Mallorca: Open Water Diver Course

Mallorca’s best views may be below the surface. This three-day course takes you from online study and shallow-water practice to four open-water descents, reaching a maximum depth of 18 meters. It is a real certification course, not a quick try-out with a mask and tank.

I like two things right away: small groups capped at four and a clear step-by-step format. You learn how to set up and check your equipment, practice responses to common underwater problems, and build control before heading farther from shore. The course also includes the equipment, online certification, and diving insurance, which gives the $718.96 price more weight than a simple sightseeing outing.

The main catch is the paperwork and commitment. You need a diving medical certificate, a moderate level of physical fitness, and enough time for all three days. The first day may feel demanding, especially if breathing underwater is new to you, and the schedule can change if weather conditions are poor.

Key things to know before booking

• Four real open-water sessions: You work toward a maximum depth of 18 meters, not just a short introductory swim.
• Theory comes first online: Finish the digital study before arriving so your time in Mallorca can focus on practical skills.
• Groups stay very small: A maximum of four people allows for close instruction and plenty of attention.
• The course begins at 10:00 am: Meet at Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals in Portals Nous.
• Certification is internationally recognized: You finish with a qualification intended for use beyond Mallorca.
• A medical certificate is required: Sort this out before booking or before the course begins.

From online study to your first underwater session

This course is built for someone who wants more than a one-hour introduction. Before you arrive, you complete the theory online. That part covers the basic ideas you need to understand before handling scuba gear and entering open water.

The online work is valuable because it keeps classroom instruction from taking over your holiday. You can study at your own pace before the first morning, then use your time in Mallorca for equipment checks, practical exercises, and supervised underwater work.

I would not leave the theory until the last minute. You will get more from the practical lessons if the main terms and safety ideas are already familiar. The course is taught in English, so you should also be comfortable following spoken instructions in English.

The meeting point is Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals, Local 119, Edificio D4, 07181 Portals Nous. The activity begins at 10:00 am and finishes back at the same meeting point. The location is near public transportation, which makes it easier to reach without arranging a private transfer.

Shallow-water practice builds real confidence

The practical training starts in shallow water. This is where you learn the basics of your equipment and get used to moving and breathing underwater in a controlled setting.

You will practice setting up and checking your scuba gear, then work through a series of underwater exercises. These are not filler activities. They help you respond calmly if something feels unfamiliar or if you need to correct a problem below the surface.

That gradual start matters. One participant described finding the first day tough, then feeling much more confident by the third day. That is a useful warning for beginners: comfort may not arrive at once. The course gives you time to build it rather than expecting you to feel natural from the first minute.

You should expect close attention from the instructors. With no more than four people in the group, the staff can watch your technique and offer corrections without the crowding found in large introductory classes. The supplied information does not name the instructors, but it does specify professional, personalized teaching from experienced staff.

The shallow-water stage is also a good test of your own readiness. If you enjoy learning physical skills step by step, you will probably appreciate the structure. If you want an effortless holiday activity with little instruction, this may feel too serious.

Four open-water sessions around Mallorca

After the initial training, the course takes you into open water for four supervised sessions. You work toward a maximum depth of 18 meters, giving you a chance to see the underwater world in a more complete way than a brief shore-based introduction allows.

The exact sites and marine life are not specified, so I would not book this expecting one particular reef, animal, or underwater landmark. The attraction is the chance to use your new skills in real conditions and explore Mallorca’s underwater setting with an instructor nearby.

Each session builds on the last. You bring the equipment checks and practiced responses from the shallow-water work into a larger environment. That progression is one of the strongest parts of the course. You are not simply handed gear and sent down. You have already spent time learning how it works and how to react when something needs attention.

The four sessions also give you room to improve. A single introductory outing can be fun, but it may end just as you begin to feel comfortable. Here, the repeated practice gives you a better chance to finish with genuine control and an internationally recognized qualification.

The maximum depth of 18 meters is important. It signals that this is a proper beginner certification course, while still staying within a level suited to new participants. You should never feel pressured to reach the maximum depth before you are ready. Your comfort and safety should guide your progress.

Why the four-person limit matters

A group of four is a strong feature for anyone learning a technical activity. You get more opportunity to ask questions, repeat an exercise, and receive direct feedback from the instructor.

Small groups also make it easier to notice the difference between a skill you understand on land and one you can perform underwater. You may know how to check equipment in theory, but practical confidence takes repetition. A small class gives the instructor more time to watch how you handle each step.

