Bali: 2-Day PADI Advanced Open Water Course

Five ocean sessions in two days take you from Padang Bai Blue Lagoon to the USAT Liberty shipwreck at Tulamben. I like the mix of skill-building and variety: you work on required training as well as specialties such as navigation and wreck exploration. I also like the group limit of two, which gives you a more focused setting than a large class.

The main consideration is the tight schedule. You’ll start early, spend full days out, and need to arrive with a PADI Open Water certification. The course lists more training categories than its five ocean sessions, so ask which specialties your instructor plans to cover before you book.

Key points

• Two very different sites: Train at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon on day one, then visit the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben on day two.
• Five ocean sessions: The plan is three at Padang Bai and two at Tulamben.
• A small group: The course is limited to two participants, with an instructor who speaks English or Indonesian.
• Pickup is included: Transfers are offered from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur.
• Bring your certification: You must have PADI Open Water certification and bring proof with you.
• Good value on paper: The $339 price includes equipment rental, marine park fees, lunch, transport, and PADI materials and certification.

Two days from Blue Lagoon to the Liberty wreck

This course is built for people who already have a PADI Open Water certification and want to extend their skills in the sea. It is not an introductory lesson. The focus is on practicing new techniques with an instructor while visiting two of Bali’s well-known underwater sites.

The schedule divides the five ocean sessions between Padang Bai and Tulamben. You’ll complete three at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon on the first day and two at Tulamben on the second. That structure means plenty of time in the water, but also two long days: pickup is in the morning, and drop-off is listed for around 5:30 PM.

The course includes required training in deeper-water procedures and underwater navigation. Other listed training areas include boat skills, buoyancy, naturalist observation, search and recovery, and wreck exploration. These are useful skills beyond simply getting comfortable underwater: navigation can help you manage direction, while buoyancy practice helps you control your position and movement.

There is one detail worth clarifying before you pay. The course has five ocean sessions but lists seven training categories. Ask the operator which three additional specialties are planned for your course, and how the training is arranged across the five sessions. That way, you know exactly what to expect from your certification program.

Day one: three sessions at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon

The first morning starts at the dive center, where you complete registration paperwork and prepare the equipment. Then you travel to Padang Bai Blue Lagoon for three ocean sessions with your instructor. You’ll want to arrive ready to listen, ask questions, and focus on skills, rather than treating the day as a casual beach outing.

The appeal of doing three sessions at one site is continuity. You can work through different parts of the course without spending the day moving between multiple locations. The Blue Lagoon also gives the course a different setting from the wreck visit scheduled for day two.

Lunch and light refreshments are included, with food served back at the dive center. Water, tea, and coffee are also available there. Food and drinks are practical inclusions on a full day out, especially when you’re concentrating on training and want to recharge between activities.

The package includes equipment rental, boat and porter fees, and marine park entry fees. That helps keep the advertised $339 price from being just a starting figure with a string of essential add-ons. Still, check what equipment is provided and whether you prefer to bring any of your own items.

Day two: two sessions at the USAT Liberty

The second day takes you to Tulamben to explore the USAT Liberty shipwreck. The plan includes two ocean sessions at the site. A wreck offers a distinct training focus from the first day, and wreck exploration is among the specialties listed for the course.

You’ll also have the chance to work on the course’s required skills, including underwater navigation and deeper-water procedures. These are central parts of the Advanced Open Water program, not optional extras. If you feel uncertain about either skill, tell your instructor early so they can understand your concerns and explain the plan.

The wreck is a notable reason to choose this course over a program that stays in one area. At the same time, the schedule gives you only two sessions at Tulamben, so do not expect the course to be a leisurely day devoted solely to sightseeing around the wreck. The goal is training as well as exploration.

Conditions and the exact underwater route are not specified, so it is sensible to keep expectations flexible. Your instructor will guide the sessions, but the course information does not promise particular marine life, visibility, or a fixed wreck route.

What the small group means for your training

With a limit of two participants, this course is a good fit if you want a more personal learning environment. You have fewer people to coordinate with, and there is less chance of spending much of the session waiting for a large group to catch up. It is not a private lesson, though: the other participant will still share the instructor’s attention.

The instructors speak English and Indonesian. Specific instructor names are not provided, so if you have a preferred language or particular learning needs, confirm those details before booking. The team’s communication and flexibility have been particular strengths, which matters when you are coordinating pickup, equipment, and a two-day schedule.

I would also be direct about your experience level. This is for certified participants, and your instructor needs to know what skills you feel confident with and where you want more practice. The course is designed to advance your abilities, not to replace the Open Water course or provide a first introduction to scuba.

Does $339 make sense?

At $339 per person, the price includes several things that can otherwise add up: hotel transfers from selected areas, equipment rental, marine park entry fees, boat and porter fees, lunch, refreshments at the center, instruction, and PADI course materials and certification. That makes the package easier to compare with a course where transport or site fees are charged separately.

The strongest value is the combination of training and two locations. You are not paying only for classroom instruction or a quick coastal outing; the schedule includes five ocean sessions and transport to Padang Bai and Tulamben. For someone already planning to pursue the Advanced Open Water certification, having gear and site costs included can make budgeting simpler.

The price is less compelling if you want a relaxed holiday activity with lots of free time. Both days are full, and the stated drop-off time is around 5:30 PM. You also need to account for the early pickup and the physical demands of repeated ocean sessions. Think of it as two dedicated training days, not a half-day excursion.

Communication and flexibility have also been praised, along with the value for money. That is useful when plans or preferences need discussion, but it is still wise to confirm your exact pickup location, the specialty plan, and any personal requirements directly with the operator before booking.

Pickup, packing, and practical details

Pickup is included from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur. The listed windows are 7:00 to 7:15 AM for most of those areas and 7:30 to 7:45 AM for Sanur. Be ready in your hotel lobby ten minutes before your scheduled pickup. The general schedule gives a morning pickup and drop-off around 5:30 PM.

Bring your PADI Open Water certification, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. A towel is not included in the stated package, so bring your own. Water, tea, and coffee are available at the dive center, but the course information does not specify other personal items or meals beyond lunch.

Participants must be at least 12 years old. The course is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart or respiratory problems. If you have a health concern or are unsure whether the activity is appropriate for you, check with the operator and your medical professional before booking.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms can help if your Bali plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to confirm the course details that matter to you.

Who should book this course?

This is a strong choice if you already hold PADI Open Water certification, want to build skills in the sea, and like the idea of training at both Padang Bai and the USAT Liberty wreck. The two-person cap, included equipment, and transport from several popular south Bali areas make the logistics easier.

I would be more cautious if your schedule is tight, you are looking for a gentle first-time introduction, or you want a course with a clearly stated list of exactly which elective specialties you will complete. Ask about the training plan before booking, especially how the seven listed categories fit into five ocean sessions.

If those details line up with your goals, the $339 package offers a practical way to make progress over two focused days. Book it for the training and the chance to visit two different sites, not for a slow, unstructured day at the coast.

FAQ

Do I need a certification to join?

Yes. You must have PADI Open Water certification and bring it with you.

How long is the course?

The course runs for two days, with five ocean sessions in total.

Where does the course take place?

The first day is at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon. The second day is at the USAT Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben.

How many participants are in the group?

The group is limited to two participants.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur.

What should I bring?

Bring your certification, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat.

What is included in the $339 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off from the listed areas, marine park entry fees, boat and porter fees, lunch, water, tea and coffee at the dive center, an instructor, equipment rental, and PADI materials and certification.