We always say you can take two trips to the Philippines: one above the sea and another below it. Considering that more than 70% of our planet is covered by water, taking a diving course will let you discover the underwater world and, in the Philippines—believe us—that is truly wonderful. The Philippines sits in the Coral Triangle, that is, the place with the greatest marine biodiversity on the planet, so getting to know its seabeds is almost a must. We became divers in the Philippines and, from that moment on, we haven’t been able to stop exploring underwater corners around the country. In this article we want to tell you what it’s like to take the diving course in Bohol, which we believe is the best place to get your Open Water in Spanish.
Let’s not fool anyone: scuba diving is a risk sport and it’s something that can be a bit intimidating for someone who has never tried it. Breathing underwater isn’t natural, and it’s normal to be afraid your ears might hurt or to even doubt whether you’ll enjoy it. The first thing we need to tell you is that you’re not alone—we’ve all been there—so rest easy because your dive instructor will understand you and will help you overcome those worries.
Plus, if—like us—you handle yourself in English but in stressful moments or when you need to understand something perfectly you feel it’s much better to have everything in your own language, in the Philippines you’ll have the chance to learn to dive in Spanish. There are many instructors to do the Open Water in Spanish in the Philippines, and many of them have decided to dedicate their lives to running diving courses in Bohol.
Stay with us because we’re going to tell you everything about the diving courses in Bohol.
What is the Open Water Diver course?
It’s a course that certifies you as an independent diver down to 18 meters anywhere in the world. There are different certifying agencies, the most important being PADI; that’s why the diving course is known as the PADI Open Water Diver (OWD).
We’re going to focus on this one, but there are many more courses to keep advancing in your diver “career.” The next is Advanced Open Water Diver; there are also try-dives (discover scuba), but we’ll talk about those at the end of this article.
Why take the diving course in Bohol?
As you can read in our article about diving in the Philippines, there are loads of places to dive throughout the country and you’ll find instructors everywhere. However, if we had to choose a single place to get started in the underwater world, for us it’s clear: the best place to take a diving course is Bohol. Why? For several reasons:
- The most important: Panglao, an island next to Bohol where almost all of Bohol’s dive schools are located, has one of the best reefs in the Philippines. From your very first dive, when you’re scared to death and not really sure what you’re doing, you’ll be seeing marine life, and we promise you’ll forget any fears you have. This doesn’t happen in other places in the Philippines, where you’ll likely be taken to shallow, sandy dive spots with little life or where visibility is a bit rough. In Bohol it’s rare for visibility to be under 10 meters and very common for it to reach up to 30 meters, so there’s no sense of claustrophobia. If you want more info about what dives are like here, check out our article on Diving in Panglao.
- Alona Beach is the best-known beach on Panglao Island and it’s where most schools offering diving courses in Bohol are based. Since you’ll invest 3–4 days in it, it’s much better to go somewhere with good tourist infrastructure to make life easier. For example, it doesn’t make sense to us to do a diving course somewhere you can’t even see the sea from the classroom. In Panglao, besides being able to jump in the water between classes, you kick a pebble and a restaurant appears. You also have beachfront hotels, so you can pop back to your room to rest or shower without losing too much time. It’s true that it’s one of the most touristic places in the Philippines but, far from being a disadvantage, we think it’s a chance to have a comfortable, pleasant course.
-
- Since there’s a lot of competition between dive schools, taking the diving course in Bohol gives you a great chance of having good instructors, good gear, and good facilities. That said, not all are the same and, since this is such an important decision (your safety and comfort are at stake), it’s worth making sure you choose a good center. Unfortunately, having seen it all in Panglao, there are Spanish-speaking centers with gear in terrible condition that isn’t properly washed and facilities that leave much to be desired. At the end of this article, we’ll talk more about this in detail.
- Competition has also meant that the prices of diving courses in Bohol are a bit lower than in other places in the Philippines and, of course, than in Spain. As of today, the full course with equipment and materials is around 18.500–19.000 Philippine pesos.
