Course Details
Have you always wondered what it feels like to breathe underwater, weightless, surrounded by vibrant marine life? The SSI Open Water Diver Course at Deep South Divers in Marsa Alam is your global passport to autonomous exploration. When you choose to get certified with us, you are not just taking a class — you are signing up for the premier scuba diving course Red Sea travelers consistently recommend.
Unlike typical resort courses that confine your initial steps to a crowded hotel pool, we take full advantage of our pristine location. You will take your very first breaths in the calm, sheltered shallows of a natural Red Sea bay, gaining real ocean confidence right from day one.
Quick Look at the SSI Open Water Diver Course
| Detail | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 to 4 Days (Flexible to match your vacation pace) |
| Maximum Depth | 18 Meters (Recognized internationally worldwide) |
| Prerequisites | Minimum age 10; comfortable swimming and floating abilities |
| What’s Included | All digital SSI training materials, complete equipment rentals, professional guiding, and full certification fees |
The Journey: What You Will Do
Part 1: Academic E-Learning (At Your Own Pace)
Skip the classroom lectures on your holiday. With the digital SSI system, you can complete all your reading, videos, and quizzes online or on the mobile app before you even pack your bags. When you arrive at our center, we will review the core concepts together to make sure you feel entirely confident.
Part 2: Confined Water Training (In the Sea — Not a Pool)
We focus heavily on helping you master essential comfort skills, such as mask clearing and regulator recovery, until they feel like second nature. To keep your initial training completely stress-free, we head straight to sheltered, shallow bay sites like Marsa Assalaya and Marsa Egla. These natural locations provide a stable sandy bottom, crystal-clear visibility, and calm water—giving you all the benefits of a pool but with real marine life swimming by right from your very first breath.
No swimming pools—your first dive is in the real ocean with coral reefs and marine life
Part 3: Open Water Explorations
This is where the magic happens. Over four open ocean dives, we expand your boundaries up to 18 meters. We will guide you through spectacular local sites where you will practice real-world dive execution. Keep your eyes peeled: our training grounds are frequently visited by green sea turtles, blue-spotted rays, and pristine coral structures.
Why Choose Deep South Divers for Your Open Water Diver Course?
Real Ocean Training From Day One
If you want to learn to dive, Egypt offers some of the world’s best conditions, and our team ensures you build real confidence from day one. From your very first breath, you will practice real diving skills in an authentic marine environment. Our team introduces you to basic scuba concepts step-by-step, making sure you are entirely comfortable before moving deeper. We strictly prioritize your safety, running through foundational underwater rules in a controlled, supportive setting.
Small Groups — Personalized Attention
We keep our class sizes small, so you get the focus you deserve. Our patient SSI instructor team gives you dedicated, unhurried mentoring. You will never feel rushed or lost in a crowd.
Learn From Instructor Trainer Moudi Heikal
Mahmoud “Moudi” Heikal supervises your training, an SSI Instructor Trainer with 7,000+ logged dives and years of experience certifying new divers in the Red Sea. Moudi and his team know exactly how to make first-time divers feel safe, confident, and excited about every step.
Multilingual Instruction
We confidently guide and certify our students in English, German, and Polish. Learn in the language you are most comfortable with.
Convenient Logistics
Hotel pickup and drop-off within 20km of Marsa Alam is always handled for you. Just show up ready to dive—we take care of the rest.
Junior Open Water Diver (Ages 10-14)
Young adventurers can join too! The SSI Junior Open Water Diver program follows the same curriculum with adjusted depth limits (12 meters for ages 10-11, 18 meters for ages 12-14). Junior divers earn a full certification that upgrades automatically to the adult version at age 15. A parent or guardian must be present for participants under 18.
Meet Your Lead Instructor — Moudi Heikal
Mahmoud “Moudi” Heikal supervises your Open Water training; he is an SSI Instructor Trainer and dive center manager at Deep South Divers. Moudi has introduced hundreds of new divers to the underwater world and knows exactly how to make your first experience both safe and unforgettable.
An SSI Extended Range Deep Diving Instructor with 7,000+ logged dives, Moudi brings unmatched local knowledge of Marsa Alam’s dive sites to your training. His calm, patient teaching style is perfect for beginners.
