Learning scuba basics in three days is real. In Mallorca, this open-water certification course mixes online theory with hands-on water skills and ends with internationally recognized certification. You’ll learn control first, then apply it for four real open-water sessions up to 18 meters.

I especially like the small group size. With a maximum of 4 travelers, you can ask questions without waiting your turn, and you get help when you are setting up and checking your gear.

If you are coming in without the right paperwork, that can slow you down. You need a diving medical certificate, and the course also depends on good weather, so plan for schedule tweaks if conditions are poor.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Online theory before you arrive, so your first day is more practice and less guesswork
• Shallow-water training first, building comfort and control before the deeper water work
• Four open-water sessions up to 18 meters, using what you practiced right away
• Small groups of up to 4, which helps you get personal coaching
• Included equipment, online certification, and diving insurance, so fewer extras to buy
• Start age 10, making it one of the more youth-friendly paths to certification

Why Mallorca Is a Smart Place for Open-Water Certification

Mallorca is one of those places where the water feels like the main event. You get a real sense of ocean life without needing to be an expert right from day one. The course is built for progression: you start with the mental and mechanical parts, then you move into open water once you can do the basics calmly.

What I like here is the pacing. The training sequence is clear on paper and in practice: theory first, shallow-water confidence next, then four open-water sessions to a maximum depth of 18 meters. That structure matters because your brain learns best when it can connect the classroom ideas to real-world sensations.

It’s also in a setup that feels easy to show up for. You meet at Big Blue Diving in Puerto Portals and the experience ends back at the meeting point. That keeps your day simpler, especially if you are already juggling time in Mallorca.

The 3-Day Flow: Online Theory to Open-Water Confidence

The biggest difference with this course compared to a more casual snorkeling outing is that you arrive with the foundation already done. Before the in-water days, you complete online theory. That means you are not hearing safety concepts for the first time while you are wearing a regulator and concentrating on buoyancy.

Over the roughly 3 days, the order usually goes like this:

• Online theory beforehand to prepare you
• Shallow-water training to build control and comfort
• Four open-water sessions, taking you to a maximum of 18 meters

The value of this sequence is practical. Shallow-water training is where you learn the routines that make everything else possible: equipment basics, body position, breathing awareness, and responding when things feel different than a lesson video.

Then, once you move into the open water sessions, the skills stop being abstract. You get to see how your control translates to real conditions, with open water doing what it does: shifting light, varying visibility, and the feeling of being out in the ocean rather than in a controlled space.

Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals: Gear, Safety Checks, and Real Attention

Your course starts at Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals, at Local 119 Edificio D4, 07181 Portals Nous, Illes Balears, Spain, with a 10:00 am start time. It’s also listed as near public transportation, which is helpful if you don’t want to make parking your problem.

The course includes use of scuba equipment, so you are not renting parts on the fly. That sounds minor until you realize how much easier it is to progress when your instructor already knows the gear you are using.

I also love how the training focuses on the fundamentals. In a great review, the person highlighted learning everything from setting up and checking equipment to a range of underwater exercises that teach you how to respond in different situations. That focus is what makes a certification feel earned, not just completed.

And since the group is capped at 4 travelers, you can get help that actually sticks. You can correct small mistakes early, rather than hoping they fix themselves once you are in open water.

Shallow-Water Training: Where Confidence Is Built, Not Faked

Shallow-water work is the part where your attitude can change fast. Day 1 often feels like a lot. You are coordinating breathing, body position, and gear. You may feel awkward, and that is normal.

What you are supposed to get from the shallow-water phase is control. You practice the same core moves again and again until they stop feeling like a puzzle. The shallow setting gives you room to learn without the pressure of deeper conditions.

From the reviews you can pick up a pattern: the first day is tougher, then things click. One diver described how the course felt hard at first, but by Day 3 they had confidence and loved exploring Mallorca’s waters with the team and some new friends. That kind of progression is exactly what a good training setup aims for.

A key practical point: shallow-water training is also where you learn what to do when something does not feel perfect. Instead of freezing, you learn responses you can rely on. That is the difference between thinking, I hope this goes well, and thinking, I know what to do next.

Four Open-Water Sessions to 18 Meters: What Changes

The course culminates with four open-water sessions, with a maximum depth of 18 meters. The moment you move past shallow water, you start noticing the ocean as a space, not just a location. It is bigger, darker at depth, and the environment has more presence.

