Advanced Open Water Course in Pemuteran – Certification in Bali (Menjangan park)

Menjangan-style marine life meets real skill-building. This two-day Advanced Open Water course in Pemuteran (with the Menjangan park option) is built around specific briefings for each session and practical techniques you’ll use on future trips. I especially liked how smoothly the instructors connect the training to what you feel underwater, and how friendly experts like David Chabanel can make professional coaching feel personal.

Two things I really enjoyed: first, the focus on confidence and control through buoyancy work and targeted practice, not just checking boxes. Second, the group stays small (max 8), so you get listening-to-your-needs attention both before you get in and while you’re working through skills.

One consideration: if you want Menjangan park, plan for an additional park entrance fee (200,000 IDR per person per day), plus your comfort level with conditions like currents that can show up on-site.

Key takeaways

• Small group size (max 8) helps you get real coaching instead of rushed instructions
• 5 structured sessions in 2 days (often 3 in the first morning, then 2 the next day)
• Deep and underwater navigation training builds planning skills and compass control
• Choose your extra skill focus with your instructor (photography, buoyancy, fish ID, exploring wrecks)
• Menjangan park is optional but popular, with an extra entrance fee
• Center setup is practical: wifi, toilet, shower, lockers, and a place to eat on-site

Who this Advanced Open Water course is really for

This is for you if you’ve already finished Open Water and you want to level up fast, without turning your vacation into homework. The Advanced Open Water course is designed to build more experience under supervision, so you can handle bigger challenges later with better skills and more calm decision-making.

You’ll need to be at least 12 years old and already Open Water certified. The course provider also mentions moderate physical fitness—not “athlete mode,” but you should be comfortable with basic movement in and around the water and gear setup.

This matters because the training isn’t about memorizing rules. It’s about learning how your body reacts at greater depths, how to plan your underwater work more deliberately, and how to keep your direction even when visibility or conditions aren’t perfect.

Pemuteran and Menjangan: why this part of Bali works

Pemuteran is a strong base for marine training because it gives you access to Menjangan park, a place people go for coral, marine life, and a calmer feel compared with the busiest Bali hotspots.

If you choose the Menjangan park add-on, you can expect exactly why divers love it from the practical side: excellent underwater scenery, lots of marine fauna, and coral you’ll notice right away. In recent experiences, people also highlighted things like very little trash in the water and fewer crowds, which is a big deal when you’re trying to focus on skills instead of sharing space.

There is one tradeoff. The center has to work with real ocean conditions. One recent experience noted strong currents, so this course is best for you if you’re not only capable, but also willing to stay relaxed and follow instructor guidance closely.

Two days, five training sessions: what the rhythm feels like

The course runs about 2 days and is typically structured as one morning with 3 underwater sessions, then another day with 2 sessions. The provider says they can adapt the schedule to your preferences and organization—so if you have timing needs (like early or later starts), it’s worth asking.

Each session starts with a specific briefing. That’s a big value point. Instead of one generic talk, you get instruction tied to the exact skills you’ll practice next—whether that’s planning deeper work, using a compass, or working on a specialty you picked based on your interests.

Also, this is meant to feel like holiday training. The course description makes a clear point: there are no books to study. You’re still learning, but the pace is built around doing the work, getting feedback, and moving on.

The skills you’ll practice: deep planning, navigation control, and your chosen focus

Advanced Open Water has a “core” structure, and then you shape the rest.

Deep Adventure session: planning and physiological awareness

Your Deep Adventure session is built around how to plan deeper underwater work and deal with the real challenges that come with it—especially the physiological effects you need to understand. Practically, you’re training for better judgment and safer habits, not chasing numbers for bragging rights.

You’ll also learn the mental part: how to think ahead so you don’t feel rushed when you’re down there. That’s what makes this useful long-term.

Underwater Navigation session: compass skills that actually stick

The Underwater Navigation Adventure session focuses on compass navigation and how to move effectively using techniques like kick-cycles, plus using visual landmarks and time. The goal is simple: you should leave feeling like you can find your bearings more confidently, not just follow a guide’s line.

For many divers, navigation is the skill that changes everything on future trips—so it’s one of the best value parts of this course.

The 3 other skill tracks you can choose

Beyond deep planning and navigation, the course includes three additional skill areas based on what you want to work on. The provided options include:

• photography
• buoyancy control
• fish identification
• exploring wrecks

That choice system is a real strength. It means the course can fit your trip style. If you love marine life, fish ID can make you slow down and look more. If you care about photos, you’ll likely focus on steady movement and positioning. If buoyancy is your weak spot, this is where you fix it with feedback.

What’s included: gear, equipment comfort, and the center’s setup

If you’re coming from a recent Open Water course, you’ll recognize most of the gear—just with better fitting and more focus on how it supports skill practice.

Included gear:

• masks, snorkel, fins
• buoyancy control jacket (BCD)
• regulator and other instruments
• wetsuit and weight belt

That’s helpful because it removes one common travel headache: trying to source gear that fits properly on your schedule.

