Bali: 2-Day PADI Advanced Open Water Course

The best part of this two-day Bali course is its mix of formal skill training and memorable sea sites. You’ll work through the mandatory deep-water session and underwater navigation, then visit Padang Bai Blue Lagoon and the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben. This is not a casual sightseeing trip. It is for certified Open Water participants ready for the next PADI level.

I like the two-person limit, which gives you more direct time with the instructor, and I like the practical value: equipment, marine fees, boat costs, lunch, hotel transfers, and PADI materials are all included. The main drawback is the long, full-day schedule, with early pickup and an expected return around 5:30 PM.

Key points at a glance

• Five ocean sessions in two days: Three at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon and two at Tulamben.
• Required advanced skills: Complete deep-water and underwater navigation training as part of the course.
• USAT Liberty wreck: Explore one of Bali’s best-known underwater sites on the second day.
• Very small group: The course accepts no more than two participants.
• Broad choice of specialties: Boat work, buoyancy, naturalist study, search and recovery, and wreck training are included in the course program.
• Useful all-in pricing: At $339 per person, the fee covers transfers from selected south Bali areas, gear, meals, porters, marine fees, and PADI materials.

What $339 buys you in two full days

At $339 per person, this course is not simply a pair of guided outings. It combines instruction, five ocean sessions, gear rental, transportation, meals, port fees, park charges, and PADI certification materials. That makes the price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange equipment and transport to both Padang Bai and Tulamben.

The small group matters just as much. With a maximum of two participants, you should have a better chance to ask questions, get corrections on your technique, and move through the required exercises at a sensible pace. This is particularly useful for navigation and buoyancy work, where small mistakes are easier to fix when an instructor can watch you closely.

The price does not remove every possible expense from your Bali trip. You still need to bring personal items such as swimwear, a towel, a hat, and sunscreen. You should also arrive with your PADI Open Water certification card, because this course is reserved for people who already hold that qualification.

Day one at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon

Your first morning begins at the dive center with registration forms, course paperwork, and an equipment check. Hotel pickup is offered from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur. Pickup from most listed areas is scheduled between 7:00 and 7:15 AM, while Sanur pickups are listed between 7:30 and 7:45 AM.

You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the assigned time. This is a small but important detail. A late start can affect the whole day, since the schedule includes equipment loading, road travel, three ocean sessions, lunch, and the return trip.

At the center, you will prepare your kit and help load the vehicles before heading toward Padang Bai. The Blue Lagoon portion gives the instructor room to work on the course requirements while you gain more time in open water. Three sessions in one day also make this the more physically demanding half of the course.

The mandatory deep-water work is central to the program. It is meant to help you become more comfortable with the effects of greater depth and to follow proper procedures under supervision. The course description does not specify the exact maximum depth, so you should ask the instructor for the planned depth and the conditions expected that day.

Underwater navigation is the other required element. You will practice using your compass and natural references to improve your ability to keep track of direction. This is one of the most useful skills in the course because good navigation reduces guesswork and helps you stay aware of your position.

The remaining options include peak performance buoyancy, underwater naturalist work, search and recovery, boat training, and wreck training. The exact order may depend on conditions and instructor planning. I like this range because it lets the course cover both practical control and more specialized interests, rather than forcing every participant into only one narrow type of session.

After the Blue Lagoon outings, you return to the center for lunch and light refreshments. Water, tea, and coffee are provided there. The included meal is helpful, but do not treat it as a substitute for your own snacks if you know you need extra food during a long active day.

Day two at the USAT Liberty wreck

The second day takes you to Tulamben, home of the USAT Liberty. Two ocean sessions are planned here, giving you a more focused day than the three-session schedule at Padang Bai.

The wreck training adds a different kind of challenge. You will need to pay attention to your position, buoyancy, and surroundings while following the instructor’s plan. The USAT Liberty is the headline site of the course, but this is still an instructional outing, not an unrestricted wreck expedition. Follow the route and limits set by the instructor.

Tulamben also gives the course a strong sense of progression. On day one, you work on core skills such as depth control and navigation. On day two, you use those habits in a site associated with wreck exploration. That sequence makes sense for an advanced certification course, since you are building control before adding a more specialized setting.

The program lists wreck training among the available course elements, along with the boat session, buoyancy, naturalist work, and search and recovery. Ask the instructor before the first day which five sessions will be formally recorded for your certification. The required deep-water and navigation sessions are specified, but the exact selection and order of the other options may depend on the course plan.

The skills you will take home

The value of an advanced course is not just the certification card. The useful part is learning how to manage yourself more calmly and accurately in open water.

The deep-water session introduces the planning and awareness needed for greater depth. Your instructor will guide you through the required work, but you should still arrive ready to think about air use, comfort, communication, and staying within your own limits.

Navigation training is practical for nearly every future outing. It helps you understand where you are, where you have been, and how to return to a planned point. It also gives you a better sense of independence without pretending that you no longer need a guide.

Peak performance buoyancy is another strong choice. Better buoyancy can help you conserve energy, avoid accidental contact with the bottom, and move with more control. It is a skill that pays off on both scenic outings and wreck sites.

