Open Water Course (PADI)

Cebu’s PADI Open Water Course puts you at the edge of the sea quickly, with training based at Scotty’s Action Sports Network inside Shangri-La Mactan. Michel and Freddie lead the instruction, taking time to explain each skill and keeping safety at the center of the two-day course.

I like the private format, since only your group takes part, and I like that scuba equipment, bottled water, and taxes are included in the $400 price. The main consideration is that PADI course materials cost extra, while lunch and soft drinks are also on your own.

Key points to know before booking

• Two-day beginner course: A practical starting point for newcomers to scuba and for referral students from another dive center.
• Private instruction: Your group works with the instructors rather than joining a large mixed party.
• Named instructors: Michel and Freddie are associated with clear explanations, patient pacing, and firm attention to safety.
• Mactan Island setting: The meeting point is Scotty’s inside Shangri-La’s Resort and Spa, near the Lapu Lapu Monument.
• $400 covers the basics: Scuba equipment, bottled water, and all fees and taxes are included. PADI materials are not.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start.

Starting at Scotty’s on Mactan Island

Your course begins at 9:00 a.m. at Scotty’s Action Sports Network, inside Shangri-La’s Resort and Spa on Punta Engaño Road. The base sits on Mactan Island in Lapu-Lapu City, a useful location if you are staying at the resort or nearby.

This is not a sightseeing trip with a short underwater add-on. It is a training course. You are there to learn the basic skills needed to use scuba equipment and take part safely in open-water sessions. The course is aimed at beginners, but it also accepts referral students who began their training at another center.

That distinction matters. If you are new to scuba, expect instruction and practice rather than a quick look below the surface. You will need to listen carefully, repeat skills, and work at a pace that lets you meet the required standard.

The private setup helps here. Only your group participates, so Michel and Freddie can focus on your questions and your comfort level. A private course does not remove the work, but it can make the learning process feel more personal and less hurried.

The meeting point is also near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify routes or pickup service. Plan to reach Scotty’s on your own unless you confirm another arrangement when booking.

What the two-day PADI course is designed to teach

PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, is a widely recognized certification agency. The Open Water course is the standard entry point for people who want to learn scuba and use that training at destinations around the world.

The value of this course is not only the time in the water. You are building a set of habits: how to use the equipment, how to respond to basic situations, and how to stay within your limits. Those habits matter far more than simply seeing fish or coral on a single outing.

The available details do not provide a minute-by-minute lesson plan, exact session locations, or the number of open-water sessions. You should ask Scotty’s for the precise schedule before you pay, especially if your time in Cebu is tight.

You can expect the course to occupy about two days. Start time is 9:00 a.m., but the end time is not listed. Give yourself room in your itinerary rather than scheduling a flight, long transfer, or other fixed activity immediately afterward.

For a novice, this format offers a useful balance. You are not asked to arrive with previous certification, and you receive guidance from instructors. At the same time, the course is not a casual resort lesson. You will need to absorb safety instructions and show that you can perform the required tasks.

Michel and Freddie’s teaching style

The strongest practical reason to consider this course is the instructors. Michel and Freddie are described as taking their time, giving clear and concise instructions, and making sure each student reaches the required standard within personal limits.

That combination is exactly what you want in a beginner course. Clear explanations prevent confusion. A patient pace gives you time to think. Standards keep the training from becoming a simple photo opportunity.

Safety receives constant attention. That does not mean the experience should feel grim or tense. It means the instructors are willing to slow things down when needed and will not push you past what you can manage.

I also like the balance between support and responsibility. You are given help, but you still need to pay attention and take the skills seriously. If you feel nervous in the water, tell the instructors early. The private format makes that conversation easier.

The information available does not specify the instructor-to-student ratio, languages spoken, or the exact teaching materials. Contact Scotty’s before booking if any of those details affect your decision.

Equipment, water, and what the price includes

The $400 per person price includes use of scuba equipment, bottled water, and all fees and taxes. That makes the headline price easier to understand, since you are not expected to rent the main gear separately or add a tax charge later.

For a two-day course, the price is best judged against what you would otherwise need to arrange on your own. The equipment is a significant part of the practical setup, and professional instruction is the central service. The private format may also appeal to you if you prefer focused help instead of a large class.

Still, $400 is not the full personal budget for the course. PADI materials are not included. Lunch is not included, and soda or other soft drinks are also excluded. Ask about the cost of the PADI materials when booking, then set aside money for food during both days.

