Compressed 3-Day PADI Open Water Course

Busy schedule? No problem. Southern Maryland Divers offers a fully compressed 3-day PADI Open Water certification course designed for people who want high-quality scuba training without dragging it out over multiple weekends.

This fast-track option is completely streamlined. You handle all registration and preparation remotely—email, phone, whatever works. No need to visit the shop beforehand. Everything you’ll do happens either online or at the quarry.

And yes, the course price includes everything: quarry entry fees, full gear rental*, tank air fills—the whole package. No hidden fees, no upcharges, no surprises.

Online Academics (Before Your Weekend)
This course uses PADI’s eLearning system. You’ll complete all of your classroom knowledge online before arriving. Once you show up at the quarry, you’re ready to dive straight into hands-on skills and training. Your E-learning code will be issued by us once payment for the course is received. 

Your 3-Day Open Water Weekend

Day 1 – Friday
We meet early at the quarry under a shelter to complete a quick review and go over waivers. After that, the entire day is dedicated to confined-water training in a designated shallow area of the quarry. This is the longest and most skill-heavy day.

Day 2 – Saturday
Another early start. We kick off with a briefing and topside skills, then complete Open Water Dive 1. After a short break, you’ll move on to Dive 2. Following lunch, we knock out Dive 3 and wrap up with a final debrief. You’re welcome to hang out by the campfire afterward for some unofficial “Chapter Six” fun.

Day 3 – Sunday
We hit the water early for your fourth and final Open Water dive. After a quick debrief, we wrap up with graduation and class photos. Most weekends, everyone is finished before lunch. If you want more, we often offer optional bonus dives that can count toward your PADI Advanced Open Water certification.

Important: Our Course Fee Is Truly All-Inclusive
The only items not included are your personal gear—mask, snorkel, fins, and boots. These need to fit correctly, and we provide expert in-shop fitting plus a 10% student discount.

Everything else is covered:
• All rental gear
• All pool/confined-water access fees
• All air fills
• All quarry entry fees
• All required course materials
• All instructor time

We don’t play the “low upfront price, surprise add-ons later” game. You pay once, you train fully, and you walk away certified.