Kona PADI Open Water Scuba Certification Course

Overview

The Kona Honu Divers Kona Open Water scuba course is a PADI certification taught over 3 in-person days after 8 to 12 hours of eLearning: a 7-hour pool day, then 4 open-water dives ending from the boat Honu One, for $995 ($879 with eLearning done). It suits adults 18 and up with time to spare. Drawback: a 7-day cancellation cutoff.

Highlights

• $995 per student including eLearning, or $879 if eLearning is already completed, on the operator's site as of October 2026; Greetwell lists a 2-day referral version at $904.01.
• Class size is capped at 4 students per instructor; the course usually runs 3 days in person after a self-paced eLearning day.
• Four open-water dives: 2 from shore or boat on day 3 and 2 from the Honu One dive boat on day 4, each day about 5 hours.
• Premium rental gear (BCD, regulator, dive computer, wetsuit, tank, weights), eLearning, certification card and PADI Dive Club membership are included; mask, snorkel and fins are not.
• Prerequisites: age 18 and up, able to swim, English fluency, a completed PADI medical questionnaire and medical or dive accident insurance.

What to Expect

1. Before arriving you complete PADI eLearning, which the operator estimates at 8 to 12 hours, and the medical questionnaire.
2. Day 2 is about 7 hours in confined water at the shop, starting with gear setup and progressing through the PADI skills.
3. Day 3 covers open-water dives 1 and 2, from shore or boat, about 5 hours including briefings.
4. Day 4 covers open-water dives 3 and 4 from the Honu One, a 46-foot custom dive boat, about 5 hours.
5. You receive your PADI Open Water certification and Dive Club membership on completion; arrive 15 minutes before each day's start time.

What to Bring

• Mask, snorkel and fins
• Reusable water bottle and sun-protective clothing
• Completed medical questionnaire and signed waivers

Restrictions and Requirements

• Ages 18 and up
• Must be able to swim and speak and understand English
• PADI medical questionnaire required; physician sign-off if any condition is flagged
• Medical coverage or dive accident insurance required
• Maximum 4 students per instructor

Cancellation Policy

Courses carry a 7-day cancellation policy: cancel or modify up to 7 days before the course start time; trip protection is not available for courses. Guests more than 15 minutes late or who no-show are not refunded, and the operator will reschedule or refund in full if it cancels for weather, conditions or safety. The hawaii.com listing confirms a full refund up to 7 days in advance. Checked October 2026 on konahonudivers.com and hawaii.com.

Location

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Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii

Meeting Point

Kona Honu Divers, 74-5583 Luhia Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (address per the Greetwell freediving listing)

Check-In

Arrive 15 minutes before the start time each day; boats may leave 15 minutes after the scheduled start

Frequently Asked Questions

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