Course overview

Become a fully certified diver with the SSI Open Water Diver course in the Galapagos, run from Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Through digital academics, confined-water sessions and four open-water training dives in sheltered, sea-lion-rich shallows, you earn an internationally recognised certification to dive to 18 metres. It's the foundation for building the experience needed for the archipelago's legendary current sites.

What you’ll learn

• Set up, check and use full scuba equipment independently
• Master mask clearing, regulator recovery and air-sharing
• Hold neutral buoyancy and control ascents and descents
• Plan dives within recreational limits using a computer or tables
• Manage common problems and dive effectively with a buddy
• Apply skills in cool, mildly current-affected Galapagos water

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 10 (Junior)
• No prior certification required
• Able to swim and float/tread water comfortably
• Diver medical questionnaire completed beforehand

What's included · What's not

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Theory & confined water

   Digital academics and confined-water skill sessions near Puerto Ayora, building the core skills in calm conditions.
2. Day2
   First open-water dives

   Two training dives to 12 metres in a sheltered Santa Cruz bay, with sea lions often nearby.
3. Day3
   Deeper open-water dives

   Two further dives to 18 metres, refining buoyancy and navigation, with turtles and reef fish common.
4. Day4
   Final skills & certification

   Complete remaining skills and assessment to earn your SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Galapagos.

Frequently asked questions