained to me by phone beforehand. On the day, we had one expert per person and had a lot of attention to make sure we understood everything and were applying the skills correctly.
The equipment provided was pretty good, and we dived at Mercer's lake which surprised me by having somewhat interesting features and life in it (although of course it's not on the same level as diving a wreck or corals). The lake has good facilities: changing rooms, two toilets and a cafe. I don't remember seeing a shower which can be a nice touch if you get cold. In all, highly recommended!
Pawel Piejko
2 years ago
ivan hristov
2 years ago
Great experience again, a lot of new skills learned.
Highly recommend the courses with Oyster diving and specialty Tom ,great community to be around.
Daniel Goscomb
2 years ago
I did the Open Water course in Caterham and Mercers Lake as a re-entry to the diving world, having previously qualified but lost my old-school paper log book and not dived for a while.
The whole team were fantastic, from Mark organising things in the office to Neil in the pool and Ian and Cash in the lake. The instructors were all very kind to all the students, friendly and very informative always explaining things very well and with clear hand signals.
I will be moving on to do Advanced Open Water with Oyster as soon as I can fit it in and would highly recommend the school to anyone. In fact my wife is booked to start Open Water with them next weekend!
Ian Ocock
2 years ago
Ian & Cash as instuctors were excellent. They made everything clear and easy to understand. Took away any nerves and made it a really enjoyable experience. Thanks
Dan Booker
2 years ago
I recently took my two teenagers for a try scuba dive with Oyster at the Caterham location. The two instructors, George and Chris, were excellent. Really knowledgeable, friendly and the dive was a great success. We will be signing up with Oyster to do the full PADI course. Highly recommend.
Steven Ward
2 years ago
Fully recommend learning with Oyster, my daughter completed her OWD with Laura and Georgie, she has now had her first dives in the ocean and loving it! Thanks again for everything
Jody Knowles
2 years ago
I really enjoyed my Discover Scuba Diving session, the team were very knowledgeable and patient, and it was lots of fun.
Hannah Vu
2 years ago
Instructor Kwang’s freediving course last weekend was exceptional. Her professionalism and friendliness, coupled with her encouraging approach, made the experience truly enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Jane Temple-Smithson
2 years ago
My sons (aged 10 & 11) completed their Open Water PADI with Oyster in Brighton / Mercers Lake. They are incredibly well organised (thank you Tom), great kit, and really excellent instructors (thank you Andrew & Guy). Everyone was extremely friendly. The whole experience with them was fantastic. My sons loved it.
Duncan Moon
2 years ago
James was a fantastic instructor. Really kind and patient. Couldn’t recommend more.
April Javate
2 years ago
I had an amazing lake dive experience with Oyster Dive Centre last Thursday. Despite some initial troubles, the team went above and beyond to ensure everything went smoothly. Their professionalism, warmth, and dedication to excellent service truly stood out. The team made me feel welcomed and well-cared for, turning my dive into an unforgettable adventure. I’m eagerly looking forward to my next dive with them. Highly recommended!
James Lyons
2 years ago
My daughter and I just completed our Open Water certification with Oyster Diving and I couldn’t recommend them more highly - Andrew, Ian and Chris were excellent instructors, whilst the whole team created a very enjoyable atmosphere in which to learn. In addition, both the facilities in Soho and Mercer’s Lake were brilliant. Thank you.
Nick Davis
2 years ago
We had an excellent day in the pool as part of our open water. Soaps our instructor was patient and hugely knowledgeable. Highly recommended. Thank
Sasha Veliko-Shapko
3 years ago
After my first open water dive post certification with Oyster, the instructor was amazed to hear I was a new diver. This speaks to the quality of Oyster Diving’s instruction.
Had a phenomenal experience getting my open water cert with Oyster. Even though the open water dives are in a lake in Surrey, don’t let this deter you! The dives were challenging in a good way, as I felt a true sense of accomplishment having done my open water dives in cold water. My instructors, Aimee and Ian, were not only super helpful but they were a total vibe.
