PADI Advanced Open Water Course

The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed to take your diving skills to the next level by introducing you to new experiences and specialties under the guidance of a professional instructor. It’s the perfect course for certified Open Water Divers who want to build confidence, improve their dive skills, and explore new types of diving in a safe, structured environment.

Unlike the Open Water course, there’s no lengthy classroom or pool component. Instead, the focus is on real-world diving through five Adventure Dives—each one introducing a different specialty or environment. Two dives are required:

• Deep Dive – Learn how to safely dive to a depth of 100 feet (30 meters), understanding the effects of pressure, nitrogen narcosis, and gas consumption at depth.

• Underwater Navigation – Improve your ability to navigate using a compass and natural landmarks, so you can dive more independently and confidently.

The remaining three dives are your choice, depending on what interests you and what’s available locally. Popular options include:

• Wreck Diving – Explore sunken ships or artificial reefs safely and responsibly.

• Drift Diving – Learn how to go with the flow in currents.

• Night Diving – Experience the underwater world after dark.

• Peak Performance Buoyancy – Fine-tune your control and trim underwater for better air consumption and environmental protection.

• Boat, Search & Recovery, Fish ID, and many more.

Each dive includes a pre-dive briefing, skill development, and a logbook debriefing afterward. You’ll gain hands-on experience while learning more about different diving environments, safety considerations, and gear use.

Upon completion, you’ll earn your Advanced Open Water certification, allowing you to dive deeper (up to 100 feet/30 meters), explore more challenging sites, and meet prerequisites for specialties and professional-level courses. It’s a flexible, experience-focused course that opens the door to more exciting dive adventures.