How many days to learn to dive — Try Scuba, Open Water, Advanced

In one paragraph

A complete SSI Open Water certification — the standard "I can scuba dive worldwide" credential — takes **3 days** on Gili Air. Add 1-2 days online theory (free) before arrival to make it more comfortable. Shorter options: SSI Basic Diver is ½ day (intro, no cert, max 12 m). Longer: SSI Advanced Adventurer adds 2-3 more days. Doing all of Open Water → Advanced → Stress & Rescue → first specialty fits in ~10 days if you're focused — possible in a 2-week trip with rest days.

The actual day-by-day for a 3-day Open Water

**Day 1 (~8 hours):** confined-water session in the pool (2-3 hours of skills practice) + first open-water dive in the afternoon, max 12 m. **Day 2 (~7 hours):** further skills in the pool, then open-water dives 2 and 3 — going through buoyancy, navigation, gas-sharing. **Day 3 (~6 hours):** open-water dives 4 (still 12-18 m), final exam discussion, certification issued. Online theory (3-4 hours) is usually done before arrival; doing it at the centre adds half a day. Total: 3 dense days; we don't rush, we don't pad.

How to plan a 1-week or 2-week dive trip

**Week 1 (most travellers):** Day 1 arrival, Day 2-4 Open Water, Day 5 rest + snorkel + freediving trial, Day 6-7 fun dives. Walks away with the certification + 4-6 dives logged. **Week 2 (extended):** add Advanced Adventurer (3 days) for the 30 m qualification + 5 specialty dives, then Stress & Rescue (4 days) → you finish at age-15+ with rescue capability. Open Water + Advanced + 3-day rest + 2-3 fun dives is the sweet spot for many people. Don't dive on your last day — you need 18 hours surface before flying.

Common questions

Can I do it in 2 days instead of 3?

Technically the SSI standards allow it (with the online theory completed before arrival), but we don't recommend it. Day 2 of a compressed schedule packs 5 dives + skills practice in one calendar day, and exhaustion compromises retention. The 3-day pace lets each day settle. If your trip is genuinely 2 days, we suggest Basic Diver instead — finish Open Water on a future trip with credit for the time already in the water.

How long does the certification last?

Forever. SSI and PADI Open Water cards never expire. If you don't dive for 5+ years and feel rusty, a half-day Refresher is recommended (we offer one for 1,350,000 IDR) — but it's optional and not required by any agency.

I have just one day. What can I do?

A Basic Diver (½ day, 1,350,000 IDR) — pool session in the morning, one open-water dive in the afternoon, max 12 m. You'll see turtles, you won't get certified. The cost is credited toward an Open Water on a future trip within 12 months.