Open Water Course (PADI)

Cebu’s PADI Open Water course gives beginners a direct path into scuba, with training based at Scotty’s inside Shangri-La Mactan Resort. Michel and Freddie lead the instruction, taking time to explain each step and keeping safety at the center of the course.

I like the private format, since only your group takes part. I also like that the price includes scuba equipment, bottled water, taxes, and fees, so the main cost is clear from the start. The main drawback is the two-day schedule: you need to set aside a solid portion of your Cebu stay, and PADI learning materials, lunch, and soft drinks are extra.

Key points

• Two-day PADI certification course: A practical first step for a beginner or a student continuing from another dive center.
• Private instruction: Only your group participates, which can make it easier to ask questions and work at a comfortable pace.
• Named instructors: Michel and Freddie are praised for clear explanations, patient teaching, and firm attention to safety.
• Resort-based meeting point: Begin at Scotty’s Action Sports Network inside Shangri-La Mactan Resort at 9:00 a.m.
• Costs kept partly simple: Equipment, bottled water, taxes, and fees are included, while PADI materials and meals are not.
• Nearby Lapu-Lapu landmark: The Lapu-Lapu Monument is close to the hotel and makes a useful before-or-after visit.

Starting at Scotty’s on Mactan Island

The course begins at 9:00 a.m. at Scotty’s Action Sports Network, located inside Shangri-La’s Resort and Spa on Punta Engaño Road, Mactan Island. This gives you a fixed, easy-to-find base rather than a vague meeting point somewhere along the coast.

That matters in Cebu. Mactan is part of Lapu-Lapu City, and the resort area is separate from central Cebu City. If you are staying elsewhere, allow time to reach the meeting point. The activity ends back at the same location, so you do not need to arrange a separate return point.

The setting also makes the start less stressful for first-time scuba students. You can arrive, check in, and focus on the course instead of hunting for a boat dock or small roadside office. The meeting details are specific, and confirmation is provided when you book.

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That does not mean the course is casual. PADI training is designed to teach you how to use scuba equipment and prepare you to take your experience to other parts of the world. It does mean your questions and concerns can be addressed within your own group rather than in a large class.

What the two-day PADI course is designed to do

The PADI Open Water Diver course is intended for beginners, newcomers, and students referred from another dive center. In plain terms, it is the entry point for learning scuba rather than a sightseeing trip with a short underwater add-on.

You should expect the two days to focus on learning the basic practices needed to take part in scuba activities. The supplied information does not give a detailed hour-by-hour program, so I would not promise a specific number of sessions, locations, or underwater sites. What is clear is that the course is structured as formal PADI instruction, with an emphasis on bringing you to the required standard while staying within your limits.

That last point is important. First-time scuba students often need time to get comfortable with the equipment and the underwater setting. Michel and Freddie are specifically noted for explaining things clearly, allowing time for training, and keeping safety first. They also work within a student’s limits rather than treating the course like a race.

You can expect to be taught as a beginner, even if you have tried scuba once before. If you are a referral student from another center, tell the operator when booking so the instructors know where you are in the process. The course welcomes that type of student, but the supplied details do not say exactly which completed portions can be transferred.

Michel and Freddie’s teaching approach

The strongest reason to consider this course is the instruction. Michel and Freddie receive praise for clear, concise guidance and for making sure students train to the required standard. That combination is more useful than a cheerful instructor alone.

Scuba requires you to listen closely and follow procedures. Clear explanations reduce confusion, while a patient pace gives you room to deal with the parts that feel unfamiliar. The available feedback also points to training that is challenging within sensible limits, rather than pushing students past their comfort level.

I would pay attention to this if you are nervous about your first underwater session. A good instructor should not simply hand you equipment and send you along. The specific praise for Michel and Freddie centers on care, safety, and support, which are exactly the qualities you want in a beginner course.

The experience is also rated five out of five from 12 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as a helpful signal rather than a guarantee. Still, the praise is focused on concrete matters: clear teaching, careful supervision, and confidence-building support.

The underwater training and equipment

Scuba equipment is included in the $400 price. This is one of the course’s biggest practical advantages, since renting equipment separately can make a beginner program harder to price.

The supplied details do not list the individual pieces of equipment or explain whether you should bring any personal items. You should therefore confirm equipment details when booking, especially if you already own a mask, fins, or other personal gear. The operator is Scotty’s Action Sports Network, and the course is based at its location inside the resort.

Bottled water is included as well. Lunch and soft drinks are not, so plan for those separately. The course begins in the morning and lasts about two days, making food planning worth considering even though it is a small detail.

PADI materials are also not included. The listing asks you to contact the operator about those materials when booking. Do not assume the $400 covers every course-related item. Ask what study materials are required, what they cost, and whether they are supplied digitally or in another form.

The Lapu-Lapu Monument near the resort

The Lapu-Lapu Monument is the named sightseeing stop connected with the experience. It is near the hotel, and you can visit before or after the course.

