Advanced Open Water Diver

Go deeper, go further

The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver rating is a streamlined course — no need to bank dozens of dives first. You'll complete five guided open-water adventure dives that stretch your range and confidence, sampling five different specialties along the way, and earn certification to a maximum depth of 100 feet (30 m).

Course at a glance

Divers under 15 certify as Junior Advanced Open Water Diver (max 70 ft) and can upgrade to full limits at 15 with a short upgrade dive. Good to know: Advanced Open Water is a course in its own right — other courses don't count toward it, but a dive you make during this course can later be credited toward the matching specialty.

How the course works

Five guided adventure dives — two required, three you choose — each an introduction to a different SSI specialty.

Two required dives

Your Deep dive is completed first — it must be done before any dive past 60 feet.

Then choose three electives

Mix and match to build the diver you want to be. Popular options:

Where you'll dive

Your deep dive runs on the wrecks and deep reefs off Pompano Beach, at Hudson Grotto, or in the deep water of Paradise Springs. Your navigation dive can be a drift dive at Pompano Beach or a session at Lake Denton, and you'll finish your electives at the sites that best fit the specialties you choose.