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9 Best Scuba Diving Certifications of 2026
This list is for new divers choosing which agency to certify with. Every agency here teaches an open water level course with eLearning or theory, pool sessions and open water dives, and most cards are accepted by dive shops worldwide. We compared documented course standards, minimum ages, depth limits and published prices on each agency's own pages. Scores weigh features (training depth and course structure) at 40 percent and ease of use (how easy the course is to find and start) and value at 30 percent each. Agency prices usually cover only eLearning and certification; dive shops charge separately for pool and open water training. Prices were checked in November 2026, and some agencies only showed euros or pounds from our location, so those USD prices are marked pending.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 11, 2026 · 9 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 11, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
PADI Open Water Diver is our top pick for new divers: it needs four open water dives after 5 to 10 hours of eLearning, starts at age 10, and is sold by PADI shops in most dive destinations. SSI Open Water Diver is a close second with 6 pool and 4 open water sessions and the free MySSI app. NAUI has the lowest published agency fee at $121.97, and SDI publishes its $157.50 eLearning price in USD. GUE Open Water Diver is the most thorough at 40-plus hours, BSAC Ocean Diver suits UK club divers, RAID lets you register online for free, TDI Nitrox Diver is the common add-on, and CMAS One Star Diver fits countries where a national federation teaches it.
Top picks
Best overall
PADI Open Water Diver
8.8 / 10
Most new divers who want the easiest course to find at home and on vacation
Read the review →Runner-up
SSI Open Water Diver
8.7 / 10
App-first learners who want digital materials and a digital card in one place
Read the review →Also great
NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver
8.6 / 10
New divers who want the lowest published agency fee for eLearning and certification
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PADI Open Water Diver | Most new divers who want the easiest course to find at home and on vacation | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.8 |
| 2 | SSI Open Water Diver | App-first learners who want digital materials and a digital card in one place | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.7 |
| 3 | NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver | New divers who want the lowest published agency fee for eLearning and certification | $121.97 for the Open Water Scuba Diver Digital NES (eLearning and digital certification) | 8.6 |
| 4 |  SDI Open Water Scuba Diver | New divers who want a clear USD eLearning price and a direct path into technical diving | $157.50 for SDI Open Water Scuba Diver eLearning (default USD price) | 8.5 |
| 5 |  GUE Open Water Diver | New divers who want the most in-water training before certification | $95 GUE materials, processing and certification fee; instructor fee extra | 8.0 |
| 6 |  BSAC Ocean Diver | New divers in the UK who want to train with a club | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.9 |
| 7 |  RAID Open Water | Self-directed learners who want to register and start theory online for free | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.8 |
| 8 | TDI Nitrox Diver | New divers who want longer bottom times right after open water | $144.15 for TDI Nitrox Diver eLearning; pool and open water training not included | 7.7 |
| 9 |  CMAS One Star Diver | Divers in Europe and other regions where the national federation teaches CMAS | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.2 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
PADI Open Water Diver
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors' entry-level scuba certification, taught at PADI dive shops after an eLearning theory module.
padi.com8.8
out of 10
Best for: Most new divers who want the easiest course to find at home and on vacation
PADI Open Water Diver is the course most new divers will see first, because PADI dive shops sell it at home and in dive resorts. Certification has three parts: knowledge development through PADI eLearning (PADI estimates 5 to 10 hours), confined water skill practice, and four open water dives with an instructor, often finished in 2 to 4 days of in-water training. The minimum age is 10, and divers certified between 10 and 14 hold a Junior Open Water Diver card that upgrades automatically at 15. Before the course ends you must float or tread water for 10 minutes and swim 200 m/yd (or 300 m/yd with mask, fins and snorkel). The course page lists a 4.83 out of 5 rating from 74,273 students. The drawbacks are cost clarity and split billing: the eLearning fee is paid to PADI and in-water training to the shop, and we could not confirm the USD eLearning price from this location.
Standout feature
PADI Open Water Diver needs four open water dives and 5 to 10 hours of eLearning, and the card is sold at PADI shops worldwide.
