Learning to scuba dive begins with your first full diving certification: the SSI Open Water Diver course. It teaches you the knowledge and practical skills needed to dive safely and confidently with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 metres.
At Ocean Tribe, you will learn in the warm waters of Diani Beach, Kenya. Your training includes pool practice, four certification dives on Diani’s local coral reefs and two additional fun dives. This means you can finish the course with six logged dives—two more than the minimum requirement—and already be building valuable experience as a newly certified diver.
How to Sign up for your Open water diver course
Signing up is simple, and much of the theory can be completed at your own pace before your practical training begins.
1. Book your Open Water Diver course with Ocean Tribe
The first step is to reserve your place on the Ocean Tribe Open Water Diver course.
Book your Open Water Diver course
Once your booking is confirmed, the Ocean Tribe team can help you prepare for your course and assign your SSI digital learning.
2. Register for your SSI profile
Create your free SSI profile using the Ocean Tribe registration link:
Your profile gives you access to your digital learning, training records, dive log and digital certification card.
3. Download the MySSI app
Download the MySSI app to your phone or tablet and sign in using the details from your new SSI profile. The app allows you to access your course materials, even when you are away from home.
It is also where you can manage your digital certifications and continue logging your dives after completing the course.
4. Complete your digital learning
Once your SSI Open Water Diver digital learning has been assigned, you can begin studying before arriving for your practical training.
Sections 1–3 must be completed before the pool session. The entire digital learning programme must be finished before you begin your open-water training dives.
Completing the theory in advance gives you more time to focus on developing your practical diving skills in the pool and ocean.
Your Ocean Tribe Open Water Diver course schedule
The practical programme usually takes four days.
Day 1: Pool training
Your pool session normally lasts between four and six hours. During this session, your instructor will introduce you to the scuba equipment and teach you the essential skills required to dive safely.
You will practise skills such as breathing underwater, clearing your mask, recovering your regulator, controlling your buoyancy and communicating with your buddy. The pool provides a calm, controlled environment where you can become comfortable before entering the ocean.
Day 2: Ocean dives 1 and 2
Your first two ocean training dives take place from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Both dives are completed on Diani’s local coral reefs, with a surface interval on the boat between dives. This is your opportunity to apply the skills you learned in the pool while beginning to experience the excitement of diving in the Indian Ocean.
Day 3: Ocean dives 3 and 4
Your final two certification dives also run from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a surface interval on the boat.
During these dives, you will continue improving your buoyancy, awareness, buddy skills and general confidence underwater. After successfully completing the required theory and practical training, you will qualify as an SSI Open Water Diver.
Your certification allows you to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 metres.
Day 4: Two fun dives
At Ocean Tribe, your experience does not end as soon as the minimum certification requirements have been completed.
On Day 4, you will join two fun dives from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a surface interval on the boat. These dives give you time to enjoy Diani’s coral reefs, practise your new skills and become more comfortable underwater without the pressure of completing certification exercises.
You will leave Ocean Tribe with six logged dives instead of the minimum four. You will not simply be certified—you will already be building real diving experience.
Open Water Diver course and speciality packages
You can develop your skills further by combining the Open Water Diver course with additional SSI training. Ocean Tribe offers several packages designed to help you gain experience while working towards your personal diving goals.
Open Water Diver Course – $499
Includes approximately four to six dives.
You will become a qualified Open Water Diver, able to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 metres.
Open Water Diver and Nitrox – $540
Includes approximately four to six dives.
You will earn your Open Water Diver certification as well as your Enriched Air Nitrox certification. Nitrox training teaches you how to plan and make dives using breathing gases with a higher oxygen percentage than ordinary air.
Open Water Diver and Perfect Buoyancy – $550
Includes approximately six to eight dives.
This package combines your Open Water Diver certification with extra training focused on buoyancy control. Better buoyancy can help you become a more relaxed, efficient and environmentally responsible diver.
Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water – $750
Includes approximately 10–12 dives.
Continue directly from your beginner course into advanced training. This package gives you more time underwater, expands your diving skills and can qualify you to dive to a maximum depth of 30 metres.
Open Water Diver with Deep, Navigation and Nitrox specialities – $799
Includes 12 dives.
This comprehensive bundle combines the Open Water Diver course with three valuable speciality programmes:
- Deep Diving
- Navigation
- Enriched Air Nitrox
You will complete additional navigation work, develop experience at greater depths and learn how to dive with nitrox. After meeting all training requirements, you can qualify to dive to a maximum depth of 40 metres and become nitrox certified.
Start your underwater adventure in Diani
Your Open Water Diver certification is your passport to an entirely new world. Whether you dream of exploring tropical coral reefs, meeting fascinating marine life or continuing into advanced and speciality diving, it all begins with your first course.
With Ocean Tribe, you receive more than the minimum four certification dives. You finish with six logged dives, additional time to practise and the confidence that comes from using your new skills on Diani’s local coral reefs.
Now that you know How to Sign up for your Open water diver course, book your place and take the first step towards becoming a certified scuba diver.
