Mallorca: Open Water Diver Course

Mallorca’s underwater world is the classroom in this three-day scuba course. You complete theory online before arriving, practise basic skills in shallow water, then progress to four open-water training sessions, reaching a maximum depth of 18 meters. Finish successfully and you receive an internationally recognized certification.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at four, gives your instructor room to focus on you, and the course builds from equipment checks and shallow-water practice to open-water exploration. I also like that the theory is done in advance, leaving more of your time in Mallorca for hands-on training.

The main consideration is that this is a real skills course, not a casual one-off outing. You need a diving medical certificate and moderate fitness, and the first day may feel challenging as you learn unfamiliar equipment and exercises.

At a glance

• Three days of training: Online theory comes first, followed by practical work and four open-water sessions.
• A maximum depth of 18 meters: The course takes you beyond shallow-water practice, with instruction as you build confidence.
• Small-group attention: No more than four participants are scheduled for the activity.
• Equipment and insurance included: Scuba equipment, online theory, online certification, and diving insurance are part of the price.
• Beginner-friendly age range: You can start the course from age 10.
• Meet at Puerto Portals: The course starts at Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals at 10:00 am and ends at the same meeting point.

From online theory to the water

The course takes about three days, but the learning begins before you arrive. You complete the theory online in advance, so you can use the course time for practical instruction rather than starting from scratch with all the classroom material.

That advance work is useful if you want to arrive prepared, but it does mean you should set aside time before your Mallorca visit to complete the online portion. Don’t treat it as an optional warm-up. Knowing the basic ideas beforehand can make the equipment and safety lessons easier to absorb once you are working in the water.

The practical portion starts with shallow-water training. This is where you become familiar with the gear and work through basic underwater exercises before moving into open water. If you have only used a mask and snorkel before, the transition can feel like a lot at first. You are learning how to handle equipment, practise control, and respond to different situations, all while adjusting to a new environment.

A former first-timer described finding the first day tough, then feeling much more confident by the third. That progression is a sensible way to approach the course: expect to concentrate, ask questions, and give yourself time to repeat skills. The point is not to look polished on day one. It is to build the control and composure you need for the next stage.

Four sessions in Mallorca’s open water

After the shallow-water work, you move on to four open-water training sessions, with a maximum depth of 18 meters. These are the heart of the course: you practise what you have learned in a real sea setting and get a first taste of underwater exploration in Mallorca.

The course description promises a chance to experience the underwater world in its variety, but it does not name particular sites or guarantee specific marine life or water conditions. I would book for the training and the chance to explore, not for a promised sighting or a particular view. What you see can depend on conditions, and the main purpose here is to learn safely.

Four sessions give you repeated opportunities to practise, rather than a single brief introduction. That matters because basic skills often feel different once you are away from shallow-water training. By the end, you should have had time to grow more comfortable and put your training into use, while your instructor is still there to guide you.

The maximum depth is 18 meters. That figure is useful when comparing courses, but it is not a target you need to reach immediately or a promise that every session will go to that depth. The course progresses through training, and your instructor’s guidance shapes how you work through the skills.

Instruction that builds confidence

The most encouraging part of the course is its focus on practical coaching. Instruction covers setting up and checking equipment, along with a range of underwater exercises designed to improve your skills and prepare you to respond in different situations. Those are valuable habits to learn early. Equipment checks are not glamorous, but they are part of becoming a careful, independent scuba participant.

The team at Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals is described as friendly, and the course is presented as personalized instruction from experienced instructors. No instructor names are provided, so you cannot request a particular person in advance based on this information. The small group limit, however, is a concrete benefit: with no more than four participants, there should be less competition for an instructor’s attention than in a larger class.

There is also a social side to learning something new alongside a small group. The course can bring you together with other beginners as you work through the same unfamiliar tasks. That is a welcome bonus, though the main reason to sign up should be the instruction and certification, not a promise of a particular group dynamic.

What the $718.96 price covers

At $718.96 per person, this is a substantial purchase. Its value rests on the fact that it covers more than time in the water: scuba equipment, online theory, online certification, diving insurance, and instruction across an approximately three-day course are included.

The four open-water sessions and the small-group cap add to the value for someone who wants a proper beginner course rather than a brief introductory outing. You are paying for a structured progression from theory to shallow-water practice and then open-water training. An internationally recognized certification is the intended result, making this a practical choice if you want to continue scuba activities after Mallorca.

There are limits to what the stated price tells you. Snacks are not included, and the available details do not say that transport to the meeting point is covered. Plan your own food and check how you will reach Puerto Portals. The meeting point is near public transportation, but no route or schedule is specified.

Think about the price in relation to your goal. If you want a certified start and expect to keep using the skills, the package may offer good value. If you only want a short, low-commitment taste of being underwater, three days and the cost may be more than you need.

Getting ready at Puerto Portals

The course starts at Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals, at Puerto Portals, Local 119, Edificio D4, 07181 Portals Nous. The stated start time is 10:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Since the course runs for about three days, plan for several days of activity rather than a single morning.

Public transportation is nearby, which may help if you are staying in the area, but you will need to check the route that works for your accommodation. The course details do not give transport arrangements, so don’t assume a pickup is included.

A diving medical certificate is required. Sort this out before the course, rather than leaving it to the last moment. The activity also calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable taking part in several days of practical training.

The minimum age is 10. That makes the course a possible family activity for an eligible child, but each participant still needs to meet the medical and fitness requirements. Check that the course is suitable for the person taking it before booking.

The trade-offs to weigh

The course asks for time, focus, and a willingness to learn. You will be handling equipment, practising exercises, and building confidence over several days. If you are nervous in the water or unsure about scuba, that does not automatically rule you out, but you should be ready to speak up and work carefully through each stage.

Weather is another factor. If conditions are poor, the activity may be canceled, with a different date or a full refund offered. That is sensible for a sea-based course, but it can affect a tightly planned holiday. If your Mallorca schedule is short, leave room for a change of date if possible.

The course has a maximum of four participants, which is a useful feature but also means there is little room to assume a larger group can be accommodated. Confirmation is received at booking. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations made later are not refunded, and changes within 24 hours are not accepted. The cutoff follows local time.

Who should book this course?

I would consider it a strong fit if you have wanted to learn scuba properly, are comfortable setting aside about three days, and value a recognized certification over a one-time underwater activity. The sequence from online theory to shallow-water practice and four open-water sessions gives you a clear path from preparation to real conditions.

It also suits beginners who like hands-on teaching and want room to ask questions. The small group and the focus on equipment checks and exercises are especially reassuring if the first day feels daunting. You do not need to arrive already confident. You do need to be willing to practise and follow instruction.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quick excursion with no homework, have no time flexibility for weather, or are mainly interested in a particular wildlife sighting. Those promises are not part of this course. Book it for the skills, the progression, and the chance to explore Mallorca’s waters while learning how to do so safely.

FAQ

How long does the course take?

The course takes about three days.

What time does the course start?

The stated start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the course meet?

It starts at Big Blue Diving Puerto Portals, Puerto Portals, Local 119, Edificio D4, 07181 Portals Nous, Illes Balears, Spain.

How many people can take part?

The activity has a maximum of four participants.

What is the maximum depth?

The four open-water training sessions reach a maximum depth of 18 meters.

What is included in the price?

Scuba equipment, online theory, online certification, and diving insurance are included. Snacks are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.