PADI Recreational Diving Courses
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course
More Confidence. More Adventure. More of the Underwater World
​
Already Open Water certified? Build your confidence, expand your skills and explore more of the underwater world with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course in Mahahual.
​
Designed for certified divers, this experience-based course helps you become a safer, more capable diver while increasing your maximum recommended diving depth from 18 metres to 30 metres. Through five Adventure Dives, including Deep and Underwater Navigation, you'll gain practical experience and build confidence on every dive.
​
With small groups, personalised instruction and training led by Mahahual's only permanent PADI Course Director, you'll improve your buoyancy, become more confident using your dive computer and develop skills you'll use on every future dive while exploring the incredible Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Course Facts
Here's a quick overview of the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, including the certification required, course duration, minimum age, maximum recommended training depth and what's included before you get in the water.
Is the Advanced Open Water Diver Course Right for You?
Despite the name, you don't need to be an advanced diver to enrol. The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed for certified Open Water divers who want to build confidence, gain experience and continue developing their diving skills.
​
Many divers choose to continue their training soon after completing their Open Water certification, while others return after months or even years away from diving. Wherever you are in your diving journey, this course will help you become more comfortable underwater while introducing new skills, greater independence and different types of diving.
​
If you're ready to increase your maximum recommended diving depth from 18 metres to 30 metres, improve your buoyancy, become more confident using your dive computer and explore more of the underwater world, the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is the perfect next step.
Why Choose Mahahual Explorers for Your Advanced Open Water Course
Completing your Advanced Open Water course isn't just about earning another certification—it's about becoming a more confident, capable diver while exploring the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
​
At Mahahual Underwater Explorers, every course is personally taught by Mahahual's only permanent PADI Course Director. Small groups and personalised instruction mean you'll have the time to refine your buoyancy, improve your dive planning and build confidence on every Adventure Dive.
​
Mahahual offers the perfect environment to continue your diving education. Warm, clear water, healthy sections of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and a wide variety of marine life create unforgettable diving experiences while helping you develop skills you'll use for years to come.
​
Every dive is different, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. During your course, you may encounter turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks and colourful reef life. On rare occasions, lucky divers may even experience something truly special—a manatee
Before You Arrive
​​
Booking your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is simple. Before your training begins, there are just a few important steps to complete to help you get the most from your course.
During Your Course
Your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed to build confidence through real diving. You'll complete five Adventure Dives, including the mandatory Deep and Underwater Navigation dives, while building confidence under the guidance of Mahahual's only permanent PADI Course Director.
​
Throughout the course you'll improve your buoyancy, become more confident using your dive computer and increase your maximum recommended diving depth from 18 metres to 30 metres while exploring the incredible Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
What You'll Learn
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is designed to build confidence through practical, experience-based diving. While the exact skills you'll develop depend on the Adventure Dives you choose, every course includes the mandatory Deep and Underwater Navigation dives to help you become a safer, more capable diver.
Key skills you'll develop include:
​​
-
Increasing your maximum recommended diving depth from 18 metres to 30 metres
-
Improving your buoyancy and underwater control
-
Becoming more confident using your dive computer
-
Developing better dive planning and underwater navigation skills
-
Gaining experience in new diving environments
-
Building confidence through real diving under instructor supervision
The remaining Adventure Dives are selected based on your interests, experience and local conditions. Whether you want to improve your buoyancy, identify marine life, gain experience diving from a boat, learn more about shark conservation or even explore the reef using a Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV), we'll help tailor your course to suit your interests while making the most of your time in Mahahual.
​
DPV Adventure Dives are available as an optional upgrade and may incur an additional cost.
.
Continue Your PADI Diving Journey
Completing your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is an important milestone in your development as a diver. With greater confidence, more experience and a maximum recommended diving depth of 30 metres, you'll be ready to explore more challenging dive sites around the world.
​
For many divers, Advanced Open Water is also the next step towards further training. Whether your goal is to complete your Rescue Diver certification, explore specialist areas such as Enriched Air Nitrox or Deep Diver, or eventually take your first step into technical diving with PADI TecRec, this course provides the experience and confidence to continue developing your skills.
​
Wherever your diving takes you next, our goal is to help you leave Mahahual as a safer, more capable and more confident diver than when you arrived.
Ready for Your Next Diving Certification in Mahahual?
Take the next step in your diving with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. Build confidence, gain experience and earn your internationally recognised certification while becoming a safer, more capable diver.
​
We're always happy to answer your questions and help you decide if the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course with Mahahual Underwater Explorers is the right choice for you.
Not ready to book? Get in touch anyway—we're always happy to answer your questions with no obligation.