Course Details
Take your diving to the next level with the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver Course at Deep South Divers in Marsa Alam. This 2-to-3-day adventure is designed for certified Open Water Divers who want to explore deeper, navigate better, and master advanced underwater skills—all while diving at some of the Red Sea’s most exciting sites.
Since October 2025, SSI has officially renamed this program from “Advanced Adventurer” to “Advanced Open Water Diver“—a certification recognized worldwide that qualifies you to dive up to 30 meters deep.
Why Choose Deep South Divers for Your Advanced Course?
Dive at the Best Sites in the Red Sea
Your five Adventure Dives take you to different locations around Marsa Alam, so you not only learn new skills but also experience the Red Sea’s incredible marine diversity. Furthermore, our instructors will assess your readiness to visit world-famous sites like Elphinstone Reef after you complete the course.
The dive sites you may visit include:
- Samadai Dolphin House—Swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat
- Marsa Nakari — Beautiful coral walls and reef sharks
- Marsa Gabel El Rosas—Famous for sea turtle encounters
- Marsa Egal — Rich marine biodiversity and calm conditions
- Marsa Asslayia — Pristine coral gardens
- Abu Dabbab—Seagrass beds and dugong territory
- Abu Ghusun (Hamada Wreck) — Wreck diving at a shallow shipwreck
Expert Instructors with Deep Specialization
Our instructors hold certifications beyond the standard Advanced level, including SSI Extended Range Deep Diving instructor ratings. Therefore, when you learn deep diving with us, you’re learning from professionals who regularly dive far beyond recreational limits and bring real-world expertise to every skill they teach.
Flexible Schedule — Choose Your Pace
Go fast with our 2-day intensive (3 dives on day one, 2 dives on day two), or take your time with our 3-day relaxed option (2 dives per day) if 3 dives in one day feels like too much. We adapt to your comfort and energy levels.
Your Pathway to Professional Diving
This course is a stepping stone to Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and even Instructor certification. Under Moudi Heikal’s guidance, many of our Advanced students have gone on to become diving professionals.
Your Advanced Open Water Diver Course Instructor—Moudi Heikal
Your course is supervised by Mahmoud “Moudi” Heikal, SSI Instructor Trainer and dive center manager at Deep South Divers. With more than 7,000 logged dives, Moudi has certified hundreds of divers and 13 SSI instructors since 2024.
An SSI Extended Range Deep Diving Instructor with 7,000+ logged dives, Moudi brings real-world deep diving expertise directly to your training.
Follow Moudi for the latest dives and student stories:
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The 5 Dives in Your Advanced Open Water Diver Course
The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program includes 5 Adventure Dives. Two are mandatory, two are our recommended specialties to make you a better diver, and the fifth is your choice from over 14 specialties.
Mandatory Dive 1: Deep Diving (18–30 Meters)
Two parts—planning and execution.
Before the dive: You’ll learn advanced equipment checking techniques, how to calculate gas consumption at depth, and proper dive planning for deeper profiles.
During the dive: You’ll gradually descend past 21 meters, working your way toward the maximum certification depth of 30 meters. Our Extended Range Deep Diving certified instructors will guide you through:
- Proper hovering techniques at depth
- Recognizing and managing nitrogen narcosis
- New pressure effects and how to handle them
- Safe ascent procedures from 30 meters
Result: You’ll be confident diving deep, with the knowledge to plan and execute dives safely to 30 meters.
Mandatory Dive 2: Underwater Navigation
Navigation isn’t just about a compass—it’s about becoming a self-reliant diver who knows exactly where they are at all times.
Before the dive: You’ll learn to use natural references (reef formations, sand patterns, light direction) alongside your compass and how to create a proper navigation plan before entering the water.
During the dive, you’ll practice:
- Compass navigation like a pro—bearing and reciprocal courses
- Using natural landmarks for orientation
- Creating and executing a navigation plan
- Estimating distance underwater
Result: You’ll never feel lost underwater again—whether you have a compass or not.
