Five dives focused on real experience
Each Adventure Dive introduces you to another area of recreational scuba diving while building on the skills you already developed as an Open Water diver.
PADI eLearning
Complete the required knowledge development for your selected Adventure Dives.
Deep Adventure Dive
Develop experience with deeper recreational diving under the supervision of your instructor.
Underwater Navigation
Improve underwater orientation and practice navigation techniques using natural references and a compass.
Adventure Dives
Select three additional Adventure Dives from the options available with BPDC.
Build skills on the Belize Barrier Reef
Advanced Open Water gives you the opportunity to experience different types of diving while working directly with a PADI instructor.
Deep + Underwater Navigation
Every Advanced Open Water student completes these two Adventure Dives as part of the five-dive course.
Deep Adventure Dive
Gain supervised experience with deeper recreational diving while reviewing depth awareness, planning and the considerations that change as you descend.
Underwater Navigation
Practice navigating underwater using compass techniques, natural references and improved awareness of your surroundings.
Choose three additional Adventure Dives
In addition to Deep and Navigation, choose three Adventure Dives from the options available with BPDC.
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Refine your trim, control and movement underwater.
Discover Nitrox
Get an introduction to diving with enriched air.
Multi-Level / Dive Computer
Develop a better understanding of multi-level dive planning and computer use.
Night Dive
Experience the reef after sunset and learn the basics of night diving.
Underwater Naturalist
Develop a deeper appreciation of the underwater environment.
Fish Identification
Learn techniques for recognizing and identifying reef fish.
Underwater Photography
Practice the fundamentals of creating better underwater images.
Drift Dive
Develop experience diving with moving water and current.
Boat Dive
Build confidence with boat-based diving procedures and techniques.
Search & Recovery
Practice basic underwater search and recovery techniques.
Final selections and dive locations depend on scheduling, weather, sea conditions and instructor discretion.
Five dives typically arranged across three days
The exact schedule depends on the Adventure Dives you choose and how they fit into BPDC's dive schedule.
2 + 2 + 1
Two Adventure Dives on the first dive day, two on the second and the final Adventure Dive on a third day.
2 + 3
The course may also be arranged with two Adventure Dives on one day and three dives on another.
Some selections, such as Night, naturally require specific timing. BPDC will coordinate the final training schedule based on the selected dives, operational schedule and conditions.
Advanced Open Water for ages 12+
The certification earned depends on the diver's age when completing the course.
Junior Advanced Open Water
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water requirements
You must already hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification or an equivalent recognized scuba certification.
Divers ages 12–14 earn Junior Advanced Open Water. Divers ages 15+ earn PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.
Complete Deep, Underwater Navigation and three additional Adventure Dives.
Complete the required knowledge development for your Advanced Open Water training.
Maximum 4 students per instructor
Advanced Open Water training is limited to a maximum of four students per instructor, allowing more direct guidance throughout the five Adventure Dives.
What's included?
Your Advanced Course
- PADI Advanced Open Water eLearning
- Five Adventure Dives
- Deep Adventure Dive
- Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive
- Three selected Adventure Dives
- Required scuba equipment
- Tanks and weights
- PADI instructor supervision
Taxes, Fees & Pickup
- 12.5% Government Sales Tax
- Marine park fee if applicable
- Pickup transportation when applicable
Pickup can be coordinated upon request. Additional charges may apply depending on location.
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course
The complete course includes PADI eLearning and all five Adventure Dives.
Your course includes:
- PADI Advanced Open Water eLearning
- Five Adventure Dives
- Deep Adventure Dive
- Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive
- Three selected Adventure Dives
- Required scuba equipment
- Tanks and weights
- Instructor-led training
Marine park fees are additional when applicable to the selected training locations. Pickup can also be coordinated upon request, with additional charges depending on location.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be Open Water certified first?
Yes. You must already hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification or an equivalent recognized scuba certification.
How many dives are in Advanced Open Water?
The course includes five Adventure Dives. Deep and Underwater Navigation are required, and you choose three additional Adventure Dives.
Which Adventure Dives are mandatory?
Every student completes the Deep Adventure Dive and the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive.
Which other Adventure Dives can I choose?
Available options include Peak Performance Buoyancy, Discover Nitrox, Multi-Level/Dive Computer, Night, Underwater Naturalist, Fish Identification, Underwater Photography, Drift, Boat and Search & Recovery.
How deep is the Deep Adventure Dive?
The Deep Adventure Dive may reach up to 100 ft / 30 m. Actual depth depends on the individual student, conditions and instructor discretion.
How long does the course take?
BPDC typically arranges Advanced Open Water across approximately three days. Depending on the selected Adventure Dives and scheduling, the five dives may sometimes be completed as a two-dive day followed by a three-dive day.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 12. Divers ages 12–14 earn Junior Advanced Open Water, while divers age 15 and older earn PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.
What is the maximum class size?
BPDC limits Advanced Open Water training to a maximum of four students per instructor.
Is there a minimum number of students?
No. There is no minimum number of students required for the course to operate.
Is scuba equipment included?
Yes. Required scuba equipment is included with the Advanced Open Water course.
Is PADI eLearning included?
Yes. PADI Advanced Open Water eLearning is included in the $600 USD course price.
Are GST and park fees included?
A 12.5% Government Sales Tax is additional. Marine park fees are also additional when applicable to the selected training location.