Is the Open Water Diver Course Difficult? What Beginners Should Know
What usually feels challenging, what you will learn and how to prepare before starting your scuba certification.
Is the Open Water Diver Course Difficult? What Beginners Should Know
What usually feels challenging, what you will learn and how to prepare before starting your scuba certification.
🤿 Is the Open Water Diver Course Difficult?
One of the most common questions before starting a scuba certification is whether the Open Water Diver course is difficult. If you have never dived before, it is normal to wonder if you will manage the equipment, breathe underwater, equalize your ears or complete the required skills 🌊
Quick answer: The Open Water Diver course is usually not difficult if you are reasonably comfortable in the water, follow your instructor and progress step by step. The parts beginners often find harder are buoyancy control, equalizing the ears, mask skills and gaining confidence while breathing underwater. You do not need to be an athlete, but you do need a calm attitude and willingness to learn.
The Open Water Diver course is designed for beginners. Its purpose is not to push you into extreme situations, but to teach you how to dive progressively, safely and confidently. You usually start with basic theory, practise skills in a controlled environment and then complete open water dives under professional supervision.
The real difficulty depends a lot on the person. Some students find the theory more challenging. Others need more time with the mask, buoyancy or the first feeling of breathing through a regulator. The important thing is that the course is built to help you develop confidence, technique and independence underwater step by step 🐠
At Family Elite Divers, we help travellers find and reserve scuba diving courses with selected local dive centers. The activities are carried out by authorised local partner centers, and we always recommend choosing a center with small groups, certified instructors and a teaching rhythm adapted to the student.
If you are still comparing options, you can start with our guide to the Open Water Diver course in the Canary Islands or read the specific article about the Open Water Diver course in Tenerife.
📌 Quick Summary: Open Water Diver Difficulty
- ✔ The course is designed for beginners with no previous diving experience.
- ✔ You do not need to be very sporty, but you should feel reasonably comfortable in the water.
- ✔ The most common challenges are buoyancy, mask skills and ear equalization.
- ✔ The theory is manageable if you take your time and understand the basic safety concepts.
- ✔ A good instructor should adapt the pace and never make you feel rushed.
- ✔ Choosing the right dive center can make the course feel much easier, safer and more enjoyable.
🧠 Which Parts of the Course Are Usually Hardest?
Every student experiences the course differently, but some parts tend to create more doubts at the beginning. The good news is that all of them are practised progressively and under supervision.
The first sensation that surprises many students is breathing underwater through a regulator. At first it may feel unusual, but after a few minutes most people adapt and start breathing more calmly.
Another important skill is buoyancy control. Learning not to sink too much or rise without control takes practice, calm breathing and small adjustments with the BCD. It is completely normal not to do it perfectly at first.
Mask skills can also feel uncomfortable for some beginners, especially clearing water from the mask or removing and replacing it. These skills are not technically difficult, but they require calm. If you tend to get nervous, it is better to tell your instructor before starting 🤿
If your biggest concern is losing control underwater, we recommend reading our guide about fear of scuba diving and panic underwater.
📊 Open Water Diver Difficulty by Course Section
To understand whether the Open Water Diver course is difficult, it helps to separate each part of the training. Not every section feels the same, and each student may find different things easier or harder depending on their comfort in the water 🧠
| Course section | Usual difficulty | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Theory | Low to medium | Read calmly and understand basic safety, pressure and dive planning |
| Breathing underwater | Medium at first | Relax, breathe slowly and trust the equipment |
| Mask skills | Medium | Stay calm and practise step by step |
| Buoyancy control | Medium | Practise, breathe properly and make small adjustments |
| Open water dives | Medium, depending on conditions | Follow your instructor, equalize well and do not rush |
FED tip: Do not choose an Open Water Diver course only because it is the cheapest or the fastest. For a beginner, the most important factors are usually the instructor, group size, clear explanations, equipment condition and whether the dive center adapts the pace to the student.
🌊 Do You Need to Be a Strong Swimmer?
You do not need to be an advanced swimmer, but you should feel comfortable in the water. The Open Water Diver course involves staying at the surface, moving with equipment, completing exercises and remaining calm in different situations.