Use cases
Vacation divers
Do eLearning at home, then the dives at a resort
Outcome: Certification finished in 2 to 4 days of in-water training
Families with children 10 and older
Certify parents and kids in one course
Outcome: Junior cards that upgrade at age 15
Key features
- Minimum age 10; divers aged 10 to 14 earn a Junior Open Water Diver certification
- Four open water dives after confined water skill practice
- eLearning theory takes 5 to 10 hours, with in-water training in as little as 2 to 4 days
- Certifies divers to a maximum depth of 18 m/60 ft
- Water skills check: float for 10 minutes and swim 200 m/yd, or 300 m/yd with mask, fins and snorkel
Pros
- Course page shows a 4.83 out of 5 rating from 74,273 students
- Knowledge, pool and open water parts can be split between a home shop and a vacation shop
- Leads into Advanced Open Water and more than 20 specialty courses
Cons
- The USD eLearning price could not be confirmed from this location, so the fee is pending
- In-water training is paid separately to the dive shop
- PADI Club membership is needed for its 20% eLearning discount
Rank 2 · Runner-up
SSI Open Water Diver
Scuba Schools International's entry-level certification, studied in the MySSI app and finished at one of more than 4,000 SSI Training Centers.
divessi.com8.7
out of 10
Best for: App-first learners who want digital materials and a digital card in one place
SSI Open Water Diver is the main alternative to PADI for new divers, and it is built around the free MySSI app, which stores training materials, a logbook and digital certification cards. SSI's training standards list a minimum age of 10, 6 academic sessions, 6 pool or confined water sessions, 4 open water sessions and a maximum training depth of 18 m/60 ft, with a suggested duration of 16 to 32 hours. You buy a Digital Kit for the theory and then complete in-water training at one of more than 4,000 SSI Training Centers, which set their own fees for pool, open water and certification services. A free course preview lets you see the material first. The SSI page showed the digital kit in euros from our location, so we list the USD price as pending. SSI's recognition ratings reward logged dives and specialties, which suits divers who plan to keep training.
Standout feature
SSI Open Water Diver runs 6 pool and 4 open water sessions, with the course, logbook and digital card all in the free MySSI app.
Use cases
Divers who travel often
Keep cards and logs on a phone
Outcome: Digital certification and logbook in the MySSI app
Learners comparing agencies
Preview the course before paying
Outcome: Free course preview in the app
Key features
- Minimum age 10, with no certification prerequisites beyond being fit to swim
- 6 academic sessions, 6 pool or confined water sessions and 4 open water sessions
- Maximum training depth 18 m/60 ft
- Suggested duration of 16 to 32 hours
- Free MySSI app holds digital certification cards, learning materials and a logbook
Pros
- In-water training available at more than 4,000 SSI Training Centers
- Free course preview before you buy the digital kit
- Specialties and logged dives add up to Specialty Diver, Advanced Specialty Diver and Master Diver ratings
Cons
- Digital kit price showed in euros from this location, so the USD fee is pending
- Training centers charge separately for in-water sessions and certification services
- Center availability varies, so check for an SSI center near you first
Rank 3 · Also great
NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver
The entry-level open water course from NAUI Worldwide, the National Association of Underwater Instructors, which took that name in 1959.
naui.org8.6
out of 10
Best for: New divers who want the lowest published agency fee for eLearning and certification
NAUI Worldwide has trained divers under the National Association of Underwater Instructors name since 1959, and held its first major Instructor Certification Course in 1960. Its Open Water Scuba Diver course is sold through the NAUI Education System (NES). The entry Digital NES package includes NAUI eLearning and digital certification and was listed at $121.97 on NAUI's store as of November 2026, the lowest published agency fee in this list. Digital Plus and Premier packages add a plastic card and student materials, and a dual Scuba Diver and EANx (nitrox) package covers both credentials at once. NAUI says organizations such as Walt Disney World Resort, US Navy SEAL Teams and NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory choose it for diver training. The limits are price transparency and access: confirm a NAUI instructor near you first, the price we verified came from NAUI's Asia store, and pool and open water training is billed separately by the instructor.
Standout feature
NAUI's Open Water Scuba Diver Digital NES costs $121.97 and includes eLearning and digital certification.
Use cases
Students in a US college or club program
Certify through a NAUI instructor
Outcome: eLearning and digital card for $121.97 plus local training fees
New divers planning to use nitrox
Earn open water and EANx together
Outcome: One dual certification package
Key features
- Digital NES package bundles NAUI eLearning and digital certification
- Digital Plus and Premier NES packages add plastic cards and printed materials
- Scuba Diver and EANx (nitrox) dual certification package available
- Used by Walt Disney World Resort, US Navy SEAL Teams and NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, according to NAUI
- Separate Technical Diving Division for divers who move into tech training
Pros
- $121.97 Digital NES was the lowest published agency fee we found
- Long history: first major NAUI Instructor Certification Course in 1960
- Dual open water and nitrox package saves a second purchase
Cons
- Check that a NAUI instructor or center is near you before buying
- The store we could price is NAUI's Asia store; local prices may differ
- In-water training is paid to the instructor or dive center
Rank 4
SDI Open Water Scuba Diver
Scuba Diving International's entry-level course, founded in 1998 by the team behind TDI, with eLearning followed by pool and open water training.
