PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course in Hurghada

Advanced Open Water is the certification that actually opens the Red Sea to you. Open Water limits you to 18 meters; Advanced takes you to 30, and most of the wrecks and walls worth diving on this coast sit below that first line.

You can start it immediately after Open Water. There is no waiting period and no minimum number of logged dives, because the course is built around doing rather than studying.

The five dives

Two are compulsory. The deep dive takes you beyond 18 meters and teaches you how depth affects gas consumption, colour and your own judgement - the narcosis demonstration is memorable. The navigation dive makes you find your way underwater with a compass and natural references, which is the single most practical skill in the course.

The remaining three are yours to choose. Wreck, night, peak performance buoyancy, underwater photography, drift and fish identification are all commonly run here. Your instructor will help you pick based on what you want to dive afterwards.

Requirements

• PADI Open Water Diver certification, or the equivalent from another agency.
• Minimum age 12 for the Junior version, 15 for the full certification.
• Bring your certification card and logbook.
• Declare any medical condition or medication in advance.

Please read - what is not included

• PADI learning materials and certification cost 80€, payable separately.
• Transfers are not included in this course price.
• Lunch on board is not included - please bring a packed lunch from your hotel. Most hotels will make one up if you ask reception the night before.
• Photography services are not included.

Good to know

• Plan around 18 hours of course time, usually spread across two to three days.
• Do not fly within 24 hours of your last dive - and after a deep dive, give it longer.
• Buoyancy is the skill that separates comfortable divers from tired ones. If you take the peak performance option, you will use it on every dive for the rest of your life.

$270 per person (regular price $290), including five dives, instructor and dive equipment. PADI materials 80€ extra.