PADI Open Water Diving Course in Dubai for 3 Days

Dubai’s three-day PADI Open Water course turns a holiday into a proper qualification. You begin with forms, equipment instruction, and fitting, then work through five confined-water skills before completing four sessions in the sea. Instructor Bashar Al Faquih, also called Boris, is repeatedly praised for his patience, clear teaching, and ability to help complete beginners.

I like the small maximum group of four, which gives you more direct time with the instructor. I also like the flexible study plan: finish PADI e-learning and the exam at home, or complete them between practical sessions in Dubai. The main caution is that this is a serious course, not a quick tourist activity, so you need enough time and focus across the three days.

Key points at a glance

• Five confined-water skills come first: You build basic control and safety habits before going into the sea.
• Four sea-training sessions complete the practical work: The course gives you a full route toward PADI Open Water certification.
• Bashar Al Faquih, also known as Boris, leads the instruction: His patient approach is especially useful if you are new to scuba.
• Groups are limited to four people: That is a useful size for asking questions and getting individual help.
• Equipment and the diving suit are included: There is no extra equipment charge listed.
• You can study on your own schedule: The e-learning and exam may be finished at home or during your Dubai stay, but the exam must be complete before your final sea session.

What the $430 course really gives you

At $430 per person, this is priced as a full certification course rather than a single introductory swim. The fee includes scuba equipment, the diving suit, three practical classes, PADI e-learning and the exam, all fees and taxes, a water refill station, and one-way private transport from Dubai to the dive center.

That package matters because equipment rental can quickly change the cost of a scuba course. Here, the listed gear is supplied, including the suit, with no extra charge stated. You also avoid paying separately for the required online study materials and exam.

The value depends on your goal. If you only want to try breathing underwater once, a shorter introductory session may suit you better. If you want a recognized qualification for future scuba trips, three days of instruction and four sea sessions make the price easier to justify.

Breakfast and lunch are not included. Plan those meals yourself, especially if your practical sessions fall around midday. There is a water refill station, which is a useful touch and helps you avoid buying disposable bottles throughout the course.

Day one: forms, equipment, and five confined-water skills

The course begins at 56RR+2MM, 546 Al Wasl Road, Al Wasl, Dubai. The stated start time is 10:00 a.m., though you must contact the operator to reconfirm the date and time for the confined-water session. Daily start options are listed at 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., with the final group at 3:30 p.m.

Your first steps are practical. You fill out the required forms, receive a briefing about the course and scuba equipment, and get fitted for your gear. Proper fit matters. A poorly fitting suit or mask can distract you when you should be concentrating on breathing, buoyancy, and basic procedures.

The first practical session covers five confined-water training skills in one session. This is the controlled part of the course, where you get used to the equipment before working in the sea. For a complete beginner, this stage is valuable because it lets you take each skill at a manageable pace.

Bashar’s teaching style appears particularly suited to nervous newcomers. The strongest praise is consistent: patience, professional instruction, and a willingness to wait while a student learns. That is important in scuba. You should not feel rushed through a skill simply because someone else in the group is ready to move on.

The group limit of four also helps here. It is small enough for the instructor to watch each person closely, though you should still expect to share attention with the other students. If you have concerns about breathing, mask comfort, or managing the equipment, raise them early rather than trying to push through quietly.

The online study plan makes the three days more flexible

PADI e-learning is included. You can begin the study modules at home before traveling, which is the most efficient choice if you want your Dubai sessions focused on practical training. You may also work through the material between sessions in Dubai.

The flexibility is useful, but do not treat the online work as optional background reading. You must finish all required study and the exam before your last sea session. I would complete as much as possible before arriving, leaving the practical days for skills, questions, and underwater work.

The course operator also asks you to make contact before the session so it can help with your registration form. Do this promptly after booking. It removes uncertainty about the schedule and gives you a chance to confirm how much e-learning remains.

This arrangement suits someone who wants to fit certification around a Dubai holiday. The three course days do not have to be consecutive. You can use a weekend or weekdays, and the operator works seven days a week. That said, spreading the sessions too far apart may make it harder to remember skills. A compact schedule is likely better if your trip allows it.

Four sea sessions put your training into practice

After the confined-water work, you complete four open-water training sessions in the sea. This is where the course changes from controlled practice to real conditions. You will use the full scuba setup and apply the skills you learned earlier.

The supplied information does not promise a particular reef, wreck, animal, or underwater site, so you should book this for the certification and the experience of working in Dubai’s clear seas, not for a guaranteed wildlife spectacle. You might see sea creatures, as one student described, but no specific marine life is guaranteed.

The sea sessions are the most important part of the course for building confidence. Equipment feels different when you are outside the controlled training area, and conditions can affect comfort and visibility. The course requires good weather, so the schedule may change if conditions are unsuitable.

