Develop your diving skills and confidence with this PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The course includes five adventure dives, featuring two mandatory dives and three dives of your choice, allowing you to extend your dive limits to 30 metres and explore more varied sites.
The course begins with five theory sessions, each linked to one of your planned adventure dives. These sessions provide the necessary knowledge to safely and confidently complete the dives without a final exam. You will complete two required dives: a deep dive up to 30 metres where you learn about the effects of pressure and nitrogen narcosis, and an underwater navigation dive, focusing on compass use and natural navigation methods.
For the remaining three dives, you can select from options including night diving, fish identification, digital underwater photography, wreck diving, search and recovery, boat diving, and multi-level/computer diving. Each dive provides an opportunity to develop new skills and experience different underwater conditions. Experienced instructors will support you throughout, offering guidance tailored to your interests and skill level while you explore some of North Sulawesi’s best dive sites.
This course runs at two locations in North Sulawesi. One offers access to a 4-metre deep dive training pool to practise skills before heading to open water. Bunaken Island nearby features impressive coral walls and abundant marine life, making it ideal for buoyancy control and fish identification dives. The local house reef is perfect for navigation and night diving practice.
The second location is known for vibrant reefs sustained by nutrient-rich currents, excellent for drift diving and wide-angle photography. Its sloping reefs and pinnacles offer varied conditions suited to multi-level dives and deeper exploration. Both locations provide well-maintained equipment and easy access to diverse underwater environments suitable for this course.
To join, you must hold an Open Water Diver certification from any recognised agency such as PADI, NAUI, SSI, or BSAC. The course is designed to build on your existing skills and introduce new types of diving. There is no requirement to have advanced experience before starting, making it suitable for divers at different stages of their journey.
The dive centres are family-run with professional, friendly teams focused on delivering personalised service. Safety and quality come first, with courses scheduled to fit your holiday plans comfortably. Full dive equipment rental is available, and beginners on entry-level courses receive free gear.
Facilities include a purpose-built training pool at one location and convenient access to well-known dive sites at both. The instructors are highly experienced and knowledgeable of the local marine environment, providing supportive guidance to help you develop your skills confidently.
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed to build on your existing Open Water certification by introducing you to new dive environments and skills. It consists of five “adventure” dives, including two mandatory dives—deep diving and underwater navigation—and three optional dives chosen based on your interests. This course enhances your confidence and ability to dive to a maximum depth of 30 metres.
Unlike the Open Water course, this programme is less classroom-intensive and focuses more on practical experience underwater. You will complete theory sessions related to each dive, but there is no final exam. The course helps you become a more skilled and versatile diver by exposing you to a wider range of diving situations.
The course usually takes two full days to complete. Over this period, you will complete five dives along with the required theory sessions. The schedule is flexible and designed to fit comfortably around your holiday, allowing time to relax and enjoy your surroundings outside of training.
The pacing ensures you get plenty of practice and instructor feedback without feeling rushed. This balance lets you develop your skills steadily while making the most of diving in some of Indonesia’s best locations.
You must complete a deep dive and an underwater navigation dive. The deep dive usually takes place at a site where you can safely reach depths up to 30 metres. This dive helps you understand the effects of pressure, nitrogen narcosis, and other deep diving considerations. Your instructor will be with you throughout to guide and monitor your progress.
The underwater navigation dive teaches you how to use a compass and natural references to navigate underwater efficiently. This skill is important for safe diving and increases your confidence in unfamiliar dive sites. Both dives provide essential experience that expands your diving capabilities.
You can select three dives from a range of options including night diving, aware fish identification, digital underwater photography, wreck diving, search and recovery, boat diving, multi-level diving, and computer diving. Each option offers a different focus, helping you develop specific skills while exploring new underwater environments.
These dives allow you to tailor the course to your interests, whether that’s improving buoyancy control, learning underwater photography, or experiencing the thrill of night diving. Your instructor will help you choose options that suit your skill level and preferences.
Yes, you need to have an Open Water Diver certification or equivalent from any recognised agency such as PADI, SSI, NAUI, or BSAC. The course is designed to advance the skills you already have, so a basic level of competence and comfort in the water is necessary.
There is no requirement to have advanced experience beyond Open Water certification. Many divers take this course soon after their initial certification, while others choose to gain more recreational diving experience first. Both approaches are perfectly acceptable.
For beginner-level courses, full dive equipment hire is provided free of charge, including mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device (BCD), wetsuit, and tanks. For advanced courses like this one, full dive equipment rental is available at the dive centres. You may also bring your own personal gear if you prefer.
It is recommended to have a dive computer for multi-level and computer dives, but rental options are available if you do not own one. Your instructor will advise on any additional equipment based on the dives you choose.
Safety is a top priority throughout the course. Experienced instructors provide close supervision during all dives, especially for the mandatory deep and navigation dives. All dive sites are carefully selected based on current conditions and your skill level to ensure safe learning environments.
You will also learn important safety protocols during theory sessions, including dive planning, managing nitrogen levels, emergency procedures, and equipment checks. The course structure ensures you build skills progressively while maintaining comfort and control underwater.
Upon successful completion, you will receive PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification. This qualification allows you to dive to a maximum depth of 30 metres independently or with a dive buddy, opening up access to a wider range of dive sites worldwide.
The skills and knowledge you gain will enhance your safety and enjoyment during future dives. Many divers continue to specialise in additional PADI courses such as Rescue Diver or Divemaster following this certification.
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All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
North Sulawesi, Indonesia
From $3447
