Private Open Water Scuba Certification
Learn to scuba dive with a private instructor dedicated entirely to your family or friend group. This program is designed for comfort, safety, and flexibility—whether you're training in the DFW area, East Texas, West Texas, or preparing for a vacation.
Why Families Choose Private Training
Private scuba training gives families and friend groups the flexibility, comfort, and personal attention they need to learn at their own pace. Instead of being placed with strangers or rushed through a crowded class, you get a dedicated instructor who focuses entirely on your group’s needs, schedule, and learning style. This creates a safer, calmer, and more personalized path to certification—especially for new divers, younger students, and anyone who prefers a more supportive learning environment.
This program is designed for families, teens, adults, and travel groups who want a private, flexible experience. It’s ideal for busy schedules, nervous beginners, parents who want to learn alongside their kids, certified divers joining as refreshers, and anyone who prefers a dedicated instructor instead of a large group class. Whether you're training in the DFW area, East Texas, West Texas, or preparing for a vacation, we tailor the entire experience to your group.
You can choose to complete your full certification with OCD Divers or begin your training at home and finish your open water dives on vacation.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
Choose Your Certification Path
Full Certification
Complete your entire SDI Open Water Diver certification with OCD Divers in Texas.
- Self‑paced eLearning
- Private pool sessions in Colleyville, Balmorhea, or The Scuba Ranch
- Four open water certification dives with OCD Divers
Tuition by group size:
- 1–2 divers: $799.99 each
- 3–4 divers: $699.99 each
- 5–6 divers: $599.99 each
- 7–8 divers: $499.99 each
Referral Certification
Begin your certification at home, then finish your open water dives on vacation.
- Self‑paced eLearning
- Private pool sessions in Colleyville
- Complete your four open water dives at your travel destination
Tuition by group size:
- 1–2 divers: $699.99 each
- 3–4 divers: $599.99 each
- 5–6 divers: $499.99 each
- 7–8 divers: $399.99 each
Full Certification Process
The full certification pathway includes all training required to become an SDI Open Water Diver with OCD Divers.
- eLearning: Complete your self‑paced online coursework before pool training.
- Pool Training: Up to ten hours of private instruction at Colleyville, Balmorhea, or The Scuba Ranch.
- Open Water Dives: Four certification dives over two half‑days at The Scuba Ranch (May–Oct) or Balmorhea (Nov–Apr).
- Gear: OCD Divers provides your rental BCD, regulators, dive computer, tanks, weights, and wetsuit for training, along with any personal or scuba gear you have already purchased from OCD Divers.
Referral Certification Process
The referral pathway allows you to complete your eLearning and pool training with OCD Divers, then finish your four open water dives at your travel destination with a qualified instructor from SDI, PADI, SSI, NAUI, PSS, or another recognized agency.
- eLearning: Complete your online coursework before pool training.
- Pool Training: Up to ten hours of private instruction at our Colleyville pool.
- Destination Dives: You will schedule and pay for your open water dives directly with the dive shop at your resort or travel location.
- Gear: OCD Divers provides your rental BCD, regulators, dive computer, tanks, weights, and wetsuit for pool training only. You will use the gear provided by your destination shop for your open water dives, along with any personal or scuba gear you have already purchased from OCD Divers.
Who This Course Is For
- Youth ages 10–11 (maximum of two students)
- Divers who are nervous or need extra time in the water
- Divers with physical challenges
- Families learning together
- Multiple families who want a private group experience
- Friend groups and travel groups
- Scouting units
- Anyone who prefers a low student‑to‑instructor ratio
Training Locations
- Pool: Colleyville, Balmorhea, or The Scuba Ranch (full certification)
- Pool: Colleyville only (referral)
- Open Water (Full): The Scuba Ranch (May–Oct) or Balmorhea (Nov–Apr)
- Open Water (Referral): Completed at your travel destination
West Texas Divers: Full certification available entirely at Balmorhea through our West Texas program.
What You Will Learn
- Buoyancy control and trim
- Mask clearing and comfort skills
- Regulator recovery and clearing
- Air management and dive planning
- Buddy communication and teamwork
- Safe ascents and safety stops
What to Expect
- Before training: Complete eLearning, medical forms, and personal gear selection.
- Pool sessions: Up to ten hours of private instruction.
- Open water dives (Full): Two half‑days of lake dives with OCD Divers.
- Open water dives (Referral): Completed at your travel destination.
Exact schedules vary by group size, season, and location.
What Is Included
- Knowledge Development: Self‑paced eLearning
- Skills Development: Private pool instruction
- Open Water Dives (Full): Four certification dives with OCD Divers
- Referral Option: Universal referral paperwork
Required Personal Gear
Each diver must have personal gear and tanks for training. All personal gear must be obtained through OCD Divers to ensure proper fit, safety, and consistency during training.
We keep a wide selection of masks, fins, boots, and snorkels in stock so you can build a custom package that fits correctly. Pre‑selected packages are twenty‑five percent or more off regular pricing and can be delivered directly to the lake.
If your previous dive shop closed and you are unsure what you already have, visit our Dive Shops Closing page for guidance.
How to Sign Up
Private classes are scheduled individually and must be arranged in advance. Because these programs use dedicated pool time and instructor availability, sessions cannot be taken on a drop‑in or spur‑of‑the‑moment basis. Our staff will work with you to build a schedule that fits your needs while aligning with available training times. We request in‑person sign up during our published shop hours so we can review requirements, discuss options, and set up your training plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Full Certification and Referral Certification?
Full Certification includes all training and your four open water dives with OCD Divers in Texas. Referral Certification lets you complete eLearning and pool training with us, then finish your open water dives on vacation with a qualified instructor from SDI, PADI, SSI, NAUI, or another recognized agency.
How long does the Private Open Water course take?
Most families complete the eLearning in about ten hours at home. Pool and open water training can be completed in a single weekend when done on location, depending on group size and scheduling. Larger groups or families who prefer a slower pace may spread training across multiple sessions.
Can multiple families or friend groups train together?
Yes. You bring the group — we build the private class. Pricing is based on total group size, and we routinely train multi‑family groups.
Is private training better for nervous or younger divers?
Yes. Private training is ideal for youth, new divers, and anyone who benefits from a calmer, more supportive learning environment. Your instructor adjusts the pace to your group.
Where do the open water dives take place?
Full Certification dives take place at The Scuba Ranch (May–Oct) or Balmorhea (Nov–Apr). Referral divers complete their open water dives at their travel destination.
Can certified divers join as refreshers?
Yes. Certified divers can join as Inactive Diver Refreshers and participate alongside their family or group. The refresher eLearning takes about three hours, and you will complete all corresponding confined water skills and, if completing the full open water option with us, the open water dives. The refresher option is priced at $100 less than either certification pathway and counts toward your group size, which may lower the per‑diver cost for everyone.
Do Scouts earn awards or badges through this course?
Yes. Scouts can earn the Scuba Merit Badge, Snorkeling Award, and Scuba Award. Adult leaders may also earn the Snorkeling and Scuba Awards.
Do I need to purchase personal gear?
Yes. Each diver must have personal gear for training. All personal gear must be obtained through OCD Divers to ensure proper fit, safety, and consistency. We offer discounted packages and on‑site delivery to the lake. If your previous dive shop closed and you are unsure what you already have, visit our Dive Shops Closing page for guidance.
