Start your scuba journey with a structured, 3-day weekend Open Water Diver course in Melbourne – designed for busy people who want proper training, real ocean dives and ongoing support from the Simple Dive community.
Why choose this 3-day weekend Open Water course in Melbourne
- Fast but thorough: Complete your beginner Open Water certification over 2 weekends.
- Melbourne-based training: Pool sessions in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and real ocean dives in Port Phillip Bay / Mornington Peninsula.
- Small groups: Limited student numbers so instructors can coach your buoyancy, comfort and safety properly.
- Experienced educators: Taught by a team of technical diving instructors with local diving experience.
- Dive club community: Join the Simple Dive Club for regular Melbourne shore and boat dives after your course.
Who this course is for
- Total beginners who want an internationally recognised SDI Open Water Diver certification.
- Busy professionals and students who prefer a structured 3-day weekend format.
- Anyone who wants to learn to dive in real Melbourne ocean conditions, not just in a resort pool.
What you will learn
By the end of this 3-day weekend SDI Open Water Diver course in Melbourne you will be able to:
- Plan and perform no-decompression recreational dives with a buddy to the course depth limit (up to 18 m, subject to agency standards).
- Assemble, check and care for basic scuba equipment correctly.
- Control your buoyancy, trim and weighting for comfort and safety.
- Use standard hand signals, buddy checks and basic emergency procedures.
- Understand key theory: pressure, volume, equalisation, gas effects and basic dive planning.
Course components
- Online eLearning: Complete theory at your own pace before the weekend.
- Pool / confined water sessions: Skills training in a heated pool in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs (e.g. Box Hill or Ringwood area).
- Open water dives: Four training dives in local Victorian ocean conditions (typically from a Melbourne dive boat or suitable shore site).
Typical 3-day weekend schedule
The exact schedule may vary by date and conditions, but a typical structure looks like:
- Before the weekend: Complete online theory and knowledge reviews.
- Day 1 (9:30 AM): Meetup at our Blackburn South dive shop for orientation, equipment fitting, followed by an afternoon pool / confined water training in nearby suburbs.
- Day 2 (9 AM): Open water training dives 1 & 2 – basic skills and building comfort in real conditions. Location varies, from Williamstown to Blairgowrie, depending on weather forecast available 6 days before your open water dives.
- Day 3 (9 AM): Open water training dives 3 & 4 – buoyancy refinement, navigation and final skill assessments. Meetup at Portsea Pier for both shore and boat dive.
Full timings, meeting locations and boat departure details will be confirmed in your booking email.
What is included
- Open Water Diver training and certification (on successful completion).
- Online eLearning access.
- 3-Day Gear Hire (7mm Wetsuit, Fins, Dive Weight, Diving Regulator, BCD, Tanks, excluding mask, snorkel, and dive boots).
- Pool or confined water entry fees for scheduled sessions.
- Three shore and one boat dives in Victorian ocean conditions with a team of qualified instructors.
What is not included
- Personal dive gear (mask, snorkel, boots) we can help you select appropriate options in-store.
- Access to own vehicle. Travel to and from the dive shop, pool and boat / shore dive locations.
- Meals and refreshments.
- Cost of Dive Medical (if required), some medical conditions may affect you from diving. For example, heart disease, asthma, or epilepsy. Please inform us prior to reservation if you suffer from any medical condition that may affect your diving.
Prerequisites & fitness to dive
- Minimum age: 12 years old (a responsible adult must sign for minors).
- Swimming ability: Basic comfort in the water and ability to swim continuously (e.g. 200 m) and float or tread water for 10 minutes.
- Medical: You must complete a standard diving medical questionnaire and obtain a dive medical if advised by the form.
- English comprehension: You must be able to understand the course materials and safety briefings.
- Students must collect dive gear for the second weekend of the course from our shop between Wednesday and Friday of that week
- Online Knowledge Development: All online modules plus one online final exam must be completed before your course starts.
- What you need to bring: Sunscreen, Swimwear, Towel, Drinks and snacks
- At Simple Dive, we run courses without minimum participants; if a boat dive is changed to a shore dive, you may choose to keep the boat ticket as credit or receive an $90 refund — this won’t affect your certification.
If you have any medical conditions, recent surgeries, asthma or concerns, please contact us before booking so we can advise whether you need a specific dive medical.
Where we train and dive (Melbourne & Victoria)
Simple Dive is located at 21 Indra Road, Blackburn South, VIC 3130, serving divers from across Melbourne and the eastern suburbs. Pool training is usually conducted at partner facilities in the Box Hill / Ringwood area, and open water dives are completed at popular Victorian dive sites such as:
- Port Phillip Bay sites (e.g. off Portsea and surrounding areas).
- Selected Mornington Peninsula or other suitable Victorian ocean locations.
Exact locations depend on weather, boat availability and training requirements. We will confirm details with you when you book.
How to prepare for your Melbourne Open Water course
For tips on staying warm, what to bring and how to get the most from your training, read our detailed guide:
How to prepare for your Open Water course in Melbourne »
After your course – keep diving with Simple Dive Club
Certification is the beginning, not the end. As a Simple Dive graduate you will be invited to join our Melbourne-based dive club for regular shore and boat dives, skills practice sessions and future training such as Advanced Adventure, Rescue Diver and even technical diving pathways.
FAQ – common questions
Is three days enough to learn to dive safely?
Yes – provided you complete your online theory beforehand and attend all scheduled sessions. Our focus is on quality training, not rushing. If you need extra time for any skills, we will discuss options with you.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Melbourne conditions can change quickly. If the ocean is unsafe or unsuitable for training, we will reschedule the dives or adjust the plan to keep you safe while completing your course.
Can I use my own equipment?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own properly serviced equipment. Our instructors will inspect it for suitability and safety before use.
How do I book?
Select your preferred course date on this page, complete the checkout, and we will email you with confirmation, eLearning access and further instructions.
By purchasing our course, you agree to our Terms and Conditions of our courses.
Read our FAQs for more information or talk to our instructors via messenger!