Certifications12 Oct 2023-7 min read
What PADI Course Should You Do? And Other FAQs Answered
Confused about where to start your scuba journey or what the next step after open water is? We answer all your questions here.
Advanced Open Water Diver is the usual next step after Open Water Diver. PADI structures it as five Adventure Dives in open water, not a classroom-heavy repeat of your first course. You build experience by actually diving: deeper, navigating, and trying three more specialties you and your instructor choose.
Two dives are fixed. Every PADI Advanced Open Water course includes a Deep dive below normal Open Water limits and an Underwater Navigation dive. The other three might be night diving, peak performance buoyancy, enriched air, drysuit, photography or whatever the centre and conditions allow.
Most people finish in two to three days after eLearning at home. There is no big final exam. Your instructor watches how you plan, brief and execute each dive. When you qualify, certified divers aged 15 and over may dive to 30 metres with a buddy in conditions similar to their training.
Guides and stories related to this certification.
Advanced Open Water is assessed in the water through five Adventure Dives. There is no separate classroom final exam.
Quick answers about this qualification. For anything else, use live chat or browse bookable activities below.
Find activitiesIt is the next recreational certification after Open Water Diver. You complete five instructor-supervised Adventure Dives in open water, including mandatory Deep and Underwater Navigation dives plus three electives.
It is experience-focused: you learn by diving different types of dives rather than sitting through another full classroom course.
You need Open Water certification, not a thick logbook. Many students take Advanced Open Water soon after their first certification.
You should be comfortable with mask clearing, buoyancy and buddy procedures. If you are rusty, refresh before you start.
PADI requires a Deep Adventure Dive and an Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive. You and your instructor choose the other three from specialties the centre can offer locally.
Leave a comment when you book if you hope to do a specific elective such as night or drysuit. Availability depends on site and season.
eLearning is typically six to eight hours at home. In-water training usually spans two to three days for the five Adventure Dives.
Weather, boats and elective choice can stretch the schedule. Build a buffer day on holiday if you can.
No formal sit-down final exam. You complete eLearning knowledge reviews and your instructor briefs each dive topic before you enter the water.
Assessment is how you perform on the five Adventure Dives: planning, skills and awareness under real conditions.
Certified Advanced Open Water divers aged 15 and over may dive to 30 metres with a buddy in conditions similar to their training. Junior Advanced Open Water divers aged 12 to 14 are limited to 21 metres 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 PADI specialty certification if you complete the full specialty course later. Your instructor or centre confirms how credit works for the specialties you choose.
It is a useful way to sample topics before committing to a full specialty such as Deep Diver or Night Diver.
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 are unsure about specialty gear.
Twelve years old for PADI Advanced Open Water. Divers aged 10 to 11 may earn Junior Adventure Diver and complete Advanced Open Water from age 12.
Junior depth limits apply until 15. Ask your centre about supervision rules for teenage divers.
Many divers choose specialty courses, Rescue Diver, or simply dive more often with extra depth and experience.
Advanced Open Water is not the end of training. It is the point where recreational diving opens up beyond entry-level sites.
adventuro lists PADI centres running Advanced Open Water on coasts, quarries and holiday destinations. Compare elective options, boat access and whether eLearning is included.
Completing Advanced abroad and logging dives at home is common. PADI standards travel with the card.
Become a confident diver with the PADI Advanced Open Water course. Dive up to 30m, available monthly in the UK and Malta. Prices from £445/385 Euros.
From £ 350
Progress your scuba skills in Tenerife with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, five dives and eLearning included. From €345pp.
From € 345
Start as a complete beginner, and achieve professional PADI Divemaster status with comprehensive training in London and surrounding areas; suitable for ages 18+, flexible duration. From £1,775.
From £ 1775
Advance your scuba skills with a 2-day PADI course in Hurghada including instructor training, boat dives and equipment options. From $283.34pp.
From $ 283
Enhance your diving skills with 5 adventure dives over a weekend for ages 12+. Priced at £382, held at Mercers Lake and St. Andrews.
From £ 382
Advance your skills with PADI Advanced Open Water. Five adventure dives including deep and navigation. Combined packages available. €325. Certifiacation fees and educational materials not included.
From € 330
Advance your scuba skills with a 2-day PADI course in Madeira, combining shore and boat dives with expert instruction. Certification from €355.
From € 355
Build confidence and expand your diving skills with an Advanced Open Water Diver course in Mallorca. Includes equipment, materials and certification. €435 pp.
From € 435
Two-day Advanced Open Water course from Sharm El Sheikh hotels, with instructor-led adventure dives. From €291.33
From € 291
Advanced Open Water diver training with RAID or SDI pathways, small groups and modern equipment. Build depth, control and confidence from £650.
From £ 650
Advance your diving skills with five adventure dives, including navigation and deep diving, across Dubai and Fujairah. Build confidence and range.
From Dhs 1300
Get your certification from £425pp at Littlehampton Marina. Complete five adventure dives and gain PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
From £ 425
From beginner to professional diver at Littlehampton Marina, complete all PADI levels including Divemaster with full guidance from £1,163.75pp.
From £ 1164
Advance your diving skills with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course in North Sulawesi. 2 days, 5 dives, max depth 30m. Price USD 535.
From $ 535
Advance your scuba skills with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course at Vobster Quay, featuring deep dives and specialty training from £359.00.
From £ 359
Enhance your diving skills in Punta Tegge, La Maddalena. Four dives, all equipment included. Min age: 18. €360pp.
From € 360
Advanced Open Water Diver Course, PADI Certification, Explore Deeper.
From £ 500
Advance your diving skills with the PADI Advanced Open Water course. Gain experience in deep, wreck, navigation & rescue diving. Certify to 30m depth!
From £ 359
Two-day Advanced Open Water course from Marsa Alam hotels, with instructor-led adventure dives. From €368.31
From € 368