How to Get Your PADI Open Water Certification in Crete
Learn to scuba dive in Almyrida, Crete with Kefi Divers. Our 3-day PADI Open Water course covers theory, pool sessions, and open water dives in the Mediterranean. Small groups, expert instructors.
Category: Courses & Certification
Date: May 2026
Read time: 8 min read
Thinking about learning to scuba dive? There's no better place to earn your PADI Open Water certification than the crystal-clear waters of Almyrida, on the northern coast of Crete.
At Kefi Divers, our 3-day PADI Open Water Diver course takes you from complete beginner to certified diver — ready to explore reefs, caves, and wrecks anywhere in the world. Here's exactly what to expect.
What Is the PADI Open Water Course?
The PADI Open Water Diver certification is the world's most recognised scuba diving qualification. It's valid for life and accepted at dive centres globally. Once certified, you can dive independently to 18 metres with a buddy.
The course has three parts:
Knowledge development — theory covering dive planning, equipment, and safety
Confined water dives — skills practice in a swimming pool
Open water dives — four dives in the Mediterranean Sea
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1 — Theory & Pool
Your course begins with knowledge development — either completed online via PADI eLearning before you arrive, or with your instructor on the day. We then head to the pool for your first confined water session, where you'll practise essential skills in a calm, controlled environment: clearing your mask, breathing from your regulator, and buoyancy basics. The pool is the perfect place to build confidence before you enter the sea.
Day 2 — Confined Water & First Open Water Dives
After completing your confined water skills in the pool, you'll make your first two open water dives in the Mediterranean. You'll explore the reefs around Almyrida under the close guidance of your instructor, with a maximum of 4 students per instructor.
Day 3 — Open Water Dives & Certification
Two final open water dives to consolidate everything you've learned. By the end of Day 3, you'll be a certified PADI Open Water Diver — ready to dive anywhere in the world.
eLearning: Get a Head Start Before You Arrive
PADI eLearning lets you complete the theory portion of your course online before your holiday. This means more time in the water and less time in the classroom. We recommend it — especially if you're short on time in Crete.
Ask us for your eLearning access code when you book.
Why Learn to Dive in Almyrida?
Almyrida is one of the best locations in Greece to learn to dive. Here's why:
Exceptional visibility — Mediterranean waters are clear year-round, with visibility often exceeding 20 metres
Warm water — sea temperatures range from 22°C to 28°C, so you'll be comfortable in a wetsuit
Calm conditions — the sheltered northern coast of Crete offers gentle conditions ideal for beginners
Stunning dive sites — from vibrant reefs to the famous Elephant Cave and the Tugboat Nestor wreck
Why Choose Kefi Divers?
Small groups — maximum 4 students per instructor, so you get personal attention throughout
Expert instructors — Matthew Shahid (PADI IDC Staff Instructor, PADI professional number 425811; PADI Elite Instructor Award — 50+ qualifying certifications, received in three calendar years) and Titouan Gerard (PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, PADI professional number 522402; PADI Elite Instructor Award — 100+ qualifying certifications, 2022) bring years of experience and genuine passion for diving
All equipment included — wetsuit, BCD, regulator, tank, mask, fins, and weights — all maintained to the highest standards
Flexible scheduling — we work around your holiday plans
What Happens After the Course?
Once you're certified, the underwater world is yours to explore. Your next step could be the PADI Advanced Open Water course — available with us in Almyrida — which takes you deeper, introduces navigation, and opens up more dive sites including the Elephant Cave.
Ready to Book?
The PADI Open Water course runs throughout the season. We recommend booking in advance, especially in July and August.
Email us at
kefidivers@gmail.com
or message us on WhatsApp to check availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Get certified in 3 days in Almyrida, Crete — small groups, expert PADI instructors, all equipment included.
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