Bali Hai – PADI Advance Open Water Course in Lembongan

The most useful part of this PADI Advanced Open Water course is that you do not need years of experience first. After your basic Open Water certification, you can work toward a 30-meter limit through five practical underwater sessions, with no final exam hanging over you.

I like the small teaching ratio, capped at four students per instructor, and the tidy package: equipment, boat transfers, lunch, water, insurance, manual, log book, and certification card are covered. The main drawback is the meeting point. Although the experience is described as being in Seminyak and Lembongan, you start at Bali Hai Cruises in Benoa, and pickup transport is not included.

Key details to know before booking

• Five sessions, not a classroom-heavy course: Deep-water work and underwater navigation are required, then you choose three specialties.
• Small teaching groups: The maximum ratio is four students to one qualified PADI instructor, within a total group size of 15.
• Choose skills that suit you: Options include buoyancy, fish identification, underwater photography, drift, night work, search and recovery, and more.
• The package covers a lot: Equipment, boat transfers, lunch, drinks during training days, insurance, course materials, and certification are included.
• Benoa is the actual meeting point: Start at Bali Hai Cruises, Jl. Wahana Tirta No. 1, at 1:00 pm. Pickup is not included.
• A friendly onboard atmosphere: Asri and the wider boat team are noted for a welcoming approach, useful if you are new to Bali Hai’s operation.

Five underwater sessions with room to find your interests

The course lasts about two days and includes five sessions beneath the surface. Two are fixed: deep-water training and underwater navigation. The remaining three let you shape the course around your interests and comfort level.

That flexibility is the real strength here. You may prefer Peak Performance Buoyancy if you want better control and less wasted air. Fish ID suits anyone who enjoys learning what they are seeing. Digital Underwater Photography gives you a reason to slow down and think about composition, while the drift option fits people who want to understand how to move with current rather than fight it.

The available choices are:

• Digital Underwater Photography
• Multi-level and Computer
• Peak Performance Buoyancy
• Underwater Naturalist
• Fish ID
• Boat Dive
• Drift Dive
• Night Dive
• Search and Recovery

Some choices may depend on conditions, instructor planning, and what can be safely arranged during the two-day schedule. The important point is that you are not locked into five identical sessions. You get a required skills foundation, then some control over the rest.

You also study from the PADI Adventures in Diving online manual and complete five short knowledge reviews. There is no exam. That makes the course less stressful, but do not mistake it for a free pass. You still need to meet PADI’s minimum standards in the water.

What the deep-water and navigation sessions add

The deep-water session is the step that supports the new 30-meter certification limit. That matters because depth changes the way you plan and monitor a session. Your instructor can help you work through the practical side of greater depth, rather than simply handing you a new card after more time underwater.

Underwater navigation is just as useful. It is not the most glamorous skill, but it helps you keep track of direction, position, and your route. If you tend to lose your bearings once the scenery starts competing for your attention, this session gives you a practical method to follow.

These required sessions make the course more than a sightseeing package. You are adding skills that can help you feel calmer and more capable on future scuba trips. You should still expect instruction, practice, and assessment in the water, even without a written exam.

Picking the three specialties that fit you

I would choose specialties based on what you want to do after the course, not just what sounds exciting on paper.

Peak Performance Buoyancy is a strong all-round choice. Better buoyancy can make you more comfortable, help you avoid accidental contact with the bottom, and reduce effort. It is useful for almost every future scuba outing.

Fish ID and Underwater Naturalist suit you if the pleasure is in looking carefully. You may find that identifying fish or observing the underwater environment changes the pace of a session. Instead of rushing from one sight to the next, you learn to pay attention.

Digital Underwater Photography is more specific. It is a good pick if you already have access to a suitable camera or plan to use a rented one. Photography services and camera rental are not included, so budget separately if you need equipment.

The Multi-level and Computer option focuses on planning and monitoring your profile. Search and Recovery is more task-based, while Drift Dive introduces the technique of working with moving water. Night Dive is the most time-specific choice and may be subject to practical scheduling.

Boat Dive is available as one of the selections, but the course already includes boat transfers. Make sure you understand what the instructor plans to cover in that specialty before choosing it.

The Benoa start and the trip toward Lembongan

Your stated start time is 1:00 pm at Bali Hai Cruises, Jl. Wahana Tirta No. 1, Benoa, Denpasar Selatan. This is important because the experience is associated with Lembongan, but the meeting address is in Benoa, not central Seminyak.

Pickup is offered in the general tour summary, yet the detailed inclusions clearly say pickup transport is not included. I would treat the Benoa meeting point as your responsibility unless your booking confirmation specifically arranges transport. Confirmation is issued within 48 hours, subject to availability, so check the final details before building your Bali schedule around it.

Boat transfers during the course are included. That saves you from arranging separate transport on the water and keeps the two-day plan under one operator. The wider Bali Hai operation also includes a pontoon and lunch service, and the warm welcome from Asri and the onboard team adds a pleasant social side to the day.