-
- Plus, some Bohol dive schools go the extra mile and offer professional photographers you can hire so you take home a great memory of your first dives.
- There are lots of things to do in Panglao besides diving, so during your Open Water course in Bohol you can also slip away to see spectacular beaches (Dumaluan is TOP), snorkel with a huge sardine run, or watch stunning sunsets. When you’re done, you can also take a day trip to explore Bohol or continue your trip around other corners of the island at your own pace.
-
- When you finish the Open Water course in Bohol in Spanish, you’ll have the chance to make your first dive as a certified diver in Balicasag, which is, without any doubt, one of the best marine sanctuaries in the Philippines. Seriously, you’ll be amazed by the number of turtles, fish schools, and how beautiful the corals are. On the other hand, some folks have hit the jackpot and run into the whale shark during their Open Water course in Panglao—how about that! You can read all about this trip in Diving in Balicasag.
-
- Getting to Panglao (Bohol) is very easy. As we explain in How to get to Bohol, there are direct flights to Panglao International Airport, just 10 minutes from where the dive schools in Bohol are. Plus, you can also arrive and depart to other nearby islands like Siquijor, Cebu, Camiguin, or Leyte by boat. And in case you’re wondering, they also offer great diving so you can keep breaking in your diver card.
What is the Open Water course in Bohol like? How many days will it take?
The first thing you need to know about diving courses in Bohol is that they’re done in a very personalized way. Usually there are 2, 3, or 4 divers at most—you might even find yourself with an instructor just for you. Since this is learning that should last a lifetime and covers very important concepts, schools keep groups small.
As anywhere in the world, the diving course in Bohol will take you 3- 3,5 days. There isn’t a fixed number of days because it depends on how you do in the water. Your instructor will gauge your own pace as they see your progress. Although you might be a certified diver by day three, we recommend planning at least 4 days so you don’t cut it short.
Many schools—including the one we can recommend if you leave us a comment—save time by using what’s known as e-learning. That is, when you book your course (and pay a deposit, because they’ll have to pay PADI for the license), they’ll send you the online materials so you can move ahead with the theory at home, completing the different quizzes and even the exam. It’s a way to get ahead and have more free time to make the most of Bohol without spending the whole day tied up with diving. In that case, you’ll be able to finish your course in 2,5–3 days, and most of those days you’ll wrap up at midday, leaving the afternoon free for whatever you like.
The Open Water course in Bohol is divided into 3 parts: theory, confined-water practice, and open-water practice. To give you an idea, it works roughly like this day by day:
First day of your Open Water course in Bohol
You’ll fill out different documents with your personal details, a form about your health, and another about the safety and responsibility you assume during the course. Depending on what time you arrive, you’ll start to “enjoy” the wonderful theory videos.
They’re a bit tedious, but we’ve all been through them and it’s the best way to learn. There are 5 videos in total, corresponding to the 5 lessons in the manual you’ll be given. At the end of each lesson there are some exercises that most instructors will have you complete. Usually, on the morning of the first day of your diving course in Bohol you’ll watch 3 videos and then the instructor will give you a lesson on the basic concepts covered.
In the afternoon, depending on how your instructor sees you, you’ll do your first dive in a pool or in the sea but in a shallow area. This is what’s called a confined-water dive and it helps you get over the fear of breathing through the regulator and learn basic skills such as descending, buoyancy control, how to clear your mask underwater, or how to put on and take off other parts of your gear like the BCD or weights underwater. You’ll also learn to assemble and disassemble your own gear outside the pool.
As we mentioned, you can skip part of this if you advance with the theory by booking the course in advance, since you’ll receive the e-learning materials. In this case, it’s common to be done around 14:00.
Second day of your Open Water course in Bohol
This day depends on how day one went, but the usual plan is to continue with the theory sessions from the day before and then do your first open-water dives, i.e., in the sea.