Thanks so much again guys!
Alex Blanchard
3 years ago
Confined water sessions in Soho (can t be more central to than that) pool were really fun thanks to Georges and open water ones in Kent also (v cold 🥶 water in January). V nice atmosphere with the group, and Oyster staff is really cool/flexible and helpful !!! Can't recommend it more !!!
START YOUR ADVENTURE TODAY
Fun, convenient and comprehensive diving courses in London and South East.
Take a look at the open water course on PADI’s video….
Convenient Pool Locations
All of our heated pools have been selected to offer the ideal setting for learning to dive and take place on:
- Soho, Central London – 3 x consecutive Tuesday evenings
- North London/Hertfordshire – 1 x Saturday morning (5 hours)
- Surrey & Berkshire – 1 x Saturday afternoon (near Heathrow)
- South East London & Kent – 1 x Sunday morning
- Brighton & Hove – 1 x Sunday morning
- Oxfordshire – 1 x Sunday morning
PADI Open Water Pass Guarantee
Upgrade your course to the Bronze package to include our PASS GUARANTEE. This means that if you do not complete all of the skills or requirements to complete the Open Water Diver course then you can come back as many times as you like until you do pass (subject to availability). It also includes a professional mask & snorkel set which is essential for getting the most of our your diving.
PADI Open Water Diver Prerequisites
To enroll in the PADI Open Diver course or Junior Open Water Diver course, you must be 10 years or older and be in reasonable health but you certainly don’t need to be an Olympic athlete.
You will need to be able to swim 200m (any stroke) and float/tread water for 10 minutes. See below for full details.
The Scuba Gear You’ll Use
During the PADI Open Water scuba certification course, you learn to use full basic scuba diving gear, including a dive computer and standard accessories. If diving in winter then you also use a dry suit to keep you warm and toasty.
We use the latest gear from Aqualung, one of the worlds top diving manufacturers. All equipment is provided so all you need is your swimwear and a towel but we do recommend that you have your own diving mask & snorkel.
If you are interested in purchasing your own equipment then you might find this article useful.
How Long Does it Take to Learn to Scuba Dive?
PART A
Theory – this is completed on line and takes approximately 10-12 hours depending on your ability and how many sessions you break it up into.
Confined water pool skills – For our pools in Caterham, Old Windsor, Brighton & Hove, North London and, Bloxham, all of the pool skills are conducted in a 5-hour single session. Our Tuesday evening Soho pool sessions are split across 3 consecutive Tuesday evenings.
PART B
Open water dives – there are 4 dives in total which we complete over 2 days. We meet at Mercers Lake at 9.30am and aim to finish around 3.00pm or a little later if we light the BBQ and stay around for a little natter.
Please note that there is an £18 entry fee per person per day payable to the lake owner on arrival. There is also a £7/tank refill charge payable at the lake.
If you complete the dives overseas (called a Referral) you will need to contact the dive centre there to see how they run it.
Exclusive Open Water Location
Mercers Lake, Redhill, Surrey. Located close to the M25/M23 turning. Direct train from London.
Clear water, friendly staff, underwater woodland, convenient location and loads of fish, make this the ideal place to learn to dive. We are the only dive centre allowed to use this location!
Open Water Course Pre-requisites
The minimum age is 10 years old (in most areas). Student divers who are younger than 15 earn the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification, which they may upgrade to PADI Open Water Diver certification upon reaching 15. Children under the age of 13 require parent or guardian permission to register for PADI eLearning.
All student divers complete a brief scuba medical questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, sign the form and you’re ready to start.
If any of these apply to you, your doctor must, as a safety precaution, assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms you’re fit to dive. Download the scuba medical questionnaire.
Before completing the PADI Open Water Diver course, your instructor will have you demonstrate basic water skills to be sure you’re comfortable in the water, including:
Swim 200 metres/yards (or 300 metres/yards in mask, fins and snorkel) without stopping. There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want.
