PADI Advanced Open Water Course Bali – 5 Dives, 2 Days, 30 Metres
No exam – just diving. Explore the USAT Liberty wreck, Padang Bai, and Nusa Penida with manta rays. Start the day after your Open Water certification.
Advanced Open Water Course - Table of Contents
What Is the PADI Advanced Open Water Course?
The PADI Advanced Open Water course is the natural next step after your Open Water certification. Despite the name, it is not reserved for experienced divers – it is designed specifically for Open Water certified divers who want to build confidence, log more dives, and explore new types of diving under instructor supervision.
The course consists of 5 adventure dives over 2 days – no classroom exam, no written test. Theory is completed at home through PADI eLearning before you arrive, so your two days in Bali are spent entirely in the water. Before each adventure dive, your instructor conducts a detailed briefing specific to that dive – then you dive.
On completing the course, you are certified to dive to a maximum recommended depth of 30 metres worldwide – unlocking a significantly wider range of dive sites, liveaboards, and diving experiences that are not accessible at Open Water level.
Each adventure dive you complete during the course also earns you credit toward the corresponding PADI Specialty certification – meaning your AOW dives are never wasted even if you want to go further later.
Why Take Your Advanced Course in Bali?
Bali is one of the most diverse diving destinations in the world – and for an Advanced Open Water course, that diversity is exactly what you want. Over 2 days you will dive completely different environments, conditions, and marine life, giving you a breadth of experience that most destinations simply cannot match in the same timeframe.
- USAT Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben – one of the most accessible and visually stunning wreck dives in the world. Perfect for deep, wreck, and navigation adventure dives
- Padang Bai – calm water with rich reef life at Blue Lagoon and White Sand Beach. Ideal for navigation, peak performance buoyancy, and fish identification dives
- Nusa Penida – world-class drift dives, manta rays at Manta Point year-round, and seasonal mola mola between July and October. Available as an upgrade option on Day 2
- Coral Triangle biodiversity – Bali sits at the heart of the most biodiverse marine region on Earth. Your adventure dives happen alongside turtles, reef sharks, macro critters, and pelagic species
- Start the day after your Open Water – no waiting period required. If you completed your Open Water course in Bali with us, you can begin your Advanced course the following morning
The 5 Adventure Dives – What You Will Do
Your PADI Advanced Open Water course in Bali consists of 5 adventure dives across 2 days. Two dives are mandatory – Deep and Underwater Navigation. You choose the remaining three from a selection of specialties based on your interests and the dive sites you visit.
Mandatory – Deep Dive (up to 30m)
Your deep adventure dive takes you down to a maximum of 30 metres – the new depth limit you unlock with your Advanced certification. During this dive you learn to plan and manage deeper dives safely, understand the physiological effects of depth, and recognise how colours and light change as you descend. At Tulamben, the deep dive is conducted alongside the USAT Liberty wreck – one of the most dramatic settings for a first deep dive anywhere in the world.
Mandatory – Underwater Navigation
The navigation adventure dive develops your ability to find your way underwater using a compass and natural references – a fundamental skill for any diver. You will practise heading, distance estimation, and return navigation in open water conditions. This skill directly improves your confidence and independence on every dive you do after the course.
Your Choice – 3 Additional Adventure Dives
The remaining three adventure dives are selected based on your interests and the dive sites on your schedule. At Bali Aqua we typically offer the following options:
- Peak Performance Buoyancy – master neutral buoyancy, reduce air consumption, and protect the reef. One of the most useful skills you can develop as a diver
- Wreck Diving – explore the USAT Liberty and learn the techniques for safe wreck diving
- Drift Diving – learn to read and move with current, essential for Nusa Penida and Padang Bai conditions
- Fish Identification – learn to recognise and name the species you encounter, making every future dive richer
- Underwater Naturalist – understand the marine ecosystem and how species interact with their environment
- Underwater Photography – learn the basics of composing and capturing images underwater. Bali’s marine life makes for incredible subjects
- Night Diving – discover Bali’s nocturnal marine life in a completely different light (available at extra cost)
Each adventure dive you complete counts as credit toward the corresponding PADI Specialty certification – so if you later decide to pursue a Wreck, Drift, or PPB specialty, your AOW dive already counts.
5 Dives. 2 Days. A Whole New Depth.
Your 2-Day Advanced Course Schedule in Bali
The PADI Advanced Open Water course at Bali Aqua runs over 2 full days. Theory is completed at home via PADI eLearning before you arrive – your two days in Bali are dedicated entirely to diving. Pickup from your hotel in Sanur, Denpasar, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua is included. Extra fee applies for Canggu, Ubud, and Uluwatu.
