Open Water - Leonardtown Pool
This course is taught at the Wellness and Aquatic Center which is located at the College of Southern Maryland Campus in Leonardtown. Students must register and pay for the course through the St. Mary's County Department of Parks and Recreation at the link below.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE
PADI Open Water Scuba Certification in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia & Delaware
The PADI Open Water Diver course is your entry point into the world of scuba diving. Southern Maryland Divers trains new divers from across the Mid-Atlantic with a focus on confidence, control, and real-world diving skills—not rushed certifications.
This internationally recognized certification allows you to dive worldwide and is ideal for beginners from Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Delaware.
Training Location: 22950 Hollywood Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650 | Phone: (443) 295-3225
Availability: Contact us for booking information
How Open Water Scuba Certification Works
1. Knowledge Development E-Learning
You’ll complete the PADI Open Water E-Learning course online learning at your own pace, covering dive theory, equipment use, and safety fundamentals before getting in the water. The average student takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete the course. **NOTE** The E-learning class MUST be completed prior to any in-water activity. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Want to preview the online course? Try it FREE
2. Pool / Confined Water Training
In controlled pool sessions, you’ll learn essential scuba skills including buoyancy control, regulator recovery, mask clearing, and emergency procedures. The average student requires rouhgly 8 hours of confined water, aka "pool" work during this step. While this can vary slightly, it is rarely less, and can be more to ensure mastery of skills before moving on to the next step.
3. Open Water Checkout Dives - aka "Checkout Weekend"
Your certification is completed with a minumum of four supervised open water dives where you apply your skills in real conditions under instructor guidance. These dives occur over a minimum of two days. This step is booked seperately and can be done so HERE.
Is This Course Right for You?
The PADI Open Water Diver course is designed for beginners with no prior scuba experience. It’s ideal if you:
- Want to become a certified scuba diver
- Plan to dive locally in Maryland or while traveling
- Prefer structured instruction with experienced instructors
- Want a certification recognized worldwide
Minimum age is 10 years if age, medical requirements, and swimming ability standards apply. Our instructors are happy to review prerequisites with you before you enroll.
Training for Mid-Atlantic Diving Conditions
Scuba diving in the Mid-Atlantic presents unique conditions including cooler water, varying visibility, and changing weather. Our Open Water training prepares divers for real-world conditions they’ll encounter in Maryland, Virginia, and beyond.
This approach helps new divers feel comfortable whether they’re diving locally, heading to a quarry checkout, or traveling to warm-water destinations.
Open Water Scuba Certification FAQs
How long does it take to get Open Water certified?
Most students complete the course over several sessions. Timing depends on scheduling, online learning completion, and open water checkout availability.
Do you offer Open Water scuba certification near Washington DC?
Yes. We regularly train students from Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and across Maryland and Delaware at our California, MD location.
Do I need to buy gear before starting?
Personal gear like mask, snorkel, fins, and boots is recommended for comfort and fit. We’ll help you select appropriate gear during your training.
Questions about Open Water training? Contact us →
***The PADI E-Learning code portion of this class is NON REFUNDABLE once redeemed by the customer on the PADI website***