Open Water Course (PADI)

The best part of this Cebu course is its small, private format. You train with only your own group, beginning at Scotty’s Action Sports Network inside Shangri-La Mactan. Instructors Michel and Freddie focus on clear instructions, careful practice, and keeping you within your limits.

I like the full equipment package and the fact that bottled water, taxes, and other listed fees are covered. I also like the two-day schedule, which gives a beginner more breathing room than a rushed one-day introduction. The main drawback is the $400 price, with lunch, soft drinks, and PADI course materials not included.

Key points

• Private instruction: Only your group takes part, so the pace can be shaped around your training needs.
• Two-day PADI course: A practical first step toward an internationally recognized Open Water certification.
• Michel and Freddie as instructors: Their teaching emphasizes clear explanations, safety, and staying within your comfort zone.
• Shangri-La Mactan meeting point: Start at Scotty’s Action Sports Network at 9:00 am on Mactan Island.
• Equipment included: Scuba equipment, bottled water, and all listed fees and taxes are covered.
• Lapu-Lapu Monument nearby: Add a short cultural stop before or after the water sessions.

Starting at Scotty’s on Mactan Island

This course begins at Scotty’s Action Sports Network, located inside Shangri-La’s Resort and Spa on Punta Engaño Road in Lapu-Lapu City. The meeting time is 9:00 am, and the activity finishes back at the same point.

That fixed base makes the first morning easy. You do not need to chase a boat around Cebu or work out several meeting points. You arrive at one resort location, meet the instructors, and get organized for the two days ahead.

The setting also gives you a useful choice before or after training. The Lapu-Lapu Monument is close to the hotel, so you can add a quick visit to see the statue and pay respects to the national hero associated with the Battle of Mactan. It is not part of the water instruction, but it gives the day a little local context.

The location is near public transportation, though the course details do not include hotel pickup. Plan your own way to Shangri-La Mactan and allow enough time to reach Scotty’s by 9:00 am. A resort meeting point is convenient, but it can also mean you should check access and transport costs before booking.

What a two-day PADI course gives you

The PADI Open Water course is designed for beginners, newcomers, and students referred from another training center. Its purpose is to take you from no scuba background toward a recognized Open Water certification that you can use for future scuba activities in other places.

That two-day format matters. Learning to manage equipment, follow underwater procedures, and remain calm takes more than a quick briefing. The supplied information does not give a minute-by-minute schedule, so you should ask Scotty’s what is planned for each day and when the required learning materials are provided.

You should expect instruction and practical training rather than a sightseeing trip with a short underwater session. The course is about building basic ability and meeting PADI standards. That makes it a better match for someone who wants a real qualification than for someone who only wants a casual look below the surface.

The course provider describes the training as suitable for novice students and referral students from another center. If you already began training elsewhere, contact Scotty’s before arrival so they can confirm what remains to be completed.

Michel and Freddie’s teaching style

The strongest praise attached to this experience focuses on Michel and Freddie. Their approach is described as clear and concise, with enough time for students to train to the required standard without being pushed beyond their limits.

That combination is important for a first course. You need direct instructions, but you also need time to repeat a skill until it feels manageable. A good instructor does not treat nervousness as a nuisance. The supplied feedback places safety first and describes the course as carefully paced.

You should still be honest about your comfort level. Tell the instructors when you need an explanation repeated or a little more time. Private participation gives your group a better chance of asking questions and working at an appropriate speed than a large mixed group.

The current rating is 5 out of 5 from 12 reviews, with 100 percent recommending the experience. That is a small sample, so I would not use it as a guarantee of your own result. Still, the repeated emphasis on Michel and Freddie’s patience and safety focus is useful when comparing beginner courses in Cebu.

The water training and underwater world

The course promises access to Cebu’s underwater world, but the available details do not name a particular reef, fish species, depth, or exact training site. That means you should not book this expecting a guaranteed list of marine sightings.

What you can count on is structured beginner training using scuba equipment. The practical value is learning how to handle the gear and follow basic procedures under supervision. If your goal is to continue scuba travel after Cebu, those foundations matter more than a single dramatic sighting.

Weather can affect the activity. The course requires good conditions, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a water-based course, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Cebu plans.