Underwater naturalist work adds an observation element. Instead of only following a route, you learn to pay closer attention to the underwater environment. Search and recovery introduces a different style of problem solving, while the boat session helps you adapt to a boat-based outing.

Because the course includes several possible specialties, it can suit people with different goals. You may prefer the practical value of navigation and buoyancy, or you may be more interested in the wreck and search exercises. Discuss your priorities before the first session.

Transport, timing, and the physical commitment

This is an early-start, full-day activity. Pickup runs in the morning, and the stated drop-off time is around 5:30 PM. You should expect most of the day to be occupied by transport, preparation, instruction, ocean time, meals, and equipment handling.

Hotel transfers are included from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur. If you are staying outside those areas, do not assume pickup is included. Confirm the meeting arrangement before booking.

The road trips to Padang Bai and Tulamben are part of the practical cost of the experience. You do not need to arrange your own vehicle, porters, or boat fees. That is convenient, but it also means you have less control over the day’s pace than you would with a private self-arranged outing.

Three ocean sessions on the first day can be tiring. Even strong swimmers may feel worn out after early transport, equipment changes, and repeated entries into the water. Plan a quiet evening after day one rather than scheduling a late dinner across the island.

The second day includes two sessions, but the wreck setting requires concentration. If you are still gaining confidence after your Open Water certification, tell the instructor before the course starts. The small group should make it easier to discuss comfort and pace.

What to pack for the course

Bring your PADI Open Water certification with you. Without proof of that qualification, you may not be able to take part.

Your basic packing list should include:

• Swimwear
• A change of clothes
• Your own towel
• Sunscreen
• A hat
• Water for personal use if preferred

The center provides water, tea, and coffee, and lunch is included. Equipment rental is also covered, so you do not need to transport your own kit unless you prefer to use it.

A towel is specifically worth remembering. You may be able to buy one in Bali, but forgetting it adds an unnecessary errand to an early morning. Pack your items the night before, along with your certification card and any personal medication you normally carry.

Who will get the most from this course

This course is best for a certified Open Water participant who wants structured instruction rather than a simple guided outing. You should be comfortable spending two long days around the water and ready to work on skills, not only look at marine life.

It suits you especially well if you want:

• A small group with no more than two participants
• A formal PADI progression
• Practice at greater depth and with navigation
• A chance to visit the USAT Liberty
• Transport and equipment handled for you
• Several specialty topics in one course

It may not suit you if you want a relaxed half-day activity, dislike early starts, or prefer to choose every detail of your schedule. The course is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart or respiratory problems. Participants must be at least 12 years old.

The listed teaching languages are English and Indonesian. If you need instruction in another language, confirm that before paying.

Service, communication, and flexibility

The operation has received a perfect five-star rating from four verified bookings, with particular praise for value, service, communication, and flexibility. One customer from Switzerland described the team as hard to beat for the price, while a customer from the United Kingdom highlighted clear communication and the willingness to accommodate requests.

That matters for a two-day course. Small changes in your needs, pickup details, or preferred specialty can affect the schedule. The positive feedback suggests that it is worth contacting the operator before arrival with your questions rather than waiting until the first morning.

Still, a perfect score based on four ratings is a small sample. I would treat it as an encouraging sign, not a guarantee that every part of the experience will suit every participant. Your own comfort level, fitness, weather, and communication with the instructor will shape the result.

Booking and cancellation details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also gives you some flexibility while you finalize your Bali plans.

Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule for your dates. Pickup is included from the listed south Bali areas, but exact timing varies by location. Plan to be in the hotel lobby 10 minutes early.

The provider accepts participants from age 12, but every participant must already hold PADI Open Water certification. Bring the original certification card or the required proof requested by the center.

Should you book this Bali course?

Book it if you already hold PADI Open Water certification and want a focused, good-value step toward stronger underwater skills. The combination of a two-person group, five ocean sessions, required depth and navigation training, and the USAT Liberty makes the program more useful than a standard sightseeing outing.

The $339 price is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for transport, equipment, marine fees, porters, meals, and instruction. It is also a good fit if you want the convenience of hotel pickup and a set plan.

Think twice if you want a slow schedule or are unsure about your readiness for three ocean sessions on the first day. Ask in advance which specialty sessions will be recorded, confirm your pickup point, and be honest with the instructor about your experience. For a certified participant who wants structure, personal attention, and a practical PADI upgrade in Bali, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Do I need PADI Open Water certification to join?

Yes. Participants must already have PADI Open Water certification and must bring proof of it to the course.

How many ocean sessions are included?

The course includes five ocean sessions over two days. Three take place at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon, and two take place at the USAT Liberty site in Tulamben.

What skills are mandatory?

The mandatory skills are the deep-water session and underwater navigation. The program also includes options covering boat work, peak performance buoyancy, underwater naturalist study, search and recovery, and wreck training.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur.

What time is pickup?

Pickup from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak is scheduled between 7:00 and 7:15 AM. Sanur pickup is scheduled between 7:30 and 7:45 AM. You should wait in the lobby 10 minutes early.

What is included in the price?

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

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart or respiratory problems. Participants must also be at least 12 years old.