Pro Dive Sydney Openwater Course Weekday Manly Brookvale

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Become a certified scuba diver midweek or over a weekend on Sydney's Northern Beaches: one evening at Pro Dive's Brookvale shop next to Manly, then two days of pool training and four ocean dives from the shore, usually at Shelly Beach in Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. It is open from age 12 on weekdays and 15 on weekends, all dive gear is included, and your certification to 20 metres is recognised worldwide.

Days

One evening and two full days, on weekdays or a weekend

Age

12+ weekdays, 15+ weekends; under-18s need a parent or guardian's consent

Group size

Up to 6 students per instructor

Start / finish

Pro Dive Manly, Brookvale, then a heated pool and Northern Beaches shore dive sites
Day three, about 5pm

Return

Day three, about 5pm

Accommodation

Not included; this is a non-residential course

Transport

Your own car, or transport with Pro Dive's Club Membership

Meals

Certification barbecue on the last day; bring your own lunch

Route

Map of Pro Dive Sydney Openwater Course Weekday Manly Brookvale

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Included experiences

Online theory — three to four hours at home before the course
Pro Dive Manly — theory review, gear sizing and a short exam
Victoria Park Pool — scuba skills and the swim test in a heated pool
Shelly Beach, Cabbage Tree Bay — four ocean training dives from the shore
Last day — certification barbecue as a new Open Water diver

Pro Dive Sydney Openwater Course Weekday Manly Brookvale

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Itinerary

Map

BEFORE YOU START: THE THEORY AT HOME

After you book, the online theory arrives by email: three to four hours of modules and quizzes to finish at home before the first evening, plus a headshot to upload for your certification card. You can't start without it, so leave yourself time. The weekday and weekend versions are the same course and the same certification, only the days change.

DAY 1, EVENING: PRO DIVE MANLY IN BROOKVALE

The course opens on a weekday evening (Monday or Wednesday), or on Friday evening for the weekend course, at Pro Dive Manly's shop in Brookvale, the suburb next to Manly that is home to Brookvale Oval and the Manly Sea Eagles. Come in through the Ethel Avenue entrance. You meet your instructor and classmates, no more than six students to an instructor, go back over the theory, get sized for your gear and sit a short exam. By the end of the evening your kit is ready, down to the dive computer.

DAY 2: THE POOL AND YOUR FIRST OCEAN DIVE

A long, early day that starts at Victoria Park Pool on Broadway, the outdoor heated 50-metre pool beside the University of Sydney. In calm water you take your first breaths underwater, practise the core skills and complete the swim test: 200 metres without stopping, any stroke, no clock, then 10 minutes treading water or floating. Then it's the ocean. You walk in from the shore for your first training dive, usually at Shelly Beach in Manly, a rare west-facing beach on this coast that stays sheltered when the surf is up, and your second if there's time.

DAY 3: YOUR LAST DIVES AND CERTIFICATION

You finish the four ocean dives, repeating your pool skills in open water. Most are inside Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, home to more than 160 species of fish, at Shelly Beach or Fairy Bower off the walk from Manly Beach, and sometimes at Clifton Gardens in Mosman, a harbour site full of small, odd creatures. Eastern blue groper follow divers about, wobbegong sharks lie still on the reef, and a weedy seadragon, found only in southern Australian waters, is a lucky find. Your 5 mm wetsuit is made for Sydney's 15 to 24 °C water. The course ends with a certification barbecue and you leave an Open Water diver.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pro Dive Manly, 2/170 Harbord Road, Brookvale, next door to Manly; use the Ethel Avenue entrance for the first session. Public transport doesn't reach the pool and dive sites on the course schedule, so drive yourself or add Pro Dive's Club Membership when you book, which includes rides from the shop during the course (limited seats).
Departure time: First evening about 6:30pm; days two and three from about 7am. The course runs Monday to Wednesday, Wednesday to Friday, or Friday to Sunday on the weekend course.
Finishes: Day three, about 5pm.
Minimum age: 12 on weekday courses, 15 on weekend courses.
Fitness: You must swim 200 metres without stopping and tread water or float for 10 minutes. If you can't complete the swim test on the course, you can't continue, and rebooking is at full cost.
Please note: Complete the dive medical questionnaire before you book. A yes to any question, or being 60 or over, means a doctor must sign you off as fit to dive at least 7 days before the course; heart disease, asthma or epilepsy, for example, may stop you diving. Instructor training is in English. Every part of the course must be done within 90 days of your start date.

What to bring

Swimwear
Towel
Sunscreen
Lunch, or money to buy it

What is included

Online theory with quizzes, done at home before the course
Pool training in a heated pool
4 ocean training dives from the shore
Open Water certification to 20 metres, recognised worldwide, with a digital card
Log book
Instructor fees
All gear for the course: mask, fins, snorkel, 5 mm full-length wetsuit, buoyancy vest, regulator with spare air source, dive computer, tanks, air fills, weight belt and weights
Certification barbecue on the last day

Not included

Pool entry fee (about $7, paid at the pool)
Transport to the pool and dive sites
Lunch
A dive medical, if you need one
A physical certification card (optional extra)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.