Learn from an instructor with 7,000+ dives and 20+ years of experience
Follow Moudi for the latest training sessions and student success stories:
Instagram |
Facebook
SSI Open Water Diver Course Schedule
Standard 3-Day Program
| Day | What You Will Do |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Theory Review + Confined Water Session • Morning: Review core theory concepts with your instructor • Afternoon: Confined water training at a sheltered bay — first breaths underwater, mask clearing, buoyancy practice |
| Day 2 | Open Water Dives 1 & 2 • Morning: Open Water Dive 1 to 12 meters — practice skills in a real marine environment • Afternoon: Open Water Dive 2 — expand your comfort and skill set |
| Day 3 | Open Water Dives 3 & 4 + Certification • Morning: Open Water Dive 3 to 18 meters — deeper exploration • Afternoon: Open Water Dive 4 — final skill demonstrations • Certification: Receive your SSI Open Water Diver digital certification |
Relaxed 4-Day Program
Prefer a slower pace? Our 4-day option spreads the same training over an extra day, giving you more time to absorb each skill and enjoy the experience. This is ideal if you want to combine diving with other vacation activities or if you prefer a gentler learning curve.
Your goal—SSI Open Water Diver certification in just 3-4 days with Moudi
Course Requirements
- Age: Minimum 10 years old (Junior Open Water for ages 10-14).
- Swimming: You must be able to swim 200 meters unaided and float/tread water for 10 minutes.
- Health: Must be in good physical health. A medical statement may be required.
- Experience: No prior diving experience is required — this is the ultimate beginner diving Red Sea program designed to take you from land-dweller to certified explorer.
What’s Included
- SSI Digital Training Materials: Full e-learning access (theory, videos, quizzes).
- Complete Equipment Rental: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, tank, weights.
- Confined Water Training: Skill practice in a calm, sheltered sea bay.
- 4 Open Water Dives: Up to 18 meters at Marsa Alam dive sites.
- Certified SSI Instructors: Professional, multilingual instruction.
- SSI Digital Certification: Open Water Diver C-Card and digital logbook.
- Transportation: Hotel pickup and drop-off within 20km of Marsa Alam.
- Small Groups: Personalized attention for every student.
What to Expect After the Course
Upon completion, you will be a certified SSI Open Water Diver, qualified to:
- Dive independently with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 meters.
- Rent scuba equipment and fill tanks at dive centers worldwide.
- Book guided dive trips at any SSI-recognized facility.
- Continue your education with the Advanced Open Water Diver Course.
The moment you realize scuba diving is the best thing you’ve ever tried
Medical Statement & Safety
Before diving, all students must complete the SSI Medical Statement. If you answer “yes” to any medical question, you will need clearance from a physician before participating. Common conditions requiring clearance include asthma, heart conditions, epilepsy, and recent surgery.
Your safety is our top priority. Our professional team conducts all dives strictly within SSI standards. If you have any health concerns, please contact us before booking.
Digital Logbook & C-Card
SSI issues your certification as a digital C-Card through the MySSI app. You will also receive a digital logbook where all your dives are automatically recorded. No plastic card needed — your certification is always on your phone, recognized at dive centers worldwide.
Cancellation Policy
- Flexible Cancellation: Cancel up to 48 hours before your scheduled course for a full refund.
- No Shows: Refunds only issued with prior notice.
- Weather Conditions: Deep South Divers reserves the right to reschedule or refund in case of adverse weather conditions.
Terms & Conditions
- Booking: Confirmed upon receipt of full payment or deposit specified by Deep South Divers.
- Medical: A valid medical statement is required before participation.
- Liability Waiver: Required before participation.
- Changes: Deep South Divers reserves the right to modify the itinerary or schedule.
- Insurance: Valid dive insurance is strongly recommended.
- Legal Jurisdiction: Governed by the CDWS Recognition Agreement for Training Agencies.
Ready to Take the Plunge?
The Red Sea is waiting for you. Lock in your training dates today and transform your vacation into a lifelong adventure. The SSI Open Water Diver Course at Deep South Divers is your first step into a world you never knew existed — and once you take it, you will never look back.
Follow Moudi on Instagram and Facebook to see our latest Open Water students in action.
Learn more about SSI Open Water Diver standards.
Related Courses
- Advanced Open Water Diver Course — Expand your depth and experience
- Diver Stress & Rescue Course — Learn to handle diving emergencies
- Divemaster Course — Turn your passion into a profession
- Open Water Instructor Course (ITC) — The ultimate diving career
