A shipwreck and a skills boost in two days? That’s the appeal here. This PADI Advanced Open Water course in Bali mixes structured training with standout sites, run by a small team and designed for people who already hold Open Water certification. I love that it’s limited to just 2 participants, so you’re not lost in a crowd. One thing to consider: the schedule starts early and the course isn’t suitable for everyone (including pregnant participants and people with certain health issues).
What really makes it click is the way the training matches the water time. You’ll do 3 sessions around Padang Bai Blue Lagoon on day one, then shift to Tulamben on day two to work with the USAT Liberty shipwreck. I also like that you complete the required components for the PADI Advanced card, not just a couple of sightseeing stops—so your next certification step feels earned.
In This Review
- Key highlights that matter
- Why this Bali Advanced course is such a good value
- Pickup timing and the full-day rhythm
- Day 1 at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon: training that gets applied fast
- Day 2 in Tulamben with the USAT Liberty wreck
- Your PADI Advanced skill checklist (what you’ll actually finish)
- Gear, comfort, and what to pack so you don’t fuss
- Price vs. what you get: the real math behind $339
- Who should book this course (and who shouldn’t)
- Final call: should you book it?
- FAQ
- What certification do I need to join this course?
- How long is the course?
- How many ocean training sessions are included, and where do they happen?
- Is hotel pickup included, and from which areas?
- What time does pickup usually happen?
- What’s included in the $339 price?
- What should I bring with me?
- How big is the group?
- Can I cancel, and is there a pay-later option?
Key highlights that matter
- Small-group format (max 2 people) for hands-on coaching and calmer water time
- 5 total ocean training sessions across Padang Bai Blue Lagoon and the USAT Liberty shipwreck
- Course runs for PADI Open Water certified students only, so everyone starts at the same baseline
- Equipment rental + PADI materials and certification support included in the price
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from several Bali areas, with early morning timing
Why this Bali Advanced course is such a good value
You’re paying $339 per person for a 2-day PADI Advanced Open Water course with real training structure, not just an extra-long day of “look at fish.” The value shows up in the mix: you get the classroom paperwork, equipment rental, PADI materials/certification items, marine park entry fees, boat and porter’s fees, and lunch plus drinks at the center. For Bali, where costs can add up fast once you start layering park fees, boats, and gear, this kind of bundle tends to keep your total from creeping upward.
The other value play is the small group. With only 2 participants, you’re more likely to get timely feedback on buoyancy control, navigation tasks, and problem-solving underwater. In a larger group, those moments get rushed. Here, the ratio feels built for learning.
And the sites are purposefully chosen. Padang Bai Blue Lagoon gives you open-water variety without being a total chaos-factory. Then Tulamben brings the iconic wreck setting of the USAT Liberty, where wreck-focused skills become more meaningful because you’re actually working around something substantial.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Bali.
Pickup timing and the full-day rhythm
This is a 2-day, full-day setup. Pickup times run between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM depending on where you’re staying (and Sanur has its own window). You’ll want to be ready in the hotel lobby about 10 minutes before your scheduled time. Drop-off is at 5:30 PM, so plan for a long day both days.
Why that matters: Advanced training needs consistency. If you show up late, you’ll feel it during equipment setup and the early briefing before you head out. Also, early mornings in Bali can be refreshing—less sun glare, fewer crowds, and cooler air for getting your gear on.
Bring swimwear and a hat, and keep sunscreen handy. Even if you spend most of the time in the water, you’ll still get time in the sun between the briefing, the ride out, and the surface intervals.
Day 1 at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon: training that gets applied fast
Your day begins at the dive training center with the usual course steps: registration forms and paperwork. This is where you’ll confirm your eligibility and get your course flow sorted. You must bring your PADI Open Water certification card to participate.
After the paperwork, you’ll prepare gear and load the vehicles. Then you head to Padang Bai Blue Lagoon for 3 ocean training sessions. This is the “learning by doing” day. You’ll follow your instructor’s guidance and work on the skills that matter for the Advanced level, not just cruising.
You’ll break for lunch and light refreshments back at the center. That part is underrated. People focus on the water time, but if you get behind on food and hydration, it shows in your energy and decision-making underwater. Having lunch included helps you stay steady for the afternoon.
What I like about starting with Padang Bai: it’s a strong training setting where you can concentrate on technique—especially buoyancy and control—before you move to a wreck environment on day two.
Day 2 in Tulamben with the USAT Liberty wreck
On day two, you travel to Tulamben for 2 ocean training sessions at the USAT Liberty shipwreck. The wreck setting is the reason this day feels like more than standard water practice. You’re applying skills with a real-world underwater structure where navigation, planning, and situational awareness matter.
At this stage in the course, you’re building from day one. Instead of treating wrecks as a sightseeing theme, the course frames it as skill work: how you plan the approach, how you manage your position, and how you keep your head in the right place when the environment is complex.
