PADI Advanced Open Water Course in Goa

PADI Certified
2-3 Days
30m max

₹26,928per person, GST extra

Book Now

Duration: 2-3 Days
Max depth: 30m max
Certification: PADI
Category: Advanced

Highlights

PADI Advanced certification to 30m
Deep dive & navigation plus 3 electives
Unlock deeper dive sites worldwide
Completed in 2-3 days of diving

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver — go deeper, dive further

Duration

2–3 Days

Max Depth

30m

Adventure Dives

PADI Centres

6,000+

The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course takes you to 30 metres and opens up the full range of recreational dive environments. Five adventure dives — mandatory Deep Adventure Dive and Underwater Navigation, plus three electives from PADI's adventure dive menu.

PADI Advanced Open Water is recognised at over 6,000 PADI dive centres worldwide. It is required for many liveaboard routes, as a prerequisite for PADI Rescue Diver, and as the minimum qualification for several PADI specialty courses.

FlyingFish is a PADI-certified dive centre. Your PADI Advanced Open Water certification is issued directly through PADI and carries the same recognition as any PADI centre worldwide.

PADI Advanced Open Water — 5 adventure dives

Two mandatory dives plus three electives you select.

Deep Adventure Dive (Mandatory — to 30m)Deep dive planning, depth management, narcosis identification, equipment behaviour at depth, emergency ascent procedures. Site: Sail Rock.

Underwater Navigation (Mandatory)Compass headings, reciprocal bearings, kick-cycle distance, natural reference navigation, returning accurately to the ascent point.

Wreck Adventure DiveExternal wreck survey, structural navigation, marine ecology in wreck habitats. Site: Suzy's Wreck, 12–18m.

Night/Limited Visibility Adventure DiveTorch technique, buddy proximity in darkness, limited visibility navigation, identifying nocturnal marine species.

Peak Performance Buoyancy Adventure DiveAdvanced trim and hover exercises, reducing physical effort, improving air consumption.

Digital Underwater PhotographyCamera operation underwater, framing techniques, strobe positioning to reduce backscatter.

Drift DiveCurrent-assisted diving, reef hook technique, surface marker buoy deployment in moving water.

PADI Adventure Dives are not the same as PADI specialty certifications. Each Adventure Dive can count as the first dive of the corresponding specialty course if you continue to the full specialty later.

What you need before you start

PADI Open Water Diver (or SSI OWD or equivalent) — required

PADI Junior Open Water (for ages 10–14 with depth restrictions)

No minimum logged dives required — but 10+ recommended

Age 10 or older

Comfortable and confident in open water

A PADI adventure dive completed during PADI Advanced Open Water can count as the first dive of the matching PADI specialty course — saving a dive if you continue to the full specialty.

Your 5 PADI adventure dives — Grandé Island, Goa

All dives are at Grandé Island, 30 minutes by speedboat from Novotel Candolim. Your PADI Instructor selects sites based on conditions and your chosen electives.

Grandé Island Reef

5–18m · All levels

Coral gardens, moray eels, snappers, parrotfish. The primary training reef — gentle conditions and rich marine life.

Suzy's Wreck

12–18m · OW+

British-era vessel thick with soft coral. Resident groupers, blue-spotted stingrays, moray eels. Light-zone penetration possible.

Sail Rock

14–24m · AOW recommended

Rocky pinnacle with currents and pelagics. Eagle rays, drift diving. One of Goa's most dynamic dive sites.

Shelter Cove

6–14m · All levels

Protected bay, very gentle. Nudibranchs, pipefish, seahorses. Ideal for skill-focused dives without current distraction.

Bounty Bay

5–12m · All levels

Shallow reef for long bottom times. Macro life — nudibranchs, ornate ghost pipefish. Great for photography and hover practice.

Deep dive at Sail Rock: We use Sail Rock for the mandatory 30m deep dive wherever conditions allow — the open-water descent, depth availability, and pelagic marine life make it the ideal site for a first 30m dive.

