The SSI Open Water Diver is the world's most popular scuba certification. Once you've completed it, you can dive independently with a certified buddy, no professional required, to 18 metres at any of SSI's 3,300+ affiliated dive centres worldwide.
The course combines self-paced digital theory, 5 confined water training sessions in a pool, and 4 open water dives in the Arabian Sea at Grandé Island. You don't need any prior diving experience. Most students finish in 3–4 days, depending on their comfort and pace.
Best time to do it:
October through May — Goa's prime dive season. Water temperature 27–30°C, visibility 3–6 metres at typical training sites, calm sea conditions for the boat ride to Grandé Island.