The blue water and island setting are part of the appeal, but keep expectations sensible. This is a training course first. You are there to earn a qualification and practice skills, not simply sit on a boat for a scenic outing.

What is included in the $507 price

At $507 per person, the course is not a budget activity. It becomes easier to judge when you count what is bundled into the fee:

• Five underwater sessions
• Full equipment rental
• Boat transfers
• PADI Adventures in Diving online manual
• Bali Hai Diving Adventures log book
• Experienced PADI instructor
• PADI Advanced certification card
• Lunch on training days
• Drinking water, coffee, and tea
• Insurance
• Free T-shirt

The equipment rental is a major value point if you are not carrying your own kit. So are the boat transfers, meals, insurance, course materials, and certification card. Buying those pieces separately would make the headline price look less complete.

Photography services, camera rental, towels, pickup transport, and food or drinks outside the stated training-day provisions cost extra. A single supplement surcharge may also apply. Ask about that before paying if you are booking alone.

You are paying for instruction as much as for access to the water. The four-to-one maximum is especially relevant. A small group gives the instructor more time to watch your technique and address problems, though the total activity can still have up to 15 people around the wider operation.

Safety, standards, and the physical side

Bali Hai Diving Adventures has operated around Nusa Lembongan since 1992 and states a 100 percent safety record. That is reassuring, but your own preparation still matters. You must complete a basic medical form and a medical and liability checklist before entering the water.

You need to be at least 10 years old and hold a PADI Open Water Diver certificate or an equivalent qualification from another agency. You should also have a moderate level of physical fitness. The course is not described as suitable for someone who has never been certified.

Bring patience as well as enthusiasm. You may understand a skill on land and still need time to perform it underwater. If you do not meet the required PADI standards, there is no refund for non-certification. A PADI referral can be issued on site, allowing you to continue the course elsewhere, but that means extra planning and potentially extra cost.

Weather can change the schedule. If severe conditions close the harbor, the operator can reschedule the departure time without a refund. That is a normal risk for a boat-based activity, so avoid placing an important flight immediately after the course.

The human side of the operation

The strongest feedback centers on service. Asri is described as welcoming, and the onboard staff are noted for friendly service. That matters on a course where you may feel uncertain during your first new skill or need help with equipment.

The wider setting also works well for mixed groups. A family can enjoy the pontoon and lunch, while certified participants work through their training. I would still remember that a pleasant boat atmosphere does not replace a careful instructor briefing. Pay attention to the course plan, safety instructions, and what each specialty requires.

The small instructor ratio is the most useful service feature for the student. Four people per instructor is a manageable number for demonstrations and corrections. If you are nervous, returning to scuba after a long break, or changing from another certification agency, tell the instructor early.

Who will get the most from this course?

This course suits you if you already hold basic Open Water certification and want more confidence without committing to a long professional program. It is also a good match if you know which skills you want to improve, especially buoyancy, navigation, computer use, or fish identification.

It works for families with eligible children, since the minimum age is 10, provided each participant meets the medical and certification requirements. The lunch, drinks, equipment, and boat transfers make the arrangement simple for a two-day trip.

You may want another option if you need hotel pickup, dislike fixed schedules, or want a purely recreational boat day. You should also think twice if you are uncomfortable with the possibility of weather changes or cannot commit to meeting at Benoa.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 1:00 pm local start time. Cancellations made later than that are not refunded, and changes within 24 hours are not accepted.

Wear practical swim and sun protection, and remember that a towel is not included. Since pickup is not included, leave enough time to reach Benoa without rushing. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours if space is available, so do not assume the course is secured until that confirmation comes through.

I would also use the online manual before the first water session rather than leaving all five knowledge reviews until the last minute. The work is intended to be easy, but a little preparation gives you more time to focus on your skills.

Should you book the Bali Hai Advanced Open Water course?

I would book it if you already have your basic certification, want a recognized PADI upgrade, and value a small instructor ratio with most major costs included. The choice of three specialties gives you more control than a fixed five-session program, and the no-exam format keeps the academic side manageable.

I would not book it blindly from Seminyak without checking transport. The Benoa meeting point, possible single supplement, weather policy, and no-refund rule for failing PADI standards deserve attention.

For the right participant, this is a well-rounded two-day step toward safer, more confident scuba at depths up to 30 meters. Choose your specialties carefully, arrive prepared, and treat the course as training with beautiful surroundings, not as a casual boat excursion.

FAQ

How long is the PADI Advanced Open Water course?

The course takes approximately two days and includes five underwater sessions.

Where does the course start?

It starts at Bali Hai Cruises, Jl. Wahana Tirta No. 1, Benoa, Denpasar Selatan, Bali 80222, Indonesia.

What time does the activity begin?

The stated start time is 1:00 pm.

What certification do I need before joining?

You must hold a PADI Open Water Diver certificate or an equivalent qualification from another diving agency.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 10.

Is there a final exam?

No. You study the advanced manual and complete five knowledge reviews, but there is no exam.

What happens if weather closes the harbor?

The operator may reschedule the departure time if severe weather or force majeure closes the harbor. No refund is provided for that schedule change.