Recommended Dive 3: Perfect Buoyancy
This is where diving becomes effortless. You’ll learn how to fly underwater—consuming less air, moving silently, and staying perfectly still for photography or observation.
Our instructors share their personal tricks and techniques that took years to develop, so you shortcut the learning curve and master buoyancy faster than most divers.
Result: You’ll look and feel like an experienced diver—streamlined, efficient, and in complete control.
Recommended Dive 4: Waves, Tides & Currents / Drift Diving
The Red Sea has currents—and learning to work with them instead of fighting them changes everything. You’ll learn to read the water, plan drift dives, and use currents to glide effortlessly along the reef while conserving energy.
Result: You’ll be prepared for current dives anywhere in the world—including Elphinstone Reef.
Your Choice — Dive 5: Pick From 14+ Specialties
Choose the fifth dive that matches your interests:
| Specialty | What You’ll Experience |
|---|---|
| Underwater Photography & Video | Capture stunning images of marine life with composition and lighting techniques |
| Night Diving | Explore the reef after dark—see creatures that only come out at night |
| Marine Ecology / Fish ID | Learn to identify fish families and understand reef ecosystems |
| Enriched Air Nitrox | Extend your bottom time and reduce nitrogen absorption with Nitrox |
| Boat Diving | Master boat entries, exits, and safety protocols |
| Wreck Diving | Explore the Hamada wreck at Abu Ghusun with proper wreck diving techniques |
| Search & Recovery | Learn search patterns and lifting techniques for lost items |
And there are more options available—ask your instructor which specialty best fits your diving goals.
Advanced Open Water Diver Course Schedule — 2-Day or 3-Day
Both schedules include hotel pickup at 8:00 AM and return at 1:00 PM. Some trips to farther sites may extend to 3:00 PM. We change dive locations each day so you experience different marine environments.
Option A: 2-Day Intensive (Standard)
| Day | What You’ll Do (8:00 AM — 1:00 PM) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 3 Adventure Dives • Dive 1: Deep Diving—Descend to 18–30m, practice narcosis management and safe ascent • Dive 2: Underwater Navigation—Compass and natural navigation skills • Dive 3: Perfect Buoyancy — Master effortless hovering and trim • All dives at different Marsa Alam reef sites |
| Day 2 | 2 Adventure Dives • Dive 4: Waves, Tides & Currents / Drift Diving — Learn to read and ride currents • Dive 5: Your Choice Specialty — Photography, Night, Nitrox, Fish ID, Boat, Wreck, or Search & Recovery • Certification — Receive your SSI Advanced Open Water Diver certification |
Option B: 3-Day Relaxed (Recommended for Comfort)
| Day | What You’ll Do (8:00 AM — 1:00 PM) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 2 Adventure Dives • Dive 1: Deep Diving—Gradual depth progression to 30m • Dive 2: Perfect Buoyancy — Effortless underwater control |
| Day 2 | 2 Adventure Dives • Dive 3: Underwater Navigation—Master compass and natural navigation • Dive 4: Waves, Tides & Currents—Drift diving techniques |
| Day 3 | 1 Adventure Dive + Certification • Dive 5: Your Choice Specialty—Pick from 14+ options • Receive your SSI Advanced Open Water Diver certification |
Course Requirements
Before enrolling, make sure you meet the following requirements:
- Certification: You must hold an SSI or PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent from a recognized training agency.
- Age: You must be at least 12 years old. Divers aged 12–15 earn the Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification (maximum depth 21m).
- Medical Fitness: You must complete a medical questionnaire and declare any pre-existing medical conditions before diving. If you have any concerns, consult a physician before arrival.
- Logged Dives: Open Water Diver certification (no minimum logged dives required beyond certification dives).
What’s Included
The course price includes everything you need:
- 5 Adventure Dives: 2 mandatory (Deep + Navigation) + 2 recommended (Buoyancy + Currents) + 1 specialty of your choice.
