PADI Advanced Open Water Course (5 Dives-2 Days)

If you’re already a certified diver looking to push your limits and explore more of Phuket’s vibrant underwater world, the PADI Advanced Open Water Course offers a comprehensive and flexible path forward. This 2-day program isn’t just about ticking a box; it’s designed to build confidence, add new skills, and open doors to exciting underwater adventures. With a focus on personalization—allowing you to choose from 16 different Adventure Dives—it’s tailored to suit your interests. Plus, the course includes all the essentials, from equipment to certification fees, making it a hassle-free way to upgrade your diving experience.

What we particularly like about this course is the blend of guided instruction and freedom to choose activities that excite you most—whether that’s wreck exploration, underwater photography, or buoyancy mastery. The instructors are passionate and knowledgeable, ensuring safety and fun go hand-in-hand. One consideration, however, is that the course requires a minimum of PADI Open Water Diver certification and participants must be at least 15 years old, so it’s best suited for those with some prior diving experience.

This adventure-packed course is ideal for anyone eager to deepen their diving skills, explore Phuket’s marine treasures, and earn additional certifications. If you’re motivated by personalized learning and a variety of underwater activities, this program could be your perfect next step.

Key Points

• Flexible learning with a choice of 16 Adventure Dives, including wrecks, navigation, and photography.
• Comprehensive package covering equipment, materials, insurance, and certification fees.
• Expert guidance from passionate instructors familiar with Phuket’s waters and hidden spots.
• Includes transportation with free picks from popular beaches and accommodations.
• Builds confidence through five guided dives in stunning reef and wreck environments.
• Cost-effective considering all included elements—gear, certification, and multiple dives.

What is the PADI Advanced Open Water Course in Phuket?

This course is regarded as the next step after your Open Water certification, designed to expand your abilities and increase your comfort underwater. Over two days, you’ll complete five Adventure Dives—each one pushing your skills further—under the watchful eyes of experienced instructors. Phuket’s diverse underwater landscape makes it an excellent backdrop for these activities, with vibrant reefs, historic wrecks, and clear waters serving as your classroom.

You’ll learn new techniques like underwater navigation, diving at greater depths (up to 30 meters), and possibly trying specialties like wreck diving or underwater photography, depending on your choices. The program also emphasizes safety and confidence, ensuring you feel more secure and capable on your future dives.

How Does the Schedule Work?

The course kicks off early in the morning, starting at 7:00 am from Port Phuket. The day typically includes transportation from your hotel (if within designated areas) and a boat ride to the dive sites. The 2-day format balances classroom learning, equipment familiarization, and practical dives. The inclusion of five dives means you gain substantial experience in a short timeframe, often exploring Phuket’s reefs, wrecks, or other interesting sites.

Most reviews mention the small group sizes—a maximum of 4 travelers—which allows for personalized attention. Guests have appreciated the instructors’ patience and adaptability, especially since Phuket’s conditions can vary day-to-day. Lunch, snacks, and refreshments are included, helping you stay energized for the underwater adventures.

What Makes This Course Stand Out?

The personalized choice of Adventure Dives is a major highlight. Instead of a rigid curriculum, you select three activities from options like wreck diving, drift diving, digital underwater photography, or peak performance buoyancy. This flexibility allows you to focus on what excites you most and helps you start your next diving specialty.

Another strength is the all-inclusive nature of the package—covering scuba equipment, dive computers, course materials, and certification fees (around 3,000 THB). This transparency ensures no surprise costs, making it easier to budget your trip.

On top of that, the local expertise of the instructors is a big plus. Many guests mention how their guides shared insider tips about Phuket’s best underwater spots and kept safety front and center. This balance of professionalism and warmth creates an environment where learners feel comfortable and encouraged.

What to Expect During the Dives

Each dive in the course is carefully planned, with safety as a priority. The first few dives often focus on skill refinement—navigation, buoyancy, and comfort at depth. As you progress, you’ll get to explore wrecks, reefs, or undertake specialty activities.

Dive sites are chosen for their clarity and interesting features. For instance, wreck dives might involve exploring a historic ship, while reef dives showcase vibrant marine life and coral formations. The underwater photography option offers a chance to capture Phuket’s color bursts, which many guests found particularly enjoyable.

