PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course
Diving on the next level
Descending to 18 metres not cutting it? Do you want more? Your Open Water certification has introduced you to a new realm of ocean exploration and made you keenly aware that you've only just scratched the surface of the underwater world. Continue your scuba journey with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course.
Who is this course for?
This course can be taken after completing your PADI Open Water Diver certification. It's titled PADI Advanced Open Water Diver because it advances your diving knowledge and skills. The course helps you build confidence in navigation, fine-tunes buoyancy skills and introduces you to different diving activities.
If you're not a qualified diver yet, head over to the PADI Open Water Diver Course page instead.
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver-certified divers aged 15 or older can dive down to 30m, or down to 21m for divers aged 12- to 14 years old. An Advanced Open Water Diver qualification makes other exciting speciality diving activities, like wreck diving and night diving, possible.
How to take part
The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course at the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School costs R8 820 per person. This includes everything you need for the course – digital theory packs, gear rental, dive permits, final qualification certification, etc.
Participant information
Course prerequisites and age limits
All participants must be certified Open Water divers. Participants must be aged 12 years or older to enrol in this course.
Important medical information
To do this course, you need to be reasonably healthy. You will need to complete a medical questionnaire before being allowed to dive – download it here. Have a look through the questions on Page 1. If you answered YES to questions 3, 5 or 10 OR to any of the questions on page 2, please read and agree to the statement provided by signing and dating it AND take all three pages of this form (Participant Questionnaire and the Physician’s Evaluation Form) to your physician for a medical evaluation. Participation in a diving course requires your physician’s approval.
Flying after diving
Please be advised that you may not do this course and dive if you are planning to fly within 24 hours after the dive.
Course information
Course duration
The course takes two days to complete. The days do not need to be consecutive (you have up to six months to complete the course), but we strongly recommend that you complete these days in close succession so that everything is fresh in your mind.
Days typically start at 08h00 and finish around 16h00.
Did you know?
PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organisation.
The Two Oceans Aquarium is a certified PADI Dive Centre! This means we meet all the stringent health, safety and quality requirements as set out by PADI.
In addition to Advanced Open Water Diver, the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School also offers Rescue Diver courses, as well as refresher courses.
Frequently asked questions
E-learning - Knowledge development sessions cover the following:
Theory sessions on a digital platform in preparation for your course.
When you come to the Dive School for diving, we’ll revise what you’ve learnt online.
Duration of course: 2-3 days (depending on weather)
All boat dives are weather-dependent and can be rescheduled accordingly. Boat dives take place either along the Atlantic Seaboard or in False Bay. Transport to launch sites is not included.
In order to do the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, you need to be reasonably healthy. In addition to completing the downloadable health questionnaire, you will also need to be relatively fit and able to swim.
Please be advised that you may not do this course and dive if you are planning to fly within 24 hours after the dive.
We provide everything you will need on the day, including all gear, study materials, and hot showers.
All you need to bring along is a swimsuit, towel, and a reusable water bottle.
Transport to the shore-entry dive sites is not included.
Please arrive at the Two Oceans Aquarium 15 minutes before your scheduled diving slot. You may report to our Visitor Centre just inside the main entrance and the Dive School team will meet you.
A PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification allows you to dive recreationally to depths of 30 metres. PADI is the largest diver rating agency in the world, with a global network of thousands of certified instructors, guides and resorts – so a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver card will allow you to confidently hire equipment, and book diving experiences almost anywhere in the world.
Your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver qualification will last a lifetime if you use your skills regularly. Speciality skills learned on your Advanced Open Water Course can be used towards official accreditation in these skills in future.
The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School is a certified PADI Dive Centre and your one-stop-shop for all things scuba diving in Cape Town.
PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organisation. As a certified PADI Dive Centre, the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School meets all the stringent health, safety and quality requirements as set out by PADI.
Please read our terms and conditions and make sure you are eligible to dive before making your dive booking:
In line with recognised diving practice, dives may not occur if divers are to FLY less than 12 hours after the dive time (or 24 hours for the PADI Open Water Diver and PADI Advanced Open Water courses). Please do not book if you are not sure about the exact time of your flight, especially if it is within 24 hours after your dive. This will result in forfeiting the entire dive fee.
Failing to produce your official dive qualification (eg. dive card) on the day of the dive, your dive will be cancelled and you will be liable for the full amount. We can only check your dive qualification online if you are PADI or SSI certified.
Do not book if you are not sure about your dive qualification, as this will result in forfeiting the entire dive fee. If you are unsure, please contact us at diveschool@aquarium.co.za to ensure you book the right experience for your qualification level.
If you have a valid dive qualification but have not dived for over 6 months you will be required to complete a refresher course on the day of your dive. This will be done at the Aquarium.
For safety reasons, divers must be at least 10 years old to dive in our exhibits.
Divers under 18 must have their indemnity form signed by their legal guardian. If the legal guardian will not be present on the day of the dive, they must request a copy of the indemnity form at the time of booking the dive so that it is signed in advance of the dive.
The Aquarium entrance fee is included in the rate for the diver/s on the day/s of their dive/s.
Cancellation policy
Before cancelling your booking, please note that PADI dive courses are non-refundable. The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School requests proof of payment as well as a completed booking form to secure your preferred dates.
Should you wish to postpone your dive for another day, please do so at least 24 hours in advance. If you postpone on the day of the dive, you will be charged a penalty fee of 50% of the dive fee. If the reason to postpone is medical and happened on the day of the dive, there will be no penalty fee provided you have proof, e.g. medical certificate or letter from the doctor.
If you wish to cancel the dive upon successfully completing the Discover Scuba Dive course, a penalty fee of 50% will be charged.