Advanced Open Water Diver Course in Varadero
Take your diving beyond Open Water with the PSS Advanced Open Water Diver course at Scuba Vida in Varadero, Cuba.
- 🚐 Hotel pickup
- ⏱ Duration: 3 – 4 days
-
Minimum age 15
- 🐠 Equipment
Overview
$360usd
During the course, you will develop practical skills in advanced diving, underwater navigation, dive planning, air consumption, and specialty diving activities.
Continue your diving journey with Scuba Vida.
Small groups • Certified instructors
What Will You Learn?
The Advanced Open Water Diver course builds on the knowledge and skills you already developed as an Open Water Diver.
The course includes theoretical and practical training in areas such as:
- Advanced dive planning
- Deep diving techniques
- Underwater navigation
- Air consumption and remaining gas
- Dive time and no-decompression limits
- Using a compass underwater
- Measuring distances underwater
- Natural navigation
- Monitoring depth and air supply
- Safety procedures during deeper dives
- Introduction to different specialty diving activities
Price: $360USD /
Includes: Equipment / Guide / Safety briefing
Come Along Become The Family in a Scuba Team
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Advanced Open Water Diver Course Structure
The course combines theory, personal study, and open-water training.
The estimated theoretical component is approximately 6 hours, including personal study.
- Safe and fun
- Personal attention
- Calm Caribbean waters
- Amazing marine life
- Memories for life
Open Water Dives
The course includes at least five open-water dives using scuba equipment with air or Nitrox, where appropriate.
Two dives are mandatory:
1. Advanced Diving
The advanced diving session introduces you to the practical considerations of diving at greater recreational depths.
During this dive you will practice skills such as:
- Controlled descent
- Monitoring your pressure gauge
- Recording dive information
- Comparing depth instruments or dive computers
- Maintaining a constant depth
- Monitoring and calculating air consumption
- Estimating remaining air supply
- Controlled ascent
- Safety stop
The advanced dive is conducted at approximately 25–30 metres (85–100 feet), within the limits of the course.
2. Underwater Navigation
Learn how to navigate underwater using both natural references and a compass.
Navigation exercises include:
- Measuring distance using kick cycles
- Measuring distance using elapsed time
- Natural navigation
- Reciprocal navigation
- Straight-line navigation
- Compass navigation
- Square or rectangular compass patterns
- Controlled ascent
- Safety stop
The navigation dive is conducted at a shallower depth, generally around 5–12 metres (15–40 feet).
SPECIALTY DIVING ACTIVITIES
The remaining three open-water dives introduce you to different specialty diving activities.
The specific activities can vary according to the available diving conditions, your interests, and the specialties selected by the instructor.
This gives you the opportunity to experience different types of recreational diving while developing new skills.
These introductory specialty dives can also count toward the corresponding specialty course if you decide to continue your training, subject to the applicable course requirements.
Ask us about the specialty diving options available during your Advanced Open Water course.
Who Can Take The Advanced Open Water Course?
- Personal attention
- Calm Caribbean waters
- Amazing marine life
- Memories for life
Advanced Open Water Diving in Varadero
Varadero is an excellent environment for developing your advanced diving skills.
With clear Caribbean water, coral reefs, walls, marine life, and different underwater environments, your training takes place in real open-water conditions rather than only in a classroom or confined-water environment.
At Scuba Vida, we combine training with exploration, helping you develop your skills while experiencing the underwater world of Cuba.
Continue Your Diving Education
The Advanced Open Water Diver course is not the end of your training. It opens the door to further recreational diving education.
Depending on your interests and experience, you can continue with:
- Specialty diving courses
- Deep Diver
- Scuba Rescue Diver
- Other advanced recreational diving programs
Ask our instructors about the next step that best fits your diving goals.
Course Duration
Most students complete the course in 3–4 days, depending on scheduling and individual progress.
Dive with PADI / PSS-certified professionals focused on your safety and comfort.
What Depth Can Advanced Open Water Diver Reach?
After successfully completing the Advanced Open Water Diver course, the certification allows recreational diving to a maximum depth of 30 metres (100 feet), within the applicable training, environmental, equipment, and recreational diving limits.
Advanced certification does not mean that every dive should be conducted at the maximum depth.
Depth is always planned according to the diver’s experience, conditions, equipment, gas supply, dive plan, and the limits of the certification.
Why Choose Scuba Vida?
At Scuba Vida Dive Center, we believe advanced training should be about more than collecting another certification.
Our goal is to help you become a more capable, confident, and responsible diver.
Training in Small Groups
We keep training personal and focused on the individual diver’s development.
Learn in Real Caribbean Conditions
Develop your skills while diving in the clear waters of Varadero.
Combine Training and Exploration
Your course is not simply classroom theory. You will apply your knowledge during real open-water dives.
Continue Your Diving Journey
Advanced Open Water can be the beginning of further specialty and rescue training.
Rewards
Certification processing upon successful completion
Advanced Open Water can be the beginning of further specialty and rescue training.
Advanced Open Water Diver Course - Quick Facts
Certification: PSS Advanced Open Water Diver
Prerequisite: Open Water Diver or equivalent
Minimum age: 15 years
Theory: Approximately 6 hours including personal study
Open-water training: At least 5 dives
Mandatory dives: Advanced Diving + Underwater Navigation
Additional dives: 3 specialty diving activities
Maximum certification depth: 30 m / 100 ft
Location: Varadero, Cuba
FAQ
Is Advanced Open Water the next course after Open Water?
Yes. Advanced Open Water Diver is designed as the next step after completing an Open Water Diver certification.
Do I need to be certified by PSS to take the course?
No. Divers holding an equivalent Open Water certification from another recognized training organization may be eligible. Contact Scuba Vida to confirm your eligibility.
How many dives are included in the Advanced Open Water course?
The course requires at least five open-water dives: two mandatory dives in advanced diving and underwater navigation, plus three additional specialty diving activities.
How deep will I dive during the course?
The advanced dive is conducted at approximately 25–30 metres (85–100 feet). Other dives are conducted at shallower depths according to their objectives and conditions.
Will I dive to 30 metres on every dive?
No. The 30-metre limit is the maximum certification depth. Actual dive depths are determined by the dive plan, training objectives, conditions, experience, and instructor assessment.
Can I use Nitrox during the course?
The course may be conducted using air or Nitrox where appropriate and when the diver meets the applicable training and certification requirements.
Can I continue with specialty courses after Advanced Open Water?
Yes. The course introduces several specialty diving activities and can provide a pathway toward further specialty training.
How long does the course take?
The theoretical component is approximately 6 hours including personal study, with at least 2 hours of in-water practice according to the course specifications. The actual schedule may vary depending on weather, sea conditions, logistics, and the student’s progress.
What equipment do I need?
Scuba Vida can advise you about the equipment required for the course and what equipment is available locally. Contact us before booking if you are bringing your own equipment.