On this day it’s common not to go deeper than 12 meters, and the instructor will keep teaching you basic skills so you can become an autonomous diver in the future. Exercises like sharing air with your buddy or how to use depth tables are common. A dive usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on your air consumption.
Third day of your Open Water course in Bohol
If everything has gone as expected, this day you’ll do 2 deeper dives, to a maximum of 18 meters. The instructor will be right by your side, teaching you new skills and checking that everything is going well. You’ll see how you start enjoying the underwater world and the feeling of being in a parallel world.
You won’t get out of taking your final exam. It’s multiple-choice and—don’t worry—we haven’t met anyone who’s failed it yet. Once you’ve passed, you’ll be ready to dive in almost any place in the world! Welcome to the underwater world!
If you’ve chosen e-learning, you may finish the diving course in Bohol by day 2, but it’s still a good idea to keep the morning of day 3 free in case you need it.
PADI e-learning in Bohol
As we were saying, there’s a way to shorten the course a little during your stay in the Philippines and learn some of the theory while you’re at home. This is known as PADI e-learning. When you book the course with the center, you’ll need to pay a deposit (about 5.000 pesos); they’ll advance the PADI fees and send you all the materials.
Don’t worry—although you’ve done it all online, if it’s a good dive school in Bohol the instructor will explain everything in detail and go over what you’ve studied on your own to make sure you’ve understood it all. Remember, it’s a risk sport, so a responsible center will insist on safety above all.
IMPORTANT: please, when looking for a school to take your Open Water course in Bohol, make sure the procedure is similar to what we’ve described and that the number of students isn’t large. Don’t get carried away by trivial matters—what matters is safety.
How much does it cost to take the diving course in Bohol in Spanish?
Prices for diving courses in Spanish in Bohol are in line with what they cost throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia in general. Although taking the Open Water in Thailand (specifically in Koh Tao) used to be the cheapest in Asia, prices have risen considerably and now even surpass those in the Philippines. Plus, considering the crowds (yes, even underwater) and the things you’ll see on your first dives, we think the value for money in the Philippines is much higher.
In general, almost all dive schools in Bohol charge around 18.050–20.000 pesos (300€–320€, depending on the exchange rate) to do the Open Water in Spanish. This price includes the gear, the manual, the logbook (a little notebook for recording all your dives from now on) and, most importantly, the PADI fees—i.e., the most important organization in the world and the one that certifies that you’re a qualified diver who can dive almost anywhere in the world from now on.
Heads up: your physical diver card will arrive at your home later. In the meantime, you’ll have a diver number and you’ll appear in PADI’s database, so you’ll be able to keep diving during your trip to the Philippines. PADI now also has digital certificates, so don’t worry.
Prices are similar at almost all dive centers, so we wouldn’t be swayed by a few pesos less or big offers. Honestly, we don’t want to harp on, but 10€ or 20€ isn’t important when your safety and a lifetime of learning are at stake.
As we mentioned, if you’re going to do e-learning, it’s common to be asked for a deposit. We strongly recommend opening a Revolut account (with this link you get €10 free, and you can read more about it in Best cards for the Philippines) so you don’t rack up huge fees for paying in a currency other than the euro or for transfers to the Philippines.
Which dive school should you choose to take the Open Water course in Bohol in Spanish?
We’ve already given you a few hints above, but for us it’s essential that you choose a school that gives you, above all, safety and professionalism.
Even if we don’t like to hear it, diving is a dangerous sport and accidents happen. In most cases it’s a matter of (bad) luck, but sometimes they could have been avoided.
In our opinion, a good dive school has to offer you, in order of importance:
- Qualified instructors with experience who empathize with your concerns and fears. Of course, if they love their job and transmit their passion for diving, even better.
- Instructors who speak Spanish: as we said, it’s normal to have fears or doubts when learning, so if you learn in your language, you’ll feel more comfortable and your worries will vanish in a flash.
- Small groups: don’t let them cram you in; look for personalized attention so you can learn better.
