Open Water Course (PADI)

Your underwater adventure starts here. This two-day PADI Open Water Course at Scotty’s Action Sports Network in Shangri-La Mactan gives beginners a clear route into scuba. I like the private format, where only your own group takes part, and I like the strong focus on careful instruction from Michel and Freddie. The main consideration is the $400 price, which does not include lunch, soft drinks, or PADI course materials.

The course begins at 9:00 a.m. inside Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort in Lapu-Lapu City. Scuba equipment, bottled water, fees, and taxes are included, so you are not left sorting out the main gear costs on arrival. Still, ask about the PADI materials before booking, since those are an extra charge.

Key points to know before booking

• Two days at Shangri-La Mactan: The course is designed for beginners and runs for about two days.
• Private instruction: Only your group participates, which can make it easier to ask questions and work at a suitable pace.
• Michel and Freddie lead with safety first: Their teaching is praised for being clear, patient, and careful about personal limits.
• Scotty’s Action Sports Network provides the equipment: Scuba gear, bottled water, fees, and taxes are included.
• Lapu-Lapu Monument is nearby: You can visit the monument before or after the course.
• Weather can affect the schedule: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

What the two-day PADI course is really offering

The PADI Open Water Diver course is an entry point into scuba. PADI, short for Professional Association of Diving Instructors, is the world’s largest scuba certification agency. Its certification is intended to let you continue scuba activities in many places after completing the course.

That broad recognition matters. You are not simply paying for a one-time water activity in Cebu. You are paying for instruction connected to a certification system that can be used as you continue your underwater education and travel.

The course is aimed at complete beginners, newcomers, and students referred from another dive center. That makes it suitable if you have never used scuba equipment, but also potentially useful if you began training elsewhere and need to continue with a new provider.

The supplied schedule gives the experience an approximate length of two days, with a 9:00 a.m. start at Scotty’s inside Shangri-La Mactan. The exact lesson order is not provided, so you should ask the provider what happens on each day before you arrive. This is especially important if you have limited time in Cebu or need to plan flights and other activities.

Meeting Michel and Freddie at Scotty’s

The course begins at Scotty’s Action Sports Network, located at Shangri-La’s Resort and Spa on Punta Engaño Road, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City. The meeting point is also the end point, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer after the activity.

The private format is a real advantage for a first scuba course. Learning new equipment and safety procedures can feel like a lot at first. With only your own group involved, you should have more room to ask for an explanation, pause when something is unclear, and tell the instructors if you need more time.

Michel and Freddie receive especially strong praise for their teaching style. Their instruction is described as clear and concise, with safety kept at the center of the experience. Just as important, they are said to train people to the required standard while staying within each person’s limits.

That balance is exactly what you want in a beginner course. Scuba is not a good setting for an instructor who rushes people along. At the same time, the aim is not simply to reassure you. You need to learn the required skills properly. The best approach is calm, firm, and patient.

If you feel nervous, tell the instructors early. A private course gives you a better chance to discuss concerns without feeling that you are holding up a large group.

How the two days may feel

The published information does not give a detailed hour-by-hour plan, so I would not book this expecting a fixed schedule of specific lessons. What is clear is that the course takes about two days and is designed to teach beginners how to use scuba equipment and take part in underwater exploration.

Expect the course to require attention, not just enthusiasm. A certification program has standards, so you should be ready to listen closely, follow directions, and repeat an exercise if the instructor decides you need more practice.

This is not the same as a short introductory water activity. You are working toward a PADI Open Water Diver certification, so the course has an educational purpose. The reward is greater, but so is the commitment.

The feedback about Michel and Freddie suggests that the instruction is delivered without pushing people past their comfort level. That does not mean the course is effortless. It means you are given support while still being expected to meet the standard.

The phrase within your limits is worth keeping in mind. You should arrive rested, honest about your comfort in the water, and willing to speak up. A good instructor can adjust the pace more easily when you explain what you need.

The underwater goal for a first-time scuba student

The attraction is straightforward: you want to see the underwater world, and this course gives you a structured first step. Instead of booking a single short outing and leaving with a brief introduction, you are learning the basic foundation for future scuba trips.

The course can suit several types of people:

• A complete beginner who wants formal instruction.
• Someone who wants a PADI certification for future scuba activities.
• A newcomer who prefers private teaching rather than a large group.
• A student referred from another dive center.
• A visitor staying around Mactan who wants training close to the resort area.

The experience may be less suitable if you only have one free day. The course takes approximately two days, and the provider does not publish a shorter version in the supplied information. It may also not suit someone looking only for a casual sightseeing activity with no certification goal.

I also would not treat the course as a guaranteed shortcut to feeling completely comfortable underwater. The instructors can teach and guide you, but you still need to take part actively and meet the required standard.

Why the private format matters

Many beginners worry about being the slowest person in the group. A private activity removes some of that pressure. You are not competing for the instructor’s attention with a busload of people, and the teaching can focus on your group alone.