This is where the earlier theory and shallow-water practice pay off. When you have already rehearsed the basics, you can spend more brainpower on enjoying the experience instead of wrestling the gear.

The best outcomes tend to come from people who are willing to be a beginner for a couple of days. You are not expected to feel like a pro immediately. In fact, that same review story of a Day 1 struggle turning into Day 3 confidence is a great reminder: learning scuba is a skill ramp, not a switch.

You’ll also benefit from the course being small. With only up to 4 travelers, the instructor can adjust support quickly. If you need extra repeats for an exercise or want a different explanation, you are more likely to get it while it still feels relevant.

Price and Value: What $718.96 Really Covers

At $718.96 per person for about 3 days, this isn’t a “cheap fun day” kind of experience. It’s priced like a proper certification course, and the value comes from what is wrapped in.

Here’s what is included:

• Use of scuba equipment
• Online theory
• Online certification
• Diving insurance

That combination matters because certification costs are not just instruction time. They also include the gear and the overhead of getting you through theory and into recognized paperwork. Add the fact the group size is capped at 4, and you start to see why the instruction feels more hands-on.

What is not included:

• Snacks

That last part is easy to miss, so I’d plan for it. Bring a couple of easy snacks or be ready to buy them nearby so you can stay focused during full training days.

Fitness, Paperwork, and Weather: The Real Decision Factors

Two details can make or break your schedule.

First is your health paperwork. You must have a diving medical certificate. The course also notes travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level. If you have any concerns, it’s worth handling the medical step early rather than waiting until you are already in Mallorca.

Second is weather. The experience requires good weather, and if it gets canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That means the trip rhythm matters. If your Mallorca days are packed with zero-flex plans, you might feel the pinch.

One more helpful thing: the course can start from age 10, so if you are traveling with a motivated kid, it’s a real option. Still, it only works if they meet the same training and medical requirements.

Practical Tips to Make Your Course Smoother

Based on how the course is set up, here’s what helps most.

Do the online theory with focus. The whole point is to walk in prepared. If you skim it, you’ll feel behind once you hit shallow-water exercises.

Treat Day 1 as practice, not performance. It can feel tough at first. Your job is to follow instructions, take feedback, and let muscle memory build over the days.

Ask for help with equipment checks immediately. Reviews point to instruction that covers setup and checking equipment. Use that. A quick correction early prevents stress later.

Bring snacks or plan for them. Snacks are listed as not included. Training days can run longer than you expect, and low energy makes learning harder.

Plan your schedule with weather in mind. Since good weather is required, keeping at least a little buffer time in Mallorca can save your sanity.

Who Should Book This Open-Water Certification Course?

This is a great match if you want a structured path to certification in a place where you can actually enjoy the water as you learn.

I’d say book it if:

• You want an internationally recognized certification through a structured program
• You like having personal instruction in a small group
• You can handle a short period of being a beginner, then building confidence fast
• You already know you want to keep diving after the course, not just try it once

I might hesitate if:

• You do not have your diving medical certificate yet
• You have very inflexible dates, since weather can affect scheduling
• You’re expecting a casual outing with minimal skills training

This course is not just about the thrill. It’s about learning enough control to do the fun parts safely and confidently later.

Should You Book This Course in Mallorca?

If you want a real certification path with hands-on coaching, I think this one makes sense. The biggest reasons are the learning order, shallow-water setup, and the small group size that supports quick feedback. Add in the included equipment, online theory, online certification, and diving insurance, and you are getting a lot of what usually becomes separate expenses.

My final advice: if you can meet the medical requirement and you’re flexible enough to handle weather, this is a strong choice. You’ll come out with a credential, but more importantly, you’ll come out knowing what to do in the water instead of hoping for the best.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Mallorca Open Water certification course?

The experience lasts about 3 days.

What time does the course start, and where do I meet?

The start time is 10:00 am. You meet at Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals, Local 119 Edificio D4, 07181 Portals Nous, Illes Balears, Spain.

What is included in the price?

The price includes use of scuba equipment, online theory, online certification, and diving insurance.

What is the maximum depth during the open-water sessions?

The open-water sessions go to a maximum depth of 18 meters.

Is there a minimum age to start the course?

Yes. You can start from age 10.

Do I need a medical certificate?

Yes. A diving medical certificate is required.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.