Learn the basics to diving
Start your diving education in Iceland, continue in Iceland or abroad
DIVE.IS, Iceland’s first PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center welcomes you to learn diving from a new perspective. Start your PADI Open Water course with us and finish it later in Iceland or in tropical waters abroad.
In this PADI referral base package, you will complete the PADI Open Water Elearning online and do all the skills in a pool. You will be wearing a wet suit in the pool.
When that is completed you still have 4 Open Water dives to obtain your PADI Open Water diver certification. You have a one year window to finish the Open Water dives.
Courses start at 8.00am every Friday (if we have enough participants) in Ásvallalaug in Hafnarfjörður
After this course is completed you have 3 options to continue with your diving education:
- You will get a signed form from your Instructor stating that you have successfully completed the Elearning and Confined Water dives 1-5 so you can complete the course abroad in warmer water. This option is great for those that do not want to spend days on their vacation studying but start diving right away.
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You join our PADI Open Water Diver course. The course is one weekend with 2 dives each day.
- If you would like to end this course by diving in Silfra, you will also need to obtain the PADI Dry suit certification which is not included in our Open Water Diver course. Then you join our Viking package. The course is one weekend with 2 dives on the first day and 3 dives on the second day.
Just contact us if you have completed the PADI referral package and want to continue booking the packages above.
How the course is set up
This Open Water Refferal course will require you to do some skills both online and in the water, those skills include:
• The Underwater World
• Dive Equipment
• Buddy Systems
• The Dive Environment
• Communication
• Dive Planning
• Problem Management
• Dive Tables and Dive Computers
• Navigation
To take part in the Open Water course you will have to complete a your theory learning independently using E-learning on the PADI website, which will take you through everything you need to know to become a safe diver. We will send you a link to your E-learning as soon as you book and pay for the course. Please note that going through the E-learning will take approx. 12 hours so we advice you to start studying a few days before your course starts. E-learning must be fully completed (including the exams) and submitted in the system before you start your pool session.
Then it's only a quick review with your Instructor at the pool before we jump in the water and do:
• Confined Water Dives 1-5
• Watermanship requirements: 200m continuous swim and 10 minute float
After this productive day at the pool you will get a signed form from your Instructor that you have succesfully completed the Confined Water dives 1-5 so you can complete the course abroad or continue your diving education with us at Dive.is
Union Grants and Other Benefits
Most unions in Iceland subsidize a part of the course fee for their members. We encourage you to find out your rights within your union.
If you are a high school or university student, the course may provide a certain number of credits that you can use towards your degree.

Great teachers, a perfect introduction to the workd of diving.
I took a PADI open water course with Dive.is and my teachers were Eeva and Johannes. The whole experience was just great, my teachers communicated clearly the instructions and notes on what I could do better and obviously know and love what they’re doing - and were patient and encouraging which made me feel 100% safe in the water. A perfect initiation into the diving world. Thank you!

Course Details
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October - May or upon request
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Minimum 3 students to confirm the course (but single students can book the course)
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Max 6 students per instructor
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Courses start at 8.00am on Fridays (if we have enough participants) in Ásvallalaug in Hafnarfjörður
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This course is conducted in one day where we will do a eLearning Quick Review, Confined Water Session 1-5, 10 minute float and 200m swim.
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You will be wearing a wet suit in the pool
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ATTN You will need to study for approx. 12 hours before the course begins
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The price includes the eLearning registration fee, which we pay directly to PADI. The eLearning fee is approximately 10.000 ISK.
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Included:
- PADI Instructor
- All equipment
- PADI Open Water Course eLearning material
- Pool rental and admission
- PADI eLearning registration fee which is paid directly to PADI. This fee is approx. 10.000 ISK
- PADI Referral stating you have completed the theory and pool sessions
Important information:
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To complete your PADI Open Water Refferal course, you will have to finish the eLearning Course
- PADI now offers the opportunity to complete all your Knowledge Development and Exams online at your own speed. As such you merely need to complete a quick review with your instructor, which will be held before the pool session.
20% discount of referral courses in January, February and March! Learn to dive this winter.
Most unions in Iceland subsidize a part of the course fee for their members. We encourage you to find out your rights within your union.
Safety requirements
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be at least 17 years of age (signature of legal guardian required for under 18 year old participants)
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be physically fit
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know how to swim and be comfortable in water
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be able to communicate in English
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not be pregnant
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complete a PADI Medical Statement PDF
Experience the course
Experience the Course - turn on CC for English subtitles
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Can I take the PADI Dry Suit Diver Course and dive Silfra?
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To dive Silfra you are required to have either a drysuit diver certification or drysuit dive expereince. We have therefore created a 2-day Drysuit and Silfra Combo Tour. During this tour, you will complete your PADI Dry Suit Diver Specialty Course on the first day and, upon completion, participate in the Diving Silfra Day Tour on the second day.
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I use glasses, is that a problem?
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Unfortunately it is not possible to wear glasses underneath the dive mask, as the mask would fill with water. We therefore advise that if you are near-sighted (i.e. you need glasses for distance), that you consider wearing contact lenses or bring your own prescription mask with you. If you are snorkelling and have prescription swimming goggles you are able to wear them, but you must also bring a nose clip to close of your nose, so that you are able to use your snorkel. If your prescription is not very strong (up to approximately -4) you may find that the natural magnification of the water will still allow you to see quite clearly. Should you need to purchase contact lenses, there are several opticians in Reykjavik where you would be able to do so.
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Where is your shop?
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Our dive shop is located at the western end of downtown Reykjavik, a 20-30 minute walk from most of the city centre. We are happy to welcome you here between 9am and 5pm every day of the week.
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Why do I need to fill out a Diving Silfra Medical Statement?
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Every diver joining our Silfra Diving Day Tour needs to fill out the Diving Silfra Medical Statement to make sure that he/she understands the difficulties and risks associated with the Silfra dives as listed on the left hand side of the form and by completing the medical questionaire on the right hand side of the form the participant confirms that he/she is fit and healthy to join the Silfra Diving Day Tour. This is done so that all divers enjoy a safe and happy dive tour.
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