PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course
Improve your skills, confidence, and depth limits with experienced instructors on UK dives
Introduction
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed to build confidence, experience, and control through real-world diving. If you’re already certified as an Open Water Diver and want to dive deeper, improve buoyancy, and expand your skills, this course is the natural next step.
We run PADI Advanced Open Water training from our PADI Dive Centre in Essex / East London, with guided dives conducted in UK conditions. You’ll gain practical experience, not just tick boxes, under the supervision of experienced PADI professionals.
What Is the PADI Advanced Open Water Course?
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification allows you to:
Dive to 30 metres
Gain experience in different types of diving
Build confidence and situational awareness
Prepare for specialties and Rescue Diver training
This course is about experience, not exams. There is no final test. You learn by diving.
Course Structure
The course consists of five Adventure Dives, completed over open water dives:
Mandatory Dives
Deep Dive (to a maximum of 30m)
Underwater Navigation
Optional Adventure Dives (examples)
Depending on conditions and interest, these may include:
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Search & Recovery
Wreck Diving
SMB Diver
Naturalist Diver
Dives are selected to maximise learning, safety, and enjoyment in UK diving conditions.
Where Do the Dives Take Place?
Training dives are conducted at carefully selected UK dive sites suitable for Advanced Open Water training. Locations are chosen based on:
Conditions
Visibility
Safety
Skill development opportunities
You’ll be diving in real UK environments, and our dive plan can be found here
Who Is This Course For?
This course is ideal if you:
Are already PADI Open Water certified
Want to dive deeper and with more confidence
Plan to dive in the UK or abroad
Want structured experience with an instructor
Prefer quality instruction over rushed courses
If you feel comfortable underwater but want to be more capable, this is for you. It is never too early to start this course - many of our students start this after the PADI Open Water Course
Equipment & Requirements
Minimum certification: PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent
Minimum age: 12 years
All essential scuba equipment can be provided
Dry suit training available where appropriate
You’ll receive a full briefing before each dive and debriefs afterwards to reinforce learning.
Why Train With Bespoke Scuba Diving?
Small group sizes
Calm, structured instruction
Emphasis on real competence
UK-relevant training
No rushed certifications
You leave the course as a more capable diver, not just a cardholder.
The Advanced Open Water (AOW) course is a series of adventure dives, three of our choices, a navigation dive, and a deep dive.
We like to recommend this course to all newly qualified PADI Open
What Comes After Advanced Open Water?
Many divers continue with:
Specialty training
Course Bundles
Rescue Diver
We can advise based on your goals and diving plans.
Ready to Book Your Advanced Open Water Course?
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is one of the most valuable steps you can take as a diver.