Open Water vs Advanced Open Water: What's the Difference?
After earning your Open Water certification, many divers wonder whether Advanced Open Water is worth it — or even necessary. The short answer: Open Water lets you dive independently to 18 meters; Advanced extends your training to 30 meters and introduces specialty skills. You do not need Advanced for most holiday dives.
Compare certification levels in our scuba certification levels guide, or see how much certification costs.
Open Water vs Advanced Open Water: Quick Answer
Open Water Diver is entry-level certification — 3–4 days, four open water dives, max depth 18 m (60 ft). Advanced Open Water is the next recreational level — 2–3 days, five adventure dives (including deep and navigation), recommended max depth 30 m (100 ft).
Advanced is not required for most vacation diving. It is recommended if you want to go deeper, dive at night at certain centers, or build confidence before specialties like wreck diving or Nitrox certification guide.
Open Water vs Advanced Open Water Comparison Table
| Feature | Open Water | Advanced Open Water |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite | None (beginner) | Open Water certification |
| Duration | 3–4 days | 2–3 days |
| Open water dives | 4 dives | 5 adventure dives |
| Pool / confined water | Yes — required | No — open water only |
| Max depth | 18 m / 60 ft | 30 m / 100 ft |
| Typical cost | $250–$600 | $200–$450 |
| Theory focus | Full course — physics, safety, skills | Briefings per dive topic |
| Required dives | Skills circuit + 4 OW dives | Deep + Navigation + 3 electives |
| Can dive independently? | Yes, with certified buddy | Yes, with certified buddy |
| Agency names | PADI OW, SSI OW, NAUI OW | PADI AOW, SSI AOW, etc. |
What You Learn in Each Course
Open Water Diver — Foundation Skills
Open Water teaches everything you need to dive safely as a certified recreational diver: buoyancy control, mask clearing, regulator recovery, dive planning, buddy communication and emergency procedures. You complete theory (online or classroom), confined water sessions and four open water dives.
Outcome: You can dive to 18 m with a buddy anywhere in the world. Open Water course guide
Advanced Open Water — Experience & Specialties
Advanced Open Water is not "advanced" in the sense of technical diving — it is an experience-building course. You must complete a deep dive (typically 18–30 m) and a navigation dive, plus three elective adventure dives such as night diving, peak performance buoyancy, wreck diving, fish identification or underwater photography.
Outcome: Broader skills, deeper dives and a path toward Rescue Diver. Advanced Open Water guide
Do You Need Advanced Open Water?
- Holiday reef diving (5–15 m): Open Water is enough. Most tropical fun dives stay well within 18 m.
- Deeper sites (20–30 m): Advanced is recommended and often required by dive centers for sites like Blue Hole (Belize) or some Red Sea walls.
- Night diving: Some centers require Advanced or a Night Diver specialty.
- Rescue Diver path: Advanced is a prerequisite for Rescue at most agencies.
- Same trip combo: Many divers do Open Water + Advanced back-to-back in Koh Tao or Egypt — often cheaper than doing them separately at home.
FAQ: Open Water vs Advanced Open Water
What is the difference between Open Water and Advanced Open Water?
Open Water is entry-level certification (max 18 m / 60 ft). Advanced Open Water builds experience with five adventure dives including deep and navigation, raising your recommended depth limit to 30 m / 100 ft.
Do I need Advanced Open Water to go on vacation dives?
No. Most recreational holiday dives are within Open Water limits (18 m). Advanced is recommended for deeper sites, night dives at some centers, and drift or wreck specialties — not mandatory for typical reef diving.
How long does Advanced Open Water take?
Advanced Open Water usually takes 2–3 days with five open water dives. No pool sessions required — you can often complete it immediately after Open Water on the same trip.
How much deeper can Advanced Open Water divers go?
Advanced Open Water divers are trained to 30 meters (100 feet). Open Water divers should stay within 18 meters (60 feet) unless accompanied by a professional or on a continuing-education dive.
Related Guides
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