A diver in a white-framed mask looking at the camera underwater, a second diver behind

PADI courses in order

Every PADI course we run from Glenvista, in the order you take them, with the minimum age and what you need first.

  • Six stages, Try it to Go pro
  • 60 courses and bundles we run
  • Glenvista, Johannesburg

  1. Stage 1: Try it

    First breath underwater, with an instructor beside you.

    For anyone curious, from age 10, with Bubblemaker and Seal Team for ages 8 and up.

    Next: Get certified

  2. Stage 2: Get certified

    The card that lets you dive.

    For anyone ready to learn properly, from age 10.

    • Most popular
      Save R 1,900.00
      Vendor:PADI

      Open Water Diver

      R 5,650.00Regular price R 7,550.00
      Age 10+ (15+ for the standard card)

      Needs Swim 200 m and float 10 minutes

    • Save R 1,450.00
      Vendor:PADI

      Scuba Diver

      R 4,300.00Regular price R 5,750.00
      Age 10+ (15+ for the standard card)

      A 10-minute swim or float; no experience needed

    Next: Build experience

  3. Stage 3: Build experience

    Deeper dives and new skills.

    For certified divers who want deeper dives and more skills.

    Next: Handle problems

  4. Stage 4: Handle problems

    Look after yourself and your buddy.

    For divers who want to look after their buddy. First aid and oxygen are open to anyone.

    Next: Master Scuba Diver

  5. Stage 5: Master Scuba Diver

    The highest recreational rating.

    For experienced divers with Rescue, five specialities and 50 logged dives.

    Next: Go pro

  6. Stage 6: Go pro

    Lead dives, then teach them.

    For divers ready to lead dives, then teach.

    Get the Going Pro information pack

    The instructor path from Divemaster to Instructor, what you need first, what you can teach, the costs and how to prepare, in one PDF. We email it to you.

    • Prerequisites and kit list
    • Costs, fees and the IE
    • How to prepare
    A South African mobile, like 082 123 4567

    We use your name, email and mobile only to send the pack and to reply to you. We only WhatsApp you if you tick that box. We never sell your details. Privacy policy

PADI course levels at a glance

Every course on the ladder, its minimum age and what you need before you start.

CourseMinimum ageWhat you need firstPrice
Discover Scuba DivingTry it10+No experience neededR 1,000
BubblemakerTry it8+For children, no experienceR 850
Seal TeamTry it8+AquaMissions for childrenR 3,000
Snorkelling CourseTry it8+Basic swimming abilityR 1,000
Open Water DiverGet certified10+ (15+ for the standard card)Swim 200 m and float 10 minutesR 5,650
Scuba DiverGet certified10+ (15+ for the standard card)A 10-minute swim or float; no experience neededR 4,300
Advanced Open Water DiverBuild experience12+ (15+ for the standard card)Open Water DiverR 5,000
Adventure DiverBuild experience10+Open Water DiverR 3,200
Nitrox CourseBuild experience12+Open Water Diver, or together with itR 3,200
Rescue DiverHandle problems12+Advanced Open Water, plus first aid within 24 monthsR 5,500
First Aid Primary & Secondary CareHandle problemsAny ageOpen to anyone, diver or notR 2,200
Emergency Oxygen ProviderHandle problemsAny ageOpen to anyone, diver or notR 2,050
Master Scuba DiverMaster Scuba Diver12+Advanced, Rescue, five specialities and 50 logged divesR 1,200
DivemasterGo pro18+Rescue Diver, first aid, 40 logged dives to start (60 to certify)R 19,600
Junior DivemasterGo pro15 to 17Advanced and Rescue, 20 logged divesR 9,500
Assistant InstructorGo pro18+Divemaster, 60 logged divesPOA
Open Water Scuba InstructorGo pro18+Divemaster, 60 dives to start the Instructor Development Course (100 for the exam)POA
Master Scuba Diver TrainerGo pro18+PADI Instructor, five speciality instructor ratings, 25 certified diversPOA
IDC Staff InstructorGo pro18+Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Emergency First Response InstructorPOA

Not sure where you fit?

Six questions about where you are with diving, what you want from it and who is diving. You get the course to start with and the two after it.

Ask on WhatsApp

Specialities, tec and the rest

Grouped by what you need first. Every course here is one we run.

After Open Water

Most specialities only need your first card.

