REVIEW · AMED & EAST BALI DIVING
Open Water + Advanced Course – Premium Certifications Package in Tulamben
That first step is the hardest part. Here you can stack Open Water and Advanced training in just four days in Tulamben.
What makes this package especially appealing is the clear goal of going beyond 60 feet (18 meters) and earning certification to 100 feet (30 meters), plus having pickup from your Amed or Tulamben area. I also like that the operation supplies the core scuba gear, so you do not start your Bali trip hunting for a regulator at the last minute. The one drawback to weigh is that this is a fast pace, so if you need lots of downtime between sessions, four packed days may feel intense.
You are not just sitting through classroom theory either. You are learning skills, getting structured feedback from instructors known for being patient and safety-focused like Yogi and Rifky, and then applying those skills right away during your advanced training.
That speed is also the main consideration. You should plan on an early, active schedule, and you will want a moderate fitness level because the program expects you to be comfortable doing repeated training sessions.
In This Review
- Key highlights you will feel right away
- Why Tulamben is a smart base for a 30 m scuba goal
- The 4-day plan: Open Water first, Advanced starts immediately
- Phase 1: Open Water training for your first certification
- Phase 2: Advanced training with real skill building
- What the fast schedule does well
- What to watch for
- Advanced training details: deep work, underwater navigation, and choice modules
- Required: deep training and underwater navigation
- Your other three skill areas are based on preferences
- Why this structure improves your confidence
- Instructors and teaching style: Yogi, Rifky, Budi, Niko, and Marlene
- Gear, facilities, and transfers: the practical stuff you will thank yourself for
- Transfers from Amed and Tulamben area
- Equipment is included, from mask to weights
- On-site comfort and basics
- Food access, but not included
- Photos and souvenirs
- Price and value: what $660.39 gets you over four days
- What to bring, fitness notes, and real weather expectations
- One more practical consideration
- Should you book this Open Water plus Advanced package in Bali?
- FAQ
- What certifications do I earn in this 4-day package?
- How deep can I go after completing the program?
- What does the schedule look like during the four days?
- Are transfers from my hotel included?
- What scuba gear is included?
- Is food included with the course?
- What is the minimum age requirement?
- Is this course private?
- Are digital photos or videos included?
- What if the weather is poor?
Key highlights you will feel right away

- Tulamben’s 30 m goal: Advanced training with the required deep and underwater navigation components
- One trip, two certifications: Open Water first, then Advanced starts right after you earn the Open Water certification
- All essential scuba equipment included: mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, wetsuit, and weight belt
- Small, controlled setup: private activity, so your group stays together during the course
- Instructors with real teaching styles: examples include Yogi, Rifky, Budi, Niko, and Marlene for French
- Comfortable on-site basics: WiFi, toilets, showers, locker and change room at the scuba center
Why Tulamben is a smart base for a 30 m scuba goal

Tulamben is a proven choice if you want to learn and then start pushing depth in a structured way. It is not just about having water to practice in, it is about having a local diving scene built around repeat training and confident progression. For you, that matters because certification is not a checkbox. It is a sequence of skills plus calm decision-making underwater, and that takes repetition.
This package is built for people who already know they are going to keep going. The course combo is designed for you to move beyond the beginner depth limit, with training aimed at reaching 100 feet (30 meters). That is a tangible progress marker. You can picture your next step clearly instead of getting stuck at the 60 feet (18 meters) ceiling and wondering what is next.
I also like that the program gives you a reason to stay present and focused. The Advanced track includes required components, like deep training and underwater navigation. That prevents the course from turning into a purely casual sightseeing schedule. You still get to explore underwater sites, but within a curriculum that makes you better at handling the water.
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The 4-day plan: Open Water first, Advanced starts immediately

