Upgrade from PADI Scuba Diver to Open Water Diver with Oyster Diving
If you already hold a PADI Scuba Diver certification and want more freedom, more confidence and more diving opportunities, upgrading to PADI Open Water Diver is the natural next step. With Oyster Diving, the upgrade is straightforward, flexible and designed to help you complete your training in a safe, supportive environment.
Becoming a PADI Open Water Diver means you can dive more independently, explore more dive sites around the world and enjoy the full benefits of the world’s most recognised entry-level scuba certification.
Why upgrade from PADI Scuba Diver to Open Water?
The PADI Scuba Diver certification is a great introduction to scuba diving, but it is only a partial qualification. Upgrading to PADI Open Water Diver allows you to complete the remaining sections of your training and achieve a full certification that is recognised worldwide.
For many divers, this upgrade is the quickest and most cost-effective way to move forward. If you have already started your scuba journey, there is no need to begin again from scratch unless a refresher is needed.
What do you need to do to upgrade?
To upgrade from PADI Scuba Diver to Open Water Diver, you will need to complete the remaining theory, confined water training and open water dives.
- Complete the remaining online learning
You will need to complete:
- Sections 4 and 5
- The final exam
Oyster Diving’s current Open Water course information explains that students complete the remaining PADI Open Water Digital eLearning before attending the pool session, and bring their eRecord with them.
If you no longer have access to your online learning, there is a £95 supplement to purchase it again. This supplement also includes your PADI certification fee.
- Complete confined water dives 4 and 5
You will need to complete Confined Water Dives 4 and 5 in one of Oyster Diving’s 6 heated swimming pools.
If it has been more than 12 months since your last dive, you would need to repeat all confined water dives from the Open Water course, rather than only dives 4 and 5.
This is a sensible way to refresh your comfort, buoyancy and core scuba skills before moving into open water again.
- Complete open water dives 3 and 4
To finish your upgrade, you will need to complete Open Water Dives 3 and 4.
These can be completed with Oyster Diving at Mercers Lake.
For the Scuba Diver upgrade, these remaining dives can be completed on either a:
- Friday or
- Sunday
This gives you a practical way to finish your qualification without needing to commit to a full weekend.
How much does the PADI Scuba Diver to Open Water upgrade cost?
The price of the basic Scuba Diver upgrade is £350
Supplements if required
- PADI certification fee: £45
- Full Open Water confined water training: +£50
- Replacement online learning including certification fee: £95
This means you only pay for what you need, making it a flexible upgrade option for divers coming back after a break or those who have misplaced their original learning materials.
Additional costs to budget for
In addition to the course fee, there are a couple of extra charges to be aware of when completing your lake dives:
- Lake entry fee, payable on arrival
- Any additional cylinder air fills