Earning your Open Water certification is just the start of the journey. The PADI Advanced Openwater Diver Course opens the doors to more ocean adventures.
Comprising 5 dives conducted over 2 days, the course refines your existing skills while exploring specialized areas of diving. While there are no theory or classroom sessions, you'll review knowledge segments for each dive, have detailed discussions with your instructor & apply your skills in water.
This course not only teaches you how to dive deeper & navigate better, but also builds your confidence, & makes you a safer, & more aware diver.
Minimum Age: 12 years
Duration: 2 days
No. of Dives: 5
Maximum Depth: 30 metres/100 feet
(21 metres/70 feet for children under 15 years old)
Prerequisites: PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent
Minimum Age: 12 years
Duration: 2 days
No. of Dives: 5
Maximum Depth: 30 metres/100 feet (21 metres/70 feet for children under 15 years old)
Prerequisites: PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent
The course comprises 2 main components :
Knowledge development through self-study & briefings specific to each dive. Once a course is booked, we assign e-learning materials at the earliest to help you complete theory sections at your pace & convenience, prior to arrival at the dive centre. This is highly recommended as it also allows us to allocate more time for in-water training.
5 open water dives (called Adventure Dives) to practice & refine your existing skills.
2 compulsory dives : Deep Dive that trains you to safely explore depths up to 30 meters (21 meters for 12-14 years old), Underwater Navigation Dive which hones your ability to use a compass & natural references.
3 elective dives tailored to your interests & local conditions. We'll be happy to help you select the right ones from the available options including : Enriched Air Diving, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift Diving, Fish Identification, Underwater Photography & more.
We recommend that you visit us at the dive center a day before starting your course to complete paperwork, & get yourself fitted for the equipment you will be using for the next few fun-filled days! Additionally, in case you have not dived in over 6 months, we recommend that you sign up for a skill refresher session prior to starting the course.
We understand that every diver progresses at their own pace & has unique learning styles. Some take to the water like fish, while others need time, patience, & the right guidance. That's why we offer different course options to suit varying in-water comfort levels, & previous experience. No matter where you're at, we'll help you become a confident & competent diver.
| Course Option | Days | Dives | Taught By | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Openwater Deluxe | 2 days | 5 course dives + Pool refresher | Course Director: 10+ years' exp |
Newly certified open water divers with less than 10 logged dives or those diving after a break | ₹50,000 (*18% GST additional) |
| Advanced Openwater Premium | 5 course dives | MSDT & Staff Instructors: 5-10 years' exp |
Those with 15+ logged dives | ₹35,000 (*18% GST additional) | |
| Advanced Openwater Lite | Open Water Instructors: 1-5 years' exp |
Those with 25+ logged dives | ₹30,000 (*18% GST additional) |
The Open Water Diver Course teaches you the fundamentals of scuba diving - from assembling and using your gear, to safe ascents and descents, emergency procedures, and the essential skills needed to dive confidently up to 18 meters.
The Advanced Open Water Diver Course takes you a step further. It builds on your existing skills, expands your comfort zone, and certifies you to dive safely up to 30 meters. Think of it as a sampler platter of diving adventures: you'll complete five dives - two compulsory ones (Deep Dive and Underwater Navigation) plus three elective dives of your choice, based on local conditions and availability.
Unlike the Open Water course, the Advanced course has minimal theory, no exam, and is almost entirely dive-based, making it a fun, hands-on way to grow as a diver while exploring new underwater experiences.
Not at all! It's a common misconception that you need to be experienced or have logged many dives before signing up. The only prerequisite is that you hold a PADI Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver certification (or an equivalent entry-level certification from another organization). Beyond that, the main requirement is simply being fit to dive.
In reality, the Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed as the natural next step after the Open Water Diver course - and many divers choose to begin it right away. At UNA, we even encourage students to take the Open Water, Advanced Open Water and Enriched Air courses back-to-back. This way, your skills and confidence stay fresh, and you build on the motor skills you've just learned without a long gap.
While the Open Water Diver course takes you from complete beginner to certified diver, the Advanced Open Water Diver course is about progression. You'll refine what you already know, gain confidence, and explore new types of diving - all under the guidance of a PADI Instructor.
Absolutely! With an Advanced Open Water certification, you'll be qualified to dive at over 80% of recreational dive sites worldwide, giving you access to deeper dives and other exciting environments beyond the 18m Open Water limit.
The 5 Adventure Dives will help refine your existing skills while teaching new ones. You're highly likely to see a marked improvement in your navigation abilities and buoyancy control. Many divers also notice improvements in their gas efficiency. As you build confidence and feel more at ease, you'll naturally breathe more steadily, which means longer, more enjoyable dives.
Also, each Adventure Dive counts toward the corresponding Specialty course - so if you want to take your training further, you'll already be on the way.
The Advanced Open Water certification is truly a passport to adventure. It gives you access to deeper sites, unique conditions, and opportunities to spot a variety of marine life. Just as completing your Open Water course was a milestone, finishing your Advanced course will give you an even greater confidence boost and take you to the next level of diving!
The next major step in your progression is the PADI Rescue Diver Course, where you'll learn how to prevent and manage problems in the water, making you a safer and more confident dive buddy. From there, you can take your diving to a professional level by enrolling in the PADI Divemaster course, the first step toward becoming a dive leader or instructor.
Many divers also choose to continue with Specialty Courses such as Enriched Air Diver, Deep Diver, Drift Diver, etc to sharpen specific skills and explore different styles of diving. Of course, you can also simply keep diving for fun!
Have more questions? Click here to find answers to more FAQs about diving in Pondicherry. Or feel free to contact us & we'll guide you through every step of the process!