If the water makes you nervous, it does not automatically mean you cannot take the course, but you should be honest about it. A good instructor can advise whether it is better to start directly with the course or first try a simpler experience such as Discover Scuba Diving.
Comfort in the water has a big impact on how difficult the course feels. A relaxed student usually learns faster, uses less air and enjoys each practice session more. That is why it is important to choose a course that does not feel rushed and allows you to learn progressively.
👂 What If You Struggle to Equalize Your Ears?
Ear equalization is one of the key skills in scuba diving. During the course, you will learn to equalize frequently and gently, especially during descents.
If you are congested, have sinus problems, ear pain or difficulty equalizing, you should not force it. In those cases, the instructor can stop the descent, go slightly shallower or even postpone a dive if it is not safe to continue.
Forcing your ears is not part of learning to dive. A good course teaches you to listen to your body, signal early and act calmly 🛟
Before the course, you can prepare by reading our guide on how to equalize your ears while scuba diving.
✅ How to Make the Course Feel Easier
The Open Water Diver course feels much easier when you arrive prepared, rested and with realistic expectations. You do not need to know everything before starting; you just need to begin with the right attitude and understand that you will learn step by step 🤿
Before starting the course, it can help to:
- ✔ Review the theory with enough time instead of leaving everything to the last day
- ✔ Tell your instructor if you have fear, anxiety or specific concerns
- ✔ Practise slow and calm breathing before entering the water
- ✔ Avoid taking the course if you are sick, congested or have ear pain
- ✔ Sleep well and avoid arriving rushed or exhausted
- ✔ Choose a center that works with small groups and personalised attention
It is also important to review medical requirements before starting. If you have a health condition, relevant medication or doubts about the medical questionnaire, read our guide about the medical certificate for diving in Spain.
⚠️ Common Mistakes When Starting the Open Water Diver Course
Many students do not struggle because they lack ability, but because they start with the wrong expectations. The course is not about doing everything perfectly the first time; it is about learning safely.
- ❌ Choosing the course only because it is the cheapest option
- ❌ Trying to complete it too fast during a very short trip
- ❌ Not telling the instructor that you feel afraid or anxious
- ❌ Comparing yourself with other students
- ❌ Forcing mask skills, buoyancy or ear equalization without signalling
- ❌ Thinking that struggling at first means you are not made for diving
Avoiding these mistakes will make your experience much smoother. In scuba diving, calm, communication and progression matter more than doing everything perfectly from the first minute.
❓ FAQ — Open Water Diver Course Difficulty
Is the Open Water Diver course difficult for beginners?
It is usually not difficult if you are comfortable in the water and follow your instructor. The course is designed for people with no previous scuba diving experience.
What is the hardest part of the Open Water Diver course?
For many students, the hardest parts at first are buoyancy control, mask skills or staying calm while breathing underwater.
Can you fail the Open Water Diver course?
Yes, it can happen if the required skills or standards are not completed safely. However, the goal of the instructor is usually to help you practise until you master them properly.
Do I need to be very fit?
You do not need to be an athlete, but you should have reasonable physical condition, feel comfortable in the water and have no relevant medical issue that prevents diving.
Is it better to do Discover Scuba Diving first?
If you have many doubts or have never breathed underwater before, a Discover Scuba Diving experience can help you understand the feeling before committing to the full course.
🏆 Is the Open Water Diver Course Worth It?
Yes, if you want to really learn how to dive instead of doing only a one-day experience. The Open Water Diver course may feel like a challenge at first, but it is also one of the best ways to gain confidence underwater and open the door to future dives in many destinations 🌍
Once certified, you will be able to enjoy recreational dives with more independence, understand scuba safety better and make much more of your diving trips.
At Family Elite Divers, we can help you compare options with selected local dive centers so you can start with a course adapted to your level, destination and travel dates.
If you want to take the next step, you can explore the Open Water Diver course in Tenerife or contact us before booking.
I’m Esteban, a diver and the person behind Family Elite Divers.
Tell me your skill level, your dates, and where you’d like to dive, and I’ll help you choose the experience that best suits you.
Do you have any questions before booking? Write to me, and I’ll give you personalized guidance.
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