Bali Hai – PADI Advance Open Water Course in Lembongan

The best part of this two-day PADI course is its practical shape. You complete five underwater sessions, learn to manage greater depth and navigation, then choose three topics that fit your interests. You do not need prior advanced certification, only an Open Water qualification or equivalent.

I like the small teaching ratio of four students per instructor and the fact that the price includes equipment, boat transfers, lunch, insurance, course materials, and certification. I also like the friendly service, with Asri and the wider boat crew specifically noted for making first-time visitors feel welcome.

The main consideration is the meeting point. You need to reach Bali Hai Cruises in Benoa, not simply turn up at a beach in Seminyak. The course also asks for moderate fitness, a medical form, and two days of focused study and underwater work.

Key points to know before booking

• Five training sessions: Deep and navigation work are required, followed by three choices from a useful list of specialties.
• 30-meter certification: Completing the course can qualify you to go to 30 meters, or 100 feet, under PADI standards.
• Small instructor groups: The maximum ratio is four students to one qualified PADI instructor.
• Nearly all major costs are covered: Equipment, transfers, lunch, drinks, insurance, materials, and the certification card are included.
• No final exam: You complete five knowledge reviews from the online manual, but there is no end-of-course exam.
• Lembongan setting: The activity uses Bali Hai’s established operation, with departure and return at the Benoa meeting point.

Why this course is more useful than a simple pleasure outing

This is not just a sightseeing trip with an air tank. The PADI Advanced Open Water course is built to make you more capable and calmer underwater. You work on depth, navigation, and three extra skills, which gives the two days a clear purpose.

That matters if your Open Water training now feels a little distant. The course lets you practise in real conditions while an instructor is present, rather than trying to learn new habits on your own. It is also a sensible next step if you want to continue scuba trips in other parts of the world.

You do not have to think of yourself as an expert. The course is designed for people who have just completed their basic PADI certification, or hold an equivalent qualification from another agency. The word advanced refers to the next certification level, not a demand that you already perform like a seasoned professional.

The advertised price is $507 per person. That is not a small amount, but it covers five underwater sessions and many costs that can quickly add up elsewhere. You receive full equipment rental, boat transfers, instruction, lunch, water, hot drinks, insurance, the online manual, a log book, a T-shirt, and the PADI certification card.

The value is strongest if you need to rent all your equipment and want a recognized qualification at the end. If you already own gear or only want one casual outing, the package may feel more than you need.

Starting at Benoa and getting ready at 1 pm

The listed meeting point is Bali Hai Cruises, Jl. Wahana Tirta No. 1, Benoa, in South Denpasar. The stated start time is 1:00 pm, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

That detail deserves attention when you plan your accommodation and transport. Pickup is described as offered in the general tour summary, but the detailed inclusions say pickup transport is not included. I would treat Benoa as your responsibility unless your booking confirmation clearly arranges a pickup.

Once you arrive, expect the practical start to the course: forms, equipment preparation, and an outline of the skills ahead. You must complete a basic medical form and a medical and liability checklist before entering the water. Bring enough time for this process rather than arriving at the last moment.

The course has a maximum of 15 participants, but the more important number is the teaching ratio of four students to one PADI instructor. A larger total group can still be divided into small instructional units. If you want the smallest possible group, confirm how many students are assigned to your instructor.

The five-session plan and what each part teaches

Two parts are compulsory: the deep session and underwater navigation. These are the foundation of the course because they deal with two issues that change as you gain experience.

The depth work takes you toward the new 30-meter, or 100-foot, certification limit. Greater depth affects planning and comfort, so this session is not merely about going lower. It is intended to help you understand how your skills and equipment perform as conditions change.

Underwater navigation gives you a way to move with more purpose. You work on finding your way rather than relying entirely on an instructor or the boat. That is a useful skill for anyone who wants to become more independent.

You then select three additional specialties from the available list. Your choices shape the character of the course:

• Digital underwater photography can suit you if you want to make better images while keeping your attention on safe equipment handling.
• Multi-level and computer work focuses on planning different depths and using a dive computer.
• Peak performance buoyancy helps you improve body position, air use, and control in the water.
• Underwater naturalist and Fish ID options add an observation element, useful if you enjoy identifying what you see.
• Boat and drift sessions introduce two different ways of working with the local environment.
• A night session offers a very different view of underwater life, but it requires comfort with low-light conditions.
• Search and recovery gives the course a practical problem-solving angle.

You cannot complete every specialty in two days, so choose according to your next travel plans. If you expect more boat-based trips, boat work may be useful. If you struggle with position and air consumption, buoyancy is likely the better choice. If you enjoy watching marine life, naturalist or Fish ID work may give you more pleasure.

The exact order of these sessions is not provided, so your instructor will set the schedule around conditions, teaching needs, and the choices made by the group. That flexibility is useful, though anyone who wants a particular night session should ask early if it is available during the two-day program.

Study without the pressure of a final exam

You receive access to the PADI Adventures in Diving online manual and must complete five knowledge reviews. These are described as easy, and there is no final exam for the course.

