🌊 PADI Open Water Diver Course

Join the Blue Holic Scuba Family

Start the adventure of a lifetime with our PADI Open Water Diver Course. Once certified, you’ll be able to dive up to 60ft anywhere in the world. Suitable for ages 10–99, this course opens the door to unparalleled underwater exploration. Millions have discovered the wonders of the aquatic world through this course—now it’s your turn!

Why Choose This Course?

• 🌍 Global Certification – Dive anywhere in the world up to 60ft.

• 🤿 Beginner-Friendly – No prior experience required. Just basic swimming skills and good health.

• 📘 Comprehensive Training – Learn through academics, pool sessions, and ocean dives.

• 💙 Community & Support – We keep class sizes small, specialize in helping anxious or nervous divers, and offer extra pool time if you need it.

Course Structure

🗓 Duration: 4 days (2 weekends)

• Confined Water Dives: Practice skills in the pool on two Saturdays.

• Classroom Review: After your second pool session, join a classroom session to review knowledge and complete the final exam.

• Open Water Dives: Apply your skills in the ocean on two Sunday trips (Catalina Casino Point and/or Channel Islands boat).

💡 If you see a Saturday or Sunday without a pool or ocean session on our calendar, reach out—we may be able to add one if needed.

Course Costs

💰 Most students complete certification for around $1,200 total.

Here’s what’s included:

• $209 Course Fee (covers instructor training + PADI certification license)

• $400-$500 Boat Trips (Catalina Casino Point and/or Channel Islands)

• $70 Pool Entry Fees (2 sessions + more sessions available for anxious divers)

• $114 Open Water Manual (required learning material)

• $90 Safety Gear (SMB + reel, required for California divers)

✅ Total Value: $999–$1,200 (depending on personal gear choices)

Personal Gear (mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves):
We carry everything you need in our shop at multiple price points, and we’ll take the time to ensure each piece fits comfortably before you purchase. Most students invest $350–$600. With any personal gear purchase:

• 15% discount on all gear

• Free rentals of BCD, regulator, wetsuit, tank, and weights during the entire course
  

Do I really need my own gear? Getting comfortable in the water start with the right fitting gear. Read More. 

Transportation

• Catalina Island: Departs Long Beach via the Catalina Express ferry. Students meet at the harbor around 5:25AM. Return around 5PM.

• Channel Islands: Departs Ventura Harbor. Students meet at the dock at 6AM. Return around 6:30PM.

🚗 No car? We can often help arrange carpools with instructors or classmates from LA.

🌍 Doing a Referral? (Finishing Your Ocean Dives Elsewhere)

Already traveling or planning to complete your ocean dives somewhere else? No problem.

We offer a Referral, which includes everything in our Open Water course except the two ocean dive days.

What’s included in the Referral:

✔ Academics & video learning
✔ 2 Pool sessions (confined water dives)
✔ Classroom review & final exam
✔ All instructor training
✔ PADI referral paperwork

You’ll complete your ocean dives with another PADI dive center at your travel destination.

💡 Important:
Referral students subtract the two local ocean sessions (Catalina + Channel Islands) from the full course structure.

This is a great option for students planning to finish certification in warm water on vacation.

If you’re unsure whether referral is right for you, give us a call — we’re happy to walk you through it.

How It Works

1. Enroll: Pay the $209 course fee to secure your spot.

2. Book Sessions: Reserve your pool and boat dates on our Dive Calendar at your convenience.

3. Visit the Shop: Stop by at least 1 week before your start date to sign paperwork, pick up your manual, and purchase any gear you need.

4. Dive In: Complete your pool and ocean sessions with our supportive instructors, and earn your PADI Open Water certification!

✅ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you provide gear for plus-sized divers?
A: Yes! We have plus-sized gear available. Please call ahead so we can prepare everything you’ll need.

Q: What if I feel panicked or anxious?
A: We specialize in working with nervous divers. You can take as many pool sessions as you need before moving on to the ocean—we’ll make sure you feel safe and confident.

Q: Can I scuba dive if I can’t swim well?
A: Basic swimming skills help, but you don’t need to be an expert swimmer. Our instructors will ensure you feel comfortable in the water.

Q: How does Blue Holic Scuba compare to other stores?
A: We’re passionate about diving and our community. We focus on small classes, personalized care, and creating a safe, inclusive environment where every diver can thrive.

Ready to Get Started?

Click “Add to Cart” and head to the Dive Calendar to begin your scuba journey! With our experienced instructors, welcoming dive family, and world-class dive sites, you’ll be in great hands as you become a certified diver.

Contact Us:

📍 Blue Holic Scuba – 3636 W Olympic Blvd, Suite A, Los Angeles, CA

• Hours: Mon-Fri 10ishAM-7PM, Sat 10ishAM-4PM  

📞 (323) 641-7416

Advanced Lens Protection & Exceptional Comfort

The Vader UV420 Mask is one of our most trusted dive masks at Blue Holic Scuba. Designed and manufactured in Japan, it combines premium silicone comfort with advanced UV420 lens technology to provide clear vision and long-lasting performance underwater.