tdisdi.com8.5
out of 10
Best for: New divers who want a clear USD eLearning price and a direct path into technical diving
SDI, Scuba Diving International, was founded in 1998 by diving veterans and shares its parent company and online portal with TDI, the technical diving agency. The SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course follows three steps: eLearning for theory, confined water sessions in a pool, and a series of open water dives with an SDI instructor. The syllabus covers the aquatic environment, physics and physiology, equipment selection and care, and dive planning with buddy and emergency procedures. Teens aged 10 to 14 can take the Junior Open Water Scuba Diver version. SDI's eLearning portal shows default prices in USD, and the Open Water Scuba Diver course was listed at $157.50 as of November 2026; the portal notes that logged-in prices can change by local currency. Pool and open water training are billed separately by the dive center. Before buying eLearning, confirm that an SDI dive center near you can run the pool and open water sessions.
Standout feature
SDI lists its Open Water Scuba Diver eLearning at $157.50 in USD on its own portal.
Use cases
Divers interested in tech diving later
Start with SDI, then add TDI courses
Outcome: One account for recreational and technical eLearning
Budget planners
Know the theory cost up front
Outcome: $157.50 USD eLearning before pool fees
Key features
- eLearning first, then confined water sessions in a pool, then open water dives
- Junior Open Water Scuba Diver course for ages 10 to 14
- Covers aquatic environment, physics and physiology, equipment and dive planning
- Instructors adjust teaching methods and pacing to the class under SDI's Differentiated Instruction approach
- Same company runs TDI, so later technical courses use the same portal
Pros
- USD eLearning price published on the SDI portal
- Junior course lets 10 to 14 year olds start
- Continuing courses such as Advanced Adventure Diver and Computer Nitrox Diver list the same $157.50 eLearning fee
Cons
- Check that an SDI dive center is near you before buying
- Portal prices may change by local currency after you log in
- Pool and open water training cost extra at the dive center
Rank 5
GUE Open Water Diver
Global Underwater Explorers' first scuba course (formerly Recreational Diver Level 1), run over five to six days with at least 40 hours of instruction.
gue.com8.0
out of 10
Best for: New divers who want the most in-water training before certification
GUE, Global Underwater Explorers, runs the most demanding entry-level course in this list. The GUE Open Water Diver course (formerly Recreational Diver Level 1) is usually taught over five to six days and requires at least ten confined water sessions, six open water dives and 40 hours of instruction covering classroom, land drills and in-water work. Graduates may dive with their team without a dive professional to 21 m/70 ft. Applicants must be at least 12, physically and mentally fit, able to swim and non-smokers. GUE's FAQ lists a $95 fee for Open Water that covers materials, processing and certification, valid for 12 months; the instructor's own course fee is charged separately. The trade-offs are time and access: few new divers can spare nearly a week, and you need to find a GUE instructor who runs the course near you. For divers who care most about buoyancy, trim and team diving from day one, the extra hours are the point.
Standout feature
GUE Open Water Diver requires six open water dives and at least 40 hours of instruction, with a $95 GUE certification fee.
Use cases
Divers aiming for cave or wreck training later
Build buoyancy and team skills from the start
Outcome: Six open water dives and 40-plus hours of training
Cold water divers
Add drysuit skills after certification
Outcome: Direct path to GUE's Drysuit Primer
Key features
- At least ten confined water sessions and six open water dives
- At least 40 hours of instruction over five to six days
- Certifies divers to plan dives with their team without a dive professional, to 21 m/70 ft
- Applicants must be at least 12, non-smokers and able to swim
- Leads to GUE Advanced Open Water Diver and the Drysuit Primer
Pros
- Six open water dives, more than the four in most agency courses
- 40-hour minimum gives more time on buoyancy and trim
- $95 GUE fee covers materials, processing and certification
Cons
- Instructor fees are on top of the $95 GUE fee
- Five to six days is hard to fit into a vacation
- Smokers are not accepted, and you need a GUE instructor near you
Rank 6
BSAC Ocean Diver
The British Sub-Aqua Club's beginner scuba course, taught by volunteer clubs and paid training centres across the UK.
