PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.” — Jacques Yves Cousteau
The Advanced Open Water course is designed to advance your diving skills. You'll complete 5 adventure dives that introduce you to new activities and ways to have fun underwater while building your experience.
Two core dives — Deep Dive and Underwater Navigation — are mandatory. The remaining three are elective dives that you choose based on your interests.
What You'll Learn
Deep Diving
Practical aspects and physiological effects of diving deeper. Understand pressure, gas management, and proper planning for dives to 30 meters.
Navigation
Master compass navigation, kick-cycles, visual landmarks, and timing. Navigate multi-leg patterns and find your way back every time.
Buoyancy Control
Perfect your buoyancy and water position control. Move effortlessly through the water and protect the reef environment.
Elective Skills
Choose from photography, night diving, naturalist, computer diving, or wreck diving — tailor the course to your interests.
Your Adventure Dives
2 core dives plus 3 electives of your choice — 5 adventure dives in total
Deep Dive
Learn the practical aspects of diving deeper. Understand physiological effects and proper planning for dives to 30 meters.
Core DiveUnderwater Navigation
Master compass navigation, natural navigation techniques, kick-cycles, and multi-leg patterns underwater.
Core DiveElective Dives
Choose 3 elective adventure dives from:
Requirements & Course Details
Requirements
- • Minimum age: 15 years (12+ for Junior)
- • Current PADI Open Water Diver certification
- • Or equivalent from another agency
Course Details
Duration
2–3 days
Max Depth
30 meters
Adventure Dives
5 dives
Why Advance?
Deeper dives, better skills, more confidence. The Advanced Open Water course opens up a whole new world of dive sites that are beyond the reach of basic Open Water divers.
Around Koh Lipe, some of the most spectacular sites — like 8 Mile Rock, the Yong Hua Wreck, and the deeper walls of Koh Sarang — sit below 18 metres. With your Advanced certification you can explore these sites and have the best chance of encountering whale sharks, manta rays, and large pelagic fish.
Beyond depth, the course builds real skills you'll use on every dive. Better navigation means you never feel lost underwater. Improved buoyancy means less air consumption, longer dives, and less impact on the reef. These are skills that make diving more relaxed, more enjoyable, and safer — wherever you dive in the world.