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

The most useful part of this two-day SSI course is its practical design. You complete five training dives instead of sitting through a long block of classroom work, including one descent toward 100 feet and one session devoted to underwater navigation. It is a sensible next step after Open Water, not a repeat of the same beginner lessons.

I like the choice of three extra specialties, since you can shape the course around photography, buoyancy, fish identification, or wreck exploration. I also like the small maximum group of five and the helpful instructor team, including Kaka, Sara, Silvère, Hugo, and Valentin. The main consideration is that you need reasonable physical fitness, and weather can force a change of date.

Key points to know before booking

• Five training dives in two days: You work on deep-water skills, compass navigation, and three specialties you choose with your instructor.
• Depth certification to 100 feet: The deep session teaches planning and the physical effects of going farther below the surface.
• Small groups of up to five: This gives your instructor more room to watch your technique and adjust the pace.
• Several instructors praised for patient teaching: Kaka, Sara, Silvère, Hugo, and Valentin are named in course feedback.
• Full equipment and useful facilities included: Gear, wetsuit, lockers, changing space, showers, toilets, and Wi-Fi are provided.
• Nusa Lembongan sites add variety: The schedule includes Crystal Bay, Manta Point, Mangrove Point, Toyapakeh, and Jungut Batu Beach.

Why this course makes sense after Open Water

Open Water certification gives you the basic skills to plan and carry out ordinary underwater trips. Advanced Open Water is about building judgment. You learn to handle greater depth, read your compass, manage your position in the water, and try different forms of underwater exploration under an instructor’s watch.

That makes this course useful if you feel comfortable with the basic certification but still hesitate when conditions change. The emphasis is not on collecting another card as quickly as possible. You are practicing choices that matter later: how to plan a deeper session, how to keep track of direction, and how to stay calm when the setting feels less familiar.

The course uses the SSI system and certifies you to a maximum depth of 100 feet, or 30 meters. That is a permission level, not a target you must treat casually. The deeper session is built around planning and the physical effects of greater depth, so you can understand the limits rather than simply chase a number.

I also like the less theory-heavy approach compared with the Open Water course. You still study the necessary material, but more of the learning takes place in the water. If you learn best by doing, this format should suit you.

What the two days are really teaching

The first required subject is the Deep Adventure Dive. You learn how to plan a session at greater depth and consider the physiological challenges that come with it. This is valuable because depth changes more than the scenery. It affects planning, air use, timing, and how you respond to problems.

The second required subject is the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive. You refine compass work and learn to combine it with kick cycles, visual landmarks, and time. That combination is more useful than staring at a compass alone. You are learning to build a mental picture of where you are and where you need to go.

The last three training sessions come from a list of specialties. You can choose areas that match your interests, including underwater photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, and wreck exploration. The exact choice should be discussed with your instructor, since the best options depend on your goals and the conditions available during your course.

If you want better control and more relaxed movement, buoyancy control is a smart choice. If you enjoy spotting marine life, fish identification gives your time below the surface more purpose. Photography appeals to anyone who wants to work on composition and equipment handling, while wreck exploration offers a more structured way to examine underwater sites.

Do not choose a specialty simply because it sounds impressive. Pick the one that will fix a weakness or keep you interested. Your instructor helps you plan that learning path.

Crystal Bay and the Nusa Penida side of the course

Crystal Bay is one of the named stops in the schedule. It gives the course a location associated with the wider Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida area, rather than keeping every session close to the beach.

The appeal here is variety. A new site asks you to use the skills you are working on instead of relying on a familiar route. That can make navigation practice more meaningful, though you should expect the day’s exact conditions and training plan to shape what you do there.

Crystal Bay is also a reminder that this is a skills course first. The scenery matters, but your instructor may ask you to focus on depth awareness, navigation, or another exercise. If you are hoping for a sightseeing-only schedule, this is not the right product.

Manta Point and the limits of wildlife promises

Manta Point is another named stop. The site name will appeal to anyone interested in large marine animals, and the surrounding area is part of the reason people choose Nusa Lembongan for underwater activities.

Still, you should treat wildlife as a possibility, not a guarantee. The course promises training, equipment, and instructor support, not a confirmed animal encounter. Sea conditions, visibility, and marine life are outside the operator’s control.

That is not a weakness unique to this course. It is simply the honest way to judge any ocean activity. You may see local marine life, and the location adds excitement, but the main result you are paying for is certification and improved skill.

Mangrove Point at Nusa Lembongan

Mangrove Point provides a local Lembongan setting and another change of scenery within the five-session plan. A varied schedule helps prevent the course from feeling like the same lesson repeated five times.

The name also points to the island’s distinct coastal character. You are not being sent through a generic training pool or a single fixed site. You are learning in the waters around the island, with the course moving between named locations.

For you, the practical benefit is that each site can test a slightly different part of your planning and awareness. The tradeoff is that local sea conditions may influence timing and the exact skills covered. The provider requires good weather, so flexibility matters.

Toyapakeh and Jungut Batu Beach

Toyapakeh and Jungut Batu Beach complete the listed route. Toyapakeh adds another location in the Nusa Penida area, while Jungut Batu keeps part of the course tied closely to Nusa Lembongan, where the center is based.

The schedule gives you a broad sample of local underwater settings over two days. That is useful for a student who wants more than a certificate. You come away with experience adapting to different places, not just repeating one controlled exercise.

