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.
From € 325
Mallorca, Spain
From $ 283
Red Sea, Egypt
From € 360
Sardegna (Sardinia), Italy
From £ 500
West Central Scotland, United Kingdom
From £ 1775
Soho, London
From £ 445
West of England, United Kingdom
From $ 535
Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi
From £ 425
Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
From € 435
Mallorca, Spain
From € 345
Tenerife, Spain
From £ 1164
Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
From £ 650
Lancashire, United Kingdom
From £ 359
Somerset and Dorset, United Kingdom
From Dhs 1300
The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
From € 355
Madeira, Portugal
From £ 382
Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
From $ 260
Ingleton, Carnforth