What's included in this course

5 adventure dives at Grandé Island

Full ScubaPro equipment rental

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification card

Deep Adventure Dive (mandatory)

Navigation Adventure Dive (mandatory)

3 elective adventure dives

Boat rides and insurance coverage

Not included

Optional underwater video editing
Personal expenses
Damage to rental equipment

Certification: Your digital certification card is issued immediately upon successful completion. You are certified before you leave Goa and can dive anywhere in the world.

After your PADI Advanced Open Water certification

PADI Advanced Open Water opens up the next tier of recreational diving:

Dive to 30m at 6,000+ PADI centres worldwide

Qualify for most recreational liveaboard expeditions

Prerequisite for PADI Rescue Diver — the next major step

Add PADI Enriched Air Nitrox for extended bottom times

Progress toward PADI Master Scuba Diver (5 specialty certs required)

Path to PADI DiveMaster professional certification

Recommended next step: PADI Emergency First Response (1 day) + PADI Rescue Diver (3–4 days). These two together are the prerequisites for PADI DiveMaster — the first professional-level PADI certification.

Why take your course with FlyingFish in Goa

Here's what actually sets us apart.

ScubaPro gear, serviced on schedule

Pro-grade gear serviced every 100 dives or 6 months, not when it fails. MK25/S620 regulator, Hydros Pro BCD, Aladin Sport dive computer. You train on the same equipment working instructors use.

A 4:1 diver-to-instructor ratio, max

Your instructor knows where you are underwater at all times. No crowded groups. If a skill needs more practice, you get the time — not the time left over after 8 other students.

Both SSI and PADI at one centre

We teach both agencies at the same location. You choose which certification fits your future dive plans. We give you honest advice, not a push toward whichever we sell more of.

A proper base at the 5-star Novotel Candolim

Proper briefing rooms, clean equipment rinsing stations, structured course schedule. The difference between a dive school and a beach shack matters when you are doing a multi-day certification course.

Adventure dive credit toward PADI specialties

The adventure dives you complete in the PADI Advanced course can count as the first dive of the matching PADI specialty course. If you later take PADI Wreck Diver, your Advanced wreck adventure dive means you only need one more dive for the full specialty. We track which adventure dives you completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Both certifications take you to 30m and involve 5 adventure dives with the same mandatory components (deep + navigation). The key practical difference is brand recognition: PADI Advanced OW is accepted at PADI centres specifically (6,000+ globally), while SSI Advanced Open Water is accepted at SSI centres (3,300+). For diving in the Maldives, Thailand or the Red Sea, both are widely recognised. FlyingFish teaches both — we can help you decide.

Yes — PADI Advanced Open Water is one of the most widely recognised dive qualifications in the Maldives, Thailand, Indonesia, and virtually all major tropical dive destinations. Most liveaboard routes in the Maldives require a minimum of PADI Advanced Open Water and 30–50 logged dives.

Yes. PADI accepts equivalent certifications from other major agencies as the prerequisite. An SSI Open Water Diver certificate is accepted as equivalent to PADI Open Water for entry into PADI Advanced Open Water. We can confirm this with PADI before your course starts.

Each PADI Adventure Dive completed during the Advanced course can count as the first dive of the corresponding PADI specialty. For example, if you do the Wreck Adventure Dive during Advanced OW, you only need one more dive to complete the full PADI Wreck Diver specialty. We record which adventure dives you complete.

Wreck diving at Suzy's Wreck is the most popular — it is a genuinely impressive dive site right on the island. Night diving and photography are close seconds. The mandatory deep dive at Sail Rock is consistently described by students as the highlight of the entire course.

PADI Advanced OW deepens your understanding of diving conditions, depth management, and navigation — all of which are relevant to rescue diving. The increased diving experience and confidence you gain (particularly from the deep dive and navigation) means you approach Rescue Diver with a much stronger foundation. PADI Advanced OW is listed as a prerequisite for Rescue Diver.

