Advanced Open Water Diver
Five guided specialty dives that extend depth to 30 metres and introduce navigation and other skills.
Advanced Open Water is usually the second certification a diver takes, and its name is somewhat misleading — it is an introduction to a range of diving types rather than an advanced qualification.
The course typically consists of five dives: a deep dive, a navigation dive and three elective adventure dives chosen from specialties such as night, wreck, drysuit, photography or peak performance buoyancy.
Its practical value is that it extends the recreational depth limit to around 30 metres, which opens up a large proportion of Australia's better dive sites — including most of the wrecks and offshore sites.
Why it matters in Australia specifically
A great many of Australia's signature dives sit between 18 and 30 metres: the SS Yongala, HMAS Canberra, the ex-HMAS Brisbane, Wolf Rock, Flat Rock and the deeper Solitary Islands sites among them.
Without this certification, a substantial part of Australian diving is simply unavailable, which is why it is the most commonly taken second course in the country.
Choose the electives deliberately
The three elective dives are frequently chosen by whatever the centre is running that weekend. Choosing them around the diving you actually intend to do is more useful.
A Victorian or Tasmanian diver benefits enormously from the drysuit dive. A diver heading to Queensland wrecks benefits from the wreck dive. A photographer benefits from buoyancy far more than from a photography module.
Dive sites where Advanced Open Water Diver matters
Sites whose recommended minimum is Advanced Open Water, plus sites where the skills are directly useful.
Dive centres that teach at this level
Centres whose training capability covers this course. Availability, schedules and the exact agency programme vary; confirm with the centre.
Perth Scuba
ProfiledCanning Vale · Perth · WA
One of the most fully documented operations in Western Australia, covering recreational, professional, technical and freediving training alongside substantial equipment facilities.
perthscuba.com · (08) 9455 4448
Abyss Scuba Diving
ProfiledRamsgate · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Sydney operation associated with training across recreational and technical levels, boat diving and equipment services.
abyss.com.au · +61 2 9583 9662
Dolphin Scuba Diving
ProfiledWelshpool · Perth · WA
A Perth business providing training, equipment and service support.
dolphinscuba.com.au · (08) 9353 2488
Dive Darwin
ProfiledDarwin · Darwin Harbour · NT
The main verified dive operation in the Northern Territory, offering recreational training through professional level alongside technical diving and a large specialty range.
divedarwin.com.au · +61 401 751 651
Frog Dive Sydney
ProfiledGladesville · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Willoughby PADI 5 Star IDC founded in 1985, teaching recreational through Trimix and rebreather courses with PADI, SDI and TDI, and testing cylinders in-store.
frogdive.com.au · (02) 9958 5699
Pro Dive Sydney
ProfiledSt Peters · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
Pro Dive's inner-Sydney training centre at Alexandria, close to Camp Cove, Clovelly, Gordons Bay and Bare Island, with courses to Divemaster, hire and servicing.
prodive.com.au · (02) 9665 6333
Dive Lord Howe
ProfiledLord Howe Island · Lord Howe Island · NSW
Lord Howe Island's major verified PADI operation, identified as a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort and running the island's certified diving, training and charters.
divelordhowe.com · (02) 6563 2253
Dive Centre Manly
ProfiledManly · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Northern Beaches operation with a long-standing presence at Shelly Beach, offering recreational training, boat diving and technical pathways.
divesydney.com.au · (02) 9977 4355
Pro Dive Brookvale
ProfiledBrookvale · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
Pro Dive's Northern Beaches centre at Brookvale, running the 43-foot dive boat Sea Life V alongside courses, hire, air fills and servicing.
prodive.com.au · (02) 9977 5966
Dive Centre Bondi
ProfiledBondi · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
An Eastern Suburbs PADI 5 Star IDC on Bondi Road teaching through Instructor and technical levels, with air, Nitrox and Trimix fills and manufacturer-approved servicing.
divebondi.com.au · +61 2 9369 3855
Jetty Dive Centre
ProfiledCoffs Harbour · Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands · NSW
Coffs Harbour's PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, running the Solitary Islands dive fleet from the Jetty Strip with training, retail, Nitrox and whale swims.
jettydive.com.au · (02) 6651 1611
Dive Newcastle
ProfiledBeresfield · Port Stephens · NSW
A Beresfield dive superstore teaching RAID courses, with air fills, servicing, rental and a large scuba, freediving and spearfishing range.
neptunesports.com.au · (02) 4966 4900
After the course
Your first dives after Open Water, state by state
The easiest, most rewarding sites for a newly certified diver, what a first boat day is like, what to hire and when to go.
Advanced Open Water Diver: frequently asked questions
Is Advanced Open Water actually advanced?
Not in the technical sense. It is a supervised introduction to several diving types, and it extends your depth limit. It does not make you an experienced diver.
How many dives do I need first?
Most agencies allow it immediately after Open Water. Many instructors suggest logging some dives first, so the course builds on comfort rather than substituting for it.
Do I need it for the SS Yongala?
Operator requirements vary, but the depth makes it strongly advisable, and some operators require it along with a minimum number of logged dives.