The course is also social without being crowded. One participant described finishing with new friends and feeling part of a close-knit group of people who enjoy underwater adventure. That atmosphere may suit you if you like learning alongside a few others rather than taking private lessons.

Still, a group of four is not the same as a one-to-one course. Everyone must follow the schedule and share instruction time. If you need unusually slow pacing or individual support, ask the provider about your needs before booking.

What the $718.96 price really covers

At $718.96 per person, this is a major holiday expense. The right comparison is not a short recreational swim. It is a three-day training course that includes the online theory, scuba equipment, online certification, and diving insurance.

The internationally recognized certification is the biggest part of the value. You are paying for a qualification that can support future scuba activities, rather than only paying for one afternoon in the water. The four open-water sessions add further value because they provide repeated supervised practice.

The equipment allowance matters, too. Bringing or renting a full set of scuba gear can complicate the trip and add separate costs. Here, the main gear is included in the course price.

There are limits. Snacks are not included, so plan for food around the daily schedule. The course also requires a diving medical certificate, which may involve a separate cost and must be arranged before you start.

I see the price as reasonable for someone committed to certification, but expensive for someone who is merely curious about trying scuba once. If you already know you want to continue, the course makes more financial sense. If you are uncertain about breathing underwater, ask whether a shorter introductory session is available before committing to three days.

Physical requirements, age, and medical paperwork

You can start this course from age 10, making it an option for families with older children who meet the medical and fitness requirements. The age detail does not remove the need for maturity. A young participant must be able to listen carefully, follow safety instructions, and stay calm during practical exercises.

The course calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be ready for several days of equipment-based activity and time in the water.

A diving medical certificate is required. This is not a minor booking note. Arrange it early, especially if your holiday schedule is tight. Do not assume that a general health declaration will replace the required certificate.

You should also be honest with yourself about comfort in the water. The instruction is designed to build confidence, but no course can remove every concern in advance. If you feel uneasy on the first day, tell the instructor rather than trying to hide it.

Weather, timing, and the practical details

The course starts at 10:00 am at Puerto Portals and returns to the same meeting point. That simple arrangement helps because you do not need to track a changing pickup location or find your way back from a distant finish point.

The activity requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is sensible for an open-water course, but it means you should leave some flexibility in your Mallorca schedule if possible.

The ticket is mobile, and confirmation arrives at booking. The course is offered in English. Public transportation is nearby, though the supplied information does not specify exact routes or travel times, so check your route to Portals Nous before the first morning.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local time, so note the deadline carefully.

Who will enjoy this course most

I would choose this course if you want a serious introduction to scuba and hope to keep using the qualification after Mallorca. It suits people who prefer practical learning, small groups, and a clear progression from theory to supervised open water.

It is also a good match for an active family with a child aged 10 or older, provided the child meets the medical and fitness requirements. The three-day format gives beginners time to settle in, which can be far more useful than a single rushed session.

You may want another option if your holiday is short, your schedule cannot handle weather changes, or you only want a quick taste of underwater activity. The course demands preparation, a medical certificate, and three days of attention.

The strongest praise connected to the experience centers on the teaching and the increase in confidence. The first day can be hard, but the combination of gear instruction, underwater exercises, and repeated open-water practice helps you improve. That is exactly what a beginner certification course should do.

Should you book the Mallorca Open Water course?

Book it if you want an internationally recognized qualification, four real open-water sessions, and close instruction in a group of no more than four. The included equipment, insurance, online theory, and certification make the price easier to justify for a committed beginner.

Think twice if you are looking for a low-cost holiday activity or cannot obtain the required medical certificate. You should also allow room for weather changes and prepare for the first day to feel demanding.

For the right person, this is a focused way to turn curiosity into a genuine skill. You finish with more than underwater photographs or a one-time outing. You leave with structured training, supervised experience, and a certification you can carry into future scuba plans.

FAQ

How long does the Mallorca Open Water course last?

The course lasts approximately three days. You complete online theory beforehand, then attend shallow-water training and four open-water sessions.

What depth will I reach during the course?

The course includes open-water training to a maximum depth of 18 meters.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included in the course price.

Is certification included?

Yes. The course includes online certification, and the resulting qualification is internationally recognized.

What time and where does the course begin?

The course starts at 10:00 am at Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals, Local 119, Edificio D4, 07181 Portals Nous, Mallorca. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Do I need a medical certificate to participate?

Yes. A diving medical certificate is required. The course also calls for a moderate level of physical fitness and is available from age 10.