₹26,928

per person, GST extra

Included

FlyingFish T-shirtIncluded

Add another course at bundle price

PADI Enriched Air Nitrox +₹9,752~~₹17,870~~

Add-ons

Extra guided fun dive after certification Use your new skills at Grande Island +₹3,940 GoPro rental + edited video Edited video of your dives +₹1,485 Private 1-on-1 instructor Go at your own pace +₹5,940

Your total per person₹26,928 GST extra

Book Now

Book with ₹10,000 per person. Balance and GST at the dive centre.

Book via WhatsApp +91 92092 47825

SSI Certified Dive Centre in Goa

Compare agencies

Advanced with SDI, SSI or PADI

All three are 5 adventure dives with a deep dive and a navigation dive. Here is how they compare at FlyingFish.

Advanced courses compared: SDI, SSI, PADI
Price at FlyingFish
At FlyingFish, Goa	RecommendedLowest price SDI Advanced Adventure Diver	SSI Advanced Open Water Diver	PADI Advanced Open Water Diver You are here
Course price	₹19,800+ GST ₹1,980 less than SSI · ₹7,128 less than PADI	₹21,780+ GST	₹26,928+ GST
Pay online to book	₹5,000, rest at the centre	₹5,000, rest at the centre	₹10,000, rest at the centre
The course
Adventure dives	5	5	5
Required dives	Deep and navigation	Deep and navigation	Deep and navigation
Your choice	3 electives	3 electives	3 electives
Deep dive limit	30 m	30 m	30 m
Deep dive in Goa	Sail Rock, about 24 m	Sail Rock, about 24 m	Sail Rock, about 24 m
Days	2 to 3 Days	2 to 3 Days	2 to 3 Days
Minimum age	Advantage: 10, with parent consent	12	15, or Junior card from 12
Younger divers	Deep dive to 21 m	Ages 12 to 14: deep dive to 21 m	Ages 12 to 14: Junior card, 21 m
How you learn
Dive computer	Advantage: On every dive, an SDI rule	Used on our courses	Used on our courses
Counts toward specialties	Yes	Yes	Yes
Your card
Accepted worldwide	Yes	Yes	Yes
Next step	SDI Rescue Diver	SSI Diver Stress & Rescue	PADI Rescue Diver
	Book SDI View course	Book SSI View course	Book PADI

Facts from each agency's published standards, checked November 2026. Prices per person, GST extra.

What you'll see

Marine life at Grande Island

Species our divers see on these sites, from the FlyingFish marine life guide.

See all 94 species

Trash-Free Thursday

Dive with a purpose

Every Thursday our team heads out and clears whatever rubbish we can find on the reef and in the water.

Want to help? Ask us about joining a cleanup dive.

Ask about cleanup dives

Dive Club

Keep diving all year

Certified divers get 12 months of unlimited dives at Grande Island for ₹19,800 + GST.

See Dive Club

What Our Divers Say

Real Reviews from Real Divers

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what our guests say on Google and TripAdvisor.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 568 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Rajneesh Kumar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Professional staff with all safety measures and excellent service and support...!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   MarvelouSiddharth 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best scuba school in goa highly recommended!

My wife and I had an amazing experience with Flying Fish Scuba School and instructor Sunny. Despite her never having been in a swimming pool, my wife completed her dive course successfully thanks to their incredible support and professionalism. If you want quality instruction and genuine care—not scams—this is the place. 100% worth it!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mahesh g.warrier 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great experience.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Manna Singh 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was priceless movement...i must recommend this as they are very professional....i was scared before start but dinesh the instructor he make me very comfortable  and then i came back for and turn ....it was grt grt time i spent at the sea bed ....and really  thanks amitab sir i really appreciate for last min call for second time...and u accepted....lots of love....
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Pranav Jagtap 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. you are looking for scuba diving in Goa, you’ve likely noticed dozens of operators offering "5-in-1" water sports combos at low prices. As a tourist, I was skeptical of these "scammy" setups. I decided to go with FlyingFish Scuba School (based at the Novotel Resort) based on the review It was definitely the right call and I can easily say it's the BEST scuba diving experience in Goa.

