First get ready for three days of real underwater training in Mallorca. This Open Water SCUBA course is interesting because you start with online theory before you ever step into the water, then you build confidence in shallow-water sessions before moving to open water. The course is also set up for a small group size, which makes it easier to get personal attention.

What I really like is the hands-on coaching approach: you work through equipment setup and checks, then practice underwater exercises designed to help you handle different situations. I also love that the package includes the stuff people usually spend extra money on, like SCUBA equipment and underwater insurance, plus the online certification process.

One possible drawback to keep in mind is the paperwork and physical readiness side. You’ll need a medical certificate for SCUBA activity, and the experience requires good weather, so plan around that.

Key things to know before you go

• Online theory first so you arrive prepared, not guessing.
• Shallow-water skills to build control before open water.
• Four open-water SCUBA sessions with a maximum depth of 18 meters.
• Equipment and certification included, so you do not need to hunt down extras.
• Maximum group size of 4, which usually means more attention per person.
• Start age is 10, making it a genuine family-friendly option for younger students with the right medical clearance.

Mallorca Open Water SCUBA course: what you learn in 3 days

If you are dreaming about your first serious time underwater, this is the kind of course that turns the dream into a skill set. The goal in three days is simple: learn the core fundamentals of SCUBA, practice them with an instructor at your side, and then complete four open-water SCUBA sessions in Mallorca’s sea conditions.

The course structure is built around confidence. You do not jump straight into deeper water. Instead, you get a step-by-step pathway from theory to shallow-water practice, then you apply it in open water. That matters because SCUBA is not only about bravery, it is about calm control, correct breathing, and correct reactions when things feel new.

You also get an internationally recognized SCUBA certification, delivered through the online process included with the course. For many people, that certification is the difference between trying SCUBA once and being able to continue with other training later.

Pre-course online theory: show up knowing what you are doing

The biggest quality-of-life upgrade here is that the theory happens online before your in-water days. That means you are not meeting the fundamentals for the first time while your head is inside a mask or your heart is racing.

You are expected to complete the online theory in advance, then you move into training with a clearer understanding of what you are doing and why. In practical terms, that reduces confusion and speeds up your in-water learning curve.

I also like that the course includes online certification, because it fits the way modern training often works. You get the paperwork side started early, and your on-site time can focus on actual skill practice.

A quick heads-up: you will want to treat the online theory as part of the course, not an extra step. If you skim it, the water sessions will feel harder than they need to be.

Shallow-water training near Puerto Portals: confidence before open water

Your first real in-water training is in shallow water. This is where you learn control, positioning, and calm breathing with less risk and fewer surprises than deeper conditions.

Expect hands-on instruction that covers the basics you need to function as a safe SCUBA student: equipment setup, checks, and guided practice of underwater exercises. This is the stage where instructors can spot small issues early, like how you manage buoyancy or how you move while staying relaxed.

One of the best signs from the learning experience is how the training style is described: students report that the team teaches what to do, then helps you understand how to respond when situations change. Even if you are nervous, this kind of coaching gives you a roadmap.

Another detail that matters for many first-timers: shallow-water practice lets you get your bearings fast. Once you understand how your body and gear work together, you spend less energy on fear and more energy on learning.

Four open-water SCUBA sessions up to 18 meters

After shallow-water skills, the course moves into open water with four SCUBA sessions, capped at a maximum depth of 18 meters. That depth limit is a key part of why this course is such a practical stepping stone. It is deep enough to feel like real sea training, but structured enough to stay within a guided learning environment.

These open-water sessions are where the theory becomes reality. You apply what you practiced: equipment handling, controlled breathing, and executing underwater exercises while you experience the water environment in full.

And Mallorca is a strong choice for this kind of training location. The experience is built around seeing the ocean in a tangible, memorable way, not just doing drills. One student described exploring rockpools near shore with a snorkel before the course, then appreciating how the team taught them everything needed to go farther underwater with confidence.

Here is the balanced view: open water is still challenging for many people, especially on day one. That is normal. What matters is the progression, and the instruction described is aimed at getting you from shaky to steady by the end of the course.

Meeting point at Puerto Portals: start time and how to plan your day

The course starts at 10:00 am and meets at Big Blue’s Puerto Portals location, Local 119, Edificio D4, in 07181 Portals Nous, Illes Balears, Spain.

That timing is useful because it gives you a full day for in-water training, and it also helps you avoid rushed mornings. It is also a good area for logistics since the meeting point is near public transportation.

There is no end mystery either. This activity ends back at the meeting point, so you do not have to plan long transfers after your last session.

One detail that seems minor until you are there: snacks are not included. If you are the type who needs steady energy, plan to eat before the day starts and bring your own snack strategy for breaks.

Small group, big attention: why max 4 matters in SCUBA training

This experience has a maximum of 4 travelers. In SCUBA training, small group size is not just comfort, it is safety and learning efficiency.