The center also has the practical basics you actually care about after each session: wifi, toilet, shower, locker space, and a place to change. There’s also a restaurant/warung available, though food and drink costs aren’t included.

One more note: digital souvenir photos/videos aren’t included. You can purchase them, but they’re an add-on, so don’t plan your budget like they’re automatic.

Instructors and group size: coaching that listens

This course caps at 8 travelers, and that small-group setup shows up in the quality of the experience. You’re not just part of a crowd—you’re part of a training group with space to ask questions and adjust.

The reviews tied to this course consistently praise instructors who are:

• friendly and sociable
• genuinely attentive to the diver’s needs
• focused on health and comfort both above and below the water

Names that came up include David Chabanel as an instructor and Arya as a local guide for Menjangan experiences. There was also praise for how the team monitors and communicates based on language needs, including people running in French or Balinese support roles. Even if you don’t speak French, that kind of organization usually translates into clearer, calmer training.

For you, the practical takeaway is simple: if you tend to get nervous, this format gives you more chances to settle in before and during each skill.

Price and value: what $357.46 covers—and what’s extra

The listed price is $357.46 per person for about 2 days. On value, this price covers:

• the certified instructor
• the training sessions (5 total)
• the provided equipment
• access to center facilities (wifi, toilets, showers, lockers, changing rooms)

What’s not included:

• Menjangan park entrance fee: 200,000 IDR per person per day
• restaurant/warung food & drink
• digital souvenir photos/videos
• accommodation (though there is a hotel available at the dive center)

So how do you judge whether it’s a good deal? Think of it this way:

• If you’d otherwise pay for gear rental, pay for guided training with equipment, and then pay for additional specialty coaching, this bundled structure is usually efficient.
• The only “gotcha” is the Menjangan add-on cost and the fact that you may still want to budget for meals and any photo souvenirs.

Also, because Menjangan entrance is per day, it can meaningfully change your total cost depending on how many days you spend with Menjangan included.

Menjangan park option: when it’s worth the entrance fee

If you’re considering the Menjangan add-on, ask yourself what you want from the course.

If your goal is a certification that upgrades real skills, the core course is still the core. But Menjangan adds the “why people love Bali marine life” part: impressive coral and marine fauna, lots to see while you practice skills, and in recent experiences, you could feel the benefit of very few people on-site.

Is it always perfect? No. Currents can be stronger there, and you’ll need to trust your instructor and your training.

One more detail: some people also combine Menjangan sessions with a night specialty. If nighttime underwater work is on your wishlist, it may be something you can add as a next step depending on what’s offered during your time window—just know it would be separate from the base course structure.

Getting the most out of your two-day certification

This is the type of course where your attitude matters as much as your logbook.

Here’s what pays off:

• Ask questions during each briefing, especially if you’re choosing one of the optional skill tracks like buoyancy control or fish identification.
• Treat navigation practice seriously. Even if you feel awkward at first, compass skills get easier with repetition and feedback.
• Be honest about comfort and health. The instructor style here is described as attentive to your needs. That works best when you communicate clearly.
• Don’t rush your learning. The point is to leave able to plan and execute more confidently, not to feel like you “performed” each skill.

If you’re the type who likes structure but also wants flexibility, the course’s ability to adapt to your preferences is a plus.

Quick practical notes: timing, meeting point, and weather reality

The meeting point is at Dive Concepts Pemuteran, located on Jl. Arjuna, Pemuteran, Kec. Gerokgak, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 81155. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

The center lists opening hours from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (day-to-day availability can still depend on scheduling). Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Finally, the provider notes the activity requires good weather. If weather forces a change, you should expect an alternative date or a full refund.

Should you book Advanced Open Water in Pemuteran?

Book it if:

• you’re Open Water certified already and want a fast, skill-focused upgrade
• you want training built around deep planning and underwater navigation
• you like the idea of choosing optional skill tracks like buoyancy control, fish identification, or photography
• you prefer a small group where instructors can pay attention

Skip it or postpone it if:

• you’re not comfortable planning for extra costs (the Menjangan entrance fee is real)
• you dislike variable ocean conditions like currents and would struggle to stay calm following coaching
• you’re looking for a purely sightseeing trip. This is structured training first, even though you’ll enjoy what you see underwater.

If you want your Bali scuba time to change how you dive later—more control, better planning, and navigation confidence—this course format is a strong fit.

FAQ

What do I need before I can take the Advanced Open Water course?

You need to be at least 12 years old and already Open Water certified.

How long is the course in Pemuteran?

It runs for about 2 days. It’s generally organized as 3 sessions in the first morning and 2 sessions on the second day, but it can be adapted to your preferences.

Is Menjangan park included in the price?

Menjangan park requires an additional entrance fee of 200,000 IDR per person per day.

What diving equipment is included?

Included equipment covers masks, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket (BCD), regulator, other instruments, wetsuit, and weight belt.

How many people are in the group?

There’s a maximum of 8 travelers.

What happens if weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.