Learn the basics to diving
Start your diving education in Iceland, continue abroad
Are you going to be spending your vacation in a warmer country? The referral course is a unique way to make your vacation even better.
In short, you complete all the preparation, the basics of becoming a PADI Open water diver, in Iceland. First, you complete the PADI Open Water Elearning, online in the comfort of your home.
When you have completed the Elearning, you join us in the pool for half a day to complete all the skills needed. When the pool session has been completed, your teacher will give you a referral stating that you have completed the basics with DIVE.IS, a PADI 5* Dive center.
Then, you will have 1 year to complete the fun part of the course; 4 Open Water dives. These 4 dives can be completed anywhere in the world with another PADI Dive center. For example on vacation, with family or a group of friends, in the warm water of a beautiful, sunny beach.
When the basics and the open water dives are done you will have completed the PADI Open Water course and will be certified to dive to 18m with a buddy, without direct supervision, anywhere in the world. This is a lifetime ISO certification and it is recognized by any reputable dive centre.
After this course is completed you have 3 options to continue with your diving education:
- You will get a signed form from your Instructor stating that you have successfully completed the Elearning and Confined Water dives 1-5 so you can complete the course abroad in warmer water. This option is great for those that do not want to spend days on their vacation studying but start diving right away.
- You join our PADI Open Water Diver course. The course is one weekend with 2 dives each day.
- If you would like to end this course by diving in Silfra, you will also need to obtain the PADI Dry suit certification which is not included in our Open Water Diver course. Then you join our Viking package. The course is one weekend with 2 dives on the first day and 3 dives on the second day.
Just contact us if you have completed the PADI referral package and want to continue booking the packages above.
How the course is set up
This Open Water Refferal course will require you to do some skills both online and in the water, those skills include:
• The Underwater World
• Dive Equipment
• Buddy Systems
• The Dive Environment
• Communication
• Dive Planning
• Problem Management
• Dive Tables and Dive Computers
• Navigation
To take part in the Open Water course you will have to complete a your theory learning independently using E-learning on the PADI website, which will take you through everything you need to know to become a safe diver. We will send you a link to your E-learning as soon as you book and pay for the course. Please note that going through the E-learning will take approx. 12 hours so we advice you to start studying a few days before your course starts. E-learning must be fully completed (including the exams) and submitted in the system before you start your pool session.
Then it's only a quick review with your Instructor at the pool before we jump in the water and do:
• Confined Water Dives 1-5
• Watermanship requirements: 200m continuous swim and 10 minute float
After this productive half day at the pool you will get a signed form from your Instructor that you have succesfully completed the Confined Water dives 1-5 so you can complete the course abroad or continue your diving education with us at DIVE.IS.
Union Grants and Other Benefits
Most unions in Iceland subsidize a part of the course fee for their members. We encourage you to find out your rights within your union.
If you are a high school or university student, the course may provide a certain number of credits that you can use towards your degree.
DIVE.IS, Iceland’s first PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center welcomes you to learn diving from a new perspective. Start your PADI Open Water course with us and finish it later in Iceland or in tropical waters abroad.
Course Details
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Available all year
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Minimum 3 students to confirm the course (but single students can book the course)
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Max 6 students per instructor
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Courses start at 8.00am on Fridays (if we have enough participants) in Ásvallalaug in Hafnarfjörður
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Flexible times: Groups can contact us to find a better start time if needed
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This course is conducted in half a day (4-5 hours) where we will do a eLearning Quick Review, Confined Water Session 1-5, 10 minute float and 200m swim.
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You will be wearing a wet suit in the pool
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ATTN You will need to study for approx. 12 hours before the course begins
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The price includes the eLearning registration fee, which we pay directly to PADI. The eLearning fee is approximately 10.000 ISK.
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Most unions in Iceland subsidize a part of the course fee for their members. We encourage you to find out your rights within your union.
Included:
- PADI Instructor
- All equipment
- PADI Open Water Course eLearning material
- Pool rental and admission
- PADI eLearning registration fee which is paid directly to PADI. This fee is approx. 10.000 ISK
- PADI Referral stating you have completed the theory and pool sessions
Important information:
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To complete your PADI Open Water Refferal course, you will have to finish the eLearning Course
- PADI now offers the opportunity to complete all your Knowledge Development and Exams online at your own speed. As such you merely need to complete a quick review with your instructor, which will be held before the pool session.
Most unions in Iceland subsidize a part of the course fee for their members. We encourage you to find out your rights within your union.
Safety requirements
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be at least 17 years of age (signature of legal guardian required for under 18 year old participants)
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be physically fit
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know how to swim and be comfortable in water
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be able to communicate in English
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not be pregnant
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complete a PADI Medical Statement PDF
Experience the course
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Can I change the date of my PADI Referral course after booking?
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You can change the date of the course up until 7 days before the course starts. Within 7 days of the course start date you are not able to move dates and no refund is available.
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Can I take the PADI Dry Suit Diver Course and dive Silfra?
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To dive Silfra you are required to have either a drysuit diver certification or drysuit dive experience. We have therefore created a 2-day Drysuit and Silfra Combo Tour. During this tour, you will complete your PADI Dry Suit Diver Specialty Course on the first day and, upon completion, participate in the Diving Silfra Day Tour on the second day.
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What can I do with my PADI Referral certification?
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The PADI Referral Program allows you to complete the theory and the confined water session before you get to the place where you want to dive. This program is especially advantageous for those people that are planning to travel to a popular diving destination, as it allows them to dedicate as much time as possible to the actual dives, having completed the first part of the course at home.
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Where is your shop?
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Our dive shop is located at the western end of downtown Reykjavik, a 20-30 minute walk from most of the city centre. We are happy to welcome you here between 9:00 and 16:00 every day of the week.
The addressis Hólmaslóð 2, 101 Reykjavík.
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