Open Water Diver

Get certified in scuba diving with Aquaventure Dive & Photo!

If you’ve always wanted to take scuba diving lessons, experience unparalleled adventure, and see the world beneath the waves, Aquaventure Dive & Photo is where to start! Get your scuba diving certification with the PADI Open Water Diver course – the world’s most popular and widely recognized scuba course. Millions of people have learned to scuba dive and gone on to discover the wonders of the aquatic world with this certification.

To enroll in a PADI Open Water Diver course (or Junior Open Water Diver course), you must be 10 years old or older. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with scuba diving is required.

With Aquaventure Dive & Photo Center, you have the advantage of training in our on-site heated pool.  Your convenience and comfort are important to us!  An onsite pool allows us to offer you the efficiency of a one-stop shop! This eliminates the need to commute to an offsite pool for your confined water training.

At Aquaventure, we have a large staff of experienced and highly qualified instructors and divemasters, who not only love the sport of diving, but love to share their passion with new divers. You can count on them to be patient, thorough, and to put safety first!

PADI Jr Open Water Diver – Kids can become a certified diver at the age of 10 years old. Once certified, kids 10-14 years old will hold a PADI Jr Open Water Diver certification. Students ages 15 and up will receive a full PADI Open Water Diver certification. All 10-11 year old students must enroll in a Private Open Water Class.

What Do I Need To Bring To Class?

You will need to bring your swim suit, a towel, and your personal mask, snorkel, and fins. We supply all other equipment needed for the class.  Why do you need your own mask, snorkel, and fins?  These are personal items that require the right fit for you!  There is no single mask style or fin that will be a perfect fit for everyone.   Ensuring you have a clean and proper mask, fin, and snorkel set for your training (and future diving) will allow you to focus on your diving instead of the distractions improperly fitted gear can cause.  These 3 simple equipment pieces are a wise investment that will last decades when properly used, cleaned, and stored!

For information on mask, snorkel, and fin sets, click here for a few online options, or stop in and speak with our retails specialists.  You can try on one of our MANY display masks and fins!  We have the largest selection of masks, snorkels, and fins in Minnesota!  Do you wear glasses?  NO PROBLEM!  We also offer RX masks!

Open Water Part 1 Schedule NOTE – Class times are approximate and may differ dependent upon preparation and skill completion
Weeknight  Schedule
           5:30pm – 10:00pm – Pool
Friday Schedule
5:30pm – 9:30pm – Pool
Saturday Schedule
8:30am – 5:00pm – Pool
Open Water Part 2 (Training Dives) Schedule – Morning or Afternoon Options
Saturday Schedule
Morning Class – 8:30am – 12:30pm   Dives 1 & 2
           Afternoon Class – 12:30pm – 4:30pm   Dives 1 & 2
Sunday Schedule
Morning Class – 8:30am – 12:30pm Dives 3 & 4
           Afternoon Class – 12:30pm – 4:30pm  Dives 3 & 4

Frequently Asked Questions

The Aquaventure Advantage

  • Most Complete Dive Center in the Midwest!
  • Largest stocked scuba and snorkeling retail center in the state!
  • Small class sizes at the lake for a small instructor/student ratio for your comfort and safety!
  • Onsite Classrooms
  • Onsite Pool (no need to run around town for your classroom and pool training)
  • Onsite Custom Designed Scuba Training Pool
  • Our Pool Water Temp is 85 Degrees (unlike community pools 78 degrees)
  • FREE Use of Top of the Line Aqualung & Scubapro Scuba Gear for Class!
  • Try various pieces of scuba gear before purchasing!
  • Largest and Most Experienced Training Staff in the State!
  • Subway Restaurant Onsite for Lunch
  • Onsite Soda Pop and Candy Machines for your Convenience

“I’ve done all my training and testing with The Aquaventure teams. They have great instructors, fun atmosphere, all very knowledgable, and work hard to make your diving experience worth remembering… If you ever thought about experiencing scuba diving, I would highly recommend starting here!!!”

Mike J

“I’ve been to all the dive shops in town and Aquaventure definitely has the Friendliest staff and best selection of gear!”

Gary B

“Awesome instructors!  I was more than prepared for my training dives when I went to Florida!”

Jill A

“Great place to learn how to dive. Very private with close instruction. Go as fast as you are comfortable with. Super friendly instructors. My 10 year old and I loved it. A great experience. Top notch dive shop!”

Paul K

“Me and my 11 year old son took the PADI Open Water Diver class through Aquaventure and we could not be happier with the experience. Erik did a fantastic job of educating and coaching us through the entire process.”

Casey K

“Both of my teens have achieved their Open-Water certifications now with training from their excellent instructors and dive masters. As a 27 year diver, I whole-heartedly trust Aquaventure to provide quality training and service!”

Chris T

Please call shop to register!

Course Fee

Part 1 – Classroom & Pool Training (Confined Water Training)

Homework prior to classroom/pool training dates is completed online. Your online eLearning Code must be purchased directly from Aquaventure and is included in the prices below. If an eLearning code is purchased elsewhere, a fee of $175 for classroom/pool will be assessed.

  • Group Lessons eLearning* –  $299  
  • Semi-Private (Two to three participants)* – $369
  • Private (One-on-one training)* – $455

Part 2 – Open Water Check Out Dives (Open Water Training)

  • Group Lessons* – $225
  • Semi-Private* – $305 for three participants, $395 for two participants
  • Private* – $495

Upgrade from PADI “Scuba Diver” to PADI “Open Water Diver”

  • Price $259 (student needs to complete training below)
    • Classroom – Modules 4 & 5
    • Confined Water Dives 4 & 5
    • Open Water Dives 3 & 4

Lake Maps – click links below for directions and info

OREBEGONE New

CUYUNA COUNTRY new

SQUARE LAKE New

LAKE WAZEE new

* Visit Aquaventure Dive & Photo for additional information. Part 1 course fees include eLearning code, classroom and pool training. Part 2 includes four open water training dives and certification processing fees.

If you’d rather not complete your training dives in our local lakes we can also complete them for the same price on select travel destinations we run throughout the year! Call for details.

Cancelation Policy – Course fees are due upon class enrollment to guarantee your space in the class.  Class fees are non-refundable within 14 days of the class start date and are non-transferable within 7 days of class start time.  Once PADI eLearning codes are assigned and redeemed (student account is created) these codes are non-refundable ($190ea).  One class date transfer is allowed for a fee of $90.  All course fees are forfeited if you do not attend.

What you Need

Aquaventure provides most of the scuba gear you need, but students must have their own mask, snorkel and fins. Our retail specialists can help you choose these items according to your personal fit and budget.

Ask about our ongoing specials if you purchase a complete SCUBA equipment setup during your Open Water Scuba class!

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Next Adventure

The PADI specialty courses or the Advanced Open Water Diver certification course.

Prerequisites

  • Be at least 10 years old
  • To complete your Open Water certification (check out) dives, you must have completed Part 1.

Required Course Forms

PADI Medical Form-PDF

All forms are now sent digitally after registering for a class.