Five dives to advance your skills

Become a more confident Caribbean diver

The Advanced Open Water Diver course is the natural next step after Open Water certification. It is built around real diving experience rather than repeating beginner training: five focused Adventure Dives with your instructor in the Caribbean Sea around Bayahibe.

Deep and Underwater Navigation are the two required dives. Together we then select three elective dives that match your interests, experience and the conditions—often Wreck, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift or Fish Identification.

  • Five instructor-guided Adventure Dives
  • Two or three practical diving days
  • Maximum four divers per instructor
  • eLearning, equipment and certification included
Advanced Open Water Diver students completing a deep training dive in the Caribbean Sea near Bayahibe

The course at a glance

Five dives, new skills, more confidence

Open Water requiredAn entry-level scuba certification or qualifying equivalent is needed
Five divesDeep, Navigation and three elective Adventure Dives
Two or three daysThe exact schedule is arranged around your dates and electives
Minimum age 12Ages 12–14 earn Junior Advanced Open Water certification
Your five dives

Required dives plus your electives

  • Required: Deep Adventure Dive
  • Required: Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive
  • Choose three: Wreck, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift, Fish Identification or another locally available option
  • Each Adventure Dive may count toward the related specialty course
  • Final selection depends on conditions, scheduling and experience

We plan the course with you before the first day. The objective is a useful personal training program—not simply collecting five dives.

Choose your electives

Train on real Caribbean dive sites

The skills behind your five Adventure Dives

Advanced Open Water diver checking a dive computer beside a Caribbean wreck in Bayahibe

Deep dive planning and awareness

Plan and complete a deeper dive with your instructor while reviewing depth, gas, no-decompression limits, buddy communication and how increasing depth can affect you and your equipment.

Caribbean reef used for underwater navigation training during an Advanced Open Water course

Underwater navigation

Improve compass use and natural navigation so you can recognize the reef, track direction and distance, and return with more confidence instead of simply following another diver.

Advanced Open Water diver exploring the Atlantic Princess wreck during a guided training dive

Wreck diving elective

Learn how to observe a wreck's layout, identify potential hazards and keep safe positioning outside the structure. This Adventure Dive is recreational wreck exploration, not penetration training.

Advanced Open Water diver practising controlled buoyancy above a Caribbean reef with tropical fish

Peak Performance Buoyancy elective

Fine-tune weighting, trim, breathing and movement. Better buoyancy improves comfort and air use and lets you observe marine life without touching the reef or stirring the bottom.

A simple path from Open Water to Advanced

How the Advanced course works

01Plan

Tell us about your diving

Send your certification, last dive date, hotel, equipment sizes and preferred course dates so we can plan the right schedule.

02Learn

Complete your eLearning

Study the Deep and Navigation sections plus the three electives before the related dives, with your instructor available for questions.

03Dive

Complete five Adventure Dives

Train in a small group over two or three days, with clear briefings, useful practice and time to enjoy every dive.

04Advance

Receive your certification

After successful completion, your Advanced certification opens more dive-site options and provides credit toward selected specialties.

Everything needed for a well-planned course

What is included and what to prepare

Your Advanced Open Water course includes

  • Advanced Open Water Diver eLearning
  • Five instructor-guided Adventure Dives
  • Certification processing after successful completion
  • BCD, regulator, mask, fins and shorty 3 mm wetsuit
  • Tanks, weights and all standard dive equipment
  • Resort transfer from Punta Cana and Bávaro
  • Boat water, Coca-Cola, pineapple and biscuits

Please bring and send us

  • Your Open Water certification and recent dive history
  • Your hotel, preferred dates and room number when available
  • Each diver's height, weight and shoe size
  • Swimsuit, towel and reef-safe sun protection
  • Any medical information that may require clearance
  • Cash for the remaining balance on the first diving day

Age, depth and safety

The minimum age is 12. Divers aged 12–14 earn Junior Advanced Open Water certification and may dive to a maximum of 21 metres. Divers aged 15 and older may train to a maximum of 30 metres. Actual training depths always depend on certification, comfort, experience and conditions.

Every participant completes a diving medical questionnaire. Some answers require written physician clearance before the first diving day.

Reservation and flying after diving

A 100 USD deposit per participant secures the course dates and starts the eLearning after availability is confirmed. The remaining balance is normally paid in cash on the first diving day. Please review our booking and cancellation policy.

Because the course includes repetitive diving, plan at least 18 hours between the final dive and flying. We recommend scheduling the course well before your departure day.

After Advanced: Continue with Rescue Diver + EFR or build deeper skills through our Specialty Courses.

Plan your next certification with confidence

Advanced Open Water Diver FAQs

What is the Advanced Open Water Diver course?

It is a five-dive course for certified Open Water divers who want more experience and confidence. Deep and Underwater Navigation are required, and you select three additional Adventure Dives with your instructor.

How much does the course cost?

The complete course is 449 USD per person, including eLearning, five training dives, certification, standard equipment and resort transfer from Punta Cana and Bávaro.

Which certification do I need before starting?

You need an Open Water Diver certification or a qualifying entry-level certification from another recognized training organization. Send us a photo of your certification and your last dive date.

How many dives are included?

Five Adventure Dives: the required Deep and Underwater Navigation dives plus three electives chosen with your instructor.

Which elective dives can I choose?

Typical local options include Wreck, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift and Fish Identification. The final selection depends on your goals, previous experience, course dates and sea conditions.

How long does the course take?

Normally two or three diving days. We arrange the schedule around the five selected dives, site conditions and your holiday dates.

What is the minimum age and maximum depth?

The minimum age is 12. Ages 12–14 earn Junior Advanced Open Water certification with a maximum depth of 21 metres. Divers aged 15 and older may train to a maximum of 30 metres.

Is all equipment included?

Yes. Standard equipment, tanks and weights are included, together with eLearning, certification, instructor and resort transfer from Punta Cana and Bávaro. Nitrox is available on request for 12 USD per tank.

Can I fly after the course?

Plan at least 18 hours between the end of your final dive and a commercial flight after repetitive diving. More time adds additional conservatism.

How do I reserve?

Send your preferred dates, hotel, certification level, last dive date and equipment sizes by WhatsApp. After availability is confirmed, a 100 USD deposit per participant secures the dates and starts the eLearning.

Ready to become an Advanced diver?

Send your preferred dates, hotel, certification and last dive date. We will confirm availability and help you choose the three elective dives.

Book Advanced Open Water

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