- Dive Equipment Rental: Full set of well-maintained scuba gear (excludes specialty gear like a camera or dive torch).
- Certified SSI Instructors: Learn from experienced professionals, including Extended Range Deep Diving instructors.
- SSI Digital Materials: All course materials and digital certification processing.
- Certification Fee: SSI Advanced Open Water Diver certification card upon successful completion.
- Transportation to Dive Sites: All transfers to Samadai, Marsa Nakari, Marsa Gabel El Rosas, Marsa Egal, Marsa Asslayia, Abu Dabbab, and Abu Ghusun.
- Hotel Pickup & Drop-off: Daily transportation from your hotel (within 20km of Marsa Alam city center; farther hotels may have extra fees).
- Small Groups: Maximum group sizes for personalized attention and quality instruction.
What to Expect
Here is what the course delivers:
- Deep Diving Confidence: Graduate with the skills and knowledge to safely plan and execute dives to 30 meters.
- Navigation Mastery: Never feel lost underwater—navigate with or without a compass using natural references.
- Effortless Buoyancy: Move like an experienced diver—streamlined, efficient, and in complete control.
- Current Diving Skills: Read the water, plan drift dives, and use currents to your advantage.
- Specialty Experience: Try a specialty that excites you—from photography to wreck diving to night diving.
- Internationally Recognized Certification: The SSI Advanced Open Water Diver certification is valid worldwide and allows you to dive to 30 meters with a buddy.
- Elphinstone Reef Readiness: Our instructors assess your skills throughout the course and will certify you for Elphinstone Reef visits if you meet the standard.
Other Information
- Group Size: Small groups ensure personalized attention and maximum learning opportunities.
- Top-Quality Equipment: We provide only the best, regularly maintained scuba equipment. Participants are welcome to bring their own gear.
- Safety: Safety is our top priority. Our instructors adhere to strict SSI safety protocols and ensure all dives are conducted in a controlled, supervised environment.
- Schedule Flexibility: Morning sessions with possible extension to 3:00 PM for further dive sites.
Cancellation Policy
- Flexible Cancellation: Cancel your booking up to 48 hours before your scheduled dive for a full refund.
- No Shows: Refunds will only be issued for participants who provide prior notice.
- Weather Conditions: At Marsa Alam, at Deep South Divers’ discretion, dives may be rescheduled or refunded in case of adverse weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
Terms & Conditions
- Prerequisite: Participants must hold a valid Open Water Diver certification (SSI, PADI, or equivalent).
- Booking: A booking is confirmed only upon receipt of full payment or a deposit specified by Deep South Divers.
- Liability Waiver: Participants are required to sign a liability waiver before participating in any dive activities.
- Changes: Deep South Divers reserves the right to make necessary changes to the itinerary, schedule, or course content.
- Insurance: Participants are advised to have valid dive insurance covering them for the duration of the course.
- Elphinstone Reef Access: Visits to Elphinstone Reef are at the instructor’s discretion based on student skill level and conditions.
- Legal Jurisdiction: Any disputes arising from participation in diving activities will be governed by the laws of the CDWS Recognition Agreement for Training Agencies.
Why Choose Deep South Divers?
Deep South Divers offers the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver Course in the pristine waters of the Red Sea, combining professional training with access to some of the world’s most famous dive sites. Under the leadership of Moudi Heikal, SSI Instructor Trainer with Extended Range Deep Diving credentials, you’ll receive expert instruction that prepares you for deeper, more challenging dives anywhere in the world.
Follow Moudi on Instagram and Facebook to see our advanced divers in action.
Learn more about SSI training standards.
Related Courses
- Open Water Diver Course—The prerequisite for the Advanced course
- Rescue Diver Course—Learn to prevent and manage dive emergencies
- Divemaster Course — Start your professional diving career
- Open Water Instructor Course (ITC) — From beginner to instructor with Deep South Divers
