The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed to help you grow as a diver through experience, not classroom overload. This course focuses on learning by doing, giving you the opportunity to explore new styles of diving while improving awareness, control, and confidence underwater.

Rather than repeating basic skills, Advanced Open Water builds on your Open Water certification through a series of five adventure dives. Two of these dives are required and form the foundation of the course, while the remaining dives allow you to customize the experience based on your interests.

At Space City Dive Center, Advanced Open Water is about becoming more capable and comfortable in the water. The goal is not just to go deeper, but to dive smarter, more confidently, and with greater control.

How the Five Dives Work

The Advanced Open Water Diver course includes five adventure dives:

• Deep Dive (required)
• Underwater Navigation Dive (required)
• Three additional adventure dives selected by you from available options in the PADI eLearning, based on interests, local conditions, and scheduling.

Common elective options may include Peak Performance Buoyancy, Night Diving, Search and Recovery, Wreck Diving, or other specialty-style dives when conditions allow.

What You’ll Learn

• Underwater navigation and improved situational awareness
• Deeper diving techniques and planning
• Advanced buoyancy control and dive efficiency
• Exposure to specialty diving activities such as night, peak performance buoyancy, or wreck diving (conditions permitting)

Who This Course Is For

Advanced Open Water is ideal for certified Open Water Divers who want to gain experience, improve confidence, and expand their diving opportunities. It’s a great next step for divers planning travel, local diving, or continuing toward Rescue Diver, Master Scuba Diver, or professional training.

Prerequisites

• PADI Open Water Diver or qualifying equivalent
• Minimum age of 12 years
• Completion of a medical questionnaire

What’s Included

Your Advanced Open Water Diver course includes all required eLearning and the use of scuba equipment during training. We provide everything you need except personal gear, including mask, snorkel, fins, boots, and cutting device.

Time Commitment

eLearning is completed online at your own pace. Adventure dives are typically completed over a weekend, depending on schedule and conditions.

After completing the course, you’ll be certified to dive to greater depths and enjoy a wider range of underwater experiences. Our team is happy to help you choose what comes next, whether that’s specialty training, Rescue Diver, or your next dive trip.