That weather rule is sensible. A postponed session is less frustrating than being sent into poor conditions simply to keep a timetable. If the operator cancels because of weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You should also understand the difference between completing a qualification and becoming an expert. This course teaches the required foundation and gives you a PADI Open Water certificate. It does not mean you have finished learning. The instructor’s own advice to continue your education is worth taking seriously, especially if you plan to use the qualification on future trips.

Bashar’s patient approach is a major part of the value

The instructor named most often is Bashar Al Faquih, also referred to as Boris. The strongest pattern in the feedback is not a particular location or piece of equipment. It is the way he teaches.

You can expect a calm approach that gives beginners time to understand and repeat skills. One student described being completely new to scuba and finding the course a worthwhile challenge because the instructor waited patiently. Another highlighted his professional manner and ability to make lessons fun.

That combination matters. Scuba has technical steps, but a rigid or impatient instructor can make a first course feel harder than it needs to be. Bashar’s apparent strength is helping students stay engaged while still taking safety and procedure seriously.

The experience is not only for solo visitors. A solo student was able to join and complete the qualification, and the small group size should make it easier to meet the instructor and other students. If you are booking with friends, ask about the available group discount before paying.

The provider is Aladdin Lamp Tours Dubai. The supplied information also refers to additional instruction, including Enriched Air Nitrox and Rescue Diver training, but those are separate qualifications. This three-day experience is the PADI Open Water course described here.

Equipment, transport, and the meeting point

All scuba equipment is supplied, including the suit. That is convenient if you are flying into Dubai and do not want to bring personal gear. It also makes the $430 price clearer because you are not expected to arrange a separate rental package.

The course includes one-way private transfer from Dubai to the dive center. The listed meeting point is on Al Wasl Road, and the activity ends back there. The information does not state that return transport to your hotel is included, so plan your journey after the session from the meeting point.

The location is near public transportation. Even so, confirm the exact timing and transport details before the first practical class, especially if you are staying far from Al Wasl or have another booking later that day.

Plan for practical clothing and enough time around each class, but the supplied information does not give exact session lengths. Avoid scheduling a tight airport transfer or major attraction immediately afterward. Your start time may be arranged within the available daily slots, and practical sessions can take longer for a beginner who needs extra instruction.

Who should book this Dubai scuba course?

This course suits you if you want a real PADI qualification, not simply a brief underwater introduction. It is also a good match if you appreciate patient instruction, need a flexible schedule, or are traveling alone and want a small group.

It can work well for first-timers. The five confined-water skills create a sensible learning order, and the repeated praise for Bashar’s patience is reassuring if you feel uncertain about scuba. You still need to approach the course seriously and be ready to study, practice, and complete the exam.

It may not suit you if your Dubai schedule is packed. Three practical classes, four sea sessions, and the required study take commitment. Lunch is not supplied, and the course does not promise a particular underwater attraction, so it is not the best choice if you want a short sightseeing stop with no academic work.

Contact the provider before booking to confirm your preferred dates, the confined-water session, registration help, and available time slot. The course works seven days a week, but the most convenient times can fill early. The fact that it is booked about 29 days ahead on average is a good reason to arrange it before your trip.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

The cut-off follows Dubai local time. The minimum-number rule also matters: if the course is canceled because too few people book, you will be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Confirmation is provided at booking, but you still need to contact the operator to reconfirm the time and date for the confined-water session. That contact is also used to help with your PADI registration form.

Should you book it?

I would book this course if you want to leave Dubai with a useful qualification and can give three days to careful instruction. The strongest reasons are the small group limit, included equipment, flexible e-learning, and Bashar’s repeated reputation for patient teaching.

I would skip it if you only have one free morning or want guaranteed marine wildlife and a particular underwater site. For everyone else, $430 is a reasonable package for a full beginner course with equipment, study materials, exam, taxes, and one-way transport included. Finish the online work early, confirm your practical schedule, and arrive ready to learn rather than simply sightsee.

FAQ

How long does the PADI Open Water course take?

The course lasts approximately three days. The three days do not have to be consecutive and can be arranged on weekdays or over a weekend.

What time does the course start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m. Available group times are also listed at 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. You must contact the operator to reconfirm your actual session time.

What practical training is included?

You complete five confined-water training skills in one session and four open-water training sessions in the sea. The course includes three practical classes in total as stated in the inclusions.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. Scuba equipment and the diving suit are included, with no additional equipment charge stated.

Is the PADI study material and exam included?

Yes. PADI e-learning and the exam are included. You can complete the e-learning at home or between sessions in Dubai, but all study and the exam must be finished before your last sea session.

Is transportation included?

One-way private transport from Dubai to the dive center is included. The meeting point is at 546 Al Wasl Road, Al Wasl, Dubai, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.