bsac.com7.9
out of 10
Best for: New divers in the UK who want to train with a club
BSAC, the British Sub-Aqua Club, is the UK's club-based diving body, and Ocean Diver is its beginner course. BSAC splits the cost into two parts. The first is eLearning plus membership, which includes training materials, the qualification and 12 months of BSAC membership; BSAC lists it in pounds only. The second is practical training paid to a club or training centre: BSAC puts club training at around £200 to £250 and a three-day centre course at around £450 to £500. Ocean Diver starts at age 12 and qualifies divers to 20 m, while the Discovery Diver option starts at 10 with a 12 m limit. Both require you to swim and be medically fit for diving. The club route suits people who want regular dives with the same group, but it takes longer than a resort course, and BSAC is built around UK clubs and centres.
Standout feature
BSAC Ocean Diver qualifies divers to 20 m, and BSAC puts club practical training at around £200 to £250.
Use cases
UK residents
Learn with a local dive club
Outcome: Regular club dives after qualifying
Teenagers 12 and older
Train alongside a parent in a club
Outcome: Ocean Diver qualification to 20 m
Key features
- Ocean Diver from age 12, with a 20 m maximum depth
- eLearning price includes training materials, the qualification and 12-month BSAC membership
- Practical training with a club or a training centre
- Discovery Diver option from age 10 with a 12 m maximum depth
- Prerequisites: able to swim and medically fit for diving
Pros
- Club training is usually around £200 to £250, per BSAC
- Ocean Diver qualifies to 20 m, deeper than 18 m entry courses
- 12 months of BSAC membership included with the eLearning
Cons
- Prices are in pounds only, so the USD check is pending
- Clubs train over weeks, not a few days
- Built around UK clubs and centres
Rank 7
RAID Open Water
Rebreather Association of International Divers' entry-level scuba certification, bought and studied online before in-water training with a RAID instructor.
diveraid.com7.8
out of 10
Best for: Self-directed learners who want to register and start theory online for free
RAID started as a rebreather training agency and now runs a full recreational line, including RAID Open Water for new divers. The certification lets holders dive with a certified buddy to a maximum depth of 18 m/60 ft in conditions similar to or better than those in training. Teens aged 10 to 14 take Junior Open Water, which requires diving with a certified adult buddy of equal or higher certification. RAID's process starts online: you register for free, create a profile, buy the course in RAID's online store, then read the manuals and complete the quiz and exam before in-water training with a RAID instructor. RAID does not show the course price on its public pages, so we list it as pending. The agency also teaches freediving, rebreather and technical courses, which helps divers who expect to go further. Use RAID's dive shop finder to confirm there is a RAID center where you plan to train.
Standout feature
RAID Open Water certifies divers to 18 m/60 ft, and you can register and set up your online profile for free.
Use cases
Learners who want to try the theory first
Register and browse RAID's online course
Outcome: Free profile before any purchase
Divers interested in rebreathers
Start with an agency that teaches CCR
Outcome: One account from open water to rebreather courses
Key features
- Open Water certification to a maximum depth of 18 m/60 ft with a certified buddy
- Junior Open Water for ages 10 to 14
- Free registration and online profile before buying the course in the RAID store
- Online manuals, quiz and exam
- Course pages available in 13 languages
Pros
- Free account lets you start before paying
- Junior course from age 10
- Same agency offers freediving, rebreather and technical courses
Cons
- RAID does not publish its course price on the public page
- Check RAID's dive shop finder for a center near you first
- Junior divers must dive with a certified adult buddy
Rank 8
TDI Nitrox Diver
Technical Diving International's nitrox course, the most common first add-on for new divers and open to students still in an open water course.
tdisdi.com7.7
out of 10
Best for: New divers who want longer bottom times right after open water
TDI, Technical Diving International, is SDI's sister agency for technical diving, and its Nitrox Diver course is the step many new divers take right after open water. It teaches the benefits, hazards and procedures for nitrox mixes from 22 to 40 percent oxygen, plus equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing mixes and gas blending procedures. Graduates can dive EAN-22 to EAN-40 without direct supervision, which extends no-decompression bottom times on recreational dives. Students must be 18, or 15 with parental consent, and hold an open water certification or be enrolled in an open water course. The TDI page lists the course cost at $144.15 USD for eLearning only, with pool and open water training extra at the dive shop. It sits in this list because new divers often bundle it with open water; on its own it does not certify you to dive, so pair it with SDI, PADI, SSI or another entry course.
Standout feature
TDI Nitrox Diver eLearning costs $144.15 and qualifies divers to use EAN-22 to EAN-40 without supervision.