The most important feature here is sequencing: you take your Open Water course first, and then you start Advanced right after earning your Open Water certification. That is how you avoid the classic travel problem, where you come to a place for training, then lose time waiting for the right day, the right instructor, or the right conditions.
Across the four days, expect your training to be split into two phases.
Phase 1: Open Water training for your first certification
You begin with the basics and theory you need to understand what you are doing and why. The Open Water course is described as the most popular entry-level certification in the world, and the goal is simple: learn the core skills and get your first certification. For your confidence, that structure is huge. It gives you a foundation so your later advanced work is not just numbers on a depth chart.
Also, this package is not framed as a one-off try. It is a start to a scuba pathway. The Open Water portion is meant to connect you to the wider scuba community and the lifestyle of learning, returning, and improving.
Phase 2: Advanced training with real skill building
Then you move straight into Advanced Open Water. The program is designed to make you more confident and to teach more professional techniques. You also get to plan your learning path with your instructor. That choice element is where the Advanced course stops being one-size-fits-all.
The training includes multiple underwater adventure modules, and you select from a list based on what you want to get better at. This is also where you will start getting more intentional about how you move, how you control your buoyancy, how you observe marine life, and how you handle navigation underwater.
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What the fast schedule does well
The pro move for this package is that it compresses learning. Your brain retains skills better when you are practicing them right after the basics. You also get momentum. Many people quit or stall after their first certification because they are not sure what comes next. Here, you just keep going.
What to watch for
The consideration is not about safety. The consideration is energy. If you are used to slow mornings and long afternoons, be ready for early starts and multiple training segments over consecutive days. The course is designed for progression, and progression is work.
Advanced training details: deep work, underwater navigation, and choice modules

The Advanced Open Water portion is built around required elements plus customized options.
Required: deep training and underwater navigation
Deep work and underwater navigation are described as essential for the certification. That combination makes sense. Depth without navigation practice can leave you feeling busy but not necessarily in control. Navigation without deeper training can limit what you experience and learn. Together, they push your decision-making and help you build skills that transfer to real-world dives later.
Your other three skill areas are based on preferences
Beyond deep and navigation, you develop three additional areas connected to what you care about. The package describes options such as:
- photography-related skill building
- buoyancy control
- fish identification
- exploring wreck sites
What I like about this setup for you is that it respects your curiosity. If you love cameras, you can aim your learning that way. If you care most about moving smoothly and comfortably, buoyancy control becomes a priority. If you want the thrill of structure and history, wreck site exploration is an option. Either way, your instructor helps you plan the path.
Why this structure improves your confidence
This is more than variety. The Advanced course uses your selected interests to drive repetition with purpose. When you know what you are trying to do underwater, your brain stops treating each session like a random assignment and starts treating it like practice for a future outing.
And you can tell from the feedback style in instructor comments that safety and clarity are emphasized. You will want that, because the advanced stage is where good habits matter most.
Instructors and teaching style: Yogi, Rifky, Budi, Niko, and Marlene

A big reason this package earns strong recommendations is the teaching vibe. The course is praised for being safety-focused and professional, with instructors described as patient, supportive, and clear.
Here are some of the names that come up repeatedly:
- Yogi: described as patient and thorough, with a stern side underwater when it comes to safety, plus a calm professional approach
- Rifky: praised for listening to the group, caring throughout the course, and helping students feel safe and at ease both on and off the dives
- Budi: recognized for making learning feel comfortable and safe while still keeping the training fun
- Niko or Nico: mentioned for being amazing and continuing to support students to do more training after the course
- Marlene: mentioned for teaching in French, including positive comments about energy and enjoyment during the instruction
What I take from this: you are not just hiring a guide who shows up and leads you around. You are choosing a team that helps you internalize skills. That matters for your comfort level once you are out of the course environment.
One more practical point: a private activity format means you should be able to get more consistent attention from your instructor as you learn the skills. That is where patient teaching pays off.
Gear, facilities, and transfers: the practical stuff you will thank yourself for

