Course overview

Earn a globally recognised scuba certification with the SSI Open Water Diver course at Kovalam in the warm Arabian Sea. Through the SSI digital learning system, confined-water practice and four open-water dives on the Kovalam reef you learn to dive independently with a buddy to 18 metres. The certification is accepted worldwide and never expires.

What you’ll learn

• Set up, check and use complete scuba equipment
• Perform essential skills including mask clearing and controlled ascents
• Achieve neutral buoyancy and good trim
• Plan dives with a computer and monitor your air
• Manage common problems and apply buddy procedures
• Dive independently with a buddy to 18 metres

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 10 (junior) or 15
• Able to swim and be comfortable in water (watermanship assessed)
• No prior certification required
• Diver medical questionnaire (physician sign-off if any condition applies)

What's included · What's not

Not included? Sort the rest of your trip

Flights and accommodation aren’t part of the course price, here’s how to book them around your dates.

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Digital theory and first skills

   Complete the SSI digital learning sections and start confined-water skills in sheltered shallows.
2. Day2
   Confined-water and exam

   Finish the confined-water sessions and the final knowledge assessment.
3. Day3
   Open-water dives 1 and 2

   Make your first two open-water training dives over the Kovalam reef.
4. Day4
   Open-water dives 3 and 4 and certification

   Complete the final dives in the Arabian Sea, demonstrate the required skills and certify.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Kovalam.

Frequently asked questions