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PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course — scuba diving certification course in Mexico's Riviera Maya
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For Certified Divers

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course

Expand your skills and unlock deeper, more spectacular dive sites

4.9 TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice — 8 Years in a Row
5.0 Google
20 Years Experience
Private & Small Group
Free Hotel Pickup

About This Course

The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is the natural next step after your Open Water certification, and completing it in Mexico's Riviera Maya unlocks dive sites that are simply not available to Open Water divers. The most significant benefit is extending your depth limit from 18 to 30 meters — this gives you access to legendary cenote dives like The Pit (where the famous sunbeams and hydrogen sulphide cloud sit between 30-40 meters), Angelita's underwater river, and deeper reef walls on Cozumel where the most impressive coral formations and marine life are found. The course consists of five adventure dives over two days. Two dives are mandatory — Deep Dive and Underwater Navigation — and you choose three electives from a range of specialties. We particularly recommend Peak Performance Buoyancy (transformative for your control and comfort underwater), Night Dive (an unforgettable experience on a reef or in a cenote), and Drift Dive (essential for Cozumel's current-swept reefs). Each adventure dive teaches you new skills in a real diving environment rather than a classroom. What makes the Advanced course in the Riviera Maya extraordinary is that your adventure dives happen in world-class dive sites. Your Deep Dive might take place at The Pit or Angelita. Your Navigation dive might be in a crystal-clear cenote where you can practice compass skills with 100 meters of visibility. Your Night Dive might be on a reef alive with nocturnal creatures — octopus hunting, lobsters roaming, and bioluminescent plankton sparking in the water around you. The Advanced Open Water course has no exams or classroom sessions — it is entirely about gaining experience through guided dives with your instructor. There is some light theory review for each dive, but the focus is on building your skills and confidence in the water. Most students find the course both educational and deeply enjoyable — it is five adventure dives in paradise, each one teaching you something new.

Course Details

Price
$375 per person
Duration
2 days
Min Age
12 years old (15 for full certification)
Max Depth
30 meters (100 feet)
Prerequisite
PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent)
Certification
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver — valid worldwide, never expires
Languages
English, Spanish, French, German
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Course Schedule

Here is what your 2 days look like.

Day 1

Adventure Dives 1, 2 & 3

Begin with a brief orientation and dive planning session. Complete three adventure dives — typically the Deep Dive (to 30 meters at a spectacular cenote), Underwater Navigation (compass and natural navigation skills), and one elective of your choice. Each dive includes a pre-dive briefing, skill practice during the dive, and a post-dive debrief.

Day 2

Adventure Dives 4 & 5 — Certification!

Complete your final two adventure dives — typically your remaining elective dives. Common choices include Peak Performance Buoyancy (master your trim and control), Night Dive (explore a reef after dark), or Drift Dive (effortless current-assisted diving). After your fifth dive, you are a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.

What's Included

Everything you need — no hidden fees.

Most Popular

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course

$375per person — all inclusive

Already certified? The Advanced Open Water course extends your depth limit to 30 meters, teaches you navigation and specialty skills, and qualifies you for the most spectacular cenote dives in Mexico.

What's included:

  • All PADI instruction and certification fees
  • 5 adventure dives over 2 days
  • All diving equipment for the course
  • Deep Dive and Navigation core dives
  • 3 elective adventure dives of your choice
  • Free hotel pickup & drop-off both days
  • PADI certification card (digital + physical)
  • Small class sizes (max 4 students per instructor)
  • Snacks and water on dive days
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Advanced Open Water Course — FAQ

Common questions about the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course.

Yes, you need a PADI Open Water Diver certification (or equivalent from SSI, NAUI, CMAS, or another recognized agency) to enroll in the Advanced Open Water course. If you are not yet certified, consider our Open Water course — or if you just want to try diving, start with Discover Scuba Diving.

No. The Advanced Open Water course has no written exams. There is a short knowledge review for each of the five adventure dives, which you complete with your instructor before each dive. The focus is entirely on gaining practical experience in the water. Most students find it much more relaxed than the Open Water course.

Our top recommendations are Peak Performance Buoyancy (dramatically improves your comfort and control underwater), Night Dive (an unforgettable experience with nocturnal marine life), and Drift Dive (essential for Cozumel diving). Other options include Fish Identification, Digital Underwater Photography, and Search & Recovery. We will help you choose based on your interests and the conditions during your visit.

The Advanced certification extends your depth limit from 18 to 30 meters, which unlocks spectacular cenote dives like The Pit and Angelita that Open Water divers cannot fully access. It also makes you a more skilled, confident diver through five focused adventure dives. Many dive operators and liveaboards worldwide require or prefer Advanced certification for their best dive sites.

Absolutely, and many of our guests do exactly that. With eLearning completed before arrival, you can finish Open Water in 2-3 days and Advanced in 2 days — a total of 4-5 days from complete beginner to Advanced certified diver. This is an excellent option if you want to maximize your diving capabilities for future trips.

The Deep adventure dive takes you to 30 meters (100 feet). Your instructor will demonstrate the effects of nitrogen narcosis, teach you to plan and execute deep dives safely, and guide you through one of our deeper cenotes or reef sites. For many students, the Deep Dive is the highlight of the course because it unlocks previously inaccessible environments.

Need Your First Certification?

If you are new to diving, start with the PADI Open Water course. Learn to dive in crystal-clear cenotes and Caribbean reefs — two days of diving plus home study — and earn a certification that lasts a lifetime.

PADI Open Water Diver Course
PADI Open Water Diver Course — another course option

Start Your Advanced Open Water Course

Tell us your dates and we will set up your PADI eLearning access and plan your course schedule. Your certification journey starts with a single message.

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