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EnglishWhat Is PADI and What Can You Do on padi.com?
Updated
PADI stands for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, a scuba diver training organization that says it has been the most recognized dive training organization worldwide for 60 years, with over 30 million divers. On padi.com you can explore beginner and continuing dive courses, book courses through PADI dive centers worldwide, plan dive travel, and get involved in ocean conservation. The site is aimed at both complete beginners—no experience is required, just curiosity—and already certified divers looking to go further.
What PADI actually is
PADI describes itself as the world's leading scuba diver training organization. Its instructors "undergo rigorous training" so that certification classes are fun and conducted with care, according to the site. The organization frames its mission as "Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean."—training divers and supporting ocean protection at the same time.
This matters if you are choosing where to get certified: PADI's scale means a large network of dive centers and instructors worldwide, which is useful if you want to start training near home and continue at a travel destination.
What you can do on the site
The homepage organizes activity into a few clear paths:
| If you are… | What the site offers |
|---|---|
| A complete beginner | Open Water Diver, listed under "Popular eLearning Courses" for beginners |
| Already certified | Advanced Open Water and specialty courses such as Drift Diver; a "See All Courses" link |
| Looking to travel and dive | PADI Travel scuba experts, liveaboard deals, beginner-friendly destination lists, and course booking at thousands of dive centers |
| Interested in conservation | Dive Against Debris, ocean conservation courses, the Ocean Pledge, and donations to the PADI AWARE Foundation |
| A certified diver wanting perks | PADI Club, described as unlocking free courses, special discounts, and diving inspiration |
Courses and eLearning
The site highlights eLearning courses, meaning part of the training can be done online before the in-water portion. For beginners, Open Water Diver is the entry point; for certified divers, Advanced Open Water and specialty courses like Drift Diver are the next steps.
Dive travel
PADI Travel connects you with scuba experts who help pick a destination and plan a trip—whether staying overnight on a diving boat or at a dive resort. The site also lists top places for beginner divers, emphasizing warm water, easy access to on-site PADI dive centers, and sheltered bays for starting training.
Ocean conservation
Conservation is presented as a core part of the brand, with concrete actions you can take: joining a Dive Against Debris cleanup, signing up for an ocean conservation course, taking the Ocean Pledge, or donating to the PADI AWARE Foundation.
Is it right for you?
- Choose PADI if you want a widely recognized certification with a large global network of dive centers, and you like the idea of starting with eLearning and finishing locally or on a trip.
- Start with Open Water Diver if you have no experience—the site explicitly says no experience is required.
- Look elsewhere or ask directly if you need specific pricing, scheduling, or local availability; the homepage points to store and contact pages (such as joining PADI Club or signing up for updates) rather than listing course prices.
A practical first step for a beginner: open the Open Water Diver course page, check what eLearning involves, then use the "find and book scuba courses" tool to locate a PADI dive center near you or at your travel destination.