The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is the natural next step after the Open Water course and is designed to help you gain experience, confidence, and diving skills while enjoying new underwater adventures.
This course is an opportunity to improve your diving through practice, exploring different types of dives and progressively and safely expanding your limits. Once completed, you will be certified to dive up to 30 meters anywhere in the world.
At our dive center, the course is focused on learning by diving, with varied dives, close instructor supervision, and a relaxed, fun atmosphere.
What does the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course consist of?
The course consists of 5 Adventure Dives, each focused on a different specialty. Two of them are mandatory, and the other three are chosen based on your interests, sea conditions, and your instructor’s recommendations.
Mandatory Adventure Dives
Deep Dive
Underwater Navigation Dive
Optional Adventure Dives (examples)
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Night Diving
Fish Identification
Boat Diving
Drift Diving
Search and Recovery (introduction)
Underwater Naturalist
Underwater Photography
The final selection is made together with your instructor to ensure a personalized experience adapted to your level and goals.
1. Theory – Learn what you need, apply it underwater
The theory component of the Advanced course is much lighter and more practical than the Open Water course. There are no long classroom sessions and no traditional final exam.
The theoretical part is completed through PADI eLearning, fully online and divided by adventure dives.
Before each dive, you will:
Review specific concepts related to that type of dive
Learn new techniques and procedures
Understand the risks and how to manage them safely
Throughout the course, the instructor reinforces this knowledge in a practical way, directly before and after each dive.
2. Open Water Dives – Learn by exploring
The entire course takes place in open water, with no pool sessions. Each dive is a real diving experience, guided and supervised by your instructor.
Deep Dive
Diving between 18 and 30 meters
Deep dive planning
Air and time management
Recognition of depth-related effects
Improved control and safety
Navigation Dive
Compass use
Natural navigation
Underwater orientation
Increased diver autonomy
Adventure Dives (examples)
Depending on the dives selected, you will work on aspects such as:
Advanced buoyancy control
Diving in low visibility or at night
Observation and identification of marine life
Improved air consumption
Communication and teamwork
3. Course organization
Typical duration
2 to 3 days, depending on the student’s pace
Typical schedule
Day 1
2 or 3 adventure dives
Day 2
2 or 3 adventure dives
Day 3 (if applicable)
Final adventure dive
The course always includes 5 open water dives, as established by PADI standards.
4. Transfers included – You just enjoy the diving
For your convenience:
We pick up and drop off our clients from/to their hotel (if staying in the Dauin area)
We take care of all daily logistics
You just relax and enjoy every dive
After completing the course
Once you have completed the course:
You will obtain your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification
You will be certified to dive up to 30 meters
Your certification is valid for life and internationally recognized
You will feel more confident, autonomous, and comfortable underwater
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ Do I need a lot of experience to take the Advanced Open Water course?
No. You only need to hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent). The course is designed both for newly certified divers and for those who want to continue improving.
❓ Is there a final exam?
There is no traditional final exam like in the Open Water course. Each dive includes a short knowledge review focused on practical application.
❓ What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 12 years old.
From 12 to 14 years old, the certification will be PADI Junior Advanced Open Water Diver, with some depth limitations.
❓ Do I need a new medical certificate?
If your health condition has not changed since your Open Water course and your medical certificate is still valid, a new one is usually not required. However, you must complete the PADI medical questionnaire before starting.
❓ Are there any medical requirements to dive?
Yes. Before starting the course, all students must complete the PADI medical questionnaire.
If you answer “NO” to all questions, no additional documentation is required.
If you answer “YES” to any question, you must complete a second questionnaire. If you answer “YES” again, a medical certificate confirming your fitness to dive will be required.
We recommend reviewing this form in advance to avoid delays at the start of the course.
❓ How does booking and payment work?
To confirm your booking, we require a 50% deposit of the total course price, to be paid one month before the course start date. The remaining 50% is paid at the beginning of the course.
This deposit allows us to:
Register the student in the PADI eLearning program
Activate the PADI certification credit (PIC), included in the course
Once payment is completed, you will receive an email directly from PADI with access to all the theory materials.
❓ What happens if I have to cancel the course?
In case of cancellation, you will not lose your investment.
You will:
Keep full access to the PADI eLearning
Remain the owner of the PADI certification credit (PIC) included in the course
This credit has an approximate value of over €100.
You can complete the practical part of the course at any PADI dive center worldwide, where a significant part of the course price is usually deducted since you already own the PIC.
❓ What if I cannot dive one day during the course?
If for any reason you cannot dive on one of the scheduled days (for example, if you are not feeling well), don’t worry.
Whenever possible, we will reschedule the dives for another time, depending on our availability to reorganize the day and time.
❓ What if I cannot finish the course with you?
If for any reason you are unable to complete the course with us:
We will complete a PADI referral form
This form will show all parts you have already completed (theory, confined water, and/or open water dives)
With this document, you can finish your course at any PADI dive center worldwide, without repeating the parts already completed.
❓ What is included in the course?
The course includes:
Access to PADI Advanced Open Water eLearning
5 adventure dives in open water
Certified PADI Instructor
Full scuba diving equipment during the course
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification
Daily transfers (within the Dauin area)
Water, coffee or tea or juice, pastries, and fruit between dives
❓ What do I need to bring?
You only need:
Your Open Water certification
Swimsuit
Towel
Reef-safe sunscreen
A desire to keep exploring and learning