- 🇻🇳 Vietnam, Nha Trang
- +84775077000
About the Course
You earned your Open Water — congratulations, you’re a certified diver! But OWD only covers the basics: up to 18 meters, daylight, calm water. Most of the interesting stuff begins beyond that threshold.
Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) is the next logical step. The program extends your range to 30 meters depth, teaches compass navigation, lets you try specialties (night descents, wrecks, perfect buoyancy), and turns you into a confident diver instead of a beginner who’s afraid to leave the instructor’s side.
The format is simple: 2 days, 5 dives, international certification. No exams like Open Water — only practical sessions underwater. By the end of day two you’ll descend to 30 meters, navigate by compass, and realize that going deeper is exciting, not scary.
You can start right after Open Water — no extra experience required. Many students do Open Water (3 days) + Advanced (2 days) = 5 days of full training in one trip. This is a popular format for those who want to become a confident diver right away.
Depth
Most divers don’t expect just how different the underwater world becomes past the 18-meter threshold. It’s not just “a bit deeper” — it’s different physics, different psychology, a different sport.
Open Water is the foundation. Advanced Open Water is where you understand the physics of going underwater, instead of just “doing what the instructor said.” You plan the descent yourself. Control depth and time. Navigate without help. You become a diver, not a tourist underwater.
Location
Nha Trang is Vietnam’s main scuba region. Water is warm year-round, visibility is solid (10–20m in season), and the seabed lets you safely reach 30 meters without sharp drop-offs or dangerous currents.
Choose Your Program
Both certifications are recognized worldwide and grant access to 30 meters. The difference is in approach, pace, and teaching philosophy.
| Parameter | PADI Advanced | CMAS 2★ |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | 30 meters | 30 meters |
| Duration | 2 days | 3–4 days |
| Sessions | 5 adventure dives | Extended program |
| Theory | Minimal, focus on practice | Deep theory block |
| Best For | Travelers | Serious students |
If you have only a week in Nha Trang and want to level up fast — choose PADI Advanced (2 days). If you have time and want deep theoretical knowledge — go with CMAS 2★ (3–4 days). Both certifications are equally recognized worldwide.
Program
Each session begins with a detailed briefing and ends with a debrief. No “conveyor belt” — you progress at your own pace, the instructor is always with you. 5 sessions, 2 days, international certification.
| Day | Sessions and Skills |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Morning: Theory block (30–40 minutes) — deep dive planning, nitrogen loading, safety. Dive #1 — Deep Dive (mandatory): Gradual descent to 25–30 meters. Equalization practice, time control, observing changes in light and color. Bottom time planning. Dive #2 — Underwater Navigation (mandatory): Square and triangle compass patterns, navigation by natural landmarks, returning to start point without GPS. |
| Day 2 | Dive #3 — Specialty of your choice (Peak Performance Buoyancy / Night / Drift / Wreck) Dive #4 — Specialty of your choice (from available list) Dive #5 — Specialty of your choice (final descent) Wrap-up: Final debrief, Advanced Open Water Diver certificate ceremony |
Two sessions are mandatory (deep and navigation) — that’s a PADI requirement. The other three you pick yourself from available specialties. We’ll match them to your interests and goals.
Specialties
After the mandatory deep and navigation sessions, you choose three more specialties. Each is a separate adventure session with new skills.
Pricing
No hidden fees. Everything you need for training in one price.
What you get: 5 sessions at different sites, full equipment (tank, BCD, regulator, mask, fins, wetsuit, dive computer), work with a PADI/CMAS instructor, lunches and drinks on the boat for 2 days, study materials, international PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or CMAS 2★ certification.
What’s Next
An international PADI Advanced or CMAS 2★ certificate is recognized everywhere. One course in Nha Trang — and the entire global scuba scene opens up to you.
| ●Rescue Diver — the most important safety course, teaches you to rescue others |
| ●Nitrox / EANx — enriched air, more bottom time at depth |
| ●Deep Diver — descents to 40 meters (requires Advanced) |
| ●Divemaster — professional level, work as an instructor |
Choosing Sessions
After the mandatory deep and navigation sessions, you have 3 free slots. Here’s what we recommend depending on your goals:
| 1.PPB (Peak Performance Buoyancy) — fixes all OWD mistakes |
| 2.Fish ID — learn to recognize who’s who underwater |
| 3.Underwater Photo — start shooting beautifully |
| 1.Night Dive — descent into the dark with a flashlight |
| 2.Wreck — sunken ships |
| 3.Drift — flying along the reef in current |
| 1.PPB — mandatory for everyone (the most useful session) |
| 2.Wreck — interesting and great for photos |
| 3.Night Dive — an unforgettable experience |
If in doubt — pick PPB no matter what. It’s the only specialty that truly transforms your underwater experience forever. After PPB you use half the air, don’t stir up sediment, and hold position perfectly for photos. Other specialties are interesting experiences. PPB is a fundamental skill.
Physiology
On Open Water, you went to 18 meters and didn’t really worry about time — 40–50 minutes underwater was standard. At 30 meters everything changes. Advanced teaches you to plan with nitrogen and pressure in mind.
| Depth | Bottom Time | Air Consumption |
|---|---|---|
| 10–12m (OWD) | ~140 minutes | x2 vs surface |
| 18m (OWD limit) | ~56 minutes | x2.8 vs surface |
| 25m (AOWD) | ~29 minutes | x3.5 vs surface |
| 30m (AOWD limit) | ~20 minutes | x4 vs surface |
At 30 meters you have approximately 20 minutes of bottom time (no decompression stop required). Air is consumed 4 times faster than at surface. Advanced teaches planning: when to start ascent, how to control air supply, how much time to leave for safety. It’s not difficult — just requires attention and discipline.
Reviews
“After Open Water I was scared of depth — thought 18 meters was my limit. On Advanced I dropped to 28 meters for the first time and realized: it’s calmer down there than at 10! Now I scuba everywhere — Egypt, Thailand. Advanced changed my whole attitude.”
“Did OWD and Advanced back-to-back — 5 days in Nha Trang. Best decision! After Open Water I felt like a beginner. After Advanced — already a real diver. PPB taught me to hover, navigation taught me to find my way. Don’t postpone.”
“The night session on Advanced was incredible! Scary at first to drop into the dark, but the instructor stays close. Switched on the flashlight underwater — and it’s more beautiful than during the day. Bioluminescence, night fish. Loved it!”
Requirements
The Advanced course is open to all certified Open Water divers. Requirements are minimal — the main thing is that you can comfortably stay underwater and have a valid certificate.
| ●Open Water certificate (PADI, SSI, CMAS or equivalent) |
| ●Age: minimum 12 (Junior AOWD) or 15 (adult) |
| ●Medical questionnaire with no contraindications (or doctor’s note) |
| ●Basic confidence in water at 12–18 meters |
| ●Extra experience after Open Water (you can start right away) |
| ●Minimum number of logged sessions |
| ●Special physical training |
| ●Advanced English (we keep instructions clear and simple) |
Motivation
Many divers finish Open Water and think: “OK, I’ll do Advanced sometime later, when I gain experience.” That’s a mistake. Here’s why Advanced is best done right away:
According to our data, divers who completed Advanced within the first year after Open Water dive 3 times more often and visit 4 times more destinations than those who postpone. Simply because they have more access to interesting places and more confidence underwater.
FAQ
Discovery dives for beginners. PADI Open Water and Advanced certification courses. Fun dives for experienced divers. Snorkeling tours to Mun Island. Real coral reefs, all gear included.
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