It’s safe to say there is an immense variety of PADI Courses available today! From beginner courses and specialties right through to professional levels that allow you to revel in diving across the globe. However, you may be wondering about the differences between some of the more similar courses. For example, what is the Deep Diver vs. Advanced Open Water Diver course? What are the differences and similarities?

Once you’ve completed the Open Water Diver course, you’ll definitely want to continue your diving education. The next steps you are able to take include the PADI Deep Diver course and the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. Keep reading to find out which one is right for you.


Two scuba divers practicing a hover as part of the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

Improve all areas of your diving skills down to 30 meters (100 feet).

If you loved your Open Water Diver course and are eager to learn more and want to dive deeper, consider the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. This higher certification level allows you to dive down to 30 meters (100 feet)! The 2 to 3 day (depending on how many dives you do a day) course requires five different adventure dives, including navigation, a deep dive, and three additional specialities you can select with your instructor. These could include fish identification, night diving, drift diving, peak performance buoyancy, altitude diving, drysuit diving, and more.

To summarize the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course:

  • 5 adventure dives, including navigation and deep diving
  • Become certified to 30 meters (100 feet)
  • Ideal for those looking to improve in ALL areas of knowledge and diving

What prerequisites are needed?

  • PADI Open Water Diver Course or equivalent

Minimum Age: 12 years old (or 10 for the Junior Advanced Open Water Diver course)

eLearning Available: Yes

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two scuba divers descend from above

PADI Deep Diver

Venture into deeper depths of the oceans with confidence

The PADI Deep Diver is a speciality course ideal for those looking to venture into the depths beyond the 18 meters (60 feet) of the Open Water Diver qualification, as well as beyond the 30 meters (100 feet) of the Advanced Open Water Diver course. Above all, this course is for depth lovers. With this speciality, your instructor will help you develop safe diving practices over 2 to 3 days to comfortably explore life down at 40 meters (130 feet) below the surface!

To summarize the PADI Deep Diver course:

  • Classed as a speciality course
  • Dives focus on deep diving skills
  • Become certified to 40 meters (130 feet)
  • Learn how to plan deep dives
  • Learn how to manage your gas supply
  • Lastly, know how to identify and manage narcosis

What prerequisites are needed?

  • PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent
  • PADI Adventure Diver (or equivalent)

Minimum Age: 15 years old

eLearning Available: Yes

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A diver accessing PADI eLearning from their mobile phone during a flight to a scuba destination

Get Started Now with eLearning!

Hopefully now you understand the Deep Diver vs. Advanced Open Water Diver course distinctions, ready to take on whichever suits you!

Luckily, you don’t have to wait to start your new PADI course. You can begin right now from the comfort of your phone, laptop or tablet at home or on the go! PADI eLearning provides the opportunity to get stuck into dive knowledge from quite literally anywhere. Whether that’s on an international flight to the Galapagos, in a hammock overlooking the Red Sea, or at home on the sofa dreaming of your next getaway!

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