Jungut Batu also makes the course convenient. The meeting point is Dive Concepts Lembongan in Jungutbatu, and the activity ends back there. You do not have to arrange a separate finish point or guess where to collect your gear after the sessions.

The instructors and the feel of the teaching

Instructor quality matters more here than flashy facilities. You are learning skills that involve depth, direction, and self-control, so patient observation is essential.

Kaka is repeatedly singled out for detailed instruction, a warm manner, and a professional approach. Sara is described as both fun and professional, while Silvère is praised for patience and for helping students feel safe and confident. Hugo is noted for patient teaching during a quieter period, and Valentin is associated with careful attention and a strong sense of personal care.

Those details suggest a useful teaching style for a course like this: clear instruction, close observation, and enough personality to keep the two days enjoyable. Your actual instructor will depend on availability, so you should not book solely to obtain one particular person. Still, the range of named instructors gives you a good sense of the center’s teaching culture.

The small group limit of five is another real advantage. More students can mean less individual attention, particularly during compass work or buoyancy exercises. A group of five still gives you company without making every correction feel rushed.

Equipment and the practical setup

The package includes the main equipment you need: mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, other instruments, wetsuit, and weight belt. You also receive an instructor and use of the center’s facilities.

The center has Wi-Fi, toilets, showers, lockers, and a changing room. There is also a restaurant, but food is at your own expense. These basics matter more than they may sound. Two days in wet gear are easier when you have somewhere to change, store belongings, and rinse off.

Accommodation is not included, though dormitory beds and bungalows are available at the center. This could be convenient if you want to avoid arranging transport between a separate hotel and the meeting point, but you should confirm the accommodation details and cost before booking.

Digital photographs and videos are also extra. If you want a record of your certification, budget for that separately rather than assuming a camera package is part of the price.

Is $431.28 a fair price?

At $431.28 per person, this is not a budget add-on, but the price covers a substantial package. You receive two days of instruction, five training dives, all listed equipment, an SSI Advanced Open Water certification pathway, and access to the center’s facilities.

The value is strongest if you need to rent equipment. Buying or arranging the mask, fins, buoyancy jacket, regulator, instruments, wetsuit, and weights separately would add hassle and cost. The group limit also helps justify the price, since you are not paying for a large class with minimal instructor contact.

The price is less attractive if you already own all your equipment or mainly want a casual sightseeing trip. In that case, you would be paying for structured instruction and certification, which is worthwhile only if those are your goals.

Remember to allow extra money for food, accommodation, and optional digital photos or videos. The listed restaurant is not included in the course price, and neither dormitory nor bungalow accommodation is part of the package.

Who should take this certification

This course suits you if you already hold Open Water certification and want more confidence before attempting more demanding underwater trips. It is also a natural choice if you have just completed Open Water and want to continue while the basic skills are still fresh.

The five-session format works well for learners who prefer practical training over heavy classroom work. You can also shape the course around a clear interest, such as photography or buoyancy control, rather than accepting a fixed syllabus with no personal choice.

I would be more cautious if you are out of practice, uncomfortable with basic underwater skills, or looking for a relaxed day with no assessments. The course is designed to advance your ability, so you need moderate physical fitness and a willingness to follow instruction.

The weather requirement deserves attention. If poor conditions cancel the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

What to check before you commit

Ask yourself three questions. First, are you already Open Water certified? That is required. Second, which three specialties interest you most? Arriving with a short list will help you use your planning time well. Third, do you need accommodation or meals? Neither is included.

Also check your schedule carefully. Confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The center is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, but the course itself is a two-day program, so you should confirm the start details before arranging onward transport.

The meeting point is Dive Concepts Lembongan, Jungutbatu, Nusa Penida Regency, Bali 80771. The activity returns there at the end.

Should you book this course?

You should book it if you want a real step beyond Open Water, not just another scenic outing. The strongest reasons are the five practical training sessions, the deep-water and navigation work, the choice of three specialties, and the small group limit.

I especially like the chance to build your own learning path. Choose buoyancy if control is your concern, photography if you want a creative challenge, fish identification if marine life keeps your attention, or wreck exploration if you want a more focused form of underwater study.

Skip it if you are not yet certified, dislike structured instruction, or mainly want guaranteed wildlife sightings. For a certified beginner who wants careful guidance, better planning skills, and a broader introduction to Nusa Lembongan’s underwater sites, this is a solid two-day progression.

FAQ

Do I need Open Water certification first?

Yes. You must already hold Open Water certification before taking this Advanced Open Water course.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately two days.

How many training dives are included?

Five training dives are included.

How deep can I qualify to go?

The SSI certification allows you to dive to depths of up to 100 feet, or 30 meters.

Is compass navigation part of the course?

Yes. One of the required sessions focuses on underwater navigation using a compass, kick cycles, visual landmarks, and time.

Can I choose the specialty sessions?

Yes. You plan the three specialty sessions with your instructor from a list of Adventure Dives. Options include photography, buoyancy control, fish identification, and wreck exploration.

What equipment is provided?

The package includes a mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, other instruments, wetsuit, and weight belt.

What facilities are available at the dive center?

The center provides Wi-Fi, toilets, showers, lockers, and a changing room. A restaurant is available at your own expense.

Is accommodation included?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the course?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the course is canceled because of poor weather.