Bottled water is included, which is a small but useful touch in Cebu’s warm climate. Do not confuse that with a full refreshment service. You should arrive prepared for a full morning and ask what food breaks look like.

The listing does not specify the equipment brands, sizes, or whether prescription mask options are available. If fit is important to you, contact the operator in advance with your shoe, wetsuit, or other equipment questions.

The underwater portion and the Mactan setting

The course promises access to Cebu’s underwater world, with Scotty’s at Shangri-La Mactan as the starting point. The exact sites and conditions are not provided, so you should not book this expecting a named reef, a guaranteed list of animals, or a fixed water itinerary.

That uncertainty is normal for a training course. The goal is to learn safely in suitable conditions, not to chase one particular view. Weather and water conditions can affect where the sessions take place and how the day runs.

Mactan is a practical base for this type of activity. You are close to the coast, and the resort setting gives you a clear meeting point. If you are staying elsewhere on Cebu, allow extra time to reach Punta Engaño Road.

You may see an appealing underwater environment, but the course should be chosen first for instruction and certification training. If your main aim is a short scenic outing, a simpler introductory session may suit you better. If you want a qualification that can support future scuba trips, the two-day commitment makes more sense.

Adding the Lapu Lapu Monument to your day

The itinerary includes a stop at the Lapu Lapu Monument, which is near the hotel. You may visit before or after the course, making it an easy land-based addition to your Mactan plans.

Lapu Lapu is an important figure in Philippine history, and the monument gives you a quick cultural stop alongside the water activity. The supplied details do not state how long the visit lasts or whether it is guided, so treat it as a nearby point of interest rather than a full historical tour.

Timing is worth checking. Since the course begins at 9:00 a.m. and the activity ends back at the meeting point, visiting the monument before class may leave you watching the clock. After the course, it could be a simpler option if you still have energy and daylight.

This stop also helps break up a course that is otherwise focused on instruction. You get a small connection to Mactan beyond the resort and equipment base.

Who should book this course

This course is best for a genuine beginner who wants formal PADI training in Cebu. It also suits a referral student who has started with another center and needs to complete the remaining work with Scotty’s.

You should be comfortable giving two days to the process. A rushed schedule can make the course less enjoyable, especially if you need extra time to practice a skill or if weather changes the plan.

The private format is a good match if you value individual attention. It may be especially useful for a small group of friends or family members who want to learn together rather than being placed in a large class.

The course is less suitable if you want a half-day activity, a guaranteed named site, or a simple scenic outing with little instruction. It is also not ideal if you have not budgeted for PADI materials, meals, and drinks beyond the included bottled water.

The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not list medical requirements, age limits, swimming requirements, or certification restrictions. Ask Scotty’s directly about those points before booking.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The activity starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs for about two days. The end point is the same as the start point, at Scotty’s inside Shangri-La Mactan.

The course needs good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That protection is helpful, but it may not solve the problem if you have a fixed flight or a short Cebu stay.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the mobile ticket makes it easy to keep the booking details with you.

I would avoid placing this course on the final day of a Philippine trip. Give yourself a spare day if possible, especially when weather, transport, or a delayed training session could affect later plans.

Is the $400 price good value?

The price is fair if you want a private, professionally guided route into PADI training and need equipment supplied. You are paying for two days, instruction from Michel and Freddie, gear use, bottled water, and included taxes and fees.

The value is weaker if you are comparing it with a short introductory activity. This is not the right comparison. A beginner course asks for more time and attention because it is intended to give you a recognized foundation, not just a brief experience.

Remember the additions. PADI materials are extra, and food is not included. The total cost will therefore be higher than the advertised $400 per person.

I would also ask for the full course schedule and material fee before booking. The available information confirms the broad structure but not the exact sessions, site names, or daily finish times.

Final verdict: should you book it?

Book this course if you want to learn scuba properly in Cebu, prefer a private group, and can give the process two full days. Michel and Freddie’s patient, safety-first approach is a strong reason to choose it, especially if you are new and want clear help rather than a rushed lesson.

Skip it if you only want a quick water activity or if your schedule cannot absorb weather changes. Also check the extra cost of PADI materials and plan for your own meals.

For the right person, this is a practical starting point: a private PADI course at a convenient Mactan base, with equipment and core fees already covered. Just approach it as training first and sightseeing second.

FAQ

Where does the PADI Open Water Course begin?

It 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 start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately two days.

Is scuba equipment included?

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

Are PADI course materials included?

No. PADI materials are not included. You should contact Scotty’s for details when booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, soda, and other soft drinks are not included. Bottled water is included.

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.