At our base in the Gillieru Harbour Hotel (Church Square, St Paul's Bay, Malta) or we individually arrange a hotel pick-up after booking (in St. Paul's Bay area only).
Bugibba (St Paul's Bay) - Bugibba
At our base in the Gillieru Harbour Hotel (Church Square, St Paul's Bay, Malta) or we individually arrange a hotel pick-up after booking (in St. Paul's Bay area only).
Free cancellation with full refund up to 24 hours before the start of the activity
Details
With the SSI Open Water Diver course, you become a safe and certified diver in no time. Once you've mastered all the basics while practising in shallow water directly at our base, you're ready for your first open water dives around Malta, Comino and Gozo. Together with your experienced instructors, find out what makes diving in the Maltese archipelago so unique and discover the numerous treasures under the sea surface!
The VIP option allows you to start your course whenever you want. Here the group size is limited to two participants per instructor.
Goal of the course
The globally recognized SSI Open Water Diver certification allows you to join guided dives and continue with the Advance Oper Water Course everywhere. During the course, you will acquire the basic skills of diving and learn to navigate safely under water. Through the convenient online theory training, which you can complete in advance, you can fully concentrate on the practice in the course.
Meeting & Preparation
If you arrive by car, parking is widely available nearby. We either meet directly at our base at the Gillieru Harbour Hotel or pick you up from your accommodation (in St. Paul's Bay area only) and take you to the dive centre. Here you will get to know your instructors and receive the equipment. As soon as the group is ready, we will start the course. The group size is limited to 5 participants in the regular course and 2 participants per instructor in the VIP option.
Course content
- Day 1: Practice in confined water
- Day 2: 2 Open Water Dives
- Day 3: 2 Open Water Dives
Included Activities
- Practice Dives in confined water
- 4 Open Water Dives (For boat dives we charge EUR 10 per dive extra on site)
- Online Theory Lessons
Included Services
- Certified SSI diving instructor
- High-quality diving gear (all you need for your dive: wetsuit, mask, fins, regulator, weights)
- Scuba tank (200 Bar for all dives)
- Daily transfers & pick-up from hotel (in St. Paul’s Bay area only)
- E-Learning material
- SSI registration fee & certificate
Requirements
- Minimum age: 12 years
- Physical health
- Swimming ability
Good to know
There has to be at least 24 hours, between the end of the activity and your next flight.
The diving course made our vacation an unforgettable experience!
The whole team is super nice and looked after us wonderfully.
The course was perfectly organized, both theory and practice were taught to us with the highest level of expertise and sympathy. The safety of everyone involved was always the top priority, we always had complete trust in the guides. They looked at the strengths and weaknesses of each individual in the course and addressed each one individually accordingly. They took away our fears and made us feel comfortable in the wonderful underwater world.
Being able to do the diving course on vacation in our native language made it even easier for us to understand and implement the content without language barriers.
The best diving spots were selected on a daily basis, the course time was optimally designed to accommodate all the content, not too long and not too short.
We felt very well looked after and would make the decision to do our Open Water Diver at Octopus Garden again at any time.
We can only recommend the diving center to everyone.
You made a big dream come true for us - thank you again, dear ones!!
We have had a little reminder of it under our skin ever since :)
Translated from German
Severin · Solo travelerGermany · October 2022
Very family atmosphere
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Georg · Solo travelerAustria · July 2022
Super nice diving instructors and top training
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Offers by Octopus Garden Diving Center Malta81 Reviews5 Offers
Can I take part if I can't swim, and are life jackets/floating devices provided (including for kids)?
No, the ability to swim is a requirement to participate in this course.
What are the requirements to participate?
To participate, you must be at least 12 years old, be in good physical health, and have the ability to swim.
What certification will I receive?
Upon completion, you will receive the globally recognized SSI Open Water Diver certification, which allows you to join guided dives worldwide.
What is included in the price?
The price includes the certified SSI instructor, high-quality diving gear, a scuba tank, daily transfers and hotel pick-up in the St. Paul's Bay area, e-learning material, and the SSI registration fee and certificate.
What is the course schedule?
The course is structured over three days: Day 1 is for practice in confined water, followed by two open water dives on Day 2 and two more on Day 3.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the course?
Yes, you can complete the theory portion of the course in advance through the provided online e-learning materials.
What is the maximum group size?
The regular course has a maximum of 5 participants per instructor. With the VIP option, the group size is limited to a maximum of 2 participants per instructor.
Is hotel pick-up available?
Yes, a pick-up and drop-off service is included for accommodations within the St. Paul's Bay area.
Are there any additional costs?
Yes, there is an extra charge of EUR 10 per person for each boat dive, which is payable on site.
From
499 €
The checkyeti guarantee1-click cancellation7 days/week support100% price clarity
Octopus Garden Diving Center Malta is part of the worldwide SSI network of dive centres that provide SSI certification courses, thereby following the organisation's internationally set standards for scuba diving education.
You want to book or still have questions? Our team will be glad to help you!
The activity SSI Open Water Scuba Diving Course for Beginners by Octopus Garden Diving Center Malta in Qawra (St. Paul's Bay) and Bugibba (St Paul's Bay) is available every day, from August 3, 2026 through October 25, 2026. Each day offers 1 start time at 10:00. Sessions last 3 days and are offered as group activities. Prices range from €499.00 to €599.00 per person.
Germany · October 2024
Austria · July 2022
