PADI Open Water Course in Aqaba – Complete Guide 2026
Learning to dive is one of the most rewarding experiences a traveler can choose, and Aqaba is one of the best places in the world to earn your PADI Open Water Diver certification. With warm water year-round, excellent visibility, safe conditions, and famous reefs packed with marine life, Aqaba has become the top destination in the region for beginners who want a smooth and enjoyable start to their diving journey.
Whether you are visiting Jordan for the first time or planning a dedicated diving trip, this guide covers everything you need to know about taking the PADI Open Water Course in Aqaba — from course structure and requirements to what you’ll see underwater and why Aqaba is the ideal training location.
Why Take Your PADI Course in Aqaba?
Aqaba offers a combination that few destinations can match:
✔ Warm water all year
Water temperatures rarely drop below 22°C, making training comfortable even in winter.
✔ Ideal beginner-friendly dive sites
Calm conditions, shallow coral gardens, and easy shore entries make it perfect for first-time divers.
✔ World-class visibility
Clear Red Sea water provides 20–30 meters of visibility, allowing new divers to feel safe and confident.
✔ Unique dive attractions
Aqaba is known for its underwater treasures, including:
- The Hercules C-130 military aircraft
- The Cedar Pride shipwreck
- Vibrant coral reefs and marine life
✔ Safe, professional environment
Aqaba’s dive centers follow strict PADI standards and offer multilingual instructors with years of Red Sea experience.
What You Learn in the PADI Open Water Course
The PADI Open Water Diver certification trains you to dive safely up to 18 meters, and includes:
1. Knowledge Development
You learn the basics of diving, including:
- How pressure affects your body
- Buoyancy control
- Understanding diving equipment
- Safety procedures and communication
This is usually done online via PADI eLearning or in the classroom.
2. Confined Water Training
These sessions take place in a pool or shallow sea area and teach:
- Mask clearing
- Regulator recovery
- Buoyancy skills
- Equipment setup
- Controlled ascents and descents
By the end of confined training, you will be fully comfortable underwater.
3. Open Water Dives
You complete four open-water dives, where you practice the skills you learned:
- Two dives on day 2
- Two dives on day 3
This is the moment where Aqaba’s beauty makes training unforgettable — colorful corals, friendly fish, and calm waters create the perfect learning environment.
Course Duration
Most dive centers in Aqaba complete the course in 3 days, structured as:
Day 1
- Welcome briefing
- Equipment introduction
- eLearning review
- Confined water training
Day 2
- First two open-water dives
- Skills practice
- Underwater tour
Day 3
- Final two open-water dives
- Buoyancy practice
- Underwater navigation
- Final certification
Flexible schedules are available for families, groups, or travelers on tight itineraries.
Who Can Join the Course?
You can join the PADI Open Water Course if you are:
- At least 10 years old
- Medically fit for diving (simple questionnaire required)
- Able to swim 200 meters unassisted
- Able to float or tread water for 10 minutes
No previous diving experience is needed — the course is designed for absolute beginners.
Best Time of Year to Take the Course in Aqaba
Aqaba is a year-round diving destination. However, the best conditions are during:
✔ March – June
Colorful reefs, warm temperatures, excellent visibility.
✔ September – December
Calm sea, warm weather, perfect for beginners.
Even in winter months (January–February), the sea remains comfortable because Aqaba avoids harsh cold currents.
What You Will See During Your Training
Your training dives will take place in some of Aqaba’s most beautiful locations, where you can expect to see:
- Clownfish
- Turtles
- Lionfish
- Parrotfish
- Butterflyfish
- Moray eels
- Colorful hard and soft coral
Depending on your dive center, you may even visit:
- Japanese Gardens Reef
- Rainbow Reef
- Seven Sisters Coral Area
- The Tank Dive Site
Every dive gives new students a calm, colorful, and safe environment to learn in.
Top Reasons Aqaba Is Better Than Other Diving Destinations
1. Warm, calm sea
Unlike many beginner spots in the Mediterranean or Indian Ocean, Aqaba’s Red Sea conditions are stable and ideal for training.
2. Easy shore entries
Most beginner sites are accessed directly from the beach — no waves, no currents.
3. Instructor-to-student ratios are excellent
Aqaba’s dive centers often offer personalized training.
4. Beautiful reefs close to shore
You start seeing coral within minutes of entering the water.
5. Affordable yet certified diving
You get full PADI certification at competitive prices.
What to Bring for Your Diving Course
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Water bottle
- Comfortable clothing
- If you have them: mask, snorkel, or dive computer
All required diving equipment is provided by PADI centers in Aqaba.
Tips for Beginners
- Listen carefully to your instructor
- Don’t rush your breathing — slow and steady
- Practice buoyancy often
- Equalize early and frequently during descent
- Relax and enjoy the underwater world
- Ask questions anytime
The course is designed to make you feel safe and confident — no pressure, no stress.
Where to Take the PADI Open Water Course in Aqaba
Aqaba has several licensed, well-established PADI centers offering the course. Most centers include:
- Learning materials
- All equipment
- Pool and sea training
- Certification fees
- Transportation to dive sites
Choosing a center depends on your schedule, preferred dive sites, and language needs — and Aqaba provides options for every traveler.
Aqaba is one of the best places in the Red Sea to start your diving journey. If you’re planning your first certification, make sure to read our full Diving in Aqaba Guide for dive sites, prices, and planning tips