Certification Overview

Certification Step 1& 2: Open Water Referral - E-Learning + Pool

Certification Step 3: Open Water Checkout Dives 

Open Water Checkout Dives - WINTER VERSION!

Get Certified and Dive All Year Round!

Two certifications, one course!

Don't let the colder weather stop you from becoming a certified scuba diver! Our Open Water + Dry Suit Diving Combo combines your full Open Water Diver certification with the Dry Suit Diving specialty, allowing you to complete your training throughout the winter months.

Learn the essential skills to become a confident scuba diver while mastering drysuit techniques to stay warm, dry and comfortable in colder waters.

From tropical reefs to Ontario's incredible shipwrecks, this course prepares you to explore the underwater world in any season!

Certification Overview

Step 1 & 2: Open Water Referral (E-Learning + Pool)

Complete your online academic learning and confined water training, where you'll learn the essential skills needed to become a safe and confident scuba diver.

Learn more about the Open Water Referral course

Step 3: Open Water Checkout Dives + Dry Suit Specialty

Complete your 4 Open Water certification dives while learning the skills required to safely and comfortably dive in a drysuit.

Your first 2 dives will take place at the Etobicoke Olympium, followed by dives 3 & 4 in Lake Ontario at Humber Bay Park West.

During your training, you'll learn:

• Proper drysuit use, care and equipment management

• Buoyancy control, weighting and underwater positioning

• Drysuit emergency procedures and safety techniques

• Essential Open Water diving skills and emergency procedures

• How to safely and comfortably dive in colder water

Upon successful completion, you'll receive two internationally recognized certifications: Open Water Diver + Dry Suit Diver!

Course Schedule: 

Monday Night: Open Water Dive #1

• Location: Etobicoke Olympium

• Time: 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM

• Complete your first Open Water dive while learning to use your drysuit

Monday Night: Open Water Dive #2

• Location: Etobicoke Olympium

• Time: 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM

• Continue developing your drysuit skills and complete your second Open Water dive

Open Water Dives #3 & #4

• Location: Humber Bay Park West, Car Park 526

• Address: 225 Humber Bay Park Road West, Toronto

• Complete your final 2 Open Water checkout dives in Lake Ontario while wearing your drysuit

• Exact meeting time will be confirmed before the course

Upon successful completion, you'll be certified as both an Open Water Diver and a Dry Suit Diver!

Equipment Rentals & Valet Service

All gear is included in this course except mask and snorkel!!

We want to make your training as easy and convenient as possible!

Monday Evening Pool Sessions: Gear Valet Included!

For your two monday night sessions, we'll take care of transporting your rental equipment to and from the Etobicoke Olympium.

No need to transport heavy scuba gear! Simply arrive at the pool ready to dive.

Lake Ontario Dives

For your final 2 dives, you'll be responsible for collecting and transporting your rental equipment.

• Thursday, Friday or Saturday prior to course: Pick up your rental equipment from Aquarius Scuba

• Course date (Saturday or Sunday): Bring your equipment to Humber Bay Park West for your checkout dives

• Monday or Tuesday after course: Return your rental equipment to Aquarius Scuba

Please ensure all rental equipment is returned on time and in good condition.

ALL GEAR IS INCLUDED IN THIS COURSE (except mask and snorkel- can be rented for additional fee)! 

What to Bring

For the Monday evening pool sessions:

• Swimsuit and towel

• Comfortable thermal base layers for underneath your drysuit (long sleeve and long pants)

• Water and a light snack

• Your personal mask, snorkel and fins, if you own them

For the Sunday lake dives:

• Warm thermal clothing for underneath your drysuit

• A towel and complete change of clothes (just in case!)

• Water, snacks and lunch

• A tarp or mat to place your equipment on while changing

• Warm clothing for between dives

• Your rental scuba equipment

Please note that paid parking is available at Humber Bay Park West.

Why Choose the Open Water + Dry Suit Combo?

Get certified year-round! No need to wait until summer to complete your Open Water certification.

Earn two certifications! Complete your Open Water Diver and Dry Suit Diver certifications together.

Explore more dive sites! From tropical destinations to the incredible shipwrecks of the Great Lakes, your diving adventures don't have to end when summer does!

Train locally! Gain experience diving in Ontario's colder freshwater environments while learning valuable drysuit skills.

Additional Information

• Students must complete their Open Water Referral (academic learning and confined water training) before beginning the checkout dives.

• Rental equipment must be properly fitted before the course.

• Students must arrange their own transportation to Humber Bay Park West and transport their rental equipment for the Sunday dives.

• Course dates and locations may be adjusted due to weather, water conditions or safety considerations.

• A $50 rescheduling, cancellation or no-show fee applies for changes made with less than one week's notice.

Have questions about the course or want to arrange private training? Contact us at diving@aquariusscuba.com. We'd love to help you get certified!