Open Water Diver

The SSI Open Water Diver at Orca Diving is the standard entry certification that allows independent diving to 18 m. The course runs from the Club Nàutic de l'Escala using the centre's equipped classroom for theory and the Janity for open water dives. Groups are kept small, and the centre's stated approach is to personalise instruction to each student's pace and confidence level.

Open water sessions take place in the centre's operating zones — the Costa de l'Escala, the Parc Natural del Montgrí Illes Medes i Baix Ter, and the Parc Natural de Cap de Creus. Sandy bottoms are available for initial skills sessions; the Medes and Cap de Creus areas provide more varied terrain for later dives once buoyancy and basic skills are stable. Both are protected marine parks, which means the underwater life is denser than on unprotected coastline.

The BAHUER compressor fills cylinders on site. Cressi-Sub rental equipment covers full kit for students without their own. The classroom is used for theory sessions and the centre also runs marine biology talks in the same space, so the learning environment goes beyond the certification syllabus.

At 480€, the Open Water Diver is the full pathway to an internationally recognised SSI certification. The centre is also affiliated with FEDAS and FFESSM, which may be relevant for students who need their credentials recognised under those federations in addition to SSI. After certification, students can join the centre's daily guided dives or purchase a dive bono for the season.