SSI Advanced Open Water Diver, still widely known as Advanced Adventurer, is how many SSI centres introduce you to specialty diving without committing to five full courses upfront. You complete five open water training dives, each sampling a different specialty area with a proper briefing and debrief. Deep Diving and Navigation are required. You and your instructor pick the other three.
If you trained with PADI first, think of it as the same broad idea as Advanced Open Water Diver: more experience, not a claim that you are suddenly an expert. SSI issues the Advanced Open Water Diver certification when you finish the five dives. Each adventure dive can credit toward the matching full specialty later if you want to go deeper on that topic.
Digital learning through MySSI typically runs ten to fifteen hours across the five specialty areas. Most students finish the wet work in two or three days. There is no big classroom final. Your instructor watches how you plan and execute each dive. When the Deep adventure dive is included, certified divers can work toward the 30 metre recreational depth limit within SSI rules.
Advanced Open Water Diver is assessed through five instructor-supervised training dives. There is no single high-stakes classroom exam.
Quick answers about this qualification. For anything else, use live chat or browse bookable activities below.
Find activitiesIt is SSI's experience-based programme where you complete five open water training dives sampling different specialty areas. Deep Diving and Navigation are required. You and your instructor choose the other three.
It replaces the older Advanced Adventurer name on many centre listings but the structure is the same: try specialties before committing to full courses.
Both programmes use five adventure-style training dives including deep and navigation. PADI Advanced Open Water awards certification immediately after the five dives. SSI also certifies Advanced Open Water Diver when you complete the programme.
SSI's separate Advanced Open Water Diver recognition rating (four full specialties plus 24 logged dives) is a further step. Leave a comment when you book if you are unsure which SSI card your centre issues.
Deep Diving and Navigation adventure dives are mandatory. The other three are electives your instructor offers based on site, season and kit.
Popular choices include Perfect Buoyancy, Enriched Air Nitrox, Wreck Diving and Night & Limited Visibility. Not every option runs at every quarry or resort.
SSI suggests ten to fifteen hours of digital learning plus five open water dives. Many students finish the wet work in two or three days.
Holiday courses may spread dives across a week if boats or weather interfere. Build a buffer day if you can.
No single classroom final exam. You complete MySSI knowledge development for each specialty and your instructor briefs each dive topic before you enter the water.
Assessment is how you perform on the five training dives: planning, skills and awareness under real conditions.
When the Deep adventure dive is included, qualified divers work within SSI's 30 metre recreational limit for the programme. Junior divers follow reduced depth limits until they upgrade at 15.
Always dive within your training, experience and comfort regardless of the card in your wallet.
Yes. Each adventure dive may credit toward the matching full SSI specialty if you complete the remaining requirements later. Your instructor confirms how credit applies for the specialties you choose.
It is a sensible way to sample Deep Diver or navigation training before buying the full specialty.
Standard open water kit for most dives. Electives may need extras: a torch for night diving, a compass for navigation, or drysuit hire for cold water.
Centres usually list what is included. Leave a comment when you book if you hope to do a specific elective and need specialty gear.
Twelve years old for the programme. Deep Diving adventure dive requires minimum age 12. Younger divers follow junior depth and supervision rules until 15.
Ask your centre about supervision for teenage divers on deeper electives.
Many divers complete full specialties they enjoyed, take Diver Stress and Rescue, or simply dive more often with broader experience.
Advanced Open Water is not the end of training. It is where recreational diving opens beyond entry-level sites.
adventuro lists SSI centres running Advanced Open Water Diver on coasts, quarries and holiday destinations. Compare elective options, boat access and whether MySSI digital kits are included.
Training abroad and logging dives at home is common. SSI standards travel with your digital certification card.