- Good equipment: in the Philippines it’s unfortunately very common to see wetsuits, BCDs, or masks in poor condition. It’s normal for gear to wear out over time, but not for it to have lots of holes or be falling to pieces. If you can, swing by the center and take a look.
- Hygiene: if you see a single tank for cleaning all the gear… be suspicious! Having a wetsuit (which people often pee in) washed in the same place as the mask or regulator isn’t just disgusting—it’s a breeding ground for bacteria and subsequent infections. We’re not saying this for the sake of it; we’ve seen exactly this in some dive centers in Panglao.
- Good facilities and boats: if a center has a classroom (sea views are even better), boats in good condition and of a decent size (you’ll appreciate the comfort and not banging your tank into other divers), and a few extras like common areas to meet people, you’ll feel more comfortable since you’ll spend many hours there.
- Good location: it’s not the same to be on the beach as it is to be a block or two back, right? Plus, if you can walk from your hotel, it’ll be more convenient.
- Pleasant atmosphere: we all like to get rid of nerves by chatting with other divers, so if the vibe is friendly and there’s the odd beer at the end of the day, so much the better.
- Option for e-learning: so you can get ahead and have your afternoons free on the beach.
We’re old hands at diving in the Philippines. We both learned to dive there (Claudia in Anilao and Jairo in Bohol) and we know all the Spanish dive schools in Bohol. If you’d like us to recommend the one that, in our opinion, is the best—the one we always use—leave us a comment and we’ll give you more information.
Leave us a comment below and we will send you information about the best diving school in Bohol
Other diving courses in Bohol
Of course, it doesn’t end here. There are more diving courses you can do in Bohol:
Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) – Try dive in Bohol
If you don’t have time to take your diving course in Bohol or want to try first to see whether you like it, an alternative is to do a try dive or Discover Scuba Diving. This is a dive for someone who doesn’t yet have the Open Water; therefore you go to a maximum depth of 12 meters and you’re always accompanied by an instructor dedicated just to you. Before heading to the sea, they’ll give you some basic instructions. It lasts 2 or 3 hours.
If you ask us whether it’s worth doing a try dive in Bohol, we’d say we think it’s the best place in the Philippines to do it. It’s one of the best for seeing marine life from minute one.
Approximate price: 3.500 pesos
Advanced Open Water Diver in Bohol (AOW)
This is the next step after Open Water. You learn a few more skills such as navigation or night diving and improve your buoyancy. In addition, the deep diving specialty will allow you to descend to 40 meters for the rest of your life as a diver. This is particularly important if you want to dive with the thresher shark in Malapascua or if you want to dive the best wrecks in Coron.
The course usually lasts 2 or 3 days, as you do 5 dives and some theory as well. There’s also the option to do part of the theory online.
Approximate price: 16.000 pesos
Rescue Diver and EFR (first aid) in Bohol
In this 4-day course you’ll learn to identify diving problems and how to solve them. It’s a course that will give you even more confidence to dive, as it teaches rescue practices both above and below the water. Rescue Diver certification is usually paired with First Aid (EFR).
Approximate price: 18.800 pesos (Rescue) + 8.800 (EFR)
Divemaster in Bohol
If you’re thinking of taking the professional leap and becoming a dive guide, you’ll first need to do the Open Water, then Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and EFR before moving on to Divemaster. A minimum experience of 40 logged dives is required, and you must finish the course with 60.
The course must be done over a minimum of 10 days, but most schools we’ve spoken to over the years recommend doing it over at least 1 month to gain enough experience. During this time you’ll learn a great deal of theory and practical skills and you’ll have to pass different tests and exams. You’ll also assist other divemasters or dive instructors when they’re guiding clients.
Approximate price: from 40.000 pesos
Dive instructor in Bohol (IDC)
In this case, the course prepares you to teach courses to other people. It is, in fact, an extension of the divemaster course. You’ll need 100 dives to start this course, which usually lasts about 15 days.
Approximate price: from 95.000 pesos
Do you have any questions or suggestions about the diving courses in Bohol? We’d love to receive your comment below.
