3 Days to PADI Certification: Dive, Discover, and Learn About Protecting Our Oceans at Batu Batu!

Just three days! (Well, actually, three half-days—so you’ll still have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the beach, soak in crystal clear waters and and unwind).

That’s the answer to the frequently asked question: “How long does it take to get the PADI Open Water certification at Batu Batu?”

Many are surprised by how quickly they can get it done. The key? Complete your PADI e-learning at home before your holiday. Once you arrive on Pulau Tengah, our resident dive instructor (PADI Staff Instructor), Sheldon, will first ensure you’ve understood all the theory before guiding you through the confined water exercises.

By day two, if all goes well, you'll embark on your first open water dives, testing your buoyancy skills while looking out for the resident pufferfish that likes to hide in the shade of the coral nursery at Junior Reef. Alternatively you’ll be boating over to neighbouring Pulau Hujong which has an excellent learner dive site with sandy bottoms for testing out your new skills (without doing any damage!) and a pretty reef to take a swim around. On day three, you’ll be back-rolling off the dive boat into nearby waters, refining your skills while exploring shimmering reefs.

Beyond Open Water

If you’re already certified, the Advanced Open Water course is perfect for pushing your limits and discovering more challenging dive sites. You can also opt for speciality courses like Full Face Mask Diver or Sidemount Diver to take your skills further.

For those of you who’ve done it all, you can train to be a Dive Master or (if you’re already a Dive Master), train to become an Assistant PADI Instructor. We have all the qualifications to certify you to this level.

And finally, if it’s been a while since your last dive and you got your PADI Open Water in Koh Tao or Gili Trawangan circa 2000 (don’t worry, you’re not the only one!), send us your details—we’ll track down your PADI number. Our dive centre offers a refresher course, so you’ll be back underwater in no time, often within an afternoon.

Marine Conservation at Batu Batu Dive

One of the best parts of diving at Batu Batu? The chance to connect with the biologists at Tengah Island Conservation (TIC), a non-profit organisation focused on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. From mid-March, TIC will be hosting a daily drop-in chat with their Conservation Officers, along with a tour of the Turtle Hatchery. It’s a fantastic opportunity to ask questions about what you saw during your dive and learn more about the incredible underwater world we’re fighting to protect.

Good to Know:

  • Small class sizes! We cap our dive groups at four people max per instructor to ensure a personalised, comfortable experience at your own pace.

  • PADI Open Water is available for ages 10 and up. (However, until you turn 15, your max depth will be 12 metres versus 18 metres - the switch is automatic once you turn 15. Don’t worry though as there is plenty to see at shallower depths!)

  • Children from the age of 8 years old can have their first taste of scuba with the Bubblemaker course.

  • Safety first! Sheldon takes safety seriously— we never dive without a GPS locator, well-maintained and up-to-date equipment and tanks as well experienced Boat Captains that ensure we are safe at all times.

  • Our sustainability aims are taken seriously at Dive at Batu Batu. You won’t see any single-use plastics and we abide strictly to the rules of the Marine Park.

  • Batu Batu Dive is a 5-Star PADI Resort and celebrated our 10 year anniversary last year.

  • Our dive season runs from March to October (inclusive)

  • Book early—spaces fill up fast! Email dive@batubatu.com.my.

If you have any questions about dive courses, fun dives, or anything diving-related, feel free to email us Sheldon and his team at dive@batubatu.com.my.

Learning to dive at Batu Batu is an experience like no other—I truly cannot recommend it enough. The friendships built here are unforgettable. Just today, I came across this message from little G, a 9-year-old from Denmark, that read:

"Hello Sheldon, do you remember me, G?"

It was accompanied by a beaming photo of the two of them, followed by another heartfelt note:

"I miss you!"

It’s moments like these that make diving at Batu Batu so special.

PADI Open Water courses start at RM 1600 (USD 360 / SGD 480). Please see our Dive Menu for more information on other courses and pricing for Fun Dives, PADI Advanced Water, Refresher courses and more.

Batu Batu Resort#diveatbatubatu, #tengahislandconservation, sustainable tourism