Scuba training fails fast when you waste time on logistics. This package reduces that friction.
Transfers from Amed and Tulamben area
Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in the Amed and Tulamben surroundings. That matters for you because Bali traffic and short travel days can scramble plans. With transfers included, you can show up ready instead of half-stressed.
Equipment is included, from mask to weights
This package includes the essential gear:
- mask and snorkel
- fins
- buoyancy control jacket
- regulator and other instruments
- wetsuit
- weight belt
If you have ever bought random snorkeling gear that turns out to be wrong for your face or your comfort level, you know why this matters. Here, you only focus on learning and breathing through the regulator you will use for the sessions.
On-site comfort and basics
The scuba center facilities include WiFi, toilets, shower access, lockers, and a change room. That is a simple list, but it helps your day-to-day comfort. Training days are physical and you will appreciate a place to rinse, change, and reset.
Food access, but not included
There is a restaurant or warung at the scuba center, but food and drink expenses are not included. You are not being forced into a specific meal plan, which is fine, but it also means you should budget for daily meals.
Photos and souvenirs
Digital photo and video souvenirs are not included. They are available for purchase. If you want a record of your first serious training progression, plan to budget a bit extra for photos.
Price and value: what $660.39 gets you over four days

At $660.39 per person for about four days, you are paying for more than water time. You are paying for instruction, equipment, and a progression plan that culminates in certification to 100 feet (30 meters).
Here is the value breakdown that matters to you:
- Instructor time plus structured progression: you are doing Open Water, then Advanced immediately
- Gear included: mask, regulator, buoyancy control jacket, wetsuit, and weight belt, so you avoid rental or purchase hassle
- Transfers included: pickup and drop-off around Amed and Tulamben helps your schedule
- Training equipment and center support: facilities like toilets, showers, lockers, and a place to change
The main thing to compare when evaluating price is what would cost you elsewhere. If you had to rent gear for multiple days and pay for separate transfers and a later advanced course at another time, that adds up quickly. This package is priced like a bundled solution for the people who want momentum.
Also, note the private activity format. That can increase value if you want consistent group attention rather than being shuffled into a mixed group for each segment.
What to bring, fitness notes, and real weather expectations

This is not a couch course. It is also not presented as a sport for elite athletes, but the program does state a moderate physical fitness level is required.
For you, that means:
- be prepared to participate actively across multiple sessions
- be ready to follow safety guidance closely
- expect a schedule that is busy, not laid-back
On weather: the experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That is normal for water training anywhere in Bali, but it is still worth planning your Bali days with some flexibility.
One more practical consideration
Because Advanced starts right after Open Water certification, it is smart to go into the first phase with a clear mindset. If you feel jet-lagged or stressed, you might not learn as quickly as you could. Give yourself time before your course starts, if your schedule allows.
Should you book this Open Water plus Advanced package in Bali?

Book it if you meet these conditions:
- you are serious about moving beyond 60 feet (18 meters) and want a clear path to 100 feet (30 meters)
- you like structured learning more than just going underwater casually
- you want gear included and transfers handled, so you can focus on the course
- you prefer an organized progression with required deep training and underwater navigation, plus selectable skill areas like buoyancy control, photography, fish ID, or wreck site exploration
Skip it, or at least rethink your timing, if:
- you need a very relaxed vacation pace, since four days can feel intense
- you do not want to pay extra for photos, since digital souvenir media is not included
- you are not sure you can handle repeated training sessions, since moderate physical fitness is required
If you are the kind of person who enjoys learning skills, building confidence, and then getting back in the water to practice, this package is a strong, efficient way to start your next scuba chapter in Tulamben.
FAQ
What certifications do I earn in this 4-day package?
You take an Open Water Course first to obtain your first scuba certification, then you start an Advanced Open Water course right after. The goal is certification that allows you to go down to 100 feet (30 meters).
How deep can I go after completing the program?
The package is designed so you get certified to dive to 100 feet (30 meters).
What does the schedule look like during the four days?
You take your Open Water training first, then you begin your Advanced Open Water course just after earning your Open Water certification. The full experience runs about four days.
Are transfers from my hotel included?
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off are included for accommodations in the Amed or Tulamben surroundings.
What scuba gear is included?
The package includes mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, and other instruments. It also includes a wetsuit and weight belt.
Is food included with the course?
There is a restaurant or warung at the scuba center, but food and drink expenses are not included.
What is the minimum age requirement?
You must be at least 12 years old to do this activity.
Is this course private?
Yes. It is listed as a private tour or activity, so only your group participates.
Are digital photos or videos included?
No. Digital souvenir photos and videos are available to purchase, but they are not included in the price.
What if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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