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Finish your PADI Open Water certification in Kailua-Kona with expert instructors and small class sizes. Dive Hawaii’s clear waters and vibrant reefs over two unforgettable days.
Finish your PADI Open Water certification in Kailua-Kona with expert instructors and small class sizes. Dive Hawaii’s clear waters and vibrant reefs over two unforgettable days.
Book with Kona Diving Company
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Kona Diving Company · Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kailua-Kona, located on the sunny west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, offers one of the most captivating aquatic environments in the world for diving enthusiasts. The PADI Open Water Referral course here is a perfect way for travelers who have completed their eLearning and confined water dives elsewhere to finish their open water certification amidst vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life. Kona Diving Company specializes in this two-day immersive experience, providing both expert instruction and access to some of Hawaii’s clearest, warmest waters for your final dives.
This referral course completes the essential third stage of your certification: open water training in the ocean. After you’ve finished your classroom learning and pool-based skills elsewhere, Kona Diving Company welcomes you aboard their Huaka'i Boat where small class sizes—typically two students per instructor—ensure personalized attention and solid skill development. Over two mornings, students complete four dives, exploring diverse underwater landscapes filled with intricate lava formations and thriving coral gardens that support sea turtles, colorful reef fish, and occasionally dolphins.
The company’s boats are designed for comfort and convenience, with plenty of shaded areas, hot freshwater showers, and tasty snacks including their famed homemade brownies. Beyond the fun, every student receives full equipment rental: BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, masks, fins, tanks, and weights are all provided to ensure comfort and safety in the water.
Why choose Kona for your final dive experience? The waters here possess visibility that often exceeds 100 feet, making it easier to learn and enjoy the underwater world. Furthermore, the Big Island’s underwater topography presents unique lava tube formations and coral ecosystems not easily found elsewhere. By completing your PADI Open Water Referral here, you gain a certification valid worldwide while experiencing some of the best diving Hawaii can offer.
This program appeals especially to travelers from colder areas or those without easy access to a pool, allowing them to complete theory and confined water dives locally, then save precious vacation time to dive in a tropical paradise. Kona Diving Company’s commitment to small groups enhances safety and quality of instruction, making this an excellent choice for both first-time divers and those returning to complete certifications.
Prepare for your days with a swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, and essentials like a towel and refillable water bottle. Keep your PADI logbook or evidence of confined water completion ready to present. Whether you’re chasing a thrilling new adventure or seeking a peaceful underwater escape, the PADI Open Water Referral course in Kailua-Kona offers a memorable gateway into scuba diving.
moderate.
2 days, approx. 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM each day.
Participants should be in good general health and comfortable with moderate physical activity including swimming and handling dive gear.
Yes, students must complete the eLearning and confined water portions with another certified dive shop before finishing their open water dives with Kona Diving Company.
The package includes two full days of diving instruction, four boat dives, all dive equipment, snacks, beverages, and personalized instructor attention.
You can purchase an official PADI logbook from Kona Diving Company or your local dive shop to document your training.
Students must be at least 10 years old to participate in the PADI Open Water Referral course.
The ratio is typically two students per instructor; for students under age 12, the ratio is one-on-one for enhanced safety and support.
Bring a swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, rash guard, refillable water bottle, and your PADI logbook or documentation of confined water completion.
Kailua-Kona’s coastal waters have long been a hub for native Hawaiian fishing and cultural practices, now protected under marine conservation laws.
Kona Diving Company follows strict eco-friendly protocols to minimize diver impact on coral reefs and marine life, supporting local conservation efforts.
Kona Diving Company is a commercial dive operator based in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The company specializes in guided scuba charters and training, operating small-group dives along the Kona coast. Services include the 2-tank Manta Ray Night Charter at Makako Bay and the PADI Open Water Referral program that completes open water certification dives in local waters. Instructors provide guided dives for certified divers and supervised training for referral students. Safety practices include guided groups, trained PADI instructors, and standard scuba equipment protocols. Boats depart from Kailua-Kona and operate under local regulations for passenger safety and environmental protection. Kona Diving Company emphasizes low group sizes to improve diver attention and quality of guidance. The Manta Ray Night Charter uses bright lights to attract plankton, creating ideal conditions to observe feeding manta rays without touching wildlife. The PADI Open Water Referral allows student divers to complete classroom and confined water modules via eLearning, then finish required open water dives under PADI standards in Hawaiian ocean conditions. Scheduling accommodates visitor itineraries with morning, afternoon, and evening departures when available. Booking information, dive prerequisites, equipment rental options, and cancellation policies are provided at reservation. Kona Diving Company works with local harbors and follows county guidelines for marine conservation and safe boat operations. The company serves visitors to the Kona area seeking guided sea life encounters and certification completion in Hawaii’s clear coastal waters.
Book with Kona Diving Company