Bali: 2-Day PADI Advanced Open Water Course

The best part of this two-day PADI Advanced Open Water course is the variety: three ocean sessions at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon, followed by two around the famous USAT Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben. It is a practical way to move beyond entry-level training while seeing two of Bali’s best-known underwater sites.

I like the small group limit of two participants, which should give you more direct time with your instructor. I also like that the $339 price includes equipment, certification materials, marine fees, lunch, refreshments, and transport from several southern Bali resort areas. The main drawback is the long, full-day schedule, with pickup from 7:00 to 7:45 AM and drop-off around 5:30 PM.

Key points to know

• Five ocean sessions in two days: Three at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon and two at the USAT Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben.
• Small instruction group: The course is limited to two participants, useful when you are learning navigation, buoyancy, and deeper-water procedures.
• Open Water certification required: Bring your PADI Open Water certificate to the dive center.
• Most major costs are covered: Equipment rental, marine fees, boat and porter fees, lunch, drinks, transport, and PADI materials are included.
• Pickup covers southern Bali: Transfers are available from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur.
• Expect a demanding schedule: Morning pickup is early, and each day can run until roughly 5:30 PM.

Five ocean sessions across two Bali sites

This course is built for people who already hold PADI Open Water certification and want structured practice with more advanced skills. Instead of spending two days in a classroom, you work through five ocean sessions at two very different locations.

The required elements include a deeper-water session and underwater navigation. The remaining subjects can include boat procedures, Peak Performance Buoyancy, underwater naturalist work, search and recovery, and wreck exploration.

That mix matters. You are not simply repeating the same basic routine five times. You get practice with navigation, buoyancy, boat access, marine observation, and wreck procedures. The exact order and combination may depend on the instructor and site conditions, but the course is designed to build useful skills for future underwater trips.

The activity is also limited to two participants. I consider that one of the strongest features of the package. A small group can make it easier to ask questions, get corrections, and work at a sensible pace. It is especially useful during navigation and buoyancy exercises, where small mistakes are easier to spot and fix when the instructor is not managing a large group.

Day one at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon

Your first day begins at the diving center with registration forms and course paperwork. Bring your PADI Open Water certification, since it is required for participation. You will then prepare your equipment and load the vehicles before heading east to Padang Bai.

The first day includes three ocean sessions at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon. This gives you a busy training day, but it also lets you work through several course requirements in one location. The instructor guides you through the exercises and helps you apply the skills in open water rather than only discussing them on land.

Padang Bai is also a practical place to start because the entire day focuses on skill development and repetition. You have time to work on the required deeper-water and navigation sessions, along with other subjects from the course. The three-session format means you should arrive ready for a physically active day.

Lunch and light refreshments are included back at the dive center. Water, tea, and coffee are also provided there. Those details are useful because the schedule is long, and you do not need to arrange every meal or drink stop yourself.

The main point to understand is that day one is more training-focused than sightseeing-focused. You will visit a well-known ocean site, but your instructor will be concentrating on certification tasks. If you want a relaxed day with just one easy session, this course may feel intense.

Day two around the USAT Liberty

The second day takes you to Tulamben, where you will explore the USAT Liberty shipwreck. Two ocean sessions are planned at this site.

The wreck gives the course a different character from the first day. You can work on wreck-related skills while also completing the remaining course requirements. For many people, this will be the most memorable part of the program because the site provides a clear focus beyond general open-water practice.

You should still think of the visit as training first. The instructor will guide your exercises and help you apply the course skills at the wreck. This is not simply a sightseeing trip where you follow a group around the site. You are there to complete certification work, so you should be ready to listen closely and follow the planned procedures.

Two sessions on day two may feel more manageable than the three-session first day, but the overall schedule remains long. Transfers, preparation, equipment handling, and time at the site all add to the day. Wear practical swimwear and bring a change of clothes, towel, hat, and sunscreen.

What the course skills mean for you

PADI Advanced Open Water training is useful because it gives you more than a single new certificate. It introduces situations that require better control and planning than basic certification.

The mandatory deeper-water session helps you become more comfortable with the demands of greater depth under instructor supervision. Underwater navigation teaches you to pay attention to direction and position instead of simply following another person.

Peak Performance Buoyancy is one of the most practical subjects on the list. Better buoyancy can help you use less energy, protect the underwater environment, and move with greater control. It is a skill you can continue using long after this course ends.

Underwater naturalist work adds an observation element. Rather than racing from one point to another, you are encouraged to pay attention to the marine setting around you. Search and recovery introduces a more organized way to locate and handle an underwater object.

Boat procedures and wreck exploration round out the course. Together, these subjects give you a wider base for future PADI activities. You should not expect to master every skill in two days, but you will gain supervised practice and a clearer idea of what to keep working on.

