Open Water - Leonardtown Pool
AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND --
2026 Open Water Class Dates
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.
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: 23950 N. Patuxent Beach Rd, California, MD 20619 | Phone: (443) 295-3225
This course is held at our on-site pool located at our dive shop in California, MD. Looking for the Leonardtown weekend courses? CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Availability: Contact us for booking information
How It Works: PADI Open Water Diver Certification in 3 Simple Steps
The PADI Open Water Diver course has three required stages. Each stage must be completed in order to move to the next. This structure keeps training safe, efficient, and confidence-building.
STEP 1 – Online Academics (PADI eLearning)
You’ll start with PADI’s interactive eLearning program. It covers all the dive theory you need through videos, animations, and knowledge checks. Most people finish in 12–16 hours, and you can work at your own pace on any device.
This step must be finished before you begin pool training. When you enroll with us, we’ll issue your PADI eLearning code.
Want to preview the online course? Try it FREE
STEP 2 – Pool Training (Confined Water Sessions)
Once your E-learning course is complete, it’s time to get in the water. You’ll spend a minimum of eight hours learning essential scuba skills with one of our instructors. Choose either:
• A Saturday–Sunday weekend at a local indoor pool (year round)
• Four evening sessions at our on-site pool at the dive shop (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
These sessions prepare you for real open-water diving and must be completed before Step 3.
What You’re Purchasing Here (Steps 1 & 2)
Your eLearning is included and will be issued after payment.
If you already purchased eLearning directly from PADI, we’ll credit $100 toward your personal gear purchase or your checkout weekend.
STEP 3 – Checkout Weekend (Open Water Dives) - Booked seperately HERE
This is where it all comes together. Join us for a scheduled Saturday–Sunday checkout weekend and complete four Open Water dives under instructor supervision. You’ll demonstrate the skills you mastered in Steps 1 and 2—and have a great time doing it.
After Dive #4, you’ll officially earn your PADI Open Water Diver certification.
Total Cost for All Three Steps: $895
Important: Our Course Fee Is Truly All-Inclusive (when signed up for both portions)
Personal gear—mask, snorkel, fins, and boots—is the only thing not included. Fit matters, so we provide expert in-shop fitting and a 10% student discount.
Everything else is covered. That means:
• All pool fees
• All rental gear
• Air fills
• Quarry entry fees
• Instructor time
• All required course materials
No hidden charges. No add-ons. Just straightforward, high-quality scuba training designed to take you from beginner to certified diver without surprises.
Scuba Instruction FAQs
Do you offer PADI Open Water Diver certification near Washington DC, Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland?
Yes. We train students from MD, DC, VA, and DE and guide you from beginner to certified with clear coaching and safety-first instruction.
How long does it take to get scuba certified?
Most students complete certification over multiple sessions. Timing depends on scheduling and comfort, but we help you finish efficiently.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer to learn scuba?
You don’t need to be an athlete, but you do need basic water comfort. PADI requires a swim test and a short float/tread check.
What gear do I need for my first scuba course?
Typically you’ll need personal-fit items like a mask, snorkel, and fins. We’ll tell you exactly what you need and help you get fitted.
Can I do eLearning before in-person training?
Yes. We utilize the award winning PADI eLearning platform so you can do academics online and focus in-person time on skills and diving.
How do I sign up for lessons?
Sign up by "add to cart" above or call (443) 295-3225. Our shop is at 23950 N. Patuxent Beach Rd, California, MD 20619.