  1. Peak Performance BuoyancyR 3,800Age 10+
  2. Equipment SpecialistR 2,600Age 10+ (Scuba Diver is enough)
  3. Underwater NavigatorR 3,500Age 10+
  4. Altitude DiverR 3,500Age 10+
  5. Boat DiverR 3,500Age 10+
  6. Dry Suit DiverR 5,000Age 10+ (own dry suit)
  7. Underwater NaturalistR 3,500Age 10+
  8. Digital Underwater PhotographerR 3,500Age 10+
  9. AWARE Fish IdentificationR 3,500Age 10+
  10. AWARE Dive Against DebrisR 2,500Age 10+
  11. Night DiverR 4,400Age 12+
  12. Drift DiverR 3,500Age 12+
  13. Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) DiverR 3,500Age 12+
  14. Full Face Mask DiverPOAAge 12+
  15. AWARE Shark ConservationR 1,200Age 12+
  16. Sidemount DiverPOAAge 15+

After Advanced

These need Advanced Open Water (or Adventure Diver for Deep and Wreck).

  1. Deep DiverR 4,500Age 15+
  2. Wreck DiverR 5,350Age 15+
  3. Search & Recovery DiverR 4,100Age 12+
  4. Cavern DiverPOAAge 18+
  5. Self-Reliant DiverR 3,500Age 18+, 100 logged dives

No dives needed

Classroom courses anyone can take.

  1. AWARE Coral Reef ConservationR 2,600Any age
  2. First Aid Primary & Secondary CareR 2,200Any age
  3. Emergency Oxygen ProviderR 2,050Any age

Technical diving

Beyond recreational limits, step by step.

  1. Discover TecR 1,200Age 15+, 10 logged dives
  2. Tec BasicsR 3,500Age 15+, Enriched Air
  3. Tec 40R 10,000Age 18+, Advanced, Enriched Air, Deep
  4. Tec 45R 10,500Age 18+, Tec 40 and Rescue
  5. Tec 50R 12,000Age 18+, Tec 45, 100 dives
  6. Tec Trimix 65POAAge 18+, Tec 50
  7. Tec Trimix DiverPOAAge 18+, 150 dives
  8. Tec Sidemount DiverR 6,500Age 18+, Advanced, 30 dives
  9. Gas BlenderR 3,000Age 18+, Enriched Air

Back in the water

Certified but out of practice.

  1. Refresher CourseR 1,650Certified divers
  2. ReActivate CourseR 1,800Certified divers

Course bundles

Two or more courses booked together.

  1. Open Water + Advanced ComboR 9,500Age 10+
  2. Open Water + Enriched Air ComboR 7,900Age 12+
  3. Open Water + Advanced + Enriched Air ComboR 12,200Age 12+
  4. Open Water + Peak Performance Buoyancy ComboR 8,200Age 10+
  5. Advanced + Rescue + First Aid ComboR 11,200Age 12+
  6. Rescue Diver + First Aid ComboR 6,800Age 12+
  7. Rescue + First Aid + Emergency Oxygen ComboR 8,300Age 12+

Questions

What order do PADI courses go in?

Try it with Discover Scuba Diving, get certified with Open Water Diver (or Scuba Diver as a shorter first step), build experience with Advanced Open Water or Adventure Diver, then Rescue Diver with first aid. From there it is Master Scuba Diver, or the professional route: Divemaster, then Instructor. Specialities and technical courses branch off along the way.

Can I go straight to Advanced Open Water?

No. Advanced Open Water needs an Open Water Diver certification, or an equivalent card from another training organisation. If you are starting from scratch, the Open Water + Advanced combo books both together.

How long does it take to become a Divemaster?

It depends on how quickly you build your dives. You need Rescue Diver, first aid training within the last 24 months and 40 logged dives to begin, 60 logged dives by certification, and you must be 18.

What is the youngest age for a PADI course?

Eight, for Bubblemaker, Seal Team and our Snorkelling Course. Classroom courses such as first aid and AWARE Coral Reef Conservation have no minimum age. From 10 a child can do Discover Scuba Diving and earn a Junior Open Water or Junior Scuba Diver card, with shallower depth limits. The standard Open Water card starts at 15.

Ages and requirements follow PADI standards as set out on each course page. Prices are live from the shop and include VAT.