Ask about the expected water sessions, equipment sizes, and daily schedule before you arrive. The supplied details confirm that equipment is included, but they do not list the brands, specific models, or individual items. A short message to the provider can prevent surprises, especially if you have unusual equipment needs.

What the $400 price really covers

At $400 per person, this is not a cheap introduction to scuba. The value depends on what you want from the experience.

The price includes use of scuba equipment, bottled water, and all listed fees and taxes. You also receive instruction in a private activity for your group, with a two-day course aimed at PADI Open Water certification. For someone who wants a formal qualification and personal instruction, those inclusions make the cost easier to justify.

The price does not include lunch, soda or other soft drinks, or PADI course materials. The materials are especially worth asking about before booking because the details say to contact the provider for their cost. These extras may change your final budget.

Bring money or a payment method for meals and drinks, and confirm the material fee in advance. Since the course starts at a resort, you may find food options nearby, but no lunch arrangement is included in the course price.

I would compare this experience with other Cebu courses by checking four things: the number of training days, group size, instructor arrangement, and exactly what certification materials cost. A lower headline price may not be cheaper once equipment, instruction, and required materials are added.

The Lapu-Lapu Monument as a land-based extra

The Lapu-Lapu Monument is near the Shangri-La hotel and can be visited before or after the course. It is a modest add-on, not a major part of the training, but it fits well with a day on Mactan Island.

Lapu-Lapu is remembered as the local leader who resisted Ferdinand Magellan’s forces at the Battle of Mactan in 1521. The monument gives you a chance to connect the water setting with one of the Philippines’ best-known historical episodes.

Do not expect the monument visit to replace a proper city tour. It is simply a nearby stop that may take little planning. If your schedule is tight, prioritize the course and use the monument as an optional extra. If you have time before the 9:00 am start or after training, it adds a useful local note without requiring a separate excursion.

Who will get the most from this course

This course fits you best if you are new to scuba and want to earn a PADI Open Water certification rather than just try a short introductory session. It also suits people who value private instruction and prefer a resort-based starting point on Mactan Island.

The two-day duration works well for a learner who does not want to compress all training into one long day. You will need to give the course real attention, though. This is not simply a relaxed resort activity that happens to include underwater time.

It may also suit a referral student who started training with another center. Confirm your status with Scotty’s first, since the supplied information does not explain exactly which parts of a referral course are covered.

This may be less suitable if you want a broad sightseeing program, included meals, or a fully detailed marine-life itinerary. The emphasis is on training and certification. You should also be prepared for the possibility of weather changes.

The activity is private, and the additional information says most people can participate. That is helpful, but it does not replace asking the provider about medical requirements, personal limitations, or any concerns about taking part in scuba training.

Practical planning before you book

The meeting time is 9:00 am, and the end point is the original meeting location. Since transport pickup is not listed, organize your route to Scotty’s at Shangri-La Mactan in advance.

Your booking confirmation is received at the time of booking. Use that opportunity to contact the provider about PADI materials, the exact daily plan, and anything you need to bring. The published inclusions cover equipment and bottled water, but they do not list personal items or clothing requirements.

The cancellation policy is fairly useful. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.

I would avoid placing the course at the very end of a tightly packed Cebu schedule. A weather change could require a new day, and a two-day certification course needs room in your plans. The activity is normally booked about six days ahead, so reserving early is sensible if your dates are fixed.

Is the PADI Open Water course worth booking?

I would recommend this course if you want a proper beginner qualification, private instruction, and a two-day learning pace on Mactan Island. Michel and Freddie’s safety-first teaching is the clearest reason to consider it, while the included equipment and taxes make the $400 price easier to assess.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are paying for instruction and certification training, not a lunch-inclusive sightseeing cruise. Ask about PADI materials, confirm the daily schedule, and leave space for weather changes.

If those terms suit you, this is a sensible Cebu starting point for learning scuba. If you only want a quick underwater introduction or a guaranteed list of marine life, choose a shorter recreational experience instead.

FAQ

Where does the PADI Open Water course begin?

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

What time does the course start?

The stated start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The course lasts approximately two days.

Is scuba equipment included?

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

Are meals included?

No. Lunch and soda or other soft drinks are not included.

Are PADI course materials included?

PADI materials are not included in the listed price. You should contact the provider upon booking for details.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.