You don't have to be a certified diver to participate in PADI's experience programs. Introductory Scuba Diving is an ideal program for folks who do not have the time or desire to complete a full length certification course while visiting Hawaii. With PADI's Discover Scuba Diving experience, you'll learn the fundamentals of enjoyable and safe scuba diving, equipment, and techniques with hands-on training, followed by exciting and fun open water diving along with the instructor. The journey starts with some serious instruction, learning the rules of the deep and getting comfortable with the seemingly ungainly equipment. It is usually no deeper than 30 feet with no more than four divers per instructor who will stay right there in the water with you.
Many people do their one day thrill dive , then go home and get certified.
The intro dive is a relatively inexpensive way to discover your aptitude and interest levels. Some are willing to donate that much of their vacation time to certification, but you don't have to follow that route. Many opt to do the academics sessions on the mainland, then come to the warm waters of Hawaii to complete their open-water checkouts. Typically about half the cost of the full certification, the checkout dives, usually about four, take about two days.