OPEN WATER

The SSI Open Water Diver is the first full independent certification, authorising dives to 18 m without a professional guide. L'Océana VSM runs the practical training from the lac de Cazaux before moving to sea dives in the Bassin d'Arcachon, giving students both the controlled conditions of freshwater training and exposure to tidal open-water environments.

The certification is globally recognised. Once obtained, graduates can dive independently with another certified diver anywhere in the world. The centre manages the full training cycle: theory, pool or lake sessions, and open-water dives, through to the SSI exam.

Minimum age is 10. A medical certificate is mandatory and must be produced on the first day of the course. All equipment is provided during training sessions. The centre's instructors hold the French state diploma (moniteur d'État).

For those who want the FFESSM or ANMP route instead of SSI, the centre also delivers those certifications — both of which carry automatic CMAS equivalence for international recognition. The choice between systems can be discussed directly with the team.