Scuba Diver Course (PADI)

Start underwater in just two days. This PADI course at Scotty’s inside Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort offers a faster route into scuba training, with certification to reach 12 meters, or 40 feet, under the direct supervision of a dive professional. I like the two-day format and the fact that scuba equipment, towels, bottled water, fees, and taxes are included. I also like the central Mactan meeting point, which puts you near the Lapu Lapu Monument.

The main thing to consider is the certification limit. This is not the full Open Water Course, so you cannot independently plan the same kind of underwater outings as a full Open Water diver. You must remain under direct professional supervision, and PADI course materials are not included in the listed price.

• Two-day PADI training: A useful option if a full Open Water Course will not fit your Cebu schedule.
• 12-meter limit: Certification allows you to go to a maximum of 40 feet under direct supervision by a dive professional.
• Shangri-La Mactan meeting point: Start and finish at Scotty’s Action Sports Network inside the resort.
• $270 per person: The price includes scuba equipment, a towel, bottled water, all fees, and taxes.
• Small maximum group: The course accepts no more than 15 participants.
• Instructor praise: Bernie is specifically praised for patience, professionalism, and clear instruction.

What This Two-Day Course Actually Gives You

This course is designed for people who want a recognized entry into scuba without setting aside the time needed for a full Open Water Course. In two days, you work toward a PADI Scuba Diver certification that permits underwater activity to a maximum depth of 12 meters, or 40 feet.

The important phrase is under the direct supervision of a dive professional. That condition shapes the value of the certification. You gain a formal qualification and a way to begin exploring below the surface, but you do not receive the same freedom as someone who completes the full Open Water program.

I see this as a practical middle ground. You get more than a one-time introductory session, yet you commit less time than a longer certification course. That makes it useful for a short Cebu holiday, a cruise stop, or a trip built around several different activities.

The two-day length also keeps the course focused. You will need to give both days to training, so this is not something to squeeze into a spare afternoon. The published start time is 9:00 a.m., and the activity lasts approximately two days.

The exact lesson order is not provided, so contact Scotty’s before booking if you need a detailed schedule of classroom work, confined-water practice, or underwater sessions. The available information confirms the certification result and depth limit, but not every exercise used to reach it.

Meeting Scotty’s at Shangri-La Mactan

Your starting point is Scotty’s Action Sports Network, located inside Shangri-La’s Resort and Spa on Punta Engaño Road, Mactan Island, in Lapu-Lapu City. The same location serves as the ending point, which keeps the day simple and avoids arranging a separate return transfer.

This is one of the course’s strongest practical features. You do not need to track down a boat pier or manage several meeting points. You arrive at the resort, find Scotty’s, and return there when the activity ends.

The location is also near public transportation. That does not guarantee a quick or cheap journey from every part of Cebu, but it does make the meeting point easier to reach than an isolated coastal site. Give yourself enough time to arrive before 9:00 a.m., especially if you are coming from outside Mactan.

The activity uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. Keep the confirmation accessible on your phone, but still check the meeting instructions carefully before the course begins.

One practical note: Shangri-La is a resort setting. If you are staying elsewhere, allow time to find Scotty’s within the property. The provider does not list hotel pickup, so do not assume transportation from your accommodation is included.

What You Can Expect During the Two Days

The course description promises a quick route toward the underwater world, but it does not publish a detailed hour-by-hour schedule. That means you should think of the program as a structured certification course rather than a sightseeing trip with a fixed list of attractions.

You will be learning how to use scuba equipment and meet the requirements for the PADI Scuba Diver qualification. The equipment is supplied, which removes one of the biggest costs and hassles for a first-time participant. You do not need to arrive with your own tank, mask, or other scuba gear.

The course also includes a towel and bottled water. These are modest inclusions, but useful ones. Training around the water is tiring, and having water available means you do not have to plan around buying drinks during the activity.

Lunch is not included. The provider says lunch may be arranged for an additional fee, so ask about that before the first day if you prefer not to find food on your own. Soda and other soft drinks are also excluded.

PADI materials are not included in the price. This is the cost detail most likely to surprise you. Contact Scotty’s when booking to ask what materials you need, how much they cost, and when you will receive them. The advertised $270 should not automatically be treated as the final all-in amount if course materials are required.

Why the 12-Meter Limit Matters

A maximum depth of 12 meters, or 40 feet, is enough to introduce you to underwater scenery and basic scuba travel. It is also a clear safety boundary. You know from the start that the qualification is intended for supervised activity at a relatively limited depth.

The supervision rule matters just as much as the number. You must stay under the direct supervision of a dive professional. This makes the course a good fit if you want a controlled first step, but less suitable if your main goal is to arrange independent scuba outings after certification.

I would compare this course with your schedule and your long-term plans. If you want to try scuba and perhaps continue with supervised outings, the shorter PADI route may be sensible. If you expect to book independent scuba trips in different destinations, ask whether the full Open Water Course would serve you better.

Do not book based only on the word certified. Certification levels have different conditions, and this one has a stated 12-meter limit and professional-supervision requirement. Those restrictions are not a flaw, but they should match what you want to do next.

