ADVANCED OPEN WATER

Refine your diving skills and become a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.

Most Popular
Certification with boat dives
$799

(includes PADI eLearning)

overview

This course helps you build confidence and expand your scuba skills through different Adventure Dives. You don’t have to be “advanced” to take it, however we expect each student to do their own due diligence by personally evaluating their own dive skills to determine if they are ready to become an advanced diver. As a litmus test of sorts, you should be able to build and dismantle your own equipment without external help. You must also be competent at underwater communication, such as using underwater hand signals. You must have the basic diving skills and be able to control your buoyancy. You can try different specialties while gaining experience under the supervision of your PADI Instructor. Each Adventure Dive you complete for your PADI Advanced Open Water course can count toward the first dive of the corresponding PADI Specialty Diver Course. If you’ve already taken a Specialty Diver course, ask your instructor if you can use that as credit toward an Adventure Dive.

prerequisites

  • 10 years old and in reasonable physical health
  • Certified as PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver
  • Completed AOW E-Learning

Enroll

The in-water portion of the Advanced Open Water course takes 2-3 days to complete. You can choose our famous night dive with the manta rays to count towards your AOW certification!

To participate, sign up for the Advanced Open Water Diver knowledge development online through PADI eLearning – PADI eLearning . The web-based system allows you to learn about the most popular Adventure Dives, including the required Deep and Underwater Navigation dives. Boat, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Naturalist, and Fish ID Adventure dives are also very popular in Hawaii.

An additional $289 will be added to the price if you are not joining an existing course. If another student joins your course, the $289 will be refunded back to you on your first dive day. If you prefer to have a private course, please let the reservations team know when you call to book and they’ll ensure no other students are added to your course.

2024's #1 Dive Operator in Hawaii

with a 5 star reputation

Manta Ray Night Dive

What a truly amazing experience!! Nearly an hour of down time with dozens of large mantas putting on an incredible show. Jenna, and Captain Kevin made it a pleasant and safe trip. This is a must do while staying on the Big Island.

RichGiff on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:32:39-10:00

RichGiff on TripAdvisor

What a truly amazing experience!! Nearly an hour of down time with dozens of large mantas putting on an incredible show. Jenna, and Captain Kevin made it a pleasant and safe trip. This is a must do while staying on the Big Island.

One of the Top 10 Dives in the World!

Believe It, it really is one of the most phenomenal dives we have ever done! Laying on our stomachs on the ocean floor around the "campfire" was unforgettable as the beautifully graceful Manta Rays soared directly above our heads, over and over. They performed ballet moves with each other, sometimes as many as 4 at a time feeding on the plankton.

Susan R on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:33:00-10:00

Susan R on TripAdvisor

Believe It, it really is one of the most phenomenal dives we have ever done! Laying on our stomachs on the ocean floor around the "campfire" was unforgettable as the beautifully graceful Manta Rays soared directly above our heads, over and over. They performed ballet moves with each other, sometimes as many as 4 at a time feeding on the plankton.

Excellent

We have been diving the BID on multiple dives over multiple trips and we keep coming back to them because of the high quality service that they provide. Definitely a step above the usual dive shops.

Dreamer6739 on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:37:50-10:00

Dreamer6739 on TripAdvisor

We have been diving the BID on multiple dives over multiple trips and we keep coming back to them because of the high quality service that they provide. Definitely a step above the usual dive shops.

Manta Night Dive Lives Up to the Hype

I recently went on the sunset reef dive & manta ray night dive. I was a little hesitant about my expectations because I heard so many great things and didn't want to be disappointed. Cannot say enough great things about the company, captain and DM - highly recommend and will dive with them again.

ulintza on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:38:42-10:00

ulintza on TripAdvisor

I recently went on the sunset reef dive & manta ray night dive. I was a little hesitant about my expectations because I heard so many great things and didn't want to be disappointed. Cannot say enough great things about the company, captain and DM - highly recommend and will dive with them again.

Excellent Staff

We had a great two tank dive with BID last week! Our dive master Amy was excellent all the way around and our captain Rob was not only a great captain but very knowledgeable about Hawaii and even served hot chocolate on the way back to the Marina.

bridgetsheahan on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:39:31-10:00

bridgetsheahan on TripAdvisor

We had a great two tank dive with BID last week! Our dive master Amy was excellent all the way around and our captain Rob was not only a great captain but very knowledgeable about Hawaii and even served hot chocolate on the way back to the Marina.

Incredible

It was so amazing that it made me feel like a kid again - this is coming from someone who has traveled a lot. I talked to other divers who described the Black Water Dive, and I wish I would have done that one instead of the twilight dive.

Steve9172

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:40:19-10:00

Steve9172

It was so amazing that it made me feel like a kid again - this is coming from someone who has traveled a lot. I talked to other divers who described the Black Water Dive, and I wish I would have done that one instead of the twilight dive.

Great Dive Experience

Great dive experience underwater and while on the boat. Experienced staff gave all of the direction and assistance needed but did not "over-guide" the trip as is often the case.

Compass0726 on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:40:52-10:00

Compass0726 on TripAdvisor

Great dive experience underwater and while on the boat. Experienced staff gave all of the direction and assistance needed but did not "over-guide" the trip as is often the case.

An Amazing Souvenir

I booked the night Manta Ray snorkeling tour. It was simply awesome. In addition of the amazing experience to observe the Manta rays in their natural environment, the crew was just perfect, always helpful and offers us a warm hospitality. I definitely recommend this tour.

tomlecube on TripAdvisor

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:41:47-10:00

tomlecube on TripAdvisor

I booked the night Manta Ray snorkeling tour. It was simply awesome. In addition of the amazing experience to observe the Manta rays in their natural environment, the crew was just perfect, always helpful and offers us a warm hospitality. I definitely recommend this tour.

Two Tank Dive

This is the dive shop to go with for great service and knowledgeable staff. I went out for a refresher dive since it had been 9 years since my last dive. Becca was great and by the end of the second dive I felt comfortable being back in the water.

BryonB690

Big Island Divers
5
2019-05-07T11:42:13-10:00

BryonB690

This is the dive shop to go with for great service and knowledgeable staff. I went out for a refresher dive since it had been 9 years since my last dive. Becca was great and by the end of the second dive I felt comfortable being back in the water.
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Big Island Divers
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