Advanced Open Water
Choose this if you want five coached training dives and a broad taste of specialty areas after Open Water.
You are hereSSI Advanced Open Water Diver in Tulum
Build confidence with five advanced training dives in Tulum.
SSI Advanced Open Water Diver is for certified divers who want more range, better control, and a clearer sense of which dive skills to build next. You complete five open-water training dives: Deep Diving and Navigation as the core foundations, plus three specialty-style dives chosen around your goals, schedule, instructor, and Tulum conditions.
Open Water certified
5 training dives
2-3 days
Small-group instruction
Course flow
What you will do
This course is not about calling yourself an expert after a weekend. It is structured practice after Open Water: deeper awareness, better navigation, more confident buoyancy, and a first look at specialty areas that may become your next full certifications.
1
Check your certification and goalsBefore scheduling dives, we confirm your Open Water certification or equivalent, recent experience, medical forms, and what you want to improve.
2
Complete SSI academics and briefingsYou prepare through SSI materials and instructor briefings so each dive has a clear purpose, not just a new site name.
3
Dive the required foundationsDeep Diving and Navigation are the core training dives. They help you manage depth, direction, awareness, gas, and communication with more intention.
4
Add three specialty-style training divesChoose three additional training dives based on instructor availability, sites, conditions, and your goals. In Tulum, options may include buoyancy, waves/currents, photo/video, night/limited visibility, or cenote-related training where appropriate.
What is included
- SSI Advanced Open Water Diver digital certification
- SSI academic materials and instructor briefings
- 5 open-water training dives from SSI specialty programs
- Required Deep Diving and Navigation training dives
- 3 elective specialty-style training dives
- Full scuba equipment for scheduled dives
- Dive planning support, briefings, debriefs, and skill coaching
- Certification processing
What SSI Advanced Open Water Diver covers
SSI describes Advanced Open Water Diver as five open-water training dives introducing five SSI specialty programs. Deep Diving and Navigation are the required foundations, then three elective training dives help you explore the areas that matter most for your diving.
The program is designed to build range and judgment after Open Water. Completed training dives may also count toward the first training dive of the relevant SSI specialty program, depending on standards and instructor confirmation.
- Prerequisite: Open Water Diver or equivalent
- Minimum age 12
- Recommended duration 10-15 hours
- Maximum depth after certification up to 30 m / 100 ft within standards and conditions
How the course works in Tulum
Tulum gives this course real context because training can combine reef conditions, boat logistics, navigation work, depth awareness, and cenote-area decision making when the selected dives and conditions fit.
Your instructor chooses sites around standards, weather, student comfort, and the goals of each training dive. The plan is conditions-first: better training matters more than forcing a fixed site list.
- Deep and Navigation are the core training dives
- Electives depend on instructor, conditions, and available sites
- Ocean dives may add current, boat, and reef context
- Cenote-related training stays within your certification and site rules
Before you arrive
Have your certification proof ready, complete the required SSI registration and medical forms, and tell us when you last dived. If you are rusty, we may recommend a refresher or easier first dive before advanced training.
Send your travel dates and what you want to improve: buoyancy, navigation, confidence at depth, photography, night or limited visibility, currents, or preparation for future specialties.
Not the best fit if...
This is not a rescue course, cavern course, cave course, or full deep diving specialty. It also does not make a diver an expert overnight.
If you are not comfortable with basic Open Water skills yet, a refresher or buoyancy-focused session may be a better first step. If your main goal is emergency management, Stress & Rescue is the better path.
Choose your next training step
Advanced Open Water vs Specialty Courses vs Stress & Rescue
Specialty Courses
Choose this if you already know the specific skill you want to build, such as Nitrox, Deep, Buoyancy, or Navigation.
See SpecialtiesStress & Rescue
Choose this if your next priority is prevention, self-rescue, buddy awareness, and emergency response.
See Stress & RescueWho this course is for
Advanced Open Water Diver is a good fit if you already have Open Water certification and want structured growth with an instructor. It works especially well for divers who feel comfortable underwater but want better navigation, deeper awareness, buoyancy, gas planning, and confidence in varied Tulum conditions.
- Open Water certified divers or equivalent
- Divers who want guided skill growth after certification
- Good bridge into full SSI specialties
- Useful before deeper reef dives, specialty courses, or more varied travel diving
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Open Water first?
Yes. You need Open Water Diver certification or an equivalent certification from a recognized agency before starting this course.
Is this the same as a full specialty?
No. Advanced Open Water introduces five specialty areas through training dives. Those dives may count toward the first dive of the related SSI specialty, but a full specialty has its own additional requirements.
Which dives are required?
Deep Diving and Navigation are the core required training dives. The other three depend on your goals, instructor availability, site options, weather, and standards.
How deep can I dive after certification?
SSI standards describe a maximum depth of 30 m / 100 ft for certified Advanced Open Water Divers, within training, conditions, local rules, and personal comfort. Junior limits can be different.
How long does it take?
SSI lists a recommended duration of 10-15 hours. In Tulum, plan for 2-3 days so there is room for scheduling, conditions, briefings, dives, and debriefs.
Can I choose the adventure dives?
Partially. The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver course includes five adventure dives. Two dives are required—Deep Diving and Navigation—while the remaining three dives can be selected based on your interests, allowing you to explore different diving environments and specialties. Popular options include Night Diving, Perfect Buoyancy, Wreck Diving, and Fish Identification.
Does this allow cavern or cave diving?
No. Advanced Open Water does not qualify you for overhead-environment diving. Cenote-related training must stay within your certification, site rules, and instructor standards.
What if I have not dived recently?
Tell us before booking. Depending on your comfort and timing, a refresher or easier first dive may be a better way to restart before advanced training.
Ready to plan Advanced Open Water Diver?
Not sure which advanced path fits your diving? Send us your certification level, recent dive experience, travel dates, and the skills you want to build. We will help you decide whether Advanced Open Water, a full specialty, or Stress & Rescue is the right next step.