REVIEW · NUSA LEMBONGAN TOURS

Open Water + Advanced Course – Premium Certifications Package in Nusa Lembongan

★ 5.0 · 66 reviews From $811 Operated by Dive Concepts Bali · Bookable on Viator
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Scuba certification, no long wait. In Nusa Lembongan, this 4 day Open Water plus Advanced package pairs your first certification with your next one right away, with equipment and a certified instructor included. It’s a smart way to turn an exciting new hobby into an actual credential, while you’re based in the island hub of Jungutbatu.

Two things I really like: first, the value math. You get both courses in sequence, and the package includes core gear like mask, snorkel, fins, a buoyancy control jacket, regulator, wetsuit, and a weight belt. Second, the instruction style comes through clearly in recent feedback, with names like Sara, Raymond, Yasmin, Imi, Jhoe, Kaka, Laurena, and Bagia mentioned for being patient, attentive, and fun while still teaching the technical stuff.

One drawback to think about up front is weather. The activity requires good conditions, and if it gets cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll either be offered another date or a full refund. In a short 4 day window, that matters.

Key highlights

  • Two certifications back to back: Open Water, then Advanced without a big gap
  • Instructor-led progression with private group training
  • Essential Advanced modules focused on Deep training and Underwater Navigation
  • Your interests shape part of the Advanced course, with options like photography, buoyancy control, and fish identification
  • Facilities and comfort on-site: WIFI, shower, toilet, lockers, change room
  • Gear included so you don’t need to hunt down rentals

Why This 4-Day Open Water to Advanced Package Works So Well

Open Water + Advanced Course - Premium Certifications Package in Nusa Lembongan - Why This 4-Day Open Water to Advanced Package Works So Well
If you’re the kind of person who wants to start scuba training and finish it quickly, this package hits the sweet spot. Instead of doing Open Water, then waiting, then rebooking everything later, you do Open Water first and start the Advanced course right after earning it. That pacing is a big deal because it keeps your skills fresh and your momentum high.

Now, about the price. At $811 per person, it isn’t a “cheap and cheerful” outing. But it’s also not overpriced for what you’re getting. You’re paying for a certified instructor, the course structure for two separate certifications, and a full set of standard equipment. On top of that, the center supplies wetsuit and weight belt, which can be an annoying add-on elsewhere.

The other value lever is the private setup. It’s a private tour or activity, meaning it’s only your group. That usually translates into more attention during skill practice, and it often makes the learning curve feel less intimidating, especially if you’re starting from zero.

Where You Train in Jungutbatu and What the Center Covers

Open Water + Advanced Course - Premium Certifications Package in Nusa Lembongan - Where You Train in Jungutbatu and What the Center Covers
You start at the scuba training base in Jungutbatu, Nusa Lembongan (part of Nusa Penida area). The activity ends back at the same meeting point. Training runs within 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, so you’re not stuck guessing about day-long availability.

I also like that the package includes more than just instructor time. The on-site facilities are listed clearly: WIFI, toilet, shower, locker, and a change room. That sounds basic, but it matters after being in and out of the water. Having a place to rinse, change, and store gear reduces the “vacation chaos” factor.

Equipment is included in the package, too. You’ll have mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, and other instruments. If you haven’t done scuba training before, that’s a real advantage, because you won’t waste your first days fiddling with ill-fitting rental gear.

Open Water Course: Your First Real Scuba Certification Steps

This package is built around starting strong with the Open Water Course, the most widely recognized first certification in the world. The course is designed to teach the foundations, so you learn the basics of how you breathe underwater, how to control your position, and how to handle the core skills that keep you comfortable.

What you should expect from Open Water here is straightforward: certified instructor guidance, structured skill practice, and the pathway to your first certification. Because this package is a “do it in a row” format, you’ll also avoid the awkward gap that often happens when people pass Open Water and then come back later, forgetting parts of the skill steps.

For first-timers, the biggest win is that Open Water sets you up with the confidence to keep learning. That matters because the Advanced course is not just more of the same. It’s built to expand your control and decision-making underwater, using a more challenging set of training experiences.

Advanced Open Water: Deep Training and Underwater Navigation, Plus Your Choices

Open Water + Advanced Course - Premium Certifications Package in Nusa Lembongan - Advanced Open Water: Deep Training and Underwater Navigation, Plus Your Choices
Right after you earn Open Water, you move into Advanced Open Water. The goal is to make you more confident and to build skills that feel more “professional” and intentional.

The Advanced portion includes required modules: Deep training and Underwater Navigation. These are essential for the certification, and they’re also the modules that typically separate casual comfort from confident control. Deep training is where you practice managing how everything feels as conditions change, while Underwater Navigation helps you learn how to move with purpose rather than just drifting and hoping the coral is in the right direction.

Then you add three additional skills based on your preferences. The program lists examples like photography, buoyancy control, and fish identification. This is the part I find most appealing for real people, because it means the course can match what you’re actually into.

If you like photographing sea life, you’ll get practice that supports stability and handling. If you’re focused on buoyancy control, you’ll work toward smoother movement and less fin “thrashing.” If you’re into fish identification, the training encourages you to look more closely, not just swim past.

The Instructor Factor: Why These Names Keep Coming Up

What stands out most in the feedback is not just that the instruction is technical. It’s that instructors balance detail with a relaxed vibe.

Several instructor names show up repeatedly: Sara and Raymond, Yasmin and Imi, Jhoe and Kaka, Laurena, Silvere, Bagia, and Yudi and Max. Common praise threads include patient explanations, attentiveness, and instructors who help you feel safe underwater while still making the experience enjoyable.