Day 1 – Tulamben – 2 Dives
- Pickup approximately 7:00am – exact pickup time confirmed once you provide your hotel name and location
- 2 dives at the USAT Liberty wreck, Tulamben
- Mandatory Deep Dive up to 30m
- 1 adventure dive of your choice
- Lunch and refreshments included
- Return to Sanur approximately 5:00pm
Day 2 – Padang Bai – 3 Dives
- Pickup approximately 7:00am – exact pickup time confirmed once you provide your hotel name and location
- 3 dives at Blue Lagoon and White Sand Beach, Padang Bai
- Mandatory Underwater Navigation dive
- 2 adventure dives of your choice
- Lunch and refreshments included
- Return to Sanur approximately 3:00–4:00pm
Day 2 Option – Nusa Penida – 3 Dives
- Diving boat direct from Sanur beach to Nusa Penida and back
- 3 dives at Nusa Penida’s top sites
- 1 dive at Manta Point – manta ray encounters
- Mola mola sightings possible July–October at Crystal Bay
- Adventure dives selected to complement your Day 1 choices
- Lunch and refreshments included
- Return to Sanur approximately 3:00–4:00pm
- Upgrade fee: 1,000,000 IDR
PADI Advanced Open Water Course Price & Options
All prices include PADI eLearning, full equipment rental, transport from your hotel, marine park fees, lunch, and PADI certification fee.
PADI Advanced Open Water Course – Standard program
- Day 1 – 2 dives at Tulamben, USAT Liberty wreck
- Day 2 – 3 dives at Padang Bai
- 5 adventure dives total
- PADI eLearning, equipment, transport, lunch, certification
6,100,000 IDR
PADI Advanced Open Water Course – Nusa Penida Option
- Day 1 – 2 dives at Tulamben, USAT Liberty wreck
- Day 2 – 3 dives at Nusa Penida including Manta Point
- 5 adventure dives total
- PADI eLearning, equipment, transport, lunch, certification
7,100,000 IDR
Add PADI Nitrox to Your PADI Advanced OPEN WATER Course
- PADI Enriched Air Nitrox certification
- Special rate when booked with your Advanced Open Water course
- Dive longer at depth with enriched air
+ 2,200,000 IDR
Night Diving adventure dive available on request – additional fee of 600,000 IDR. Contact us to arrange.
Looking to combine your Advanced Open Water course with your Open Water certification? Our OW + AOW combo package starts from 12,000,000 IDR.
Already diving with us? Bali Aqua students receive a 10% discount on all fun dives after completing their course – a great way to keep exploring Bali’s best dive sites with a team you already know. Ask us when booking.
Ready to Go Deeper? Your Advanced Certification Starts Here.
PADI Advanced Open Water Course Prerequisites & Requirements
The PADI Advanced Open Water course has minimal prerequisites – it is designed to be accessible to any certified diver ready to take the next step.
- Certification – PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent from any recognised agency
- Minimum age – 12 years old. Participants aged 12–14 receive a Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification, which automatically upgrades to full Advanced Open Water Diver certification at age 15
- No minimum dives required – you can start the Advanced course the day after completing your Open Water certification. No additional logged dives are needed
- Medical fitness – you must be in good physical health for diving. A standard PADI medical questionnaire is completed before the course
Already certified with SSI, NAUI, or another agency? Your certification is accepted in most cases – contact us to confirm your certification is recognised before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions – PADI Advanced Open Water Course Bali
No additional experience is required beyond your Open Water certification. You can enrol in the Advanced Open Water course the day after completing your Open Water – no minimum number of logged dives is needed. The course is designed specifically for Open Water certified divers ready to take the next step.
The course runs over 2 full days and includes 5 adventure dives. Theory is completed at home via PADI eLearning before you arrive, so both days in Bali are spent entirely in the water. Most participants complete the course without any classroom time on site.
No. There is no written exam for the Advanced Open Water course. Theory is completed through PADI eLearning before you arrive. On each dive day your instructor conducts a detailed briefing before the dive – then you dive. Your performance is assessed in the water, not in a classroom.
The standard course runs Day 1 at Tulamben and Day 2 at Padang Bai. The Nusa Penida option replaces Day 2 with 3 dives at Nusa Penida, including one dive at Manta Point where manta ray encounters are frequent. The Nusa Penida option costs 1,000,000 IDR more than the standard course. Both options include the same 5 adventure dives and PADI certification.
Yes. The minimum age for the PADI Advanced Open Water course is 12 years old. Participants aged 12 to 14 receive a Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification, which automatically upgrades to a full Advanced Open Water Diver certification at age 15. All 5 adventure dives are available to junior participants with the exception of certain specialties – contact us to confirm based on your chosen dives.
Two adventure dives are mandatory – the Deep Dive to 30 metres and the Underwater Navigation dive. You choose the remaining three from options including Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck Diving, Drift Diving, Fish Identification, Underwater Naturalist, and Underwater Photography. Night Diving is available on request for an additional fee of 600,000 IDR. Your instructor will help you select the best combination based on your interests and the dive sites on your schedule.
Yes. Adding the PADI Enriched Air Nitrox certification to your Advanced Open Water course costs 2,200,000 IDR at a special combined rate. Nitrox allows you to extend your bottom time at depth and is one of the most practical specialties for recreational divers. Contact us to add Nitrox when booking your Advanced course.
The natural next step after the Advanced Open Water certification is the PADI Rescue Diver course. The Rescue Diver course develops your ability to prevent and manage diving emergencies – a significant step in becoming a well-rounded and safety-conscious diver. You can also combine your Advanced course with your Open Water certification through our OW + AOW combo package starting from 12,000,000 IDR.
