Learn at home. Finish your dives in Belize.
Your referring instructor handles the academic and confined-water portions. BPDC then completes the open-water portion of your certification.
Complete Your Academics
Complete the required PADI knowledge-development portion before your referral training.
Complete Confined-Water Training
Practice and complete the required confined-water scuba skills with your referring instructor.
Complete Four Reef Dives
Finish your four open-water certification dives with a BPDC PADI instructor.
Complete Your Certification
Successfully complete the remaining requirements and finish your PADI Open Water certification.
Bring your completed referral documentation
Your prior training must be documented.
Students should arrive with the appropriate referral documentation confirming completion of the required PADI academic and confined-water training with their referring instructor or dive center.
This allows BPDC to confirm where your training stopped and continue with the four remaining open-water certification dives.
Complete your certification dives in Belize
The normal training plan progresses from shallower dives to local reef diving as you complete the four required open-water dives.
Four open-water dives over two half days
Your referral dives are normally completed across two morning training sessions.
Open-Water Dives 1 & 2
Begin your open-water referral training with the first two certification dives, typically at Hol Chan when conditions allow.
Open-Water Dives 3 & 4
Complete your final certification dives during a local 2-tank reef training trip.
Hol Chan and local reef sites are the typical training plan, but final dive locations depend on weather, sea conditions and instructor discretion.
Your four certification dives
The referral follows the same progression as the open-water portion of the full PADI Open Water course.
Begin by applying the skills from your confined-water training in shallower open water.
Complete your remaining training requirements during the final two certification dives.
What you need before starting with BPDC
Students must be at least 10 years old.
The required PADI knowledge-development portion must already be completed.
The required confined-water skills must already be completed with the referring instructor.
Bring documentation showing completion of the previous portions of your PADI Open Water training.
Maximum 4 students per instructor
BPDC limits referral training groups to a maximum of four students per instructor for direct supervision during your certification dives.
What's included?
Referral Training
- Four open-water certification dives
- PADI instructor supervision
- Required scuba equipment
- Tanks and weights
- Two half-day training sessions
- Maximum 4 students per instructor
Taxes, Fees & Pickup
- 12.5% Government Sales Tax
- Marine park fee if applicable
- Pickup transportation when applicable
Pickup can be coordinated upon request. Additional charges may apply depending on location.
Complete your Open Water dives in Belize
Your referral includes:
- Four open-water certification dives
- Two half-day training sessions
- Required scuba equipment
- Tanks and weights
- Instructor-led training
- Maximum 4 students per instructor
Marine park fees are additional when applicable to the training location. Pickup can also be coordinated upon request, with additional charges depending on location.
PADI Open Water Referral FAQs
What is a PADI Open Water Referral?
A referral allows you to complete the academic and confined-water portions of your Open Water course elsewhere, then complete the four required open-water certification dives with BPDC in Belize.
What do I need to complete before arriving?
You must have completed the required PADI academic and confined-water training and bring the appropriate referral documentation from your referring instructor or dive center.
How long does the referral take?
The four certification dives are normally completed across two half-day morning sessions.
How many dives will I complete?
The referral includes all four required open-water certification dives.
Where will the training dives take place?
Dives 1 and 2 are typically completed at Hol Chan when conditions allow. Dives 3 and 4 are normally completed during a local 2-tank reef trip. Final locations depend on weather, sea conditions and instructor discretion.
How deep will I dive?
Dives 1 and 2 have a maximum depth of approximately 30 ft / 9 m. Dives 3 and 4 can reach a maximum depth of 60 ft / 18 m.
What is the maximum class size?
BPDC limits Open Water Referral groups to a maximum of four students per instructor.
Is there a minimum number of students?
No. There is no minimum number of students required for the referral training to operate.
Is scuba equipment included?
Yes. Required scuba equipment is included with the practical referral training.
Are GST and marine park fees included?
A 12.5% Government Sales Tax is additional to the course price. Marine park fees are also additional when applicable to the training location.