Advanced Open Water Diver Overview

Advanced Open Water is the next step after your entry-level certification. You are already a diver—this course expands your comfort level with new skills, new dive environments, and greater confidence underwater.

With Scuba Life, the Advanced Open Water program includes either three or five ocean dives, depending on what you added during your Open Water course. If you included Peak Performance Buoyancy and Nitrox during Open Water, your Advanced Open Water path may be adjusted accordingly. The 3-dive option can typically be completed in one day, unless you choose Night Dive, which requires participation in a Catalina Weekend. The 5-dive option is built around one focused weekend of training.

You complete your dives with an emphasis on exploration, underwater navigation, and specialty dives chosen with your instructor.

When you finish, you're prepared for deeper recreational diving, more advanced trips, and the pathway toward Rescue Diver and even professional-level training if you choose.

Instructor coaching in advanced dive skills. You receive hands-on feedback in the water so habits improve, not just boxes checked.

Self-study course materials plus instructor review. Learn at your own pace, then arrive ready so water days are focused on diving, not cramming.

Three or five ocean dives at Catalina's Casino Point Dive Park, where you put your skills into practice in one of California's most iconic dive locations.

Official Advanced Open Water certification. Your paperwork and globally recognized certification are processed through us once all requirements are completed.

You need an Open Water certification (or equivalent) and a completed medical questionnaire, consistent with standard requirements. Junior divers may qualify based on age limits and agency standards.

You do not need to be an expert. You do need to be comfortable enough that completing three to five ocean dives in a weekend is realistic. If you haven't dove since certification, a refresher or a few local dives beforehand is recommended.

If you're still working on Open Water, complete that course first. This overview is for divers ready to take the next step.

Advanced is the bridge between entry-level diving and more capable recreational diving. It confirms you can handle a wider range of dive conditions and environments beyond Open Water.

From there, divers typically move into specialty courses, continue fun diving with buddies, or progress into Rescue Diver, Master Scuba Diver, and sometimes Divemaster training when they are ready.

Trips like Socorro and other advanced destinations assume you are comfortable beyond entry-level skills. Advanced helps prepare you for those environments.

Many Scuba Life students complete Advanced right after their Open Water course, then continue diving locally or return later for additional training and trips.