If you have completed a PADI Open Water Diver Course, you have not only done the most popular dive course in the world, but have also taken your very first step towards a lifetime of marine adventures. After undertaking the course you are qualified to dive up to 18 metres and have done a number of dives in open water with your instructors. It’s fine to stay here and dive at this depth for as long as you want, even forever, but you also might be wondering what you can do to level up your diving.

The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course

The next stage along from the Open Water Diver course is the Advanced Open Water Diver course. You have already completed the more classroom heavy course, so the exciting thing is you are now ready for more time in the water.

This doesn’t mean you don’t have any written work to do, there is about 6-8 hours of course work you will need to complete. However, PADI offers an e-learning option so you can do all your theory work online. It’s great to get this out of the way before you arrive at Gangga Island Resort & Spa so you can make the most of your time on the island.

The Advanced Open Water curriculum is more about building on the skills you have already learned and adding new elements to your diving. You will be required to complete 2 dives – an Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive and a Deep Adventure Dive, but the other 3 dive electives are up to you. You’ll get to choose what really interests you from night diving, search and rescue, wreck diving, deep dives, digital underwater photography, dry suit, enriched air nitrox, fish identification, peak performance buoyancy, and more.

When you’ve finished the course you’ll be certified to dive up to 30 metres and can choose to take speciality diving further or stay where you are.

Dive Courses on Gangga Island

Diving in North Sulawesi is a dream for dive lovers. From muck diving to steep drop offs, walls, and incredibly vibrant coral reefs, there is so much to see. The instructors at Gangga Divers at Gangga Island Resort & Spa know the area like the backs of their hands and are always enthusiastic about the marine ecosystems that they get to show you.

The Advanced Open Water Dive course is completed over 2 to 3 days with 5 dives during these days. You will have plenty of time to also enjoy the island and have time to reflect on what you’ve learned. There are also usually other divers to chat to at the resort for those who like to talk about their experiences and compare dives or species they’ve seen.

In such an incredible place surrounded by some of the best reefs in Indonesia, there really is no better place to level up your dive skills.

Ready to level up?

Is the Advanced Open Water Diver course something you’ve been thinking about doing? Ask us absolutely anything about the course or Gangga Island Resort & Spa in the comments box below and maybe we can help you decide if it is the right course for you!