Choose VIP: fully private with a dedicated instructor for your party, or Classic: maximum four students per instructor. Both course formats lead to the same SSI Open Water Diver certification; the main difference is the amount of personal guidance and who determines the course pace.
Fully private · dedicated instructor for your party
With VIP, one SSI Instructor is reserved exclusively for you or your own party throughout the practical course. No other students are added to your course.
Small group · maximum 4 students per instructor
With Classic, you may be grouped with up to three other students. The SSI Instructor guides the entire group and the pace is adjusted to all participants.
The difference between Classic and VIP is approximately $22 per person for the complete course. With VIP, the instructor is reserved exclusively for your own party during all 4 open water dives. With Classic, the instructor is shared with a maximum of four students and the pace is adjusted to the group.
Never dived before? Then we recommend VIP. You have a dedicated instructor for your party and the course does not need to be adjusted to other participants.
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More than 1,200 five-star reviews
“Last week my boyfriend and I successfully completed the private Open Water Diver course. Gerard and Angelique are extremely friendly, professional and enthusiastic. No rushing: they really take the time to explain everything calmly.”
“The guidance was excellent. Everything was explained calmly, clearly and in an easy-to-follow way. Angelique took all the time needed to explain everything properly, which gave us as parents complete confidence that he was in good hands.”
“Gerard explained everything extremely well and did so very calmly. We spread the four dives over two days. Everything was clearly explained and Gerard watched us very carefully throughout the dives.”
Family-run dive center in Curaçao since 2010
An Open Water course is about more than completing a number of skills. Step by step, you learn to handle your scuba equipment, deal with different underwater situations and become increasingly independent.
All practical training with us takes place in the sheltered open water of Curaçao. We combine the required skills with real diving experience so you learn from the start in the environment where you will later dive independently.
That is common during a first diving course. During your first water session, we first take time to get comfortable with breathing, equipment and moving underwater. Then we build the skills step by step. You do not need to master everything immediately.
Want to learn to dive in Curaçao and earn your first internationally recognized scuba certification? Then the SSI Open Water course is your starting point.
You can simply continue into the full SSI Open Water course. A Try Scuba dive is not required before starting the course.
During the SSI Open Water course, you learn the most important skills needed to dive safely, independently and with confidence.
Curious what the SSI theory looks like? SSI offers a free course preview. It opens through MySSI, so you may first need to sign in or create a free profile.
View free course preview →Below you can see the course step by step, from preparation at home to earning your SSI Open Water Diver certification.
We start at 08:00 am at Duikcentrum van de Ven, Caracasbaaiweg 360 in Jan Thiel.
View our location in Google Maps →Complete the steps below in advance so everything is ready before your SSI Open Water course begins.
Each participant needs their own SSI account. Select the country Curaçao and under Dive Center select Dive Center van de Ven.
First complete the medical questionnaire through MySSI. If physician approval is required, the medical clearance must be arranged before we can proceed with the reservation.
Once the medical questionnaire and any required physician clearance are in order, we request a deposit to secure the agreed course dates. The dates are only confirmed in our schedule once the deposit has been received; until then, they remain available for other requests. After payment, we activate your SSI Open Water course. Then the remaining SSI documents and full digital theory become available in MySSI.
Complete the remaining documents via Profile → Training Records and complete the digital theory and exam before your course days in Curaçao. The theory consists of 6 chapters; allow approximately 2 to 3 evenings.
A parent or legal guardian must sign the required SSI documents. Download the PDF, have it signed and then upload the document back to the participant's profile.
We begin the first course day calmly. You first have time to get comfortable with your equipment, breathing underwater and moving with scuba gear. We do not start with skills immediately.
Once you feel comfortable, we build the first skills step by step and continue the same water session as a training dive.
After the first dive, we return to Duikcentrum van de Ven. There we first have the debriefing: we discuss how the dive went, what went well and what we can continue developing during the next dive.
Then we look together at which fish and other marine animals we saw and log the dive in the MySSI app. Then we take a relaxed break before entering the water again.
Bring something to eat or lunch. You can store it in our refrigerator. Coffee, tea and water are available free of charge at the dive center.
We deliberately schedule no more than two Open Water training dives in one day. This leaves enough time for rest, explanation and a relaxed course progression.
During the second dive, you continue working on the Open Water skills. You practice calmly and step by step, work on your buoyancy and become increasingly familiar with your equipment and buddy.
The first two training dives go to a maximum depth of 12 metres.
On the second course day, we build on what you learned on day 1. You apply familiar skills increasingly independently and continue working on buoyancy, buddy procedures, navigation and safe diving.
After the third dive, we again return to our dive center for the debriefing. We discuss the dive, look together at which fish and other marine animals we saw and log the dive in the MySSI app.
Then we take a relaxed break before starting the fourth and final training dive.