That combination matters more than people think. New scuba trainees don’t need more information dumps. They need clear coaching at the right moment, reassurance when something feels unfamiliar, and guidance that keeps skills consistent across multiple sessions. In that sense, the instructor style is part of the value package, not an extra perk.

What You’ll Actually See Underwater (Beyond the Course Checklist)

Open Water + Advanced Course - Premium Certifications Package in Nusa Lembongan - What You’ll Actually See Underwater (Beyond the Course Checklist)
Even though the course is about skills and certification, the water here is the main reason anyone books Nusa Lembongan. The feedback repeatedly highlights seeing sea animals and enjoying the underwater landscapes.

Fish identification is literally one of the example specialties you can choose in the Advanced portion, which hints at how the training encourages observation. And for many people, that’s where scuba training turns from “classroom with a wetsuit” into something you’ll remember.

Also, the course structure matters here. When you’re working on buoyancy control and navigation, you’re not just going along for the ride. You’re learning to slow down, look more carefully, and move with intention. That makes underwater wildlife encounters more meaningful, not just random sightings.

Gear, Comfort, and Fitness: Practical Notes Before You Go

Open Water + Advanced Course - Premium Certifications Package in Nusa Lembongan - Gear, Comfort, and Fitness: Practical Notes Before You Go
This package includes a lot of the bulky stuff, which is great. You’ll get the buoyancy control jacket, regulator, mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, and weight belt. So you can pack lighter than you would for a lot of first-timer scuba experiences.

The center also lists moderate physical fitness as the baseline, which is common for training programs. If you can manage normal daily activity and you’re not dealing with major mobility issues, you should be fine. The program is designed for beginners moving through the steps carefully with your instructor.

One small logistical detail I appreciate is that the center has showers and change rooms on-site. After training days, you’ll want a place to rinse off and get comfortable again without hunting around.

And if you’re traveling with a service animal, note that service animals are allowed. That’s helpful because not all activity providers are clear about it.

Price and Logistics: Does $811 Really Add Up?

Open Water + Advanced Course - Premium Certifications Package in Nusa Lembongan - Price and Logistics: Does $811 Really Add Up?
Let’s break down the value in plain terms.

What you pay for:

  • Open Water training leading to your first certification
  • Advanced Open Water training starting immediately afterward
  • A certified instructor through the process
  • Course operations at the center with facilities like lockers, showers, and WIFI
  • Included equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, and other instruments
  • Wetsuit and weight belt included

What you do not pay for:

  • Digital souvenir photos/videos (sold separately)
  • Accommodation (dormitory and bungalows are available at the dive center, but not included)

When you compare it to the common reality of doing two separate certification chunks, the bundle makes sense. The biggest “hidden” cost in separate bookings is often the downtime between them. Here, your next course begins right after Open Water, which keeps your training aligned.

If you’re trying to budget a trip, treat accommodation as your main unknown since it is not included. Also, budget a bit for optional photo or video souvenirs, since those aren’t part of the package.

Weather, Timing, and the Best Way to Think About the Schedule

Open Water + Advanced Course - Premium Certifications Package in Nusa Lembongan - Weather, Timing, and the Best Way to Think About the Schedule
The biggest planning variable is weather. The experience requires good conditions, and if it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

The opening hours run from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. And the overall duration is about 4 days. Because this is a training package with multiple certification steps, weather can squeeze the schedule. That’s why I recommend building some flexibility into your Nusa Lembongan days, rather than booking the rest of your trip so tightly that a reschedule would ruin everything.

One more timing note: the Advanced course is designed to begin just after you earn Open Water. So you should expect a continuous flow rather than a scattered “sometime in the next week” approach.

Who Should Book This, and Who Might Want a Different Fit

This is best for you if:

  • You’re a beginner who wants a real pathway to certification
  • You want the most efficient route, Open Water first, then Advanced right after
  • You like the idea of optional skill focus areas in Advanced, like photography, buoyancy control, or fish identification
  • You value private, instructor-focused learning

You might want another option if:

  • You can’t be flexible with weather at all, since the program depends on good conditions
  • You’re looking for a purely recreational underwater trip without the structured training and certification targets

Also, if you’re trying to do this as a family activity, remember the minimum age is 12. That’s part of the eligibility rules for the activity.

Should You Book This Open Water Plus Advanced Package?

My take: if you want two certifications in a short, structured run, this package is a strong choice. The price looks high at first glance, but the included instructor time and the full kit of gear, plus wetsuit and weight belt, make it feel more like a training program you can actually complete, not a series of add-ons.

The biggest reason I’d recommend it is the human factor that shows up in feedback, patient instructors, clear technical teaching, and a relaxed atmosphere that helps you feel safe while learning. If you’re the kind of person who likes to understand what you’re doing and then practice it until it clicks, you’ll likely do well here.

If you want the best chance of a smooth experience, keep your schedule flexible for weather and plan your accommodation around the possibility of date shifts.

FAQ

Where does the experience start, and does it end at the same place?

It starts at the scuba center meeting point in Nusa Lembongan, specifically in Jungutbatu, Nusa Penida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the Open Water plus Advanced package?

The duration is listed as 4 days (approximately).

What certification courses are included?

The package includes an Open Water Course first, then Advanced Open Water, with the Advanced course starting just after you earn Open Water.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. The minimum age is 12 years.

What equipment is included in the price?

Included equipment is listed as mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, and other instruments. A wetsuit and weight belt are also included.

Are accommodation or hotel stays included?

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

Are digital photos or videos included?

Digital souvenir photos/videos are not included. They are available to purchase.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour or activity, so only your group participates.

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