Have you taken a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience and been bitten by the scuba diving bug? If you have fallen in love with scuba diving and want to do more, you’ll need to transition from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water Diver certification level.
One of the great things about being a scuba diver is its incredible travel opportunities. So if you want to continue diving and go from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water Diver, there are plenty of amazing places around the world to do just that! Coming up are some of our top picks.
Bali, Indonesia
Go from Discover Scuba diver to Open Water Diver in beautiful Bali, Indonesia. Bali offers stunning coral reefs and the opportunity to dive a World War II shipwreck, the USAT Liberty. Bali’s warm waters, excellent visibility and easy conditions are ideal for beginners. There are plenty of Dive Centers to choose from and once certified, the nearby islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida offer vibrant coral reefs, manta rays and seasonal sightings of oceanic sunfish!
Discover seven of the best dive sites around Bali here.
The Maldives
The Maldives is a country created for scuba divers! Made up of more than 1,100 small coral islands which host luxury hotels and resorts, the Maldives is a diver’s paradise. You will find tropical, palm-fringed, white sand beaches and excellent reefs that are home to an abundance of marine life. If you want to disconnect and engage in some rest and relaxation while immersing yourself in calm, clear, tropical waters, the Maldives is an idyllic destination to get PADI Open Water Diver certified.
Check out dive resorts in The Maldives here.
Egypt
Deciding to go from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water Diver in Egypt gives you multiple options. There are a wide range of dive resorts in Hurghada that cater to all budgets. Another option is Dahab, which has numerous shore diving sites so you have the convenience of being able to dive as much as you want after being certified. Sharm el Sheikh offers around 30 different sites nearby, including wrecks, walls, reefs and an impressive array of marine life.
Diving conditions in the Red Sea are ideal for beginners – warm water, excellent visibility and year round calm conditions. Learn more about Diving Egypt and the Red Sea here.
Australia
There is no reef on Earth that is as well known as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This natural wonder of the world is 2,250km/1,400 miles long and even visible from outer space! There are over 3,000 individual coral reefs in the region so there’s certainly no shortage of dive sites to choose from. The diversity of marine life found on the Great Barrier Reef ranges from marine mammals such as dugons and dolphins through to sea turtles, whale sharks, and an awe-inspiring display of tropical reef fish.
If you are visiting Western Australia (WA), Ningaloo Reef is also a hotspot for whale shark sightings, while South Australia is the place to go for leafy seadragon sightings under some of the famous piers.
Find a dive shop anywhere in Australia here.
Phuket, Thailand
Thailand is known as the ‘Land of Smiles’ and when visiting Phuket you will see why! Phuket offers a range of accommodation from backpacker rooms through to luxury 5-star resorts. Phuket’s relaxed vibes and accessible dive sites make it a great place to go from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water Diver. There are plenty of PADI Dive Centers to choose from and a vibrant nightlife to enjoy in the evenings.
Other regions in Thailand that offer incredible scuba diving include the islands of Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Krabi – which are also ideal for those who want to mix up scuba diving with activities such as climbing and trekking.
Mexico
Upgrade to Open Water Diver with manta rays in Mexico! If your bucket list includes getting certified in a tropical destination surrounded by kaleidoscopic reefs, then Mexico is calling.
Mexico offer year’s round diving and ideal conditions for those who are learning new skills. Cancun is known for the giant manta ray sightings, beach night life and chilled out vibes. Once certified the Cenotes offer a breathtaking experience – underwater and underground!
Learn more about diving in Mexico here.
Bonaire
Bonaire is a Dutch Caribbean island located just north of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean. Marine life here is exceptional as a result of well-established Marine Protected Areas. Due to the geography of Bonaire, many of the dive sites are protected from currents resulting in ideal conditions for those upgrading from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water Diver.
Divers visiting Bonaire can expect to see stunning coral reefs, a myriad of tropical fish and fantastic reef shark sightings. Learn more about diving in Bonaire here.
Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water Diver with eLearning
There’s no doubt that when you are visiting these amazing destinations, you’ll want to maximise your time in the water and not in the classroom! That’s why PADI eLearning is a great option for those transitioning from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water Diver. Start learning at your own pace from home before you leave and enjoy maximum time diving and exploring on your holiday!