Bring something to eat or lunch. Coffee, tea and water are available free of charge.
During the fourth dive, you bring together everything you have learned. You apply the skills increasingly independently and demonstrate that you can dive safely and in control.
After this final training dive, we return to the dive center for the debriefing. We also log this dive together in the MySSI app and review which fish and other marine animals we encountered during the dive.
During the final training dives, depending on age, experience and conditions, depth may gradually increase to a maximum of 18 metres.
When you have successfully completed the theory, exam and all four open water dives, you receive your official SSI Open Water Diver certification.
Your digital certification and logbook are then available in the MySSI app.
After your course, you can immediately use your new certification during a guided dive in Curaçao . No more course skills to complete — just relaxed diving and enjoying the reef.
You do not need to arrange scuba equipment or learning materials yourself. We make sure everything is ready for your course so you can focus fully on learning to dive.
Bring your own swimwear, towel and something to eat or lunch.
A few practical points that are useful to know in advance for your course days in Curaçao.
Transportation to the required dive sites during the course is included.
You do not need to figure out all SSI steps yourself. We guide you through the reservation process in the correct order.
Tell us your travel dates, number of participants and preference for VIP or Classic.
Each participant creates their own MySSI account and completes the medical questionnaire there. If physician clearance is required, it must be arranged first.
Create a free MySSI account →Once your MySSI profiles are created and the medical check is in order, we request a deposit. Once received, the agreed course dates are confirmed in our schedule.
View our cancellation policy →After receiving the deposit, we activate the SSI Open Water Diver learning materials. You then complete the remaining SSI documents, 6 theory chapters and theory exam before the first course day.
Send your request; we will personally check what is possible during your stay.
Your Open Water course is the foundation for everything you build on later. That is why our training is not just about performing skills, but especially about understanding, building confidence and learning to dive comfortably.
You do not learn in a swimming pool with us, but directly in Curaçao's sheltered open water. We build the skills gradually and combine skill training with real diving experience, so from the start you learn to handle the conditions in which you will dive after certification.
An additional SSI Instructor joins specifically with a camera, while your own instructor remains fully focused on your guidance and safety.
Advance booking required: subject to availability of an additional instructor.
Below you will find additional questions about age, health, depth, SSI, your certification and requirements.
Students younger than 15 years receive the SSI Junior Open Water Diver certification after successful completion. For 10- and 11-year-olds, the maximum depth is 12 metres. From age 12, training may gradually increase to a maximum depth of 18 metres.
If you are under 18, the required SSI documents must be reviewed and signed by a parent or legal guardian.
For VIP Open Water the SSI Instructor is reserved exclusively for you or your own party during the practical course. No other students are added and the pace is fully tailored to you.
For Classic Open Water you take the course with a maximum of four students per instructor. Guidance and instruction time are shared within the group and the pace is adjusted to all participants.
Both course formats include the same SSI theory, full scuba equipment, four open water dives and SSI Open Water Diver certification. The price difference is approximately $22 per person for the complete course.
Beforehand, you complete the SSI medical questionnaire. If one or more answers require medical approval, physician clearance is required before you can continue with the reservation. Read more on our page about the medical questionnaire.
We gradually increase the depth. For adults and students aged 12 and older, the maximum training depth for Open Water Diver is 18 metres. For 10- and 11-year-olds, the maximum is 12 metres.
Allow at least 24 hours after your final dive before flying. Therefore, do not schedule your course too close to your return flight.
No. SSI and PADI are different international scuba training organizations. With us, you train according to the SSI training system and receive the SSI Open Water Diver certification after successful completion.
Yes. The SSI Open Water Diver certification is internationally recognized. After successful completion, you will find your digital certification in MySSI and can use it to dive at dive centers worldwide, within the limits of your certification, experience and local conditions.
Yes. You are not restricted to SSI dive centers. With your SSI Open Water Diver certification, you can also dive at centers affiliated with other recognized training organizations, within the limits of your certification, experience and local conditions.
The SSI Open Water Diver certification has no expiration date. If you have not dived for a longer period, it is a good idea to refresh your skills before diving again.
After certification, you can dive with a buddy within the limits of your training, experience and conditions. Want to gain more experience in Curaçao first? View our guided dives in Curaçao. If you want to continue developing your skills, also view the SSI Advanced Open Water course.
Bookings are non-refundable. Rescheduling within your vacation period is only possible subject to availability. Cancellations within 24 hours or no-shows are non-refundable. An activated digital course package or paid theory deposit is not refundable.
Question or course dates
Do you have a question first? Choose I have a question first and only fill in your contact details and message. Would you like us to check course dates during your stay? Choose I want to request course dates; the reservation details will then appear.
Ready to learn to dive?
Choose fully private VIP training or a small Classic group and request available course dates during your stay.
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