Advanced Open Water Diver Certification in St. Thomas, VI
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
3–5 days
Fitness Level
Participants should have moderate physical fitness and comfort swimming in open water environments.
Overview
Elevate your diving with the Advanced Open Water certification in St. Thomas. Experience exciting deep, navigation, and specialty dives in the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands waters.
Advanced Open Water Diver Certification
Ages 12+ • Requires OWD • Includes 5 Dives • 4 Hours
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Elevate your diving skills with the Advanced Open Water certification course! Experience five thrilling adventure dives, including a deep dive and navigation dive, while choosing from exciting options like wreck diving or night diving. Complete E-Learning and enjoy a bonus dive, all while honing your underwater expertise in a stunning environment.
Become an Advanced Open Water certified diver! Includes 5 AOW dives plus a bonus FREE dive
*Get Nitrox Certified too - option available +$200 Rates may vary on holiday dates
Please be aware we need to have minimum 3 divers to run any boat trip. In the unlikely event we do not have a minimum of 3 divers, we will inform you ASAP, offer to reschedule or refund your full booking charge.
Duration
Approx 3.5 - 4 Hours
About
Complete your E-Learning and then come advance your skills with this course. You don't have to be an ADVANCED diver to take this course. Its purpose is to ADVANCE your skills. The E-Learning for this course is not too long as it's designed to spend more time in the water learning and honing your dive skills.
With this course, you will do 5 Adventure Dives. A deep dive and a navigation dive are required for certification, but you will choose the other 3! Here are some of the most common chosen:
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Rescue
- Search & Recovery
- Wreck Diver
- Fish Identification
- Night Diver
- Boat Diver
- Underwater Digital Photography
- Drift Diver
- Underwater Naturalist
- Enriched Air -Fully Nitrox Certified (+$200)
Includes 6 dives (5 AOW dives and free fun dive) or 5 dives if you selected night dive as one of your Adventure dives.
Note: E-learning materials are not included in the certification price listed.
All certifications require a minimum of 2 students for scheduling. Single students may be charged an additional $150 for private instruction at our discretion based upon schedule demands and instructor availability.
What to Bring
Most everything is provided, just bring your certification card, swimwear, sun protection, towels, and customary gratuity for the boat staff.
Adventure Tips
Complete E-Learning Before Arrival
Finish the theory portion online to maximize your time in the water during the hands-on sessions.
Hydrate Well Before and After Dives
Drinking plenty of water helps prevent dehydration, which is crucial when diving in tropical climates.
Choose Specialty Dives to Match Your Interests
Select dives like wreck or night diving to tailor your experience and expand your skills.
Check Weather and Sea Conditions Daily
Conditions can change quickly; follow local advisories to ensure safe and enjoyable dives.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Queen angelfish known for vibrant colors
- Hawksbill sea turtles frequenting coral reefs
History
St. Thomas has a rich maritime history with many shipwrecks linked to Caribbean trade and naval conflicts.
Conservation
Local dive centers participate in coral reef restoration projects to protect the delicate underwater ecosystems around the islands.
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Adventure Hotspots in Charlotte Amalie
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Dive Computer
Tracks depth and time underwater for safe dive planning and decompression management.
Mask and Snorkel
Essential for clear vision and easy surface breathing during dive activities.
Wet Suit (3mm-5mm)
Provides insulation in cooler water temperatures typical in fall and winter seasons.
fall|winter specific
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
Important for signaling your position to boats and dive support on the surface.