Ally

On average, how long does it usually take from start to finish to learn how to be a fully qualified diver?

Would you recommend holiday resort type intensive diving courses lasting a week or so or do you think you would learn more and to a better standard at a dive school near home?

Scuba Mama

Some resorts will teach a resort course. I do not recommend these. Most people come back and say they would never do that again.

To learn you should do the book learning (class or home computer), your pace at home. Then you go to pool, the shortest time is in a weekend. It's a lot to put yourself through. Once you have complete what is referred to as Knowledge and confined water, you are sent a form and complete the training in the openwater, on vacation. If the weather is good, we recommend you complete all including openwater before your trip. This way you are certified while you are on vacation.

I teach an executive course and pool and book are taught in one weekend.

Scuba Mama