This is not presented as a long guided city tour. Think of it as a convenient nearby landmark to add around your training schedule. If you arrive early, you might visit before the 9:00 a.m. start, though you should not risk being late. Visiting afterward may be easier, since the course returns to the meeting point.

The monument honors Lapu-Lapu, the historic figure associated with Mactan. The supplied tour details do not give a guided interpretation or a set amount of time there, so you should plan on making this a brief self-directed stop unless the operator tells you otherwise.

That small addition helps give the course a sense of place. You are not only arriving at a resort, completing a certification, and leaving. You can also connect the Mactan setting with a recognizable local landmark.

What the $400 price really covers

At $400 per person, this is not a low-cost activity for a quick holiday outing. It is also not simply a resort pool lesson. You are paying for a formal PADI Open Water course lasting about two days, along with scuba equipment, bottled water, taxes, and fees.

The value depends on your goal. If you want a recognized starting point for future scuba trips, the price is easier to justify. PADI is the largest scuba certification agency in the world and issues more than one million certifications each year. The practical benefit is that your training is connected to a widely known certification system, rather than being only a one-time introductory session.

If you only want to see underwater scenery once, this course may feel like too much time and money. A shorter introductory activity could suit you better, though no alternative product is described here. The Open Water course makes most sense when you want to learn the basics properly and use that training beyond Cebu.

The private format also affects value. You are not paying for a large group class where the instructor’s attention is spread thin. Only your party participates, which may be especially helpful if one person in your group is anxious or needs extra explanation.

Remember the additional expenses. PADI materials are excluded, as are lunch and soda or other soft drinks. All fees and taxes are included, but you should still contact Scotty’s before booking to confirm the cost and format of the required PADI materials.

Timing, weather, and the pace of the day

The course takes about two days and starts at 9:00 a.m. The exact daily timetable is not provided, so do not schedule tight sightseeing plans around it. A morning course can take up much of your day, and you may prefer to leave the rest of your itinerary open.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the activity, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That policy is useful in Cebu, where outdoor water plans can be affected by conditions beyond anyone’s control.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time, so check your calendar carefully if you are booking from another time zone.

The course is near public transportation, but no transport service is included in the details provided. You should arrange your own way to Shangri-La Mactan unless the operator tells you otherwise.

Who will get the most from this course

This course suits a first-time scuba student who wants a proper PADI starting point rather than a quick trial session. It is also suitable for a referral student arriving from another dive center, since that type of student is specifically accepted.

I would especially consider it if you value close instruction. The private setup and the positive comments about Michel and Freddie make it a good match for someone who wants space to ask questions and does not want to be rushed.

It may also suit couples, families, or small groups with different confidence levels, although the information does not state an age range or describe special arrangements for children. Ask the operator about your group’s eligibility before booking. The additional information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a full medical or fitness checklist.

This is less suitable if your Cebu schedule is packed. Two days is a real commitment, not a spare morning. It is also not ideal if you want meals, drinks, or all learning materials bundled into one price.

Practical planning before you book

Start by confirming the PADI materials. They are specifically excluded, and the operator asks you to make contact upon booking. This is the most important price question because it affects the final total.

Next, confirm your meeting plan at Scotty’s inside Shangri-La Mactan Resort. The address is Punta Engaño Road, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The official start time is 9:00 a.m., and the activity returns to that meeting point.

Bring enough time for the journey, particularly if you are not staying at the resort. The activity is near public transportation, but the information does not say that transport from your hotel is provided.

Plan meals independently. Lunch is not included, and neither are soda or soft drinks. Bottled water is supplied, so you do not need to budget for that part.

Finally, keep your schedule flexible because the activity depends on good weather. A full refund or a different date is offered if conditions force a cancellation, but a weather delay can still affect your wider Cebu plans.

Should you book the Cebu PADI Open Water course?

Book it if you want a formal first scuba qualification, prefer private instruction, and can spare about two days in Cebu. The strongest reasons are the focused format, included equipment, and the careful teaching style associated with Michel and Freddie.

Think twice if you want a short, inexpensive underwater outing or if you dislike extra course costs appearing after the headline price. Ask about PADI materials before paying, set aside money for lunch, and confirm that your group can participate.

For the right student, this is a sensible way to begin scuba in Cebu. You get a recognized PADI pathway, a clear meeting point, equipment supplied, and instructors who place safety and student limits ahead of speed. Add the nearby Lapu-Lapu Monument before or after training, and you can give the two-day course a small cultural touch as well.

FAQ

Where does the PADI Open Water course begin?

It begins at Scotty’s Action Sports Network inside Shangri-La’s Resort and Spa, Punta Engaño Road, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines.

What time does the activity start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately two days.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included in the price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Soda and other soft drinks are also excluded, while bottled water is included.

Are PADI course materials included?

No. PADI materials are not included. You should contact the operator upon booking for information about them.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.