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.
The Advanced Open Water Diver course builds on your foundational skills and introduces you to five different types of diving through five Adventure Dives. Two of these are mandatory—Deep and Underwater Navigation—while the remaining three are elective and chosen with your instructor based on your interests and local conditions.
Rather than a formal classroom setting, you’ll complete short knowledge reviews for each Adventure Dive. Topics include dive planning, risk management, and environmental awareness. Both PADI and SSI offer digital learning options that allow you to study at your own pace before arriving at the dive centre.
This course is performance-based. There’s no final exam—instead, your instructor will assess your skills during each dive. You’ll receive feedback, guidance, and support throughout to build your competence and confidence.
Each dive typically lasts 30–45 minutes and is preceded by a detailed briefing and equipment check. Your total in-water time will vary depending on conditions and dive profiles.
By the end of the course, you’ll be a more capable and confident diver, with a clearer sense of your diving interests and the skills needed to pursue them. And if you're ready to explore more, adventuro offers a wide range of specialty courses and guided dives across the UK and beyond.
Guides and stories related to this certification.
Upon completion, you'll be certified to dive to a maximum depth of 30 m / 100 ft (21 m / 70 ft for Junior Advanced Open Water). This opens up many dive sites that are inaccessible to Open Water divers. You’ll be more confident in planning and executing dives in a wider range of conditions, including deeper water, low visibility, and sites that require more precise navigation or buoyancy control.
The certification is also a prerequisite for many specialty courses (like Deep, Wreck, or Night diving) and for the Rescue Diver programme. If you're considering professional or technical diving in the future, this course is an essential stepping stone. Many dive operators and liveaboards require Advanced Open Water as a minimum certification for deeper or more complex dives.
Whether you're diving in the UK’s kelp forests, exploring warm-water wrecks abroad, or planning a future dive holiday, this certification gives you the flexibility and confidence to go further. And with adventuro’s wide selection of lessons, tours and equipment rentals, continuing your journey is easy.
The Advanced Open Water Diver course typically takes two days to complete, though some centres may offer a more flexible schedule. You'll complete five adventure dives—usually over a weekend—with limited classroom time. eLearning options are available through both PADI and SSI, allowing you to complete theory beforehand at your own pace. Dive sites and conditions may affect scheduling, so always check with your chosen centre.
The Advanced Open Water Diver course is performance-based and typically includes five open water dives, focusing on skills like underwater navigation and deep diving. You’ll be assessed on your buoyancy control, situational awareness, and ability to plan and execute dives safely. There’s no formal exam, but instructors observe your skills throughout each adventure dive. Most divers complete the course over two days. If you need more time or coaching, most centres can arrange extra dives. Adventuro’s partner centres provide supportive instruction and expert feedback to help you progress confidently.
Quick answers about this qualification. For anything else, use live chat or browse bookable activities below.
Find activitiesThis course is the next step after your Open Water Diver certification. It advances your skills through five adventure dives, including mandatory deep and navigation dives. The other three dives can be selected from options like night diving, peak performance buoyancy, or wreck diving. It’s designed to build confidence and broaden your experience under the supervision of a professional instructor.
No, you only need to be a certified Open Water Diver. The Advanced course is suitable for those looking to develop their skills across different types of dives. It’s often taken shortly after completing Open Water, and it doesn’t require being an ‘expert.’ You’ll build experience during the course itself, with plenty of guidance from your instructor.
Both PADI and SSI require you to complete a deep dive (typically to 30 metres) and an underwater navigation dive. The remaining three dives are elective and may include night diving, wreck diving, peak performance buoyancy, search and recovery, or drift diving. Dive availability may vary by centre, depending on local conditions.
The course usually takes two days to complete, although some centres offer flexible schedules over several days. The five dives are typically done over two or three outings. Adventuro’s listings include time estimates and options to fit your schedule, whether you’re on holiday or taking weekend sessions closer to home.
Both PADI and SSI offer equivalent Advanced Open Water certifications. The structure and content are very similar, especially regarding required dives and skill development. The main differences lie in learning materials and course flexibility. SSI, for example, allows more flexibility in the order of dives. Both are internationally recognised and accepted by dive centres around the world.
There is no formal written exam for the Advanced Open Water Diver course. Instead, you’ll review knowledge for each adventure dive through self-study and instructor briefings. The emphasis is on practical skills, and your instructor will assess your performance in the water during each dive.
Most centres include basic scuba gear—BCD, regulator, tanks, mask, and fins—in the course fee. Some dives may require additional gear like torches for night dives or SMBs (surface marker buoys) for drift dives. Your instructor will explain what’s needed based on your selected dives. Adventuro’s listings include gear details and rental options.
Yes. After completing the Advanced Open Water Diver certification, you’ll be qualified to dive to a maximum depth of 30 metres (100 feet). This opens up more dive sites and environments, including deeper wrecks and walls. Always dive within your training and comfort level, and consider further training for more technical environments.
You can book the Advanced Open Water Diver course with top-rated PADI and SSI centres through adventuro. We’ve partnered with trusted dive schools worldwide, and each listing includes course details, dive options, duration, and availability—making it easy to plan your next underwater adventure.
From $ 283
Red Sea, Egypt
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Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi
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Mallorca, Spain
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Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
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Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
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The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
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Lancashire, United Kingdom
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Madeira, Portugal
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Somerset and Dorset, United Kingdom
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Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
From £ 445
West of England, United Kingdom
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Soho, London
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Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
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Sardegna (Sardinia), Italy
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Ingleton, Carnforth
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