Advanced Open Water — What It Is and Why It Matters
Advanced Open Water Diver is the second-level recreational scuba certification that extends the depth limit to 30 meters (100 feet) and introduces divers to specialty diving areas. The course typically includes five adventure dives covering different skills — deep diving and underwater navigation are usually mandatory, with electives like night diving, buoyancy, wreck diving, and photography.
Unlike Open Water, the Advanced course is mostly diving — there is minimal classroom work. It is designed to broaden experience under instructor supervision rather than introduce entirely new theory. Many divers pursue this certification immediately after Open Water to expand their dive site options and build confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Advanced Open Water worth getting?
Yes, for most divers. It extends your depth limit from 18 to 30 meters, opens up more dive sites and liveaboards, and builds competence in navigation, deep diving, and other practical skills. Many dive operators prefer or require it for advanced sites.
How many dives do I need before taking Advanced?
The prerequisite is an Open Water certification with no minimum logged dives beyond the certification dives themselves. However, most instructors recommend at least 10 to 20 logged dives for comfort and skill development before starting Advanced.
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