With fewer people in the water, instructors can watch more closely. That matters for the exact skills you are learning: equipment setup, staying in control, and reacting correctly when something feels off. Students also describe the team as friendly, and that tone helps when you are learning a new sport with equipment that can feel complicated at first.

The best-case scenario for small groups is faster feedback. If you make a mistake, you tend to correct it sooner. If you are unsure, you get help before you lose confidence.

Age 10 and moderate fitness: who this course works for

The course can start at age 10, which is a big plus if you are traveling as a family and want a structured path into SCUBA skills. But it is not only age. The experience asks for a moderate physical fitness level.

That is a fair standard. You will be learning gear handling and moving underwater while following instructor guidance. If you can swim and you are comfortable with the idea of being in the water wearing equipment, you will likely adapt faster.

The other non-negotiable is the medical certificate requirement for SCUBA activity. If you do not have it, you cannot move forward. I would treat that as step one of your prep, not something to handle later.

Equipment, insurance, and certification: the value inside the $718.96 price

The price is $718.96 per person for an experience that runs about 3 days. It can feel like a lot at first, especially if you are comparing it to a snorkel day. The value here is that you are paying for structured instruction, not just a day in the water.

Here is what is included:

• Use of SCUBA equipment
• Online theory
• Online certification
• Underwater insurance

Those inclusions matter because equipment rentals, insurance, and certification processes can add up quickly if they are not bundled. By including them, the course reduces the annoying parts of planning and helps you budget with less guesswork.

Also, because the course is set up around real training in shallow water and open water, you are paying for guided skill progression. That is what lets you move beyond one-time water fun and into an internationally recognized certification track.

What is not included is also useful to know:

• Snacks

So if you want the day to feel smooth, you will likely need your own snack plan.

Weather matters: planning around good conditions

This experience requires good weather. That is not a small detail, because open-water SCUBA training depends on sea conditions.

The upside is that the course offers options if poor weather cancels it, including a different date or a full refund. The practical takeaway is to avoid scheduling something critical right around your course window. Build in flexibility if your itinerary can handle it.

If you travel in shoulder seasons or you are looking at a week with unpredictable conditions, I’d plan your broader Mallorca schedule with breathing room.

What a typical student progression feels like

Even without getting day-by-day specifics, the structure gives you a clear rhythm.

First, you learn the knowledge side online. Then you practice skills in shallow water until you feel more in control. After that, you apply the skills in four open-water sessions up to 18 meters.

That progression is exactly why many first-timers end up feeling more confident by day three. One student described finding the first day tough, then gaining real confidence by the final day and enjoying exploring Mallorca waters with new course friends. That story fits the course design, because the training is supposed to take you from nervous to competent.

The key is to lean into the instruction. If you focus on doing the drills correctly, your comfort tends to grow fast.

Practical tips to get the most from your three days

You do not need special travel gear for SCUBA beyond what you already plan for a water training day. The course includes the SCUBA equipment, so you are not paying for rentals on top.

Instead, focus on the few prep tasks the course data makes clear:

• Complete the online theory ahead of time.
• Bring the required medical certificate for SCUBA activity.
• Plan around good weather since open-water sessions depend on it.
• Add snacks to your personal plans because they are not included.
• Be at the meeting point at 10:00 am in Puerto Portals, Local 119, Edificio D4.

Also, because the course is offered in English, you can expect instruction in that language. If you are comfortable with English terminology for safety and equipment, you will likely find it easier to follow the coaching quickly.

Should you book this Mallorca Open Water SCUBA course?

I think this is a smart choice if you want structured, instructor-led SCUBA training without a chaotic setup. The small group size, the online theory, and the fact that equipment, certification, and insurance are included all add up to strong value for your time in Mallorca.

Book it if:

• You want an internationally recognized SCUBA certification.
• You like the idea of building skills in shallow water first.
• You will actually complete the online theory before you arrive.
• You can get the required medical certificate sorted ahead of time.

Skip or rethink if:

• You are worried about meeting the medical certificate requirement.
• You are counting on fixed dates with no flexibility, since good weather is required.
• You hate structured training and would rather just snorkel.

If you want a real first step into SCUBA that ends with competence and confidence, this Puerto Portals course is the kind of training that makes the ocean feel personal, not intimidating.

FAQ

How long is the Mallorca Open Water SCUBA course?

It runs for 3 days approximately.

Is there online theory before the in-water training?

Yes. You complete the theory online beforehand.

What is the maximum depth during the open-water sessions?

The open-water sessions go to a maximum depth of 18 meters.

Is a medical certificate required?

Yes. A diving medical certificate is required.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes SCUBA equipment use, online theory, online certification, and diving insurance.

What is not included?

Snacks are not included.

Where is the meeting point and what time does it start?

You start at 10:00 am at Big Blue’s Puerto Portals meeting point: Local 119, Edificio D4, 07181 Portals Nous, Illes Balears, Spain.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.