A small group can change the whole learning experience

The limit of two participants is a real advantage. With such a small group, your instructor can spend more time watching your technique and responding to your questions.

That matters most during navigation and buoyancy exercises. If you lose your direction or need help adjusting your equipment, you are not waiting behind a large group. The instructor can address the issue while it is still fresh.

The provider uses English and Indonesian for instruction. If you need a particular language, confirm that the available instructor can teach you comfortably before booking. Clear communication is important when you are learning safety procedures and underwater signals.

The course has received a 5 out of 5 rating from four verified bookings. The strongest praise focuses on value, communication, and flexibility. Marcello from Switzerland described the service as excellent value, while Vaclav from the United Kingdom praised the communication and willingness to accommodate requests. Those points are useful because a course like this depends on clear planning as much as on the underwater sessions themselves.

What the $339 price includes

At $339 per person, the price is easier to assess when you count the included services. You receive two days of instruction, five ocean sessions, equipment rental, PADI materials and certification, marine park entry fees, boat and porter fees, lunch, drinks at the center, and hotel transfers from several parts of southern Bali.

You also avoid arranging separate transport to Padang Bai and Tulamben. Those locations are outside the main resort areas listed for pickup, so included transfers can save both time and planning effort.

The small group is another part of the value. A cheaper large-group course could offer less personal attention, especially during skill work. Here, the price covers an instructor-led program limited to two people, which may be worthwhile if you care about close supervision.

Still, this is not a casual low-cost activity. It costs more than a single recreational outing because it includes certification training and equipment. You are paying for instruction, structured practice, and course administration, not only access to Bali’s ocean sites.

Check the pickup area carefully. Transfers are included from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur. If you are staying elsewhere, the supplied details do not confirm a transfer option.

Early pickups and long days

Pickup from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak is scheduled between 7:00 and 7:15 AM. Sanur pickup is later, between 7:30 and 7:45 AM. You should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled time.

The stated drop-off time is around 5:30 PM. That makes this a full-day commitment on both course days. Plan your evening lightly, especially after the first day with three ocean sessions.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a change of clothes. These are simple items, but forgetting a towel or dry clothing can make the return journey uncomfortable. Water, tea, and coffee are available at the dive center, while lunch is included.

The schedule also means you should avoid booking another major activity on either afternoon. Transfers and equipment preparation can take time, and the course needs your attention. A flexible evening is the sensible choice.

Health, age, and certification rules

You must be at least 12 years old to take part. You also need a PADI Open Water certification and must bring proof of it to the center.

The course is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart or respiratory problems. If you have a medical concern that is not covered by those simple categories, the supplied information does not explain the required clearance process, so ask the provider before paying.

You should also be comfortable spending long periods in the water and following instructor directions. The course is designed for certified participants, not for first-time beginners. If you have not completed PADI Open Water training, this is not the right starting point.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.

That flexibility is useful when your Bali schedule may change. It is still wise to check availability for the exact two-day period you want, since the course has a small capacity and starting times can vary.

Is this Bali course right for you?

Book this course if you already hold PADI Open Water certification and want a structured route toward advanced training. It suits you particularly well if you value a very small group, included transport, and a mix of skills rather than five similar ocean sessions.

The course is a strong choice for someone staying in the listed southern Bali pickup areas. The included ride to Padang Bai and Tulamben removes a major planning task, and the package covers most of the costs that can otherwise appear separately.

Think twice if you want a slow, easy activity or dislike early mornings. Three ocean sessions on the first day, long road transfers, and a 5:30 PM return make this a serious two-day commitment. If that schedule sounds fine, the combination of Blue Lagoon training, USAT Liberty wreck work, personal instruction, and included equipment gives the $339 price solid value.

FAQ

Do I need a PADI Open Water certification?

Yes. Participants must already have PADI Open Water certification and must bring proof of it to the diving center.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts two days.

How many ocean sessions are included?

Five ocean sessions are included. You complete three at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon and two at Tulamben’s USAT Liberty shipwreck.

Is the deeper-water session required?

Yes. A deeper-water session is a mandatory part of the PADI certification work.

Is underwater navigation included?

Yes. Underwater navigation is also listed as a mandatory course element.

What other course subjects may be covered?

The course can include boat procedures, Peak Performance Buoyancy, underwater naturalist work, search and recovery, and wreck exploration.

How many people are in the group?

The activity is limited to two participants.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from accommodations in Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur.

What time is pickup?

Pickup is between 7:00 and 7:15 AM from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak. Sanur pickup is between 7:30 and 7:45 AM.

What should I bring?

Bring a change of clothes, towel, swimwear, hat, and sunscreen. You must also bring your PADI Open Water certification.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with water, tea, and coffee at the dive center.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.