Where to Dive: the 5 Best 5-Day Experiences Worldwide

1.PADI Open Water Diver Course (OWD) – 2.5 days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · 2 days 3 hours (approx.) · from $724Our pick

Train with Scubanana Dive Center in Radazul over about 2.5 days, using included equipment and course materials. You need no prior scuba experience, but you must be at least 10, comfortable swimming, and fit to dive. Instructors including Cedric, Sergio, Marc, Paulina, and Saskia have been praised for calm, careful teaching.

“I booked my open water course with Scubanana in July. I had previous cold water experience training in Scotland but didn’t find the time to get fully qualified before our Tenerife holiday so after looking online Scubanana looked like the best school for me and they did not disappoint. All the instructor staff were amazing especially Marc and they explained everything really well. I felt really safe the whole time I was training which boosted my confidence. The shop and equipment was really nice and clean a nice environment to learn in. I wanted to get certified so that I could propose to my now fiancée who is already an…”

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2.1, 2, 3, 4, or, 5-Day Scuba Diving Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 90 reviews · 7 hours · from $58Best value

Spend about seven hours with The Pure Coastal, a 5-Star PADI center in Hurghada. After a private hotel transfer, you’ll receive a briefing, make two 45-minute descents at separate reef sites, and enjoy lunch, tea, coffee, and soft drinks aboard a modern yacht. Beginners can choose the 25-minute introduction option.

“The perfect dive trips (I did 2x 1 day trips) Amazing trip.”

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3.PADI Open Water Diver Course – 5 Days Scuba Diving

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $551

Spend five days training with a certified instructor at Ahla Diving Center in Eilat. You’ll study PADI materials, practice four confined-water sessions, then complete six open-water sessions on the Red Sea coral reef to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Equipment, insurance, drinks, and certification are included.

“The experience was extremely tailored and suited my needs and schedule perfectly! I could not recommend more.”

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4.Pro Dive 5 Day Learn to Dive Great Barrier Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 5 days · from $888

Build your PADI Open Water skills over two days at Pro Dive Cairns, including training in the city’s 4.5-metre pool. Then join the same instructor aboard Scubapro for three days on the outer reef, with four training sessions, five recreational sessions, and an escorted night swim. Twin cabins, meals, equipment, and transfers are included.

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5.3.5-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 3.5 days · from $648

Learn scuba skills in San Antonio with a PADI instructor, beginning with online theory and confined-water practice before four boat sessions off Ibiza. Small groups of three or four students make it easier to get personal help. The course is taught in English or Spanish and suits beginners aged 10 and up who meet the health requirements.

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