Float and/or tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods you want.
You can read about our open water course in more detail here.
There are two options to complete your Open Water course….
| Full Course (Part A & B) | Referral Course (Part A) | |
| Online Theory PADI’s ‘eLearning system’ is the easiest, most comprehensive and convenient method to learn the theory. |  | |
| Pool Skills The confined water dives take place in one of our heated swimming pools. Learn how to use the scuba equipment, complete extensive safety skills and practice how to become totally weightless while underwater. | | |
| Open Water Training Dives UK Option We will meet you at our exclusive lake Mercers Country Park to complete your four open water dives. Malta Option For those who are less keen in jumping in the lake in the UK, we work closely with a dive centre in Malta where you can complete the dives over a long weekend. Malta offers clear, warm waters and exceptional value for money. Read more here. | |  |
| Complete Training Dives on Holiday We will sign a Referral form in your log book (provided with Part A) which you can hand to any PADI dive centre around the world. This allows you to complete the four open water training dives with them. | | |
Frequently Asked Questions
You may be wondering why you should choose Oyster Diving for your PADI open water diver course. We are a multi-award winning PADI scuba diving school offering affordable and professional open water dive training throughout the UK. From private lessons to group holidays, you can learn the principles of scuba diving at affordable prices.
Book your PADI open water dive training with Oyster Diving today, and enjoy the highest quality training, equipment and facilities.
Why choose Oyster Diving?
We are a multi-award-winning PADI scuba diving school offering professional, affordable Open Water training at heated pools across London and the South East, with our own exclusive lake for your open water dives.
From private lessons to group courses and holidays, you get quality instructors, small groups and all equipment included. Book your PADI Open Water course with Oyster Diving today.
From private lessons to group courses and holidays, you get quality instructors, small groups and all equipment included. Book your PADI Open Water course with Oyster Diving today.
Can anyone do the PADI Open Water course?
Yes, almost anyone can. You need to be at least 10 years old, comfortable in the water and in reasonably good health. No previous diving experience is needed, the course is designed for complete beginners.
The questions below cover the age, swimming and medical requirements in more detail.
The questions below cover the age, swimming and medical requirements in more detail.
How old do you have to be to learn to scuba dive?
The minimum age is 10 years old. Divers aged 10 to 14 earn the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification, which upgrades automatically to the full Open Water Diver certification at 15. We are a PADI Youth Training Centre and our instructors regularly teach children on our children’s scuba diving courses, always in small groups with a maximum of six students per instructor.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No, but you do need to be comfortable in the water. Before certifying, you’ll swim 200 metres using any stroke with no time limit (or 300 metres in mask, fins and snorkel), and float or tread water for 10 minutes using any method you like. That’s it. You certainly don’t need to be an Olympic athlete.
Can I dive if I wear glasses or have a medical condition?
Usually, yes. Contact lens wearers can dive as normal, and prescription mask lenses are available if you prefer. Everyone completes a short scuba medical questionnaire before the course. If a condition is flagged, such as asthma, epilepsy or a heart condition, your doctor simply needs to assess it and confirm you’re fit to dive before you get in the water.
Is scuba diving hard to learn?
No. The course is designed for complete beginners and builds up gradually, starting with theory at home, then skills in a heated pool, then the open water. We keep group sizes to a maximum of six students per instructor, so you get plenty of one-to-one attention. If you’d like to test the water before committing to the full course, try a Discover Scuba trial dive first.
How much does it cost to learn to scuba dive?
You can compare all of our course prices on our price list.
Are there any extra costs I should know about?
Yes, two small ones at the lake. The lake owner charges £18 per person per day for entry and use of the facilities (car park, changing rooms, hot showers and cafe), and tank refills are £7, both payable on arrival at Mercers Lake. All scuba equipment is included in the course price, though we do recommend buying your own mask and snorkel. If your medical questionnaire flags a condition, you may also need a doctor’s sign-off before diving.
