What are the prerequisites for this course?

You must have finished your Open Water Diver academics and confined-water training and be certified as an SSI Referral Diver before arriving.

How long does the course take?

The Open Water Check Out runs over two days with two open-water training dives each day.

What is the minimum age?

Minimum age for students is 10 years old.

Can I schedule outside the standard dates?

Yes. Standard schedules are Tuesdays–Wednesdays and Saturdays–Sundays; private courses may be available for an extra fee—contact instruction@looekeyreefresort.com or call (305) 872-2215.

Where do boats depart from?

Boats depart from Ramrod Key marinas for short runs to Looe Key reef sites.

Will I get certified after completing the course?

Upon successful completion of all required dives and skill demonstrations, you will earn your Open Water Diver certification through SSI.

Finish Your SSI Open Water Diver Certification at Looe Key, Ramrod Key | Scuba | Water Activities

Adventure Brief

Complete your SSI Open Water Diver certification in two days on the coral ridges of Looe Key off Ramrod Key, Florida. Small classes, reef-aware instruction, and quick boat runs make this an ideal place to finish your training and start diving the Florida Keys.

2 days

moderate

From $510.75

Head straight to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary off Ramrod Key, Florida, and complete your Open Water Diver certification with the Open Water Check Out course. This two-day program moves divers from SSI referral status to certified Open Water Divers through guided reef dives and personalized instruction. Day one begins with a focused review of skills learned in confined water and continues with two training dives on the reef; day two finishes with two additional open-water dives and certification upon successful completion.

The living architecture of Looe Key is the course’s classroom: low-relief patch reefs, stony corals, and limestone ridges draped in brain, elkhorn and finger corals create sheltered swimways and shallow ledges. Those structures host schooling tangs, colorful parrotfish, blennies and sergeant majors; occasional green sea turtles and nurse sharks patrol the flats, offering calm, teachable encounters that are perfect for new divers. Visibility is often excellent enough for instructors to demonstrate skills from a short distance, which helps students gain confidence without pressure.

Looe Key Reef Resort’s instruction emphasizes small class sizes, deliberate pacing and one-on-one coaching. Standard schedules run Tuesdays–Wednesdays and Saturdays–Sundays; private courses can be arranged if your travel window is tight (contact [email protected] or call (305) 872-2215). Prerequisites include completed academics and confined-water training plus SSI Referral Diver status before arrival.

Practical advantages of training on Looe Key include shallow training areas, predictable currents and quick boat runs from Ramrod Key. Instructors focus on buoyancy, emergency procedures and equipment familiarity so newly certified divers surface ready to explore. After certification, consider guided reef dives to practice, night dives to expand skills and underwater photography sessions to record encounters.

This course suits travelers age 10 and up who have finished the academic modules and want a concise, two-day finish to their scuba education. Bring your paperwork, a short wetsuit if you are chilly, and a curious, calm attitude. For anyone ready to move from pool sessions to open ocean diving, the Open Water Check Out at Looe Key is an efficient, confidence-building gateway into a lifetime of underwater travel and discovery.

The course doubles as a local conservation primer, because Looe Key exists within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Instructors incorporate reef-aware techniques—low-impact finning, strict no-touch practices and buoyancy control—into each lesson so new divers leave with better habits. Boats depart from Ramrod Key marinas, keeping transit short and maximizing in-water time. Small classes provide more one-on-one coaching, clear briefings and individualized feedback. If weather requires a reschedule, instructors protect required dive counts so certification timelines remain fair. Book with the referral link to reserve a spot; finishing the course leaves you confident and ready to explore the Keys’ reefs safely and responsibly today.