That does not mean you can ignore the study. The written work prepares you for the decisions you will make underwater, especially around depth, navigation, equipment, and planning. I like this format because it checks that you have understood the basic ideas without turning the course into a classroom test marathon.

Set aside time to read the manual before and between sessions. The two-day schedule is active, and trying to rush all five reviews at the end would make the learning less useful.

If you do not meet PADI’s minimum standards, the price is not refunded for non-certification. You may receive a PADI referral on site, which lets you continue the course elsewhere. That is an important distinction: you are paying for instruction and the scheduled course, not an automatic certificate regardless of performance.

Equipment, lunch, and the real value of the package

Full equipment rental is included, so you do not need to bring your own scuba kit. Photography is different. A rental camera and photography services are not included, so choose the photography specialty only if you are prepared to arrange or pay for the camera separately.

Boat transfers are included, which simplifies movement between the base and the underwater sites. Lunch, drinking water, coffee, and tea are also included on training days. Food outside those stated provisions is not covered, and towels are not provided.

The free T-shirt and log book are small additions, but the log book is useful for recording your completed work and future underwater experience. The insurance included in the package is another practical benefit, though you should still check what its policy covers before you rely on it for a broader trip.

With equipment, transport by boat, meals, instruction, insurance, and certification bundled together, the price is easier to justify than it first appears. The main extra costs to watch are your journey to Benoa, optional photography, and any single supplement that may apply.

Safety, fitness, and the limits of the promise

Bali Hai Diving Adventures has operated in Nusa Lembongan since 1992 and states a 100 percent safety record. That is reassuring, but it should not replace your own attention to the briefing, medical form, and instructor guidance.

You must be at least 10 years old and hold a PADI Open Water Diver certificate or equivalent certification from another agency. The course also calls for moderate physical fitness. The supplied information does not define a fitness test, so if you have a medical concern or are unsure about your readiness, address it before booking.

Weather can affect the schedule. If severe weather occurs and the harbor closes, the operator may reschedule the departure time without a refund. This is a normal risk of a boat-based activity, but it matters if you have a tight onward itinerary.

The general cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded or accepted. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not build a complicated travel plan around the course until your place is confirmed.

The people and service behind the course

Service matters during a technical course. You spend long stretches preparing equipment, listening to instructions, and working with the same small group. A careless or unfriendly crew can make even good underwater conditions feel tiring.

Asri is specifically noted for being welcoming, and the wider boat team is described as friendly and helpful. The strongest praise centers on service, the blue water around the island, the pontoon, and lunch. Those details suggest an operation that understands the social side of a boat day as well as the training itself.

That said, no instructor names are provided, so you cannot select a particular teacher in advance from the available information. You can, however, ask who will lead your group and how the four-to-one ratio will be organized when your booking is confirmed.

Who will get the most from these two days?

This course suits you if you have finished basic training and want more confidence before planning independent scuba holidays. It is also a good fit if you prefer structured instruction to simply booking a series of recreational outings.

Families should note the minimum age of 10, but age alone does not settle suitability. Each participant must complete the required medical paperwork and meet the course standards. The moderate fitness requirement also means this is not a passive boat excursion.

The course is less suitable if you want a relaxed half-day outing with no study. Five sessions, five knowledge reviews, and a certification target require attention. It is also not the best match if you cannot spare two days or need guaranteed departure times in poor weather.

You should choose your three elective topics carefully. Buoyancy and navigation offer broad practical value. Photography, Fish ID, and naturalist work suit a more observation-focused trip. A night or drift session can add variety, while search and recovery gives you a task-based challenge.

Should you book the Lembongan course?

I would book this course if you already hold basic certification, want the 30-meter qualification, and value an all-in package with a small instructor ratio. The combination of five sessions, equipment, boat transport, meals, insurance, study materials, and certification makes $507 reasonable for a serious two-day step forward.

Before paying, confirm your pickup arrangements, the exact location of the Benoa meeting point, the three specialties available on your dates, and the instructor group size. Also make sure your schedule can absorb a weather-related change.

Choose it for skills and confidence, not just blue water and a pleasant boat lunch. If that is what you want, Bali Hai offers a clear path from basic certification to more capable underwater travel.

FAQ

How long does the PADI Advanced Open Water course last?

The course lasts approximately two days.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Bali Hai Cruises, Jl. Wahana Tirta No. 1, Benoa, Denpasar Selatan, Bali.

What time does the course start?

The listed start time is 1:00 pm.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Five sessions are included. Deep work and underwater navigation are compulsory, and you choose three additional specialties.

Do I need an Open Water certification?

Yes. You must hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification or an equivalent qualification from another scuba agency.

Is there a final exam?

No. You complete five knowledge reviews from the PADI Adventures in Diving online manual, but there is no final exam.

What is included in the price?

The package includes equipment rental, boat transfers, a T-shirt, five sessions, the online manual, a log book, a PADI instructor, the certification card, lunch, drinking water, coffee, tea, and insurance.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.