The depths of 18-30 meters are covered, providing a taste of deeper diving without the need for extensive experience. The instructors are attentive to your comfort level, making sure everyone progresses confidently.

The Experience and the Value

At a price of $535.81, this course offers a compelling value considering the inclusions. You’re getting five guided dives, all equipment, course materials, insurance, and certification—all in a destination renowned for its underwater beauty. The small group size enhances the learning environment, allowing for tailored coaching and immediate feedback.

Guests consistently note the quality of the guides, often mentioning how they shared local insights and helped troubleshoot issues like buoyancy or navigation. The inclusion of breakfast and lunch on the boat adds convenience, especially during a busy two-day schedule.

You also have the option for private transfers if you’re outside the main pickup zones, and the opportunity to purchase underwater photos or videos separately—perfect for capturing those memories without cluttering your dive experience.

Practical Tips for Booking and Participating

• Prerequisites:** Make sure you have your PADI Open Water Diver certification and are at least 15 years old.
• Timing: The start is at 7:00 am, so plan to arrive early or arrange your hotel pickup if available.
• Dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are accommodated on the boat, so inform the provider when booking.
• Additional costs: The Phi Phi Marine Park fee (600 THB) is payable in cash, so bring some extra for that.
• Group size: Expect small groups with a maximum of 4 participants, which is ideal for personalized attention but requires early booking.

Who Should Consider This Course?

This program is perfect for certified divers eager to advance their skills and explore Phuket’s underwater world more confidently. It’s especially appealing if you enjoy customizing your experience and want to try new specialties. It’s also suitable for those who appreciate small groups and personalized instruction.

However, if you’re a first-time diver or someone uncomfortable with deeper waters, this might not be ideal. The course assumes some prior experience, but as long as you’re comfortable in the water and meet prerequisites, you’ll find this both challenging and rewarding.

Final Thoughts

The PADI Advanced Open Water Course in Phuket offers an engaging, well-rounded way to build on your diving foundation. You’ll love the flexibility to choose dives aligned with your interests, the expert guidance from local instructors, and the stunning underwater scenery that’s hard to beat. Whether you want to explore wrecks, improve your navigation skills, or just log more dives in a beautiful setting, this course provides solid value, comprehensive support, and memorable experiences.

This is best suited for divers who are curious, motivated, and ready for a slightly more adventurous step in their diving journey. The small group format and all-inclusive package ensure you spend your time focusing on what matters most—having fun underwater and learning new skills.

FAQ

What is included in the price?
The price covers five dives, all scuba equipment including dive computers, PADI materials, certification fee (~3,000 THB), comprehensive dive insurance, breakfast, lunch, snacks, refreshments, and free transfers from designated beaches and accommodations.

Are transfers available?
Yes, free transfers are provided from Kamala, Patong, Karon, and Kata. For locations outside this zone, private transfers are available at an additional cost.

What is the minimum age?
Participants must be at least 15 years old. Junior divers as young as 12 can participate in the Junior Advanced Open Water Diver program.

What if I want to do underwater photography?
You can choose the Digital Underwater Photography Adventure Dive as one of your three specialties, helping you hone your skills in capturing Phuket’s underwater beauty.

Are the dives suitable for beginners?
While this is an advanced course, it’s designed for certified divers. Beginners should complete their Open Water Diver course first before joining.

Is there any additional fee I should be aware of?
Yes, the Phi Phi Marine Park fee of 600 THB per person is payable in cash on the boat.

What if I am nervous about diving deeper?
The instructors are attentive to your comfort and will guide you through each step. The maximum depth of 30 meters is suitable for most experienced divers wanting to expand their skills safely.

Can I pick my dives?
While the core dives are scheduled, the three Adventure Dives you select from 16 options allow for a degree of customization based on your interests.

What is the cancellation policy?
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed once booked, so plan accordingly.

How long are the dives?
Typical dives last around 45-60 minutes, depending on conditions and your air consumption.

This thorough review hopefully provides clarity for your planning. Whether you’re aiming to earn new specialties, explore wrecks, or simply gain more confidence beneath the waves, this course in Phuket delivers a well-organized, rewarding experience that’s worth considering.