The People Matter: Bernie’s Patient Instruction

Scotty’s gets particularly strong praise for instructor Bernie. He is described as patient, professional, and very good at teaching. For a first scuba course, those qualities count for a great deal.

Scuba equipment can feel unfamiliar, and the underwater setting gives you less room for casual confusion. A patient instructor can make instructions easier to follow and give you time to build confidence instead of rushing through the process.

Of course, Bernie may not be the instructor assigned to every course. You can contact Scotty’s after booking to ask about instructor availability and the planned course arrangement. Still, the specific praise gives you a useful clue about the teaching culture at this location.

The overall response is also very strong, with a five-star rating from 18 reviews and a 100 percent recommendation figure. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as a guarantee. It does, however, support the idea that the staff and teaching experience are among the course’s best features.

Lapu Lapu Monument: A Nearby Cultural Stop

The Lapu Lapu Monument is near the hotel and can be visited before or after the scuba course. It is the only named sightseeing stop connected with this activity, so keep your expectations clear: this is primarily scuba training, not a full city tour.

The monument honors Lapu Lapu, the local leader associated with the Battle of Mactan. Even with limited time, it offers useful context for the island and gives you something worthwhile to see near the meeting point.

I would visit it after the course if your schedule allows. The activity starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs for approximately two days, so your exact free time may depend on the training schedule. If you visit before class, leave a comfortable time buffer and do not risk arriving late at Scotty’s.

The monument is a nice bonus because it requires no separate excursion booking. Just remember that no guided visit or transportation to the monument is listed as part of the course.

Is $270 a Fair Price?

At $270 per person, this is not a budget activity, but the price includes several costs that can quickly add up in a scuba course. You receive use of scuba equipment, a towel, bottled water, all fees, and taxes.

The biggest value is the equipment. First-time participants may not own suitable gear, and renting each item separately would complicate the booking. Including the equipment also makes the cost easier to understand from the start.

The price is less complete than it first appears because PADI materials are excluded. Lunch and soft drinks are also extra. Ask for the materials price before committing, then compare the final total with the cost of a full Open Water Course at another Cebu provider.

For a visitor who has only two days available, the course can offer good value because it packages instruction and equipment in a short period. For someone staying longer, take time to compare the benefits of this limited certification with a full qualification.

I also like that all fees and taxes are included. There is less risk of discovering a separate compulsory charge at the end. The materials question remains, so clarify that one item carefully.

Group Size, Timing, and Comfort

The maximum group size is 15 participants. That is not a private lesson, but it is also not an enormous class. The actual number on your date may be lower, and the experience can depend on how many people are assigned to each instructor.

If personal attention is important to you, ask Scotty’s about the expected group size and instructor ratio. The praise for Bernie’s patient teaching suggests that instruction is a strong point, but a larger class can still affect how much individual time you receive.

The 9:00 a.m. start is reasonable for a full training day. You should arrive ready to spend much of the day at the course rather than treating it as a quick morning appointment. Since the duration is approximately two days, keep your calendar open and avoid booking a tight connection or another major activity immediately afterward.

The course is listed as suitable for most participants, but no detailed medical, age, swimming, or fitness requirements are provided. If you have a health concern or question about your suitability for scuba training, contact the provider before booking.

Weather and Cancellation Details

The course requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is useful protection for a water-based activity, particularly if your Cebu schedule has some flexibility.

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

The cut-off uses local time in Cebu. If your plans change, do not wait until the last minute. Contact the provider early enough to stay outside the 24-hour window.

Who Should Book This PADI Course?

I would recommend this course to:

• First-time scuba students with two full days available
• Visitors who want a formal entry-level PADI qualification
• People who prefer a resort-based meeting point on Mactan
• Participants who want equipment supplied rather than rented separately
• Anyone comfortable with a 12-meter maximum depth and direct professional supervision

I would pause before booking if you want to scuba without direct supervision, need a highly detailed published schedule, or are looking for an all-inclusive price that already covers course materials and meals.

This also may not suit someone with only a few free hours. The two-day format is shorter than a full Open Water Course, but it is still a serious training commitment.

Should You Book It?

Book this PADI Scuba Diver Course if you want a focused two-day introduction, appreciate patient instruction, and understand the 12-meter limit. The Shangri-La Mactan location is convenient, equipment is included, and the strong feedback about Bernie gives the teaching side a reassuring edge.

Before paying, ask three direct questions: What do the PADI materials cost? What is the detailed schedule for both days? How many participants will be assigned to each instructor?

If the answers fit your plans, $270 is a reasonable starting price for a short certification course with equipment and fees included. If you want greater independence underwater, spend more time in Cebu, and can manage a longer program, compare it with the full Open Water option instead.

FAQ

How long is the PADI Scuba Diver Course?

The course lasts approximately two days.

What time does the course start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where does the 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.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What depth can I reach after certification?

The certification allows you to reach a maximum depth of 12 meters, or 40 feet, under the direct supervision of a dive professional.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and may be provided for an additional fee.

Are PADI course materials included?

No. PADI materials are not included. You should contact the provider when booking for details.

How many people can join the course?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 15 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.