PADI Scuba Diver Course in Key Largo | Sail Fish Scuba

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 The main differences between the PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver courses come down to:

• The time needed to complete each course 
• The maximum depth you’re certified to dive 
• The level of independence and who you can dive with after certification

 Open Water Divers can dive with a buddy (or professional) to a maximum depth of 18m/60ft. Scuba Divers must dive with a dive professional  to a maximum depth of 12m/40ft.

Time commitment is another key difference. For the PADI Open Water Diver course, you must complete knowledge development, five confined water sessions, four open water dives, and basic swim/float requirements. For the PADI Scuba Diver course, you must complete knowledge development, three confined water sessions, two open water dives, and basic swim/float requirements. The PADI Scuba Diver course covers roughly the first half of the Open Water Diver course, making it easy to upgrade when you’re ready.

To upgrade to a full Open Water Diver certification, you’ll need to complete the remaining portions of the course, including:

• The last 2 of 5 confined water (pool) sessions 
• The final 2 of 4 open water dives 
• The remaining knowledge development, including additional modules, a quiz, and final exam 
• A required surface swim

 To meet PADI certification requirements, all Open Water students must successfully demonstrate the ability to:

• Swim 200 m continuously (or 300 m with mask, fins, and snorkel) without stopping, touching the bottom or sides of the pool, or using any flotation devices (e.g., life jackets, noodles, kickboards).
• Float or tread water for 10 minutes continuously without any flotation aid.

 Your scuba diving certification lasts a lifetime! That said, it’s important to dive regularly to keep your skills sharp and your knowledge up to date. Try to avoid going longer than six months without diving. If it’s been a while since your last dive, consider taking the PADI Reactivate Scuba Refresher course to regain your confidence and refresh your skills before you jump back in. 

 Once you sign up for the PADI eLearning course, you’ll be asked to complete several waivers. You will also be required to complete the Diver Medical Form known as the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire which may require your medical doctor’s signed approval before diving. In addition to the PADI paperwork/waivers, you’ll also fill out our own Smartwaiver online to complete all the necessary paperwork. 

 We have the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire available on our website, so you can review it before signing up for the course. You can find a PDF of the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire at the bottom of our Sail Fish Scuba Policy Page. As part of your eLearning, you will also be prompted to complete the questionnaire during the registration process.

The safest way to address any medical issues or prescription concerns is by consulting your personal physician to ensure your safety. All students participating in a course must complete the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire. If you answer “yes” to any question that requires medical evaluation, a licensed physician or medical doctor must provide signed clearance on the medical form before you can participate in the course. 

The only item not included in the course price is your personal gear, which we define as your mask, fins, and snorkel. While it isn’t required to purchase your personal gear from us, you're welcome to bring your own or take advantage of our great dive gear packages. As a student, you’ll receive a special discount on our high-quality equipment from Cressi, a trusted name in scuba diving gear known for its comfort, performance, and Italian craftsmanship. Cressi gear is designed by divers, for divers, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced underwater explorers!

PADI courses/programs are performance-based. Certification signifies that the student demonstrated mastery of all course knowledge and skill performance requirements. PADI defines mastery during confined and open water dives as performing the skill so it meets the stated performance requirements in a reasonably comfortable, fluid, repeatable manner as would be expected of a diver at that certification level. While many students complete their certification with ease, others may need additional time or practice depending on their individual comfort level, learning style, readiness, or overall understanding of the skills. At Sail Fish Scuba, we’re committed to providing the personalized support and extra training needed to help every student succeed and feel confident in the water. 

 Key Largo sits on the edge of the third-largest barrier reef on the planet—behind only Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Mesoamerican system in Central America.   It’s also the only living coral reef in the continental U.S., which makes it one of the best training grounds anywhere. Most of the dive sites in Key Largo are shallow, calm, and full of marine life—ideal conditions for learning to dive.  Instead of doing your checkout dives in a cold, murky lake wrapped in a 7mm wetsuit, you’ll be training in Key Largo’s clear water with comfortable conditions and abundant marine life.  

Our courses are kept small to ensure personalized attention and safety. We maintain a maximum 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, meaning no more than four students per PADI Instructor. 

 If the weather isn’t suitable for your open water checkout dives in the ocean, we’ll arrange training dives in a protected, confined lagoon instead. This way, you can complete your certification safely and comfortably, regardless of the conditions. 

 Now that you’re a certified PADI Open Water Diver, the underwater world is truly open to you.   The natural next step is enrolling in the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. 

 Different organizations have varying guidelines for surface intervals before flying, but PADI currently recommends waiting at least 12 hours after a single dive and 18 hours after multiple dives over multiple days. For example, if your last dive ends at 7 p.m., a flight the next day at 1 p.m. meets the 18-hour guideline. Many divers choose to wait 24 hours to be extra safe and allow time to relax.

To ensure safety, we always follow proper surface intervals and safe diving procedures on our trips.

Warm waters make Key Largo inviting any time of year for scuba diving and snorkeling.  Ocean temperatures peak in August and are coolest in January. 

Although daily water temperatures and conditions can vary, the figures below represent Key Largo’s typical ocean averages. 

January–February (the coldest months):
Water temps average 70–75°F. Folks typically wear full 3mm-5mm wetsuits. 

March–April (transition to warmer waters):
Around 75–77°F. Divers are typically wearing full 3mm wetsuits or at least a shorty wetsuit.   

Guests from colder climates often find the water warm enough to dive without a full wetsuit or shorty wetsuit.

May–June (early summer warm-up):

With water around 80°F, a rash guard or shorty wetsuit is usually all you’ll need. 

July–August (peak summer temperatures):
A warm 85°F+ . We love this time of year! These months typically offer pretty consistently great visibility, calm waters, and amazing marine life. Most people are not diving with a full wetsuit or shorty wetsuit. 

September–October (cooler waters):
Still 80–85°F.  Most divers are comfortable without wetsuits, though some start using at least  shorty wetsuits toward the end of October.

November–December (transition to winter season) :
Water cools to around 79°F, and many divers switch back to full wetsuits. It is also a good idea, too, to pack yourself a jacket or sweater on the boat ride back to to the docks!

We generally recommend wearing a wetsuit from November-April, as water temperatures can feel cool. Because our activities take place in the open ocean, it’s also possible to encounter jellyfish from time to time. Their presence is seasonal and unpredictable, so it is a good idea to have a rash guard or wetsuit/shorty for extra protection. 

Sail Fish Scuba offers a wide range of rental wetsuits and we have long-sleeve rash guards available. Did we mention the rental of wetsuits is FREE?

In accordance with training agency safety standards, no student may have a camera during training dives. 

PADI now issues certifications digitally. You can view your certification by downloading the PADI app and accessing your e-card. If you’d like a physical plastic card, it is available for an additional fee.  

 If you’re looking for an experienced PADI instructor to teach and guide you on a safe—and unforgettable—underwater adventure, we’re your Key Largo dive shop. At Sail Fish Scuba, you’ll learn in small classes with a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio while earning your PADI Open Water Diver certification in Key Largo and exploring some of the best Florida Keys dive sites, from vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life to historic shipwrecks. 

Best of all, you can sign up for your Open Water Diver certification in Key Largo any time of year—we’re open 365 days, so the ocean is always ready for your next adventure.