Advanced Open Water Course – Advanced Certification in Lembongan (next to Bali)

One sentence can change your whole ocean plan. This 2-day Advanced Open Water course in Nusa Lembongan turns basic skills into confidence, with five supervised training sessions, one pushing you close to 30 meters. You’ll work with an instructor, choose your optional specialties, and visit classic spots like Crystal Bay and Manta Point.

I like the course style: it’s less theory-heavy than the Open Water level, using an approach aimed at practical underwater skills. I also like the structure of the training dives, especially the underwater navigation focus, where compass skills meet real-world timing and visual cues.

One consideration: this is weather-dependent and happens in open water. If conditions are poor, the schedule may shift or the experience may be canceled, so I’d avoid tight travel connections on either end.

Key things you should know before you go

• SSI Advanced Open Water certification: qualify for depths up to 30 meters (100 feet) after you complete five training sessions
• Navigation training is a core theme: you’ll practice compass use with kick-cycles, landmarks, and timekeeping
• Three specialty slots let you tailor your path: options can include photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, and exploring wrecks
• Small group setup: capped at 5 travelers, which generally means more instructor attention
• Comfortable on-site facilities: Wi-Fi, lockers, and restrooms are provided at the center
• Equipment is included: regulator, buoyancy control jacket, wetsuit, and weight belt come with your package

Where Nusa Lembongan fits on your Bali itinerary

Nusa Lembongan sits just off Bali, and it feels like a slower, more island-style stop than the big resort zones. That matters because this course is not just about earning certification. It’s about learning in conditions that feel like actual tropical diving, with easy access to multiple water locations around the island and nearby points.

You’ll base yourself at the operator’s center in the Jungutbatu area. From there, you head out to several named sites during the two days. The itinerary is paced so you’re not repeating the same thing over and over. You get variety: open-water depth work, navigation practice, and additional specialty skills.

Also, the small group size is a big deal. With a maximum of five travelers, the instructor can watch your technique more closely and give targeted feedback rather than generic advice. If you’ve ever had to fight for attention in a crowded course, you’ll appreciate this.

The course goal: turn Open Water into real confidence

Advanced Open Water is the next step after SSI Open Water certification, and the course is designed for people who want more experience under supervision. You don’t just repeat fundamentals. You learn how to plan deeper and more complex underwater activities with better awareness of what changes when you go farther down and stay down longer.

The course includes five training sessions total. The headline one is the deeper “Deep Adventure” style session, aimed at depths close to 30 meters. Another session is built around underwater navigation, which is where many new divers feel suddenly clumsy without guidance. The other three sessions are your chance to pick what you care about most.

That matters because your underwater priorities are personal. Some people want to take better photos. Others care most about buoyancy control and staying calm. Some want to identify fish or focus on exploring wrecks. You’ll coordinate your “learning path” with your instructor by selecting from a list of adventure options.

What you get in the package, and what you don’t

The value here is not just the certification label. It’s the logistics that remove friction from training.

Included

You get the core gear needed for the two days: mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, wetsuit, and weight belt, plus the other instruments used during training. You also get a certified instructor and access to center facilities like Wi-Fi, toilet, shower, and lockers, with a change room available.

If you’re traveling, this is a win. Renting gear separately and managing different pick-up times is one more headache. Here, the “complete package” approach keeps your head in the course.

Not included

Digital souvenir photos and videos are available to purchase, but they are not part of the price. Also, accommodation is not included, though dormitory and bungalow options are available at the center.

Day-by-day itinerary: what each stop is really for

This course runs for about two days, with multiple water sessions during that time. You’ll visit five listed areas. The stop names are useful because each location tends to match a different training objective.

Stop 1: Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay is typically a strong start because it’s practical for establishing rhythm. On Day 1, your instructor will usually help you lock in basics like comfort, buoyancy, and situational awareness before layering on new skills.

What to watch for: focus on smooth breathing and relaxed body position. The quieter and steadier you feel early on, the easier the deeper and navigation work becomes later.

Stop 2: Manta Point

Manta Point is a popular site in the region, and it gives you a nice mix of excitement and real skill practice. For an Advanced Open Water course, this is often where you benefit from the course’s “less theory, more doing” style. You’ll apply what you learned while staying aware of depth and trim.

If you’re hoping to see larger marine life, this stop is a good candidate. Even if sightings vary day to day, the site is still a solid part of the course experience.

Stop 3: Mangrove Point at Nusa Lembongan

Mangrove areas tend to reward patience. The water environment often encourages careful control and steady navigation, because visual references can become part of how you orient yourself underwater.

This stop can be especially helpful if you’re working on buoyancy control or exploring conditions that require you to move calmly rather than aggressively.

Stop 4: Toyapakeh

Toyapakeh is another classic region stop that fits well into an advanced skills schedule. By now, you should feel more comfortable with the group flow, instructor signals, and how your air consumption changes as you plan more actively.

This is also a good place to refine technique. Your goal is to reduce wasted motion. Advanced training pays off when you stop feeling like you’re working to stay stable.

Stop 5: Jungut Batu Beach

Ending at Jungut Batu Beach brings a practical finish. It’s easier to check in, review any last coaching points, and wrap up with a clear sense of what you improved over the two days.