The Training & Team
The experience started with a thorough pool session, which was incredibly helpful for getting comfortable with the gear and breathing techniques before heading into open water. A huge shoutout to Mr. Dinesh and Ms. Maitri, they were phenomenal. Both were professional, friendly, and reliable, which is exactly what you want when you’re 10-12 meters underwater.

The Dive (Scuba 40)
I opted for the 40-minute dive. The marine life was beautiful; I saw a variety of fish and healthy coral reefs. They also provided video footage from an action camera, which was a great bonus.
Note on visibility: While the shipwreck is a major draw, we couldn't see it during my session due to visibility issues. It’s worth keeping in mind that nature doesn't always cooperate, but the rest of the dive more than made up for it.

Facilities & Logistics
The logistics were handled very well:

Changing Rooms: Clean and accessible facilities to change out of wet clothes both after the pool session and after returning from the jetty.

Refreshments: Proper snacks were provided, which were much appreciated after the energy-intensive dive.

Safety: The 1:1 instructor-to-student ratio during the dive made the whole experience feel very secure.

Verdict
If you want a "real" diving experience rather than a rushed tourist activity, this is a solid choice. It felt safe, organized, and honest. FlyingFish scuba surely made th diving experience memorable!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gurkirpal Bedi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really great experience, Unique concept of 40 plus 40 min dives, Very good dive sites and the whole team is so good and helpful...A big thank you to Anirudh and Dinesh Bhai, enjoyed a lot and will come back for the course...And Thank you Amitabh Sir too...
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Joseph Durfey 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend! Dive master was super knowledgeable and professional. Took good care of us. Thank you
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Abdul Waheed 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best experience we ever had
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Anshul Tembhurne 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. - Did an Open Water DiverScuba course with flying fish scuba in goa. This course stands out because at the same course price across India you get 4+2 speciality course dives, which can hugely improve your performance. As there base is at novotel candolim, you get better convenience if you decide to stay at the resort.

- Our instructor was Anirudh. He was amazing, supportive and clarified all our doubts. You can trust him and his experience. You will learn a lot over the duration of course.

- Dive sites are amazing both the wreck and coral colony.

Happy Diving!

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 381 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Road50855370209 
 
 
 
 Verified First scuba experience
It was my first diving experience. I chose flying fish scuba school and was very happy to have chosen this center. They guided me properly. I had an amazing dive and a great experience.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Freedom58686498324 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba
Very good experience to much friendly staff members they help you
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Travel25055630721 
 
 
 
 Verified 40+40 scuba diving
It’s spell bounding experience, I can’t express my happiness. I took 40+40 min long scuba diving . That was intensive and tedious though. I was very eager to see corals and under water 🗺️ world. My instructor Dinesh who truly genuine, with lot of patience listened to me because I was very very anxious once dived into sea!!! I almost gave up, but I asked him 5 mins and repeated the same pool training, eventually I made it😍❣️!! I dived deep equalising my ears often as I have sinusitis problem that caused sharp pain in my ears. My instructor was really helpful and cooperative. Thank you flyingfish scuba for making my dive easier and possible 🪸💖💙
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dwarkesh 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba Nitrox
Great experience with Ashish & Dinesh! Will come back here next time as well!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Curiosity20059827591 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba
Staff members are excellent!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sunshine49195324825 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba
Ashish was an excellent scuba diving trainer and made the whole experience very comfortable. He explained everything clearly and was very patient, especially with beginners. I felt completely safe and confident under his guidance. His calm nature and professionalism made the dive even more enjoyable. Highly recommend Ashish to anyone trying scuba diving for the first time!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Voyager55147331857 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba
Excellent experience with team of the Novotel 👍
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Excursion31003926877 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba diving
Best service provider best experience of life very well trained and professional staff
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   FarAway38541753570 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba diving
Very good experience and had a nice time
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   OnAir49110026021 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba
It was fun and comfortable around them first scuba diving totally worth each penny