SSI Open Water Diver

The SSI Open Water Diver course at Scubazores Divers spans 3 days and represents the standard entry point into certified diving. The programme is internationally recognised and gives graduates the qualification to dive independently to 18 m worldwide.

Scubazores runs this course in Portuguese and English, which matters on Ilha Terceira where a mix of local and visiting divers pass through. The theory component follows the SSI eLearning format, meaning students can complete the academic section before arriving at the centre.

The open water dives that make up the certification take place in the waters around Angra do Heroísmo and the north coast of Ilha Terceira. The centre's site portfolio — covering shore entries like Calheta do Lagador (18 m, easy) and Porto dos Biscoitos (18 m, easy) as well as the shallow Lidador wreck at 10 m — gives instructors a range of appropriate locations for certification dives depending on conditions.

With an Open Water card from Scubazores, graduates can access the next tier of the centre's site list, including the Cemitério das Âncoras at up to 30 m, which requires Open Water certification as a minimum.