How long does it take to get certified?
Most of our students complete the course over two to three weekends. The online theory takes around 10 to 12 hours, which you do at your own pace before your pool session. Pool training is a single 5-hour session at most of our venues, or three Tuesday evenings at our Soho pool. Your four open water dives are then completed over two days at the lake, meeting at 9.30am and finishing around 3pm.
Where can I learn to dive with Oyster Diving?
Your pool training takes place at one of six heated pools: Soho in Central London, Surrey & Berkshire (near Heathrow), North London/Hertfordshire, South East London & Kent, Brighton & Hove, or Oxfordshire. Your open water dives take place at Mercers Lake near Redhill in Surrey, just off the M25 with a direct train from London. We are the only dive school permitted to use the lake, so you won’t be sharing it with crowds of other students stirring up the visibility.
Do I need to finish the theory e-learning before my pool sessions?
At most venues, yes, please complete the theory before you arrive at the pool.
If you are training at our Soho pool, where the course runs over three evening sessions, you only need the theory finished before your second session.
If you are training at our Soho pool, where the course runs over three evening sessions, you only need the theory finished before your second session.
How long does the theory e-learning take?
Most people spread it over several evenings and take 10 to 12 hours in total. Some students have completed it in a single sitting of around 6 hours.
When will I get access to the e-learning portal?
You should usually receive the e-learning invitation directly from PADI within a few hours of booking your course. Occasionally it can take up to 24 hours.
Do the three Soho pool sessions need to be on consecutive weeks?
Consecutive weeks are ideal, but we know that isn’t always possible. If you need to miss a session, email us at least a week in advance and we will move your dates around for you.
Do I need to buy my own scuba equipment?
No. All equipment is included in the course price, from BCDs and regulators to dive computers, all from Aqualung, one of the world’s leading manufacturers. If you’re diving in winter we’ll also kit you out in a drysuit to keep you warm. All you need to bring is swimwear and a towel, though we recommend owning your own mask and snorkel for comfort and fit. If you’re thinking about kit further down the line, read our guide on whether to buy your own diving equipment.
Can I do my pool training in the UK and finish the course on holiday?
Yes. This is called a Referral course, and it’s a popular option. Complete Part A (theory and pool) with us, and we’ll sign a Referral form in your logbook that any PADI dive centre in the world will accept for your four open water dives. You have 12 months to complete them, though we recommend doing so within two to three months while the skills are fresh. We also work closely with a dive centre in Malta if you’d like warm, clear water over a long weekend in Malta.
What happens if I struggle with a skill or don’t pass?
You won’t be rushed or written off. If you need more time on a particular skill, we’ll work with you to get there. For extra peace of mind, upgrade to our Bronze package on our course packages page, which includes a Pass Guarantee: come back as many times as you need until you complete the course (subject to availability), plus a professional mask and snorkel set.
How deep can I dive once I’m certified?
The Open Water certification qualifies you to dive to a maximum depth of 18 metres anywhere in the world with a certified buddy. Junior divers aged 10 to 12 are limited to 12 metres. If you want to go deeper later, the PADI Advanced Open Water course extends your limit to 30 metres.
How long does the Open Water certification last?
It’s a lifelong qualification that never expires, so you’ll never need to retake the course. That said, if you haven’t dived for a while, most reputable dive centres (including us) will ask you to complete a short refresher session before diving again. It’s a sensible habit and takes just a couple of hours in the pool.
What can I do with my Open Water certification?
You can dive independently with a certified buddy to 18 metres at almost any dive centre in the world, join guided dives, rent equipment and tanks, and take further courses. It’s your licence to explore the underwater world, whether that’s UK diving trips, a diving holiday somewhere warm, or joining our friendly dive club.
PLEASE READ OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND RESCHEDULING FEES BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR DIVING COURSE.