Use cases
Divers booking a liveaboard
Add nitrox before the trip
Outcome: Longer bottom times on repeat dives
Open water students
Take nitrox during the same course
Outcome: Two certifications from one training block
Key features
- Qualifies divers to use EAN-22 to EAN-40 without direct supervision
- Covers cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixes and gas blending procedures
- Minimum age 18, or 15 with parental consent
- Open to certified open water divers or those currently enrolled in an open water course
- Leads to TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures
Pros
- USD eLearning price of $144.15 published on the course page
- Can be taken during your open water course
- eLearning available in many languages
Cons
- Not a standalone first certification; you need open water too
- Minimum age 15 even with parental consent
- Training beyond eLearning is billed by the dive shop
Rank 9
CMAS One Star Diver
The entry-level diver training programme of CMAS, the World Underwater Federation, delivered through national federations and clubs.
cmas.org7.2
out of 10
Best for: Divers in Europe and other regions where the national federation teaches CMAS
CMAS, the World Underwater Federation, is the sporting federation behind competitive underwater sports and a star-based diver training system. Its One Star Diver training programme is the entry point for people who want to dive safely with a competent instructor, and it sits at the bottom of a ladder that continues with Two Star Diver (recommended maximum depth of 30 m) and Three Star Diver. CMAS also publishes an introductory programme to 10 m under direct instructor supervision, often called a resort course. Training is delivered through CMAS national federations and their clubs, so the price, schedule and exact course details depend on the country. That model works well in parts of Europe where federation clubs are common and dive regularly, but availability depends on your country and there is no central online price to check. Treat CMAS as the pick when your local club or federation teaches it.
Standout feature
CMAS One Star Diver is the first rung of a star ladder run by national federations, with Two Star Diver going to a recommended 30 m.
Use cases
Residents of countries with a CMAS federation
Learn through a local club
Outcome: One Star card and regular club dives
Divers interested in underwater sports
Join the federation that runs competitions
Outcome: Access to CMAS sport programmes
Key features
- Star-based ladder: One Star, Two Star and Three Star Diver
- Two Star Diver builds on One Star with a recommended maximum depth of 30 m
- Separate introductory programme to 10 m under direct instructor supervision
- Delivered by CMAS national federations and their clubs
- CMAS also sets standards for nitrox, technical, freediving and scientific diving
Pros
- Federation-backed standards used by national diving bodies
- Clear star ladder from beginner to experienced diver
- Club training often includes regular group dives
Cons
- No central price; each federation or club sets fees, so the USD check is pending
- Availability depends on whether your country's federation teaches CMAS
- Course details vary by national federation
Frequently asked questions
+What diving certification is best?
PADI Open Water Diver is the best diving certification for most new divers. It requires four open water dives after 5 to 10 hours of eLearning, starts at age 10, and PADI shops teach it in most dive destinations. SSI Open Water Diver is an equal alternative if your nearest shop teaches SSI.
+What is the best dive certification for beginners?
For beginners, the best dive certification is an open water course from PADI or SSI. Both certify you to 18 m/60 ft with four open water dives or sessions, and both are taught at thousands of dive centers; SSI lists more than 4,000 training centers.
+What is the cheapest scuba certification agency?
NAUI had the lowest published agency fee we found, at $121.97 for its Open Water Scuba Diver Digital NES with eLearning and digital certification as of November 2026. SDI's eLearning costs $157.50. Both exclude pool and open water training, which the dive shop charges for.
+Is PADI or SSI better for new divers?
Neither is clearly better; pick the agency your preferred dive shop teaches. PADI requires four open water dives and SSI four open water sessions, both to 18 m/60 ft from age 10. SSI puts the course, logbook and digital card in its free MySSI app.
+How long does it take to get scuba certified?
Most new divers certify in 2 to 4 days of in-water training after eLearning. PADI estimates 5 to 10 hours of eLearning, and SSI suggests 16 to 32 hours in total. GUE's course takes five to six days with at least 40 hours of instruction.
+How deep can you dive with an open water certification?
Open water divers can usually dive to 18 m/60 ft. That limit applies to PADI, SSI and RAID Open Water. BSAC Ocean Diver qualifies to 20 m and GUE Open Water Diver to 21 m/70 ft.
+Do I need a nitrox certification as a new diver?
No, but it is the most common first add-on. TDI Nitrox Diver eLearning costs $144.15 and qualifies you to use EAN-22 to EAN-40, and you can take it while enrolled in an open water course.
About this list
Updated November 11, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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