That does not guarantee a completely relaxed experience. Scuba equipment can feel unfamiliar, and the course still has standards to meet. But the private setting makes it easier to ask for instructions to be repeated or to explain that you need a moment.

The feedback about the instructors gives this feature more weight. Michel and Freddie are praised for taking their time, giving clear instruction, and putting safety first. Those are not flashy extras, but they are the qualities I value most in a beginner scuba course.

The private setup may also be useful for a couple, family, or small group with different levels of confidence. The available information does not state the maximum group size, so you should ask how many people can be included in your private booking.

What is included for $400

The price is $400 per person. Included are the use of scuba equipment, bottled water, and all fees and taxes.

That makes the price easier to assess because the main activity costs are bundled together. You are not shown a low starting rate and then asked to pay separate equipment or tax charges at the meeting point.

PADI materials are not included. The listing specifically advises you to contact the provider about those materials when booking. Do that before committing, since the extra cost affects the true total.

Lunch and soda are also excluded. Plan to handle those separately. The experience begins at 9:00 a.m., and because the course lasts about two days, food planning is not a small matter. Ask what breaks are provided and where you can buy or bring food.

For the right person, $400 can be reasonable because the purchase is a formal beginner course rather than a one-off activity. You receive instruction, equipment use, bottled water, and the listed taxes and fees in a private setting.

For someone who simply wants to look underwater for a short time, the price may feel high. The value depends on whether you want a PADI course and possible certification, not just a few hours in the water.

The Lapu-Lapu Monument stop

Lapu-Lapu Monument is listed as the itinerary stop, and it is near the hotel. You can visit it before or after the course.

The monument honors Lapu-Lapu, the Filipino leader associated with the Battle of Mactan. The supplied tour details do not describe a guided historical visit, so think of this as a nearby cultural sight rather than a major part of the scuba instruction.

Its location makes it a useful add-on. If you arrive early, you might visit before the 9:00 a.m. start, provided you leave enough time to reach Scotty’s. If the course finishes with daylight and you still have energy, you can visit afterward.

Do not mistake this stop for a second tour. The main purpose of the booking is scuba instruction. The monument is a convenient nearby sight that helps you add a little local context to a course based at a resort.

Resort location and practical timing

Starting inside Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort is convenient if you are staying nearby. The meeting point is on Punta Engaño Road in Mactan, part of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The location is also near public transportation. The information does not specify which routes or fares are available, so confirm the best way to reach the resort from your accommodation. Arrive early enough to find Scotty’s and complete any necessary preparation before the 9:00 a.m. start.

Because the activity returns to the same meeting point, the day is easier to organize than a tour with a separate pickup and drop-off. You can leave your later plans flexible, but do not schedule anything important too tightly after the course. The duration is approximate, and a two-day certification course deserves some breathing room.

The booking is confirmed at the time of purchase. Since the course depends on good weather, keep your plans flexible enough to accept a new date if conditions are poor.

What to ask before you pay

The most important missing detail is the exact course schedule. Ask how the two days are divided, what time each day ends, and what skills or activities are covered on each date.

You should also ask about:

• The price of PADI course materials.
• What you need to bring.
• The expected group size for your private booking.
• Food and break arrangements.
• The provider’s requirements for taking part.
• What happens if weather interrupts the course after it has begun.

These questions are not signs of overplanning. They help you understand what the $400 covers and how much time the course will take from your Cebu visit.

The confirmation arrives when you book, but confirmation does not replace preparation. Read the booking details carefully and contact Scotty’s about the materials before the course date.

Weather, cancellations, and changing plans

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

The cut-off is based on local time in Cebu. Keep that in mind if you are booking from another time zone.

Weather is handled differently. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel the course, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is useful protection for an activity where safe conditions matter.

I would avoid placing the course on the final morning of your trip. A weather change could affect your plans, and a two-day course needs enough space in your schedule.

Who should book this Cebu course?

I would recommend it to a beginner who wants a proper PADI starting point and values patient, private instruction. It also suits someone staying near Mactan who wants the convenience of a fixed meeting point at Shangri-La.

The course is particularly appealing if safety is your main concern. Michel and Freddie’s careful approach, clear explanations, and willingness to keep people within their limits are the most convincing reasons to choose this provider.

I would hesitate if your budget is tight, you want a single short activity, or you have only one day available. The extra cost of PADI materials, plus separate meals and drinks, should be included in your planning.

Should you book the PADI Open Water Course?

Book it if you want more than a quick introduction to scuba. The $400 price includes the equipment, bottled water, taxes, and fees, while the private format and careful teaching from Michel and Freddie add real value for a beginner.

Before booking, confirm the cost of PADI materials and the detailed two-day schedule. If you can give the course enough time and want a certification path you can use beyond Cebu, this is a practical choice at a convenient Mactan location.

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 listed 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, bottled water, and all fees and taxes are included.

Are lunch and PADI materials included?

No. Lunch, soda or pop, and PADI materials are not included. You should contact the provider about the price and details of the PADI materials when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.