The USAT Liberty is a famous Bali wreck, and that alone draws people in. But the better angle is this: you’re doing it as part of a structured certification path, so it doesn’t feel like a random add-on. You leave with experience that lines up with the competencies required for the PADI Advanced Open Water level.
Your PADI Advanced skill checklist (what you’ll actually finish)
By the end of the course, you’ll complete the required and elective components listed for the Advanced certification card. The wording can vary by program delivery, but the modules you’ll complete include:
- The mandatory deeper-water skills portion
- Underwater Navigation (mandatory)
- Boat-operations session
- Peak Performance Buoyancy (PPB)
- Underwater Naturalist
- Search & Recovery
- Wreck skills
This matters because Advanced training is about more than “going down farther.” It’s about using better planning and control so you can handle common scenarios calmly: staying stable in the water column, moving with purpose, and managing tasks without getting rushed.
If you already have Open Water, you’ll likely notice how this course shifts your focus from basic comfort to cleaner technique and stronger decision-making. You’re practicing the kind of habits that make future trips less stressful—especially when conditions or tasks get more challenging.
Gear, comfort, and what to pack so you don’t fuss
Most of the big stuff is handled for you. Equipment rental is included, so you don’t need to rent gear separately or worry about mismatched rentals from day one to day two.
You should still pack your personal comfort items because you’ll be at the mercy of early rides and sun. Bring:
- Change of clothes
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Swimwear
- Hat
Practical tip: wear something easy to rinse off and re-change. You’ll likely get time near the water and on boats, so staying comfortable between sessions is more than a nice-to-have.
Also, keep in mind the course is for age 12+, and you’ll want to be comfortable being active early in the morning. If you’re bringing anything sensitive, keep it close—during a tight schedule, you don’t want to spend your day searching through bags.
Price vs. what you get: the real math behind $339
At $339 per person for 2 days, the price can look either fair or steep depending on what’s included. Here, you get a full package: hotel pickup and drop-off from major areas (Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur with different pickup windows), marine park entry fees, boat and porter’s fees, lunch, and drinks at the center.
You also get the instructor team, PADI materials and certification, and equipment rental. When those costs are added separately, your total can jump. This course keeps the budgeting clearer.
The small-group size also affects value. When only 2 participants are in the mix, the staff effort tends to be more focused per person. That usually means fewer misunderstandings, fewer “wait while someone else gets checked,” and more consistent coaching.
From the available feedback, the vibe is consistent: people praised value for money and the team’s service and communication. Marcello, based in Switzerland, specifically called it fantastic value and an amazing team. Vaclav from the UK highlighted strong communication and flexibility with requests. That kind of service focus matters most on a course like this, where small corrections make a big difference.
Who should book this course (and who shouldn’t)
This Advanced course is designed for people who already hold PADI Open Water certification. If you’re at that level, you’ll fit the rhythm quickly because you’re not starting from scratch.
It’s also a good match if you want to:
- improve control and confidence through structured modules
- get comfortable with navigation and task-focused underwater work
- experience the USAT Liberty wreck as a guided certification component
It is not suitable for:
- pregnant women
- people with heart problems
- people with respiratory issues
If you fall into any of those categories, don’t treat this as a “maybe” situation. Safety comes first, and your best move is to ask about alternative training or a different plan that fits your situation.
Final call: should you book it?
Yes, you should book this if you want an Advanced Open Water upgrade in Bali that feels organized, supported, and worth the money. The big wins are the small group size, the fact that you complete the actual PADI module list, and the balanced choice of sites—Padang Bai for training flow, then Tulamben for wreck skills.
I’d hesitate only if you strongly dislike early mornings, or if you’re not eligible based on the health limits listed. If that’s not you, this is the kind of course that turns your next trip from “fun water time” into real skills you can use again and again.
FAQ
What certification do I need to join this course?
You need to have PADI Open Water certification, and you must bring your certification card with you.
How long is the course?
The course lasts 2 days.
How many ocean training sessions are included, and where do they happen?
You’ll complete 5 ocean training sessions total: 3 at Padang Bai Blue Lagoon and 2 at the USAT Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben.
Is hotel pickup included, and from which areas?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Beach, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur. The pickup window differs slightly by area.
What time does pickup usually happen?
Pickup is scheduled between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM for most listed areas, and 7:30 AM to 7:45 AM for Sanur. Drop-off is at 5:30 PM.
What’s included in the $339 price?
Included are marine park entry fees, boat and porter’s fees, lunch, water/tea/coffee at the dive center, an experienced instructor, equipment rental, and PADI materials and certification.
What should I bring with me?
Bring swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, your PADI Open Water certification card, plus a towel and change of clothes.
How big is the group?
It’s a small group limited to 2 participants.
Can I cancel, and is there a pay-later option?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There’s also a reserve now & pay later option, so you can book and pay nothing today.
