SSI Advanced Open Water Diver
Build confidence beyond Open Water through five structured specialty dives. Deep Diving and Navigation are mandatory, then you choose three eligible specialty dives with your instructor based on your goals, age and local conditions.
What the Advanced Open Water Diver Course Involves
The course includes five open-water specialty dives. Deep Diving and Navigation form the required foundation; three further eligible specialty dives broaden your experience.
Duration and Structure
- Open water : Five specialty dives
- Required dives : Deep Diving and Navigation
- Choice dives : Three eligible specialty dives
- Typical duration : Two to three days
- Learning : Digital theory, planning and instructor debriefs
Prerequisites and Age
- Prerequisite : SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent
- Minimum age : Depends on the selected dives and depth limits
- Fitness : Normal health and comfort in open water
- Equipment : All standard scuba equipment included
What You Earn
- Certification : SSI Advanced Open Water Diver digital card
- Experience : Supervised training across five specialty areas
- Progression : A stronger foundation for complete specialty courses
- Recognition : Distinct from Advanced Specialty Diver recognition
Two Required Skills, Three Ways to Personalise the Course
Every candidate completes Deep Diving and Navigation. Your remaining three dives must be eligible SSI specialty dives and are agreed with your instructor according to age, experience, conditions and availability.
- Deep Diving — depth planning, gas awareness and supervised experience beyond typical Open Water limits
- Navigation — compass use, natural references and underwater orientation
- Perfect Buoyancy — refine control, trim and efficient movement
- Night & Limited Visibility — use lights, signals and orientation techniques
- Waves, Tides & Currents — plan and dive confidently in moving water
- Ecology options — eligible environmental dives may be available locally
Advanced Open Water Diver and Advanced Specialty Diver Are Different
SSI Advanced Open Water Diver is this five-dive course. Advanced Specialty Diver is a separate recognition for divers who complete the required full specialty certifications and logged dives; it replaces the former Advanced Open Water recognition and is not an additional course on this site.
Advanced Open Water Diver
Complete Deep Diving, Navigation and three other eligible specialty dives with an instructor.
Advanced Specialty Diver
Earned after the required complete specialty certifications and logged-dive experience, not through this five-dive course alone.
Full Specialty Courses
Continue into complete specialties such as Deep Diving, Navigation, Perfect Buoyancy, Nitrox or Stress & Rescue.