Skills & Training
Advanced Open Water: how to choose your five adventure dives
PADI Advanced Open Water is five adventure dives that build on your Open Water skills. Two are required — Deep and Underwater Navigation — and you choose the other three. Certification lets you dive to 30 metres with a buddy; divers aged 12 to 14 are limited to 21 metres until they turn 15. PADI lists two to three days for the course.
By 71 Guardians · Published 29 Oct 2026
Which dives are required?
- Deep: planning and making a dive deeper than 18 m, and noticing how depth affects you.
- Underwater Navigation: compass work and finding your way using natural features.
Which three adventure dives suit the Red Sea best?
- Wreck: Hurghada and Abu Nuhas have some of the best wrecks in the region.
- Peak Performance Buoyancy: fine control that protects the reef and saves air.
- Drift: useful for current-swept offshore reefs and liveaboard routes.
- Night: a different reef after dark.
- Fish Identification or Underwater Naturalist: put names to what you see.
Who can take the course?
Open Water divers (or equivalent) from age 12. Juniors aged 12–14 are limited to 21 m until they upgrade at 15.
Why do it before a liveaboard?
Many Red Sea routes — especially Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone on our Liveaboards page — expect Advanced Open Water or more logged dives because of depth and currents. AOW prices are on our Courses page.
Frequently asked questions
How deep can I go after Advanced Open Water?
30 metres with a buddy; 21 metres for juniors aged 12–14.
How long does Advanced Open Water take?
PADI lists two to three days, with the online theory taking 6–8 hours.
Can I do AOW right after Open Water?
Yes; many divers continue straight on during the same holiday.
Questions before you dive with us?
Message our team on WhatsApp — we're divers in Hurghada and happy to help.
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