Whether you're diving kelp forests in California or warm tropical reefs, the Vader delivers a comfortable seal, excellent visibility, and reliable durability dive after dive.

Why We Like the Vader

• Shop-tested and trusted
  Our shop owner Harry has been diving with his Vader mask for over 20 years, and it continues to be a favorite among our staff and students.

• Premium Japanese silicone
  Ultra-soft, high-quality silicone creates a comfortable, secure seal without excessive pressure on the face.

• UV420 lens protection
  Special lens technology filters harmful UV and high-energy blue light (HEV), helping reduce eye strain during long dives.

• Wide, low-volume design
  The mask offers a clear field of vision while remaining easy to clear and equalize.

• Comfort-focused construction
  The soft skirt and integrated strap system distribute pressure evenly for a stable, leak-free fit.

Key Features

• UV420 cut lens filters harmful blue light and UV rays

• 10° inclined lens design improves downward visibility

• Low-volume mask body for easier clearing and equalization

• Soft silicone skirt for long-term comfort and sealing

• Drain skirt design helps prevent water pooling

• Integrated strap clips for secure and easy adjustments

Ideal For

• Recreational and experienced divers

• Kelp forest and reef diving

• Divers looking for a comfortable, low-volume mask

• Long dives where eye comfort and visibility matter

Specs

• Lens Type: UV420 anti-scratch lens

• Mask Type: Low-volume

• Material: Premium Japanese silicone

• Design: Wide field of vision with inclined lens

Blue Holic Seal of Approval 🌊

The Vader UV420 has been a shop favorite for years because it simply works—comfortable, reliable, and built to last dive after dive.

Blue Holic Freediving Course
Discover freedom beneath the surface

What is Freediving?

Freediving is the art of breath-hold diving—exploring the underwater world without the use of scuba gear. This ancient practice dates back to cultures that dived for sponges and seafood, with mentions by Plato as early as the Archaic Period. Today, freediving has evolved into a popular sport for ocean lovers, offering a serene and challenging way to connect with the underwater world.

Course Information

Our freediving course is a self-paced training program designed to help you build the skills, techniques, and confidence needed to freedive safely and effectively. Whether you're new to freediving or looking to refine your skills, this course will guide you from the basics to deeper dives, with optional spearfishing as part of your journey.

How It Works:

✅ Self-Paced Learning: You decide how quickly you progress! While we suggest an 8-week guideline, you can attend pool sessions as often as needed before advancing to ocean dives.
✅ Expert Instruction: Learn breath-hold techniques, equalization, and safety protocols from experienced freedivers.
✅ Real-World Practice: Start in the pool, then advance to open water boat trips once comfortable. By the end of the course, our goal is for you to confidently dive up to 40 feet for up to 2 minutes.

What’s Included in the $400 Course Fee?

• Unlimited pool practice sessions (Saturdays, 8 AM – Noon) until you feel confident and ready for the ocean.
• Two instructor-led ocean freediving sessions (including an optional spearfishing component for those interested).
• Instructor guidance and personalized coaching.

📌 This is a training course only and does not include a PADI freediving certification.

Additional Costs to Consider

💰 Pool Entry Fees – $35 per session, paid directly to the facility upon entry.
💰 Boat Trips – $200 per trip, required for open water sessions.
💰 Gear – Students must have their own freediving gear for safety and familiarity.

Required Freediving Gear:

✔️ Freediving mask & snorkel
✔️ Wetsuit (5mm recommended)
✔️ Long fins & booties
✔️ Weight belt & weights
✔️ Socks & gloves

🛍️ We offer a 15% student discount on all gear purchased through our shop!

📌 Why Do You Need Your Own Gear?
Training in your personal equipment builds confidence, promotes safety, and ensures a seamless transition into independent freediving.

Optional Spearfishing Component

Interested in spearfishing? You’ll need a speargun and a valid fishing license. During the final ocean session, you can choose to learn sustainable hunting techniques and apply your freediving skills in a real-world setting.

Suggested Training Schedule

Pool Practice (Weeks 1–4):
✅ Entry techniques, breath-hold exercises, equalization, and safety skills.

First Ocean Dive:
✅ Experience freediving in kelp forests & reefs while refining your skills.

Pool Practice (Weeks 5–8):
✅ Advanced equalization, extended dive times, and breath-hold progression.

Final Ocean Dive & Spearfishing (Optional):
✅ Put it all together with deeper dives and, for those interested, spearfishing training.

Why Freedive with Blue Holic Scuba?

🌎 Supportive Community – Join a passionate freediving network.
🌊 Eco-Conscious – We promote sustainability and ocean conservation.
📅 Flexible Learning – Progress at your own pace with unlimited pool practice.
🧑‍🏫 Expert Guidance – Learn safely from highly experienced instructors.

Ready to Begin?

1️⃣ Reserve your first pool session today!
2️⃣ Visit our Dive Calendar to book your sessions.
3️⃣ Visit our shop to get your freediving gear & student discount.

Take the plunge and explore the ocean like never before! 🌊✨