If you’re the type who likes to measure progress, this final stop helps. You can feel the difference between your earlier comfort level and how you move at the end of the course.

The two skills that matter most: depth planning and navigation

Most people think Advanced Open Water is about going deeper. Yes, you will train close to 100 feet, up to 30 meters. But the real payoff is what you do differently because you’re deeper.

Deep work: planning and physiology awareness

The Deep Adventure style session focuses on planning for deeper scuba, plus understanding physiological effects and challenges that can show up when you change depth. In practice, that means you’ll think more carefully about your dive plan, your rate of breathing, and your comfort level as you manage depth.

Here’s what I think is valuable: you’re learning how to make deeper choices with supervision, not guessing on your own later.

Navigation: compass use with time, landmarks, and kick-cycles

The Underwater Navigation Adventure session is the one that can transform your whole future diving experience. The course specifically refines compass navigation skills and teaches you to navigate using kick-cycles, visual landmarks, and time.

If you’ve ever drifted off course on a casual recreational dive, this is where you gain control. You also learn a mindset: navigation is not just one tool. It’s a system of cues working together.

Choosing your three specialty sessions without overthinking it

You’ll complete three additional skill areas tied to your interests, chosen from a longer list of adventure options. The course description gives examples such as photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, and exploring wrecks.

My practical advice: pick skills that fix your most annoying underwater habit.

• If you feel wobbly, pick buoyancy control.
• If you want photos, pick photography so you learn how to manage stability and composition.
• If you want better memories, pick fish identification for structured learning.
• If wrecks interest you, pick the exploring wrecks option, but go in expecting it to be skill-focused rather than pure sightseeing.

The instructor works with you to plan your path, so you’re not locked into a random combo that doesn’t match what you want.

Instructors and training vibe: why this operator gets such strong feedback

This course lives or dies by the instructor, and the names that come up again and again are a good sign. You might work with people like Valentin, Kaka, Hugo, Silvère, or Sara. Different instructors have different personalities, but the common thread in what you want from an Advanced Open Water course is clear: you should feel safe and guided, while also getting real corrections and details.

From what I see in the training style described, the best instructors do three things well:

1. They keep you calm early on, so you don’t panic when tasks get harder.
2. They watch your technique closely and teach with specifics, not vague reminders.
3. They make the process feel organized, even when conditions change.

The course also includes all equipment and center facilities like Wi-Fi and lockers. That adds up to a smoother day. Less scrambling means more energy for learning and better retention.

Price and value in plain terms

At $431.28 per person for about two days, you’re paying for more than five underwater sessions. You’re paying for instructor time, certification structure, equipment, and access to a center that supports training comfortably.

Here’s how to judge value:

• If you would otherwise rent gear, handle separate logistics, and pay for a certification program with an instructor, this package looks straightforward.
• The small group cap of five travelers makes the price feel more reasonable because instruction time doesn’t get diluted.
• The included equipment list is a meaningful cost saver, especially if you’re traveling with limited luggage.

The only common “extra” is digital souvenir media, which you can skip if you’re trying to keep costs down.

Who this course suits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• already hold SSI Open Water certification and want to keep the momentum going
• want a practical next step that leads to future, more advanced experiences
• care about navigation skills and deeper planning, not just sightseeing
• prefer small group learning with a professional instructor

It’s also a match if you like structured choice. The course lets you select specialties that reflect your personal interests, instead of forcing one-size-fits-all training.

The course expects moderate physical fitness level. That doesn’t mean you need to be an athlete, but it does mean you should be comfortable with the basics of getting geared up, getting in and out of the water, and staying attentive during training.

Should you book Advanced Open Water in Lembongan?

I’d book it if you want an Advanced Open Water certification that feels practical, organized, and instructor-led, with navigation training and a real chance to work on comfort at depth close to 30 meters. The small group limit and included equipment make this a good value, especially if you’re already thinking about where you’ll dive next in Indonesia.

I’d think twice if you have tight time constraints, because the experience is weather-dependent. If you’ve got flexibility and you want to build skills you can actually use later, this two-day program is a smart move next to Bali.

FAQ

Do I need Open Water certification first?

Yes. To obtain Advanced Open Water certification, you need to be Open Water certified first.

How long is the course?

It’s listed as 2 days, approximately.

What depth can I be certified for?

The course certification qualifies you to dive to depths up to 30 meters, or 100 feet.

How many training sessions are included?

You complete five training sessions as part of the course.

What specialties can I choose for the additional sessions?

You choose from a list of Adventure dive options with examples including photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, and exploring wrecks.

Is the course equipment included?

Yes. Masks, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, wetsuit, and weight belt are provided, along with other instruments used during training.

What facilities are available at the dive center?

The center offers Wi-Fi, toilet, shower, lockers, and a change room.

Where does the course start and end?

It starts at the operator’s meeting point in Jungutbatu, Nusa Lembongan, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is accommodation included?

No. Accommodation is not included, though dormitory and bungalow options are available